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Variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems are on the rise, making up an ever-growing portion of the HVAC market share in the United States. And in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Local 49 is taking proactive steps to ensure VRF work is performed by SMART members.

On April 16, 2024, the local welcomed representatives from Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US (METUS) to its JATC to open the first-ever METUS VRF lab in the U.S.

METUS representatives joined Local 49 members and SMART leaders to officially open its new VRF lab.

“This collaboration between the Local 49 JATC, Trane and Mitsubishi showcases cutting-edge VRF technology and provides hands-on training for apprentices and industry professionals,” explained Local 49 Business Manager and Financial Secretary-Treasurer Isaiah Zemke. “Our curriculum is tailored to the latest advancements in VRF technology, ensuring industry relevance.”

VRF HVAC systems offer sophisticated, energy efficient heating and cooling by using a single outdoor condensing unit to provide hot and cool air through indoor units, utilizing heat pumps or heat recovery systems. With a greater national emphasis being placed on such environmentally beneficial and cost-effective technologies for commercial and multi-family residential buildings, the demand for VRF expertise will only continue to grow – and as of today, the only METUS VRF lab in America is in the Local 49 JATC. (Importantly, Zemke noted, METUS is New Mexico’s exclusive vendor for all the state’s air moving equipment.)  

Not only does that ensure Local 49’s apprentices have the skills needed to take on VRF work in New Mexico — the lab can also function as a de facto organizing tool, bringing nonunion workers in need of training to the one place where they are guaranteed to witness, without any interference, the union difference.

“It’s going to be the future of heating and air conditioning,” said Local 49 member Miguel Lopez of Butler Sheet Metal, who led apprentices in helping build the lab.

The journey to the April 16th ribbon-cutting had an unexpected origin. Local 49 President Chuck Lees is an avid fly fisherman. As it turns out, so is Trane Sales Representative Larry Anderson. Years ago, through their shared love of fly fishing, the two men forged a relationship that led to collaborations on testing and balancing work — and, some time later, the idea of a VRF lab. Thanks to the friendship between Lees, Anderson, Zemke and the rest of the local, labor and the manufacturer swiftly established a partnership, and METUS signed a memorandum of understanding with Local 49 for the JATC’s innovative new lab.

“Basically, Mitsubishi supplies all the VRF equipment and will replace it with any new, updated equipment,” Zemke explained. “Our obligation on the training side is to make sure that we install it and put in all the controls.”

For Local 49 members, the VRF lab couldn’t have come at a better time. The state of New Mexico is applying for a variety of grants to perform work related to lowering emissions and building a green economy. One example of that work: constructing and retrofitting multi-family housing. Thanks to its in-house VRF training, Local 49 anticipates being able to take on those jobs from start to finish.

“For low-income housing, they would do an assessment of the windows, the roof, the HVAC system,” Zemke explained. “So, it will be our testing and balancing contractors that can go do that assessment. And then we would have our contractors go and install these Mitsubishi split VRF systems.”

The new lab demonstrates how vital it is for labor unions to be active and forward-thinking when it comes to training, organizing and collaborating with management-side partners. Zemke views it as an example of “organizing the work” that will benefit all the entities involved.

“When all the parties come together — the training center, the labor union, the contractors — we can build great things together,” he concluded. “And that’s basically what we’ve done with this.”

In May, Chris Carlough was appointed the first-ever SMART director of wellness and mental health support, taking the next step in a long career dedicated to enhancing the well-being of SMART mem­bers across the United States and Canada.

Carlough has spearheaded numerous programs aimed at meeting the unique needs of union workers and industry partners, demonstrating his passion for advo­cating for mental health awareness and support.

Carlough, standing with microphone.

One such initiative, started in 2013, was the SMART MAP (Members Assistance Program), which focuses attention on a variety of mental health issues, such as substance abuse and suicidal ideations, through various awareness trainings — locating top-tier mental health resources and building a network of compassionate union members and other peers who offer support and guidance to fellow members and their families. Another, more recent program has been the training and distribu­tion of naloxone throughout local unions in the United States and Canada in an effort to reduce opioid over­dose deaths.

“I strongly believe that empathy and vulnerability through shared experiences can reduce the stigma of mental health issues and will build a culture of support, caring and solidarity throughout our organization, where members and their families feel safe seeking help for mental health issues without fear of judgment or reprisal,” said Carlough, who has been active in his recovery from drug and alcohol addiction for more than 20 years.

By continuing to be a vocal proponent of policies and initiatives that prioritize members’ well-being, Carlough aims to advance the conversation around mental health in the workplace. His goal is to help ensure that SMART members have the resources and support they need to maintain their mental and emotional welfare so that they can spend more time in comfort and happiness — on and off the job.

Each year, the International Labor Communications Association (ILCA) honors workers and unions at its Labor Media Awards, recog­nizing excellence among member publications, websites, film, video and other media. It’s the largest competition exclusively for labor organizations and journalists, and in 2023, the SMART Communications Department took home a variety of prizes for its 2022 output — fueled by the inspirational stories of SMART members.

ILCA’s “Visual Communications” awards highlight the best layouts, illustrations, photographs and informational graphics submitted to the Labor Media Awards, with judges considering the entry’s quality of production, content and effective­ness with its intended audience. SMART won first place for “Best Design — Website, App or Electronic Publication” for its relaunched website, smart-union.org — a testament to SMART staff’s dedica­tion to putting together a modern, interactive resource that serves existing and potential new members. (The website won a third-place award in the “General Excellence” category.) SMART’s Cleveland staff took home second place in a Visual Communications category: “Best Front Page/Cover — Newspaper or Newsletter” for the SMART Transportation Newspaper.

Throughout 2022, SMART produced a broad range of video content: telling member stories, covering major events, educating members and non-members, and much more. The SMART Communications Department won first place in “Electronic Media: Best Education and Training Video” for its animated guide to forming a union — a demonstration of our union’s focus on conveying vital information to nonunion workers seeking SMART representation. SMART also won second place in the “Best Issues/Advocacy Video” competition for our profile of Jeff Hillery, as well as two third-place awards — in the “Best News Video” and “Best Promotional Video” categories — for videos on the 2022 Tradeswomen Build Nations Conference and signatory contractor McClure Stainless, respectively.

The Labor Media Awards include four writing prizes named after the late Saul Miller, a director of the AFL-CIO Department of Information and a founder of ILCA. These awards highlight writing related to key union activities: orga­nizing, collective bargaining and political action. SMART won third place in the “National/International Organizing” category for its coverage of workers’ successful unionization campaign with SMART Local 23 at Vigor’s shipyard in Ketchikan, Alaska.

And finally, SMART took second place in the crowded field that was the “Best Audio/Podcast/ Radio Broadcast” category. The award-winning Talking SMART installment, a conversation with SMART-TD President Jeremy Ferguson, reflected the timeliness and urgency of that episode, which was released during national freight rail contract negotiations.

While the SMART Communications Department created and submitted these websites, videos, articles and podcasts for ILCA consideration, the awards belong to you: the SMART members whose stories of working-class power define our union. Thank you for all that you do, and thank you for sharing your experiences with the communications department!

SMART Local 285 (Toronto, Ontario) member Samara Samp­son won the March 2024 NABTU Tradeswomen Heroes Award — an acknowledgement of her dedication to her craft, her union and her active practice of labor solidarity.

“Samara’s unwavering commitment to her career, tireless efforts to empower women in the trades and remarkable contributions to the community make her an exceptional candidate for this prestigious recognition,” Local 285 wrote in its letter nominating Sampson for the award.

Sampson’s sheet metal career began when she enrolled in the Welding and Fabrication Techniques program at Algonquin College, from which she graduated in 2015. She joined Local 285 in 2016, and having swiftly realized the benefits of her union membership, she actively promoted SMART, the value of union apprenticeships and other sisters in the trades. Sampson spent the bulk of her apprenticeship performing HVAC instal­lations in new developments and custom home projects.

After earning journeyperson status in 2021, Sampson was appointed to the SMART International Women’s Committee in 2022, becoming the president of the Local 285 Women’s Committee later that year. And with the support of her local, she has been a steadfast ambassador for the union sheet metal industry, speaking to various organizations and groups about her experience as an apprentice and the value of a career in the trades.

In 2022, Sampson co-founded the nonprofit Women on Site, an organization aimed at connecting otherwise isolated women in the trades, manufacturing and STEM industries. As the local wrote in its nomination, Women on Site is yet more proof of her resolve to uplift working women across Canada:

“Sister Sampson is driven by a profound passion for advocating for equity and inclusion, not only within SMART but also on jobsites and within the wider community. She envisions a future where the trades are a welcoming environment for everyone, and she actively works toward this goal. Samara’s determination, instilled in her by her trade and mentors, shines through in her commitment to finding solutions and getting the job done.”

Thomas De Bartolo, Jason Pedersen, Stephen Langley and Matthew Fairbanks have been appointed to the SMART General Executive Council as eighth, ninth, tenth and eleventh general vice president, respectively.

After graduating from Rutgers University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism and urban communications, Thomas De Bartolo began his four-year apprenticeship as a second-generation sheet metal worker at SMART Local 27 (Southern New Jersey), becoming a journeyperson in 1989.

Thomas De Bartolo

De Bartolo served his local union in various capacities including shop steward, foreman and general foreman for union contractors. In 1999, he was elected to the Executive Board of his local, where he sat for almost five years, and he was appointed as a full-time organizer in 2002 — signing multiple sheet metal shops to Local 27 in a two-year period.

In 2004, De Bartolo was elected a business agent of Local 27, a position he held until 2021. During his time as an agent, he was also a trustee on various funds and aided in negotiating multiple collective bargaining agreements. De Bartolo became president and business manager of Local 27 in March 2021.

In addition to his local union, De Bartolo was elected president of the Monmouth & Ocean Counties Building and Construction Trades Council in 2010 and still serves in that capacity today. Prior to becoming president of the council, he was its secretary-treasurer from 2006–2010. In 2024, De Bartolo was elected president of the Metropolitan Association of Presidents & Business Representatives. The “Metro” consists of 18 sheet metal local unions from Region 1 of SMART, which share information pertaining to the area and the International.

De Bartolo’s labor leadership has been recognized through the years by organizations such as the Monmouth County Workforce Investment Board, Monmouth County Democrats, Ocean County Democrats and the New Jersey Alliance for Action. In 2023, he was honored as Labor Person of the Year by the Middlesex & Somerset Counties AFL-CIO Labor Council. De Bartolo and his wife, Suzanne, have been married for 25 years; they have two children, Olivia and Tyler, a daughter-in-law, Caitlin, and a granddaughter, Peyton.

Jason Pedersen began his sheet metal apprenticeship in 1990 with Local 280 in Vancouver, British Columbia, working in stainless steel fabrication. In 2002, Pedersen moved to Vancouver Island and transferred to Local 276, where he furthered his career in custom fabrication for the next 14 years — the last five of which he worked as foreman.

Jason Pedersen

In 2016, Pedersen was elected business manager and financial secretary-treasurer of Local 276, not only leading the local union but also acting as the administrator of the local’s pension and healthcare plans. He also sits on various councils and committees, including the Vancouver Island Building and Construction Trades Council; the Vancouver Island Metal Trades Council; the B.C. Building Trades Council Executive Board; the SMART Roofing and Building Enclosure Council; the SMART Canada Local Unions and Councils (LUC) Pension Fund; and the Canadian Pension and Benefits Steering Committee. Pedersen is the president of the Western Conference and vice president of the Canadian Council.

Local 85 (Atlanta, Ga.) Business Manager/Financial Secretary- Treasurer Stephen Langley entered the local’s apprenticeship in July 1990, graduating from the program in June 1995. Over the last 30 years, he rose through the ranks to become a foreman, managing some of the largest projects in the Atlanta area, and has served in every office within Local 85: on the Executive Board from June 2004–2005; as recording secretary from July 2005 until September 2010; as a trustee to the Vacation Fund, Building Fund, Pension and Health Funds and president of the Death Benefit Fund; as Local 85’s Retirement Club coordinator; and as Local 85’s legislative liaison and a SMART Members Assistance Program (MAP) representative. Langley served as a business representative starting in 2010, and he was elected Local 85 business manager and financial secretary-treasurer in 2020.

Steve Langley

In addition to his local leadership, Langley has an extensive history serving on the Southeast District Council, the SMART Production and Sign Council, the Nuclear Hazard Council and as delegate for all Georgia local and state AFL-CIO labor councils. He was recently appointed as an ICB (International Certification Board) trustee by General President Michael Coleman.

Matthew Fairbanks, along with his two brothers, is a second-generation sheet metal worker at SMART Local 10, representing Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. He began his career in the sheet metal industry in 1995 when he enrolled at St. Paul Technical College, entering the three-year Local 10 apprenticeship program after completing two years of full-time day school. Fairbanks worked at various shops throughout his apprenticeship, eventually turning out as a journeyperson in 2000 while working for Metropolitan Mechanical Contractors, where he became a foreman and worked for nine years.

Matthew Fairbanks

Fairbanks was elected to the Local 10 Executive Board in 2006, becoming vice president of the board later in his term. In 2009, he was elected business representative, which included a specified appointment as the apprentice liaison; he also served on numerous negotiating committees throughout the three-state local, as well as a trustee or chair of trust funds affiliated with Local 10. In 2018, he was elected business manager/president of Local 10, where he has continued serving on negotiating committees and as trustee or chair of various trust funds.

In addition to his local leadership, Fairbanks is the current secretary-treasurer of the Minneapolis Building Trades Council. He also sits on various boards, including as a trustee for Union Bank & Trust (a union-owned financial institution in Minneapolis); a work compensation advisory committee; and the St. Paul Building Trades, among others.

SMART-TD Local 1785 (Santa Monica, Calif.) General Chair Markeisha Haynes has wit­nessed firsthand what bus operators face on the job —from the everyday challenges of skillfully driving a 30-to-60-foot vehicle to the shocking rise in assaults on transit operators in recent years. Now, as a recently appointed Bus Department alternate vice president, Haynes and fellow transit leaders across the country are working to make sure unions and workers have a say in formulating real solutions to the vio­lence facing SMART-TD members.

“Properties or transit agencies should involve the union,” Haynes said. “Most of the decisions, as far as where to go when it comes to assaults, are made within the [employer], and the unions are not being asked to join those conversa­tions. To really understand where an operator is coming from, the union needs to be involved.”

Haynes, a 17-year motor coach operator for the Big Blue Bus in Santa Monica, took her first step towards union representation as a member of her local’s safety and training department, helping teach new hires the tools of the trade and working to make sure safety came first on the road. The urge to help others came from a natural affinity for community with her fellow members and a drive to better the lives of transit workers in the area 29

— and soon, Haynes was running for local union office, winning election as local chairperson of LCA-SMB and the first female general chairperson of GCA-SMB in November 2021.

Such milestones came with difficulties. Haynes encountered some members who didn’t see the general chairperson’s title as one that a woman could hold, initially refusing to give her the respect she deserved.

“I just stayed persistent,” Haynes recalled. “I knew what my ultimate goal was, and that was to bring a difference in our local and to show that women, we can do this, too.”

“At the end of the day, it’s about the membership and the member­ship only,” she added. “I always remember that: Before I hold any position, I’m an operator first.”

Haynes, third from right.

Haynes’ determination paid off for the members of Local 1785 during recent contract negotia­tions. After years of 3% raises, the local’s negotiating team won a 13% pay increase for members in 2021, along with a compensation study in the memorandum of under­standing that required the city of Santa Monica to compare pay rates with other local agencies. With the data from the compensation study, Haynes and Local 1785 were able to add an additional 5% pay bump on top of the original 13%, amounting to an 18% raise over three years.

Of course, pay is only part of what members are seeking on the job — in public transportation, safety and workplace protections are crucial and have become an even higher priority as attacks on transit operators continue to make headlines nationwide. SMART-TD is doing vital work to influence legislation and raise awareness about the epidemic of violence against transportation workers, Haynes said. Moving forward, employers need to ensure unions are involved when it comes to member well-being — preventing attacks and ensuring adequate resources in the event of an assault.

“There’s nothing there for us, as operators, to even take time to grasp what just happened to you, first, and number two, to see if you even have the strength or the mental capability to do it all over again,” Haynes said. “It definitely needs to be addressed, as far as mental health is concerned.”

A first-ever exclusive training session for bus and transit officers in March 2024 demonstrates SMART-TD’s wholesale commitment to our transit workers; something Haynes said is crucial for winning the protec­tions that members need.

“The training has been amazing,” she concluded. “SMART is and has been very geared towards training, making sure information is distrib­uted so we, as general chairs or local chairs, are effective in the jobs that we are doing.”

In 2020, Randy Franklin, a member of SMART-TD Local 656 in North Little Rock, Arkansas, took his call to work from Union Pacific like he had been doing every day as a conductor for the prior 20 years. Brother Franklin was hauling freight on a train between Arkansas and Texas when, due to faulty wiring, his truck caught fire and needed the local fire department’s help.

Brother Franklin’s troubles were just beginning.

While fighting the fire in the Union Pacific parking lot, emergency responders and UP management discovered Brother Franklin’s handgun secured within the vehicle.

His pistol was properly registered with the state and safely stored in his locked truck.

UP promptly deadheaded Franklin back to Little Rock, fired him, and had him escorted off their property.

Despite what the Arkansas Supreme Court would later describe as Randy’s “Perfect work history” and the locked truck, the carrier insisted they could fire Brother Franklin for bringing firearms onto their property.

Carrier denies firearm rights

Franklin decided to challenge the carrier’s decision and reached out to his union officers.

Local 656 Chairperson Mike Pawelko and SMART-TD Arkansas State Legislative Director Gerald Sale recognized that this case had wide implications. Not just the state’s ability to protect Franklin’s rights legislatively as an employee, but also his Second Amendment rights protected by the U.S. Constitution were at stake.

“Mike is one of our most seasoned LCs and was a great partner on this case,” Sale said. “We built a foundation in the initial investigation to support arbitration and legislation.” 

After Sale helped to lay the groundwork for a potential legislative solution in the initial investigation, General Chairperson Joey Cornelius and Pawelko took the issue to arbitration.

Not unexpectedly, Franklin had a setback in the arbitration hearing. The team appealed the ruling. Then, as planned, the union took its case to the Arkansas Legislature.

“(They) were tenacious and left no stone unturned,” said Franklin.

SMART-TD progresses a new gun law in Arkansas successfully

As the fight progressed, Franklin found himself out of service for more than a year.

Franklin and Sale successfully created a bill that gave all residents of Arkansas an explicit right to have a properly registered and stored firearm in their locked vehicle, despite any policy their employer may have.

State Rep. Justin Gonzales and Sen. Alan Clark co-sponsored S.B. 555.   Excerpts and quotes from Franklin’s arbitration and appeal were quoted on the House floor. Their struggle with Union Pacific was used to explain why passing the bill was necessary and urgent.

“Both sponsored the bill in each respective chamber and stood by Randy and our organization throughout the process,” Sale said.

The bill passed with unanimous support with both Democrats and Republicans coming together. Franklin’s bill, Act 809, was then signed into law on April 22, 2021, by Gov. Asa Hutchinson. Hutchinson also sent a letter in support of Franklin’s employment being reinstated after he was targeted by UP’s unfair policy.

Union Pacific ignores the law

This would have been the end — if a railroad hadn’t been involved. UP refused to accept that it was wrong.

When the new law went into effect, Franklin’s lawyer, W. Whitfield Hyman from Fort Smith, Arkansas, formally informed Union Pacific that Franklin would not be fired for exercising his newly reaffirmed right and should be back on the job.

UP didn’t care what the state said and said they stood by their company policy. UP then filed a lawsuit in federal court to officially ignore the law written explicitly as a response to their treatment of Franklin, still out of work with his pension in jeopardy.

“They were basically spitting in the face of the state Constitution,” Sale said.

Supreme Court shoots down UP

Franklin and his attorney had come too far to roll over and give up. They took Franklin’s case all the way to the state Supreme Court, which ruled against Union Pacific.

A lifelong member of the National Rifle Association (NRA), Franklin tried repeatedly to reach out to them for support after he was fired. The NRA did not have his back when needed. He also contacted the Gun Owners of American (GOA). They had no interest in aiding his efforts.

SMART-TD, literally and figuratively, did. When the chips were down, and his rights were being taken from him, the union had his back.

Franklin also is back on the job, and though he has not yet been compensated by the carrier for the time missed, the expectations are that there will be a settlement at some point for the clear violation of his rights.

‘This union never leaves one of its own hanging out to dry’

SMART-TD would like to recognize Brothers Franklin and Pawelko, the officers of Local 656, Joey Cornelius, general chairperson of GCA-569, SLD Gerald Sale and attorney Hyman for their accomplishment. They represent the fighting spirit and solidarity of our union, and our shared commitment that every member in every local deserves respect, justice, and fair treatment under the law. When we stand together and stay focused on the fight, we win.

Sale emphasized the degree of collaboration and unity it took from Local Chairperson Pawelko and GC Cornelius, as well as Franklin’s determination to stand up to the carrier.

“As a state director, I’m proud to have the type of relationship with all of the local chairs across the state where we all take the all-hands-on-deck approach,” Sale said. “This was a case of everyone from the local office to my office and the general chairperson’s office working together to get Randy back to work and run pro-worker, pro-Second Amendment legislation to support his case.” 

Franklin expressed great appreciation for the union’s efforts to resolve the matter.

“Gerald (SLD Sale) was there for me and my family when we needed him. I never thought I would be in a situation where the career I had built for 20 years and the retirement my family was counting on was taken away from me like this,” Franklin said. “Everybody knows the union represents us when we have a hearing and will put in an appeal for us. I had no idea how committed these guys were to making sure I was OK, and my rights weren’t taken from me.

“Nobody ever goes to work expecting their round trip to end in pushing legislation through the state House and fighting the bosses all the way to the Supreme Court. It’s good to know that when things get weird out here, this union never leaves one of its own hanging out to dry.”

For nearly two decades, sheet metal professionals have encouraged public and private entities to inspect fire and smoke dampers, to maintain they’re in working order based on design guidelines. Dampers save lives, and when they’re misused, broken or compromised in any way, they can no longer perform their function — allowing building occupants to get out of danger and helping first responders enter to gain control.

In the last year, the National Energy Management Institute (NEMI), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA) and local sheet metal unions and training centers across the country came together to educate fire professionals — from firefighters to captains, fire marshals and fire inspectors — on the updated city, state and regional fire codes, how dampers work and obstacles to look for, and who to call with questions.

Sheet metal professionals share their industry knowledge with fire professionals in order to save lives. And in the process, they create a bridge where information can flow, said Josh Hunter, NEMI southeastern field representative.

“We want to garner relationships with the fire marshals, fire inspectors and also with the contractors,” he said. “We invited officials with the local [union] in the area, too, so they know there is a resource in their area they can call. We try to get everyone on board and networked together.”

By the end of 2023, the fire life safety and smoke control systems presentation had been held in cooperation with the union and training sides of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation (SMART) workers, including Local 104 in Northern California; Local 28 in New York; Local 88 in Las Vegas; Local 85 near Atlanta; Local 16 in Portland, Oregon; Local 105 in Southern California and Local 10 in Minnesota.

“We’re trying to get more involved in making sure the fire dampers are being inspected regularly as they’re supposed to be,” said Steve Langley, business manager of Local 85.

“We cover the whole state of Georgia and three counties in Alabama,” added Schuyler Worthey, Local 85 business agent and former testing, adjusting and balancing (TAB) and fire life safety technician. “So, it’s very important for Local 85 to stay in contact with them. My line is always open to them to contact me.”

Most of the classes have included two sections: inspection and demonstration. In many cities, fire professionals are invited to get up close with working and non-working dampers, provided by the local or regional area, and experience stairway pressurization and/or smoke control systems through demonstration units. Fire professionals also are given the newest edition of the SMACNA manual.

Sharing information is key to saving lives and ensuring buildings are safe.

“It’s an awareness,” said Kenneth Boskett, TAB and fire life safety instructor for Local 88. “These are fire professionals. They know what they’re doing. There’s a curtain that divides what we input into fire life safety and what they know about what we put into fire life safety. When they’re made aware, they can start making considerations.”

“It’s about creating the relationships with the inspectors and educating them on what we do,” said Dion Abril, executive administrator of the Western States Council, which brings unions and contractors together. “We also provide them with the tools and the knowledge to ask contractors during the inspections the correct questions and to understand what the process was for the inspection, the maintenance. We’re helping them gain the tools they need to enforce what is already in the fire code.”

At Sheet Metal Workers Local 104 Bay Area Industry Training Fund, fire professionals witnessed damper failure and experienced various air pressure differentials due to a simulator on site.

“They’re used to what normal is in the correct building, but when things go wrong, they don’t have that experience of how failures change things,” said Pat Pico, training coordinator at Local 104 and Testing, Adjusting and Balancing Bureau (TABB) Hall of Fame member. “We were able to show them different types of failures for fire-smoke damper components, failures we see out in the field, and components that are not regularly tested.”

Feedback from fire professionals at all locations has been overwhelmingly positive, and the communications lines have opened. Some of the classes were requested through NEMI based on the previous presentation’s success, Hunter said.

“When I get out in front of these fire professionals, I’m throwing a lot of information at them, but as they look at the dampers, roll them around in their hands, open and close them, you see we are giving them information they can really use,” said Chris Ruch, NEMI director of education.

“The collaboration with NFPA and SMACNA has been invaluable. NFPA can provide regional, state and city code updates and information. SMACNA introduces them to the correct installation, so they not only know what they’re looking at, they have the literature to refer back to. And the locals and contractors give them local ties to call when they have a question and a training center to visit for more information.”

“There are a lot of agencies that refer to the NFPA standards for their state or city fire codes. It’s a big deal to have them working with us,” Hunter added. “They’re known across the United States. They are a source for states to develop code.”

More presentations are on deck for 2024, to be held in training facilities, where applicable, and NEMI is working on getting the fire life safety and smoke control systems presentation included in firefighter academy trainings. Connecting local fire professionals to local fire life safety professionals and their training facilities is important to keep the flow of information open and continuing ongoing training, Hunter said.

“We’d like to hold the classes at training facilities,” he said. “It builds the fire inspectors and marshals’ confidence in the certification the [SMART] members hold.”

SMART members and leaders from across the country met with the Biden-Harris administration on Wednesday, June 12 — bringing the voice of members and working-class families directly to the White House.

“This doesn’t just happen in any administration,” said SMART Local 7 (Lansing, Mich.) Organizer John Coleman.

The SMART Army delegation included members of Locals 85 (Georgia); 7, 80 and 292 (Michigan); 24 and 33 (Ohio); 26 and 88 (Nevada); 12, 19 and 44 (Pennsylvania); and 18 and 565 (Wisconsin). Joined by staff from the SMART Governmental Affairs Department, members met with Director of the Office of Public Engagement Steve Benjamin, United States Department of Labor Wage and Hour Administrator Jessica Looman, White House Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi and Betony Jones, director of the Office of Clean Energy Jobs, among others.

Local leadership shared updates on clean energy projects — staffed by SMART members — that are driving our nation’s transition to a sustainable future, as well as ways to partner with the administration and create jobs for union workers moving forward. The roundtable discussions also detailed how the federal government’s investment in American manufacturing and green energy is creating union jobs, plus actions taken to raise wages for construction workers and protect SMART members’ rights at work.

Daily headlines about new railroad safety laws make it feel like every day is “Railroad Day on the Hill.” However, the formal event falls once a year on the legislative calendar, where rail union representatives share the many issues that face our industry with legislators in D.C.

Thirty-eight men and women represented SMART Transportation Division, the nation’s largest railroad union. They spread the gospel of the Railway Safety Act, the need for shorter trains, increased quality of life and our call for better safety inspections of rolling stock.

The SMART delegation represented 20 different states and held 130 meetings with any Congress member or staffer willing to listen throughout the day.

The event was organized by National Legislative Director Greg Hynes, Alternate National Legislative Director Jared Cassity and Legislative Department Chief of Staff Jenny Miller. The Legislative Department invited 13 other unions to participate in Railroad Day on the Hill.

President Jeremy Ferguson, multiple vice presidents, state legislative directors, alternate state legislative directors, general chairpersons, local legislative reps and state legislative vice chairs from across the country all were present.

Ohio senators support Railway Safety Act, REEF Act

Senator Warnock and his staff hosted a Constituent Coffee at the Capitol, in Washington, DC on May 1, 2024. (Official U.S. Senate photo by Renee Bouchard)

SMART-TD representatives started with a breakfast with Senator J.D. Vance of Ohio. Vance has proven himself to be a champion for rail safety and is the lead sponsor of the Railway Safety Act.  Transportation Division representatives discussed ways our union could help rally support for the RSA and the REEF Act.

The REEF Act is a bipartisan bill that will end an out-of-date tax on Railroad Retirement Board benefits awarded to rail employees who are furloughed or medically out of service.

Vance and fellow Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown are with us and continue to strategize with SMART-TD on ways to build support for the RSA and REEF Acts.

America’s largest railroad union leaves a lasting impression

Following the successes of the day’s events, NLD Hynes expressed his gratitude to the army of SMART-TD leaders who made the trip.

“These men and women went above and beyond the call of duty to be here today. Because of them, we had a fantastic show of force in the halls of Congress. The validity of our issues speaks for itself, but when leaders from these different states show up to meet with their congressional and senate delegations, it makes an impact on these lawmakers,” he said. “They hear from Jared Cassity and me all the time, but when someone from home comes to meet with them in D.C., it puts a face to our issues in a unique way.

“I want to thank each one of them for making the effort to come out this year. With your help, we will deliver on the promise of the Railway Safety Act, the REEF Act, and all the issues that speak to the quality of life our members deserve and the dignity of the work they do each day.”