The San Diego City Council unanimously approved a seven-year citywide project labor agreement (PLA) that will apply to every city project that costs more than $5 million in the first two years and $1 million projects for the following years, rewarding a long effort by SM Local 206 and the San Diego Building Trades to raise working standards in the city. The vote, which took place on January 30, followed a successful referendum in November 2022, when San Diego citizens voted to repeal the city’s 10-year-old ban on PLAs.
“For decades, San Diego was a test lab for what comes when a greedy, conservative establishment runs a big city,” San Diego City Council President Sean Elo-Rivera told the San Diego Union-Tribune. “It doesn’t work. This place is too expensive, folks aren’t paid enough, and more and more people are wondering how the hell they will continue to live in San Diego.”
PLAs help prevent worker exploitation and construction delays by setting wages, safety standards and regulations at union-negotiated levels, providing stronger pay and organizing complex jobs to be completed on time (saving taxpayer dollars in the process). They also frequently include local hire requirements and goals for employing historically disadvantaged workers, such as homeless people, veterans and more.
In a city that awards more than 100 contracts (approximately) for construction projects each year, San Diego’s new PLA promises years of work for SMART members and construction workers in an area growing ever more expensive to live in. That’s a big deal for working-class people across San Diego, and it’s due in large part to the determination and advocacy of unions like Local 206 in spearheading the successful Measure D referendum.
“I’m very proud to say that our members drove the bus on the passage of Measure D,” said Dave Gauthier, Local 206 business manager and financial secretary-treasurer. “We gave up our weekends and weeknights to repeal the largest PLA ban in the country. Negotiating for and winning this citywide PLA is literally the fruit of our labor, and I’m so happy to share this victory with the entire membership.
Local 206 Business Manager/Financial Secretary-Treasurer Dave Gauthier testifies to the San Diego City Council.
“Not only will this PLA provide new career opportunities for our community and more work for our members, it will also help us grow our membership numbers and our contractor base for years to come. We can proudly say that San Diego is now officially a union town!”
The victory on both Measure D and the citywide PLA negotiations demonstrates the importance of members getting involved in the political process. It also showed the power of solidarity across SMART and the labor movement, Gauthier explained.
“We couldn’t have done this without assistance from others in our union,” he said. “We received contributions from the SMART PAL (Political Action League) fund, the Western States Council PAC fund, the California State Building Trades Council and SMART Local 104 (Northern California). We organized a union-first campaign, and we should all celebrate the win together.”
After years fighting for thousands of sheet metal workers and their families as the president and business manager of SMART SM Local 19 (Philadelphia, Pa.) — and for SMART members across North America as a general vice president on the SMART General Executive Council — Gary Masino retired in early 2024.
A third-generation sheet metal worker, Masino’s career began in the field, where he worked with the tools for approximately 20 years before becoming an organizer in September 2002. In 2006, he successfully ran for local office as a business agent, and in July 2011, he became president and business manager of Local 19. Several years later, former General President Joseph Nigro appointed him to serve as a SMART general vice president.
“I was honored to serve in that capacity and represent Local 19 at the table,” Masino said. “But after looking back on everything, by far the proudest moments of my career were when my two sons Gary and Eric decided to join Local 19, where they both served apprenticeships and are now working in the trade as journeymen.”
Masino took on a variety of leadership roles throughout his career: president of the Pennsylvania State Council of Sheet Metal Workers, president of the Mechanical Trades District Council of the Delaware Valley and vice president of the New Jersey State Council of Sheet Metal Workers. He also served as an executive board member of the Pennsylvania State Building Trades and the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO.
His leadership and industry expertise led former Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter to appoint him to the Philadelphia Department of Licensing and Inspection’s Board of Appeals in 2012, as well as the city’s zoning board in 2014. In 2015, then-Gov. Tom Wolf appointed Masino to his Transition Committee for Labor and Industry, later appointing him as a commissioner of the Delaware River Port Authority Board to lend his expertise in revitalizing the city’s historical ports. Current Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro later named Masino to his transition team as well, on the Workforce Development Subcommittee.
“I believe that everything I have, from the day I was born, wouldn’t have been possible without Local 19.”
Throughout Masino’s time as president and business manager, Local 19 organized aggressively to bring in new members, take on low-road contractors, elect pro-worker champions and pass legislation that benefited SMART members and working-class families. Masino’s tenure included historic, challenging times for workers: the aftermath of the Great Recession, during which Local 19 had 800 members out of work, and the COVID-19 pandemic. But years of organizing, strategic financial decisions and the appointment of full-time Political Director Todd Farally helped achieve membership growth, financial security and legislation that created work for members, putting the local in a position to secure its future.
In a retirement message to Local 19 members, Masino noted several of his proudest accomplishments: establishing a Local 19 holiday fund for out-of-work or injured members, which evolved into a program that offers qualified members a $1,000 benefit; the creation of a retiree family benefit that increased the local’s death benefit; growing the local’s sub-benefit; significantly increasing the contribution into the local’s annuity in some areas; securing the pension fund; and negotiating some of the strongest contracts in the local’s history.
Masino brought the same drive to the SMART General Executive Council, working with fellow leaders at the International to pursue growth and legislative wins that are benefiting SMART members across our two nations.
“I’ve had a great career,” he concluded. “I believe that everything I have, from the day I was born, wouldn’t have been possible without Local 19.”
The SMART Transportation Division began a new era in rail safety and worker protection by working with Norfolk Southern to accept and act on anonymous safety reports.
How It Works
The one-year pilot program, called the Confidential Close Call Reporting System (C3RS), is similar to one that airline personnel use to hold their airlines accountable. Rail workers will share safety concerns through a secure website. NASA, acting as an independent party, will organize, anonymize and share the reports with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). Under FRA guidance, improvements will be made by a joint committee including SMART-TD and other rail labor representatives, as well as Norfolk Southern management.
A Long Time Coming
C3RS first came to the rail industry in 2007, when SMART-TD predecessor United Transportation Union (UTU) and Union Pacific (UP) participated in an early version, running until 2013. They piloted the system in Bailey Yard, North Platte, Nebraska, the largest rail yard in the world. The program was highly successful: It increased safety and reduced critical incidents and rule violations. The program also greatly decreased employee discipline. Other Class III and passenger rail carriers began to benefit from the system around the same time.
The program requires voluntary agreement among the rail carrier, labor and the federal government. Despite its success, UP refused to renew the program, effectively killing it. SMART-TD has engaged in an ongoing effort to reintroduce the program at all Class I carriers.
We Have Only Begun to Fight
After our 17-year effort, Norfolk Southern (NS) decided to take the lead on rail safety, and this C3RS agreement shows that CEO Alan Shaw is serious in his commitment to making NS the safest railroad by partnering with rail labor. SMART-TD President Jeremy Ferguson and General Chairpersons Tommy Gholson, James Ball, David Phillips, Dan Weir and Joe Borders began making real progress with NS executives in 2023, resulting in a signed agreement on February 15, 2024.
“For years we’ve watched the successes of the several shortlines that have practiced under C3RS, and because of that, for years, we’ve long been advocates,” said Gholson, who was instrumental in negotiating the pilot program.
Gholson also praised the efforts of the four other general chairpersons for their roles in constructing the C3RS framework. Alternate National Legislative Director Jared Cassity provided leadership by being a facilitator in the process and coordinating with the FRA.
SMART-TD: Out in Front
In a speech soon after the agreement’s signing, Ferguson said: “Rail labor has been out in front since the beginning. We have always advocated for the right to have a protected avenue to report safety concerns and injuries without fear of harassment, intimidation or retribution.
“For far too long, this nation’s rail carriers have been complacent with their approach to safety. Obviously, this is something that can’t be reversed overnight, but we are hopeful that the corrective process can begin with a program like C3RS.
“There is no higher priority for SMART-TD or the workers we represent than safety, not just for their own welfare but also for the communities in which they operate.”
SMART Administrative Assistant Jackie Miesner retired from the SMART International staff on February 1, 2024, bringing an end to a nearly 40-year career in our union.
SMART General President Michael Coleman (left) with Jackie MiesnerL-R: SMART Director of Gov. Affairs Steve Dodd, Jackie Miesner, former Director of Gov. Affairs Vince Panvini
Miesner began her career in 1986 and provided endless assistance to the SMART Departments of Governmental Affairs, Education, Production, Organizing and Strategic Campaigns — supporting local unions and members across North America with pride and devotion.
SMART is grateful for Jackie’s 38 years of dedicated service to our union, and we wish her a long and healthy retirement!
In December 2023, 30-plus-year sheet metal worker Lance Deyette was elected a general vice president on the SMART General Executive Council.
Deyette is a graduate of Bates Technical College and started his apprenticeship with SM Local 66 (Seattle, Washington) in 1988. Deyette turned out as a journeyperson in 1992 and worked at Olympia Sheet Metal, US Sheet Metal and Sunset Air as a journeyperson, foreman and superintendent. In 2005, he was elected to serve the membership as a Local 66 business representative, and on June 1, 2020, Deyette was appointed regional manager of Local 66 and vice president of the SMART Northwest Regional Council. Three years later, Deyette became president of the Northwest Regional Council, winning election to the position on July 1, 2023.
Deyette serves as a trustee on the Northwest Sheet Metal Workers Pension, Northwest Sheet Metal Workers Healthcare Trust, Northwest Sheet Metal Organizational Trust and the Western Washington Sheet Metal Training and Apprenticeship Program, along with the Oregon Master Pension Plan for Local 16. He also serves on the Washington State Building and Construction Trades Executive Board and is the president of the Olympia Building and Construction Trades Council.
The Partners in Progress 2024 conference brought sheet metal and signatory management leaders to Orlando, Florida, from February 27–28. With a conference theme of “The Future Is Now,” labor and management representatives came together to focus on seizing this moment of opportunity for SMART sheet metal workers and our union contractors.
SMART General President Coleman speaks to attendees at Partners in Progress 2024.
Day one sets the stage
The conference kicked off with a joint presidential address by SMART General President Michael Coleman and SMACNA President Carol Duncan, who — together — described the steps our organizations have taken to increase work, recruiting and growth prospects across North America. Duncan provided an overview of the jobs being created by a surge of megaprojects in both the United States and Canada, pointing out that only by working together can local unions and signatory contractors make sure those projects are completed by high-road union employers and workers. Coleman agreed, noting the importance of collaborating to create cultures that are inclusive, welcoming and that help the unionized sheet metal workforce grow.
“People are coming to us for a better life,” he said. “But we must make sure people can find it. If our doors are closed, I think both Carol and I will feel that we failed.”
Coleman outlined many of the collaborative successes SMART and SMACNA have already achieved: the formation of the SMART, SMACNA and International Training Institute (ITI) Belonging and Excellence for All (BE4ALL) initiative, which has distributed menstrual kits to JATCs organization- wide, conducted bias and belonging trainings and recently published its groundbreaking rapid response protocol; legislation and union-friendly elected officials that SMART and SMACNA lobbied and mobilized for collectively; and much more. He also discussed how vital it is for local unions and contractors to embrace the I Got Your Back Campaign, promoting a mentorship model that helps ALL workers succeed in our industry.
“We often hear — and say — that we want to leave things better than when we arrived. Now is the time to do just that,” Coleman said. “Yes, it will take our best efforts. But our entire industry and everyone who puts their trust in us deserve nothing less.”
SMART’s John Harris asks a question during a fireside chatSMART and SMACNA leaders host a fireside chatVictoria Labalme delivers the day one keynoteAttendees during a breakout session
Following a keynote address by award-winning speaker Victoria Labalme, who garnered a standing ovation from attendees for her speech on “risk-forward” leadership, SMART and SMACNA leaders got to work in breakouts. Sessions included presentations on maximizing indoor air quality work opportunities by National Energy Management Institute (NEMI) Administrator Lisa Davis; a panel featuring Coleman, Duncan and Procore Vice President Rubiena Duarte on building and sustaining healthy organizational cultures in the union sheet metal industry; a training on utilizing the rapid response protocol by SMART House Counsel Luke Rebecchi and Felhaber Larson’s Dan Kelly; and an overview of the importance of building local mentoring programs by NEMI’s Davis and Tammy Meyen of the ITI.
Day one concluded with an afternoon general session. Dushaw Hockett, a key partner in the BE4ALL initiative, presented on the importance of strong, local labor-management partnerships that are focused on leveraging strengths, networks, community partners and more to help workers and contractors alike. Clark Ellis of Continuum Advisory Group addressed the future of the construction industry, overviewing trends, challenges and opportunities by telling the story of what one worker’s career could look like in the near future — if the union sheet metal industry takes steps to recruit and retain ALL workers, including women, people of color, the formerly incarcerated and beyond. And finally, Coleman, Duncan, SMART General Secretary-Treasurer Joseph Powell and SMACNA CEO Aaron Hilger conducted a reside chat with attendees, fostering an open dialogue on how labor and management can work together to take advantage of this moment. Leaders talked about programs that have been implemented to help solve workforce challenges, from BE4ALL and mentoring initiatives to the SMART Incentive Program, and spoke frankly about the steps we need to take to strengthen our industry hold.
Day two: Attendees depart with purpose
Union sheet metal industry leaders picked up where they left off on day two of Partners in Progress, beginning with a morning full of breakout sessions intended to help local unions and contractors secure work and expand market share.
Day two keynote speaker Kevin BrownAldo Zambetti speaks during a breakoutPanelists from SMART Local 91 and Illowa Contractors’ AssociationSMACNA President Carol Duncan and SMART GP Michael Coleman
SMART Local 91 (Rock Island, Illinois) Business Manager Eric Meirhaeghe and Illowa Sheet Metal Contractors Association Chapter Executive Paul Elgatian joined Procore Vice President Duarte for a session on open and effective communication between teams, demonstrating how a relationship built on clear and intentional communication can create and secure work for SMART members and contractors. SMART International Organizer Will Scott, Dushaw Hockett and SMACNA Sacramento Valley Chapter’s Cheryl Sprague held a session titled “Collaboration for Progress,” diving deep into the characteristics of impactful partnership and underlining how collaborations with community groups and nonprofit organizations can boost our industry’s profile. And SMART Member Assistance Program Coordinator Chris Carlough co-presented a session titled “Beyond the Basic: A Renewed Approach to Mental Health and Wellness” with Cort Consulting’s Ben Cort, exploring the importance of addressing mental health in our industry — and what SMART has done so far in the arena.
The two general sessions sent attendees on their way with a focus on transforming their local areas to achieve success. Steven English, a 22-year engineer and head of Steven English Coaching and Training, presented on “Building Leadership Culture: Inspiring and Developing Tomorrow’s Leaders” — helping SMART and SMACNA members explore strategies, principles and best practices for cultivating leadership at each level of our respective organizations. The next speaker, Dr. Michael F. Barnes, also spoke to the significance of culture, particularly creating inclusive and positive workplaces in order to benefit workers’ mental health. Barnes overviewed topics including hazing and bullying, open communication, mental health awareness and more, helping equip attendees with knowledge and tools to create workplaces that put members’ well-being first.
The conference concluded with a moving keynote speech from best-selling author Kevin Brown and closing reflections from General President Coleman and SMACNA President Duncan, who each noted the importance of collaborating not just in name but in action as we look to the future.
“Our collaborative efforts have demonstrated alignment between labor and management on most issues we face. We’re not divided by our differences; rather, we’re propelled by our common goals,” said Duncan.
“It has been inspiring to hear what the leaders in this room are doing to meet this moment,” Coleman concluded. “All of you — from the labor side, from the management side — are here today because you are committed to hard work. You came here to form relationships with each other, to identify the challenges and opportunities ahead, to brainstorm and come up with collective solutions that will strengthen and expand our unionized workforce.”
From local union visits to new member organizing, the SMART RME Department is actively working to strengthen and grow our union. Read updates on the department’s recent activities:
SMART RME International representatives visit local unions
SMART RME International Representative Joe Fraley and RME Department Director Peter Kennedy have been engaging with RME members at union meetings, visiting Locals 78 (Little Rock, Ark.), 165 (Argentine, Kan.), 256 (Chicago, Ill.), 462 (Huntington, W.Va.) and 472 (Topeka, Kan.) To provide information about local representative training, member engagement and other resources that are available for officers and members.
“Keep an eye out for meeting notifications in the future — we will be visiting remaining locals in 2024,” said Kennedy.
Local 472 meeting attendees: Jacob Crump, David Samuels, Lloyd Long, Corey Kious, David Streeter, David Dains, Travis Morgan, Jesse Drake, Jesse Thomas, Preston Cummings, Brennan Walker, James Smith, Craig Snyder, Brady Haddock, Rich Mohr
RME Department conducts trainings for local union officers
In November 2023, General Committee 2 officers, with assistance from International representatives, provided training to local union chairpersons for claim and grievance handling, as well as the representation of members at disciplinary hearings. The training, held in Chicago, marked the second of its kind for local chairpersons. The department also held its first training for newly elected recording secretaries and financial secretary-treasurers in Washington, DC.
“These training courses are offered at no cost to the local unions, as costs associated with the training are covered by General Committee 2 and the International,” explained Fraley. “These sessions will continue In 2024, again at no cost to local unions. Each local is encouraged to send their elected officers to these courses.”
RME training in Washington, DCLocal 256 meeting attendees: Pete Fiore, Rick Flores, Jacob Orseno, Matthew Del Real, Gilbert Santiago, Christopher Pasowisty, Dominick Horne Sr., Erik Ortega, John Sutton
SMART RME wins National Mediation Board election for RailTerm employees
On November 16, 2023, the RME Department won a representation election for employees working at RailTerm. This marks another organizing victory for SMART as we work to bring new members into our union.
“Negotiations will begin in the near future,” said Fraley. “We are proud to represent the RailTerm employees and are ready to negotiate an agreement with the company.”
Topeka shop visit: Dave SamuelsTopeka shop visit: Randy Medilen
On February 13, 2024, Tom Suozzi won a special election to represent New York’s Third Congressional District following former Representative George Santos’ expulsion from the House of Representatives. Suozzi’s victory resulted in no small part from the mobilization and voting efforts of SMART members, who turned out in force to flip the seat from antiunion to pro-worker.
“This sends a message to all: When you bring all unions together, we all win,” Local 28 (New York City and Long Island) wrote on Twitter.
In the weeks leading up to election day, sheet metal and transportation workers joined their union brothers and sisters across the New York labor movement for a massive member-to-member outreach campaign. All told, New York City union members made more than 50,000 calls and knocked on almost 10,000 doors in Queens alone.
“I was honored to endorse Tom Suozzi for Congress in the Third Congressional District on behalf of SMART Sheet Metal Workers Local 28,” said Eric Meslin, Local 28 president and business manager. “As the president and business manager of our union, I place great importance on addressing the concerns that matter to our members. These concerns include improving wages and benefits, apprenticeship programs that provide long-term career opportunities, implementing stricter safety regulations and advocating for fair prevailing wages that have been overlooked for far too long.
SMART members get out the vote for Tom Suozzi.
“Tom Suozzi aligns with our vision and has demonstrated a consistent dedication to fighting for working-class families,” Meslin added. “He understands the challenges faced by our members in Long Island and New York City and has actively supported middle-class jobs that keep pace with the rising cost of living in our region. We firmly believe that Tom Suozzi will champion the needs and interests of our union members, and greatly benefit our community.”
Suozzi had previously served in the same seat before deciding not to run for reelection in 2022 — and during his years representing Queens and Long Island, he consistently consulted SMART-TD and Alt. Vice President/General Chairperson from the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) Anthony Simon on issues that would affect TD members.
“Some legislators have a relationship with labor unions where they feel obligated to reach out to us to explain their vote before or after it is cast. Suozzi treats General Chairperson Simon and our members as valued assets who contribute to him forming his opinion rather than as a voting bloc he needs to pacify or make sure is kept happy,” SMART-TD’s Legislative Department wrote in an article ahead of election day. “Suozzi is a valued partner in our union’s effort to promote safety in transportation, as well as invest in the value we bring to our neighborhoods and the country.”
Donald Ratzel, a proud Local 80 (Detroit, Michigan) member of 56 years, continues to stay active in his local union: attending union meetings, supporting his brothers and sisters and participating in Local 80’s annual Dollars Against Diabetes (DAD’s) Day events.
Donald Ratzel (left) with Local 80 Business Manager Tim Mulligan
DAD’s Day is a North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU) campaign to raise money to find a cure for diabetes. Every year, Local 80 holds a golf outing to support DAD’s Day, contributing to the collective fundraising efforts of SMART locals and building trades unions across North America. So far, the campaign has donated more than $57 million to the Diabetes Research Institute in Miami, Florida.
Thank you, Brother Ratzel, for your dedication to your local and to the ongoing effort to cure diabetes!
In Georgia, so-called “right-to-work” laws make it hard for unions to organize and retain members, particularly when language barriers in the workplace already present challenges. Despite such obstacles, though, SMART Local 85 (Atlanta, Ga.) has made big inroads at Price Industries, where approximately 70% of the workforce speaks Vietnamese as a first language.
“A new approach to internal organizing has been key to this success,” said SMART Director of Production Workers Dave Goodspeed.
“We were able to hire — from our own ranks — a Vietnamese speaker, Donson Ha,” Goodspeed explained, “and he’s a firecracker.”
Anti-union right-to-work laws allow members to opt out of paying union dues, making the inability to communicate effectively to an entire workforce potentially devastating to both workers and local unions. That was especially true at Price in Georgia: Local 85 was unable to convey the union difference and best represent its members, and workers were cautious about seeking representation from those they literally couldn’t understand.
“For a long time, Price Industries has been a hard nut to crack in terms of signing new members, primarily because Price has made a practice of hiring so many different nationalities,” Goodspeed said.
“They have people who speak English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Burmese, Cambodian, and the largest population of workers down there — probably 50% — are Vietnamese,” added SMART International Production Organizer Sharon Walker.
Local 85 Shop Steward Rich Manh Bui (left)Local 85 Shop Steward Hai Ngo (sitting)
Until recently, only around 20–25% of Price workers had signed up with the union, Walker said, and the lack of representation had material consequences. One example: The company would post mandatory overtime notices to its bulletin boards in English exclusively, making it difficult for non-English-speaking workers who may have missed the announcement from their shop lead to know what was required of them. And in the event that a worker who didn’t speak English faced discipline, they often didn’t know how to go to their union for help.
“I didn’t know about unions until I met Sharon, and she explained to me … what a union is,” said Vietnamese-speaking Shop Steward Rich Manh Bui.
“Before, nobody represented them, and that’s why Vietnamese [workers] didn’t know anything about a union,” added fellow Shop Steward Hai Ngo. “Even when they joined a union, and they had a problem, they don’t know where they’re going — they don’t know who they’ve got to ask.”
Donson Ha
That’s where Ha and shop stewards like Bui and Ngo entered the equation. Local 85 and SMART International representatives realized they had to do more to gain the trust of the Price workforce, and in the spirit of true trade unionism, they looked to the rank-and-file for leadership. Ha, a 10-year Local 85 member, came from the building trades side of the industry — but after seeing the number of Vietnamese workers in production, especially older workers, he was motivated to change job titles.
Since Local 85 hired Ha as a subsidized production organizer, the percentage of organized workers has approximately doubled.
“I’m very happy to organize, to stand up for Vietnamese people, because they didn’t understand the union; they don’t speak English, and they didn’t know how strong it is to be a union member,” said Ha. “My job is to help them understand how it works, how the union helps people.”
