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Local 49 Business Manager Isaiah Zemke (right) with President Biden.

SM Local 49 (Albuquerque, N.M.) Business Manager/Financial Secretary-Treasurer Isaiah Zemke took part in a “Communities in Action: Building a Better New Mexico” meeting at the White House on October 7, 2022. The discussion, part of the Biden administration’s “Building a Better America” series, included an overview with leaders from Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada and Colorado, followed by state-specific sessions.

“They had leaders from each state join – from unions, nonprofits, tribal governments and elected politicians – for a group briefing, followed by individual state roundtables to share stories and discuss amplifying them across our communities and states,” Zemke said, noting that he conducted a survey of Local 49 members prior to the meeting in order to convey members’ thoughts to the administration. “I discussed indoor air quality and how we are partnering with school boards, the state of New Mexico and municipalities [to perform that work.]”

In the group meeting, Zemke and other attendees met with Julie Chavez Rodriguez, senior advisor to President Biden; Steve Rochetti, legislative coordinator; Al Zaidi, White House national climate advisor; Jewel Bronaugh, deputy secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture; Susan Rice, director of domestic policy; and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland. Along with conveying members’ messages to the administration, Zemke participated in a discussion on how recent legislation will impact working families in the region.

“It sounds like the plan is to have all 50 states choose leaders to attend similar action plans,” Zemke added.

Watch Zemke discuss his visit to the White House in episode two of SMART News.

In the New Mexico roundtable, Zemke brought up the amount of work that Indoor Air Quality policies and legislation like the CHIPS and Science Act, the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will create for SM Local 49 members, including an Intel plant in Rio Rancho, N.M. He also pointed out the need for high schools to receive funding for CTE programs, ensuring that SMART and other building trades have the workforce pipeline that will be needed to complete the infrastructure work of the future.

Ultimately, the discussion once again proved SMART’s new level of access with the current administration – and the importance of taking advantage in order to strengthen our union.

SMART Local 18 (Wisconsin) was named a finalist for the 2022 BizTimes Media Nonprofit Excellence Awards, an annual recognition of local organizations dedicated to bettering Wisconsin communities. Local 18 was nominated by the Association for the Rights of Citizens with Handicaps (ARCh) Camp Pow Wow, which the local rehabilitated ahead of the organization’s first in-person camp for kids with disabilities since 2019.

Pictured: ARCh Assistant Director of Operations Kristin Lindahl, Local 18 Director of Organizing Hallie Jennerman and Local 18 President/Business Manager Scott Knocke.

For the last six years, Local 20 (Evansville, Ind.) has hosted a food drive during November, with all the food collected going to the Tri-State Food Bank.

“When we started this fundraiser in 2017, we collected 750 pounds of food,” said Kreg Homoky, Local 20 business representative. “Each year after that, the amount has increased — last year we collected 1,100 pounds.”

The food drive was especially important this year, Homoky explained. Food prices across the country have spiked as a result of high inflation, putting into perspective the challenges faced by working families.

“Hopefully this food drive we do every year will go a long way to help those in need,” Homoky added. “The Evansville area would like to thank all who participated. Your generous contributions will go a long way.”

SMART Local 2 in Kansas City participated in a new recruitment event in summer 2022. Earlier in the year, Business Manager Greg Chastain approached the Local 2 Women’s Committee to discuss how the local could reach a more diverse group when recruiting. The Women’s Committee immediately thought of Pride month.

Every June, Kansas City hosts a LGBTQ+ Pride parade and celebration that draws thousands of people — ideal for reaching every gender, age group and demographic. Local 2 supported the Women’s Committee’s suggestion by reserving two booths at the event.

When Pride month arrived, the Women’s Committee set up monitors with slideshows showing various aspects of the sheet metal trade and highlighting beautiful projects that have been made a staple of the city skyline. The booth also showcased multiple duct fittings and school projects, and the Women’s Committee passed out recruitment materials to visitors, including pamphlets about apprenticeships and benefits. The number one attraction at the booth was the virtual welder: Visitors of all age groups and experience levels were able to show their welding abilities.

All told, the Women’s Committee and Local 2 volunteers handed out swag and union information to more than 2,500 people. Several teachers and school counselors visited the booth, where they voiced that they would like to share information about apprenticeship programs and trades with their students to complement information about the college path.

Since June, Local 2 has seen an uptick in applications stemming from this event, and many applicants have already passed their tests and are awaiting placement. In other words, the LGBTQ+ Pride booths were a massive success.

SMART Local 45 (Des Moines, Iowa) celebrated its 100th anniversary and hosted a holiday party for members, retirees and family on December 3rd, 2022.

Local 265 (DuPage County, Ill.) recognized Robert Flynn and his three sons for 200 years of combined service at its recent service award ceremony.

Robert joined Local 265 in 1954 after proudly serving in the U.S. Navy for four years on the SS New Jersey during the Korean War. In July 1963, Robert was elected as financial treasurer. In 1967, he became business agent/financial secretary, and in 1979, he was elected to business manager. In 1986, Robert was appointed as international representative, where he worked until his retirement in 1992.

Robert received his 70-year service award. Patrick received a 50-year service award, and Thomas and Timothy received 40-year service awards for a combined total of 200 years of service.

SM Local 265 (DuPage County, Ill.) members proudly demonstrated the spirit of union solidarity in late October, when they volunteered to deliver toys with DuPage County Toys for Tots.

“A huge thank you to Local 265 Sheet Metal Workers!” Toys for Tots wrote on Facebook. “After a long work day, they volunteered their time and energy to help us at Santa’s Workshop with a large delivery. Thank you for making magic happen!”

The U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots mission is to spread cheer to all during the holiday season, collecting and distributing toys to children who may otherwise go without gifts. SMART commends our Local 265 brothers and sisters for taking part in this great cause!

James T. “Blue” Chilton – 70-year pin recipient

Blue Chilton began his sheet metal career in January 1951, and after completing a three-year apprenticeship program became a journeyperson on November 1, 1955. His first job assignment was with Carrier Corp.

Chilton served his membership working for various union contractors, including Shelton Cheek, Stephenson & Associates and Mallory & Evans, and was a foreman on most projects he worked on. He completed his sheet metal career working for Stephenson & Associates, retiring on June 1, 1988. Chilton is 90 years young and continues to work with sheet metal and other metal material, making yard art, signs and sculptures in his home shop. He has donated sculptures to the city of Rutledge and other organizations. 

Thomas W. Wade Jr. – 70-year pin recipient

Thomas Wade began his sheet metal career on November 11, 1951. His first job assignment was with LD Herndon in Columbus, Georgia; he began his apprenticeship shortly thereafter but was drafted into the Army in 1953 and served in Korea until his return home in January 1955. In September 1955, he married his wife, Shirley, and they settled into family life. He then returned to the sheet metal apprenticeship program, graduating in June 1958. Wade worked for various sheet metal shops over his career, retiring from MacAbee Corporation in Birmingham Alabama. 

Wade is 91 years young. He and Shirley are gardening enthusiasts; they raise fruit trees, flowers and enjoy working together in their green house. 

60-year pin recipients: Michael Cannon, Billy Cleveland, James Marshall, Ronald Nelson                

50-year pin recipients: Melvin Boggs, Danny Cawley, Ronald Chase, Darrell Flanigan, Wayne Gregory, David Hanley Sr., Billy Hillhouse, Charles Kangeter, Lawrence Lester Jr., Timothy Milam, Kenneth Norton, Johnny Rich, Douglas Robertson, Jerry Sherman, James Towery, Ronald Whatley

40-year pin recipients: Matthew Allen, Grady Bagwell, James Barwick, Jerry Coleman, Sandy Curry, Donald Daniel, Michael Davis, Eddie Entrekin, John Gafnea, Fred Gaskin, Glenn Gentry, Lawrence Gilmer, David Herrin, James Hill, Hames Houston, William Jarvis Jr., Bobby Jones, Ronnie Jordan, Michael Kelley, Paul Mathew, Michael Mays, Billy McClung, James McCullough, Neil Moore, Robert Murray, Timothy Perren, Douglas Polley, Joel Portwood Jr., Philip Shadix, Eric Sinclair, Chadwick Smith, Jack Smith Jr., Stanley Swinford, Frank Tyner, Jerry Whatley, George Wilson                                   

25-year pin recipients: Victor Aristizabal, Jonatan Arriola, Charlie Ayers, Gary Baker, Richard Beall, scott Bryson, David Chestnut, Tim Clark, Darnell Cole Sr., James Cook, Tim Davenport, Michael Day, Marie Dinh, Brian Ferguson, Delbert Frazee III, Brian Ginn, Daniel Griffith, William Hughes, James Jackson III, Joel Johnson, Philip Mancuso, Wilford Martin, Craig Mauney, Kevin Murphy, Carl Napierala, Michael Newman, Sang Nguyen, Phi Nguyen, Bill Olah, Godfrey Powdar, John Reynolds, James Roderick, Anthony Sims, Lan Tran, Hue Tran, Kiet Trinh, Ernest Underwood Jr., Eric Wood

15-year pin recipients: Yisela Aguilar, Jon Allred, John Apessos, Samuel Bass, Clifford Bateman, Devon Bookal, Rodney Burke, Robert Bussell, Jacob Byrd, Caleb Case, Walter Cliett, Oscar Collum Jr., Chris Conkel, Kenneth Cook, James Cooley III, Jay Core, Diane Crowell, Reginald Davis, Richard Denney, Douglas Dixon, Duy Doan, William Duffy, Todd Eddy, Clark Felker, Nathan Forrister, Curtis Frazer, Thomas Freeman, Jaime Freshwater, Stanley Gibson Jr., Steven Gilbert, Mark Giles, Collin Grant, Jeremy Hardy, Napoleon Hernandez Barret, Lester Hood, Kenneth Huitt, Milandus Jackson, Gregory Jones, Frank Karastury Jr., Gregory King, Jason Knight, Chester Leckner III, Luz Martinez, Robert Martiny, Cody Mathis, Steven Mazurowski, Larry Minniefield, Christopher Money, Gary Morrow, Bradley Nesbit, Kelly O’Neil, John Owens, Traci Payne, William Pearson III, Staughton Sebastian, Wallace Seegar, James Shaddix Jr., Brandon Shadix, Robert Shorts, Jesse Sosebee, Joel Thrailkill, Terry Towles, James Travis III, Rodger Watkins, Dorothy Wigfall, Gregory Williams, Richard Wilson, Forrest Zuercher

President Biden delivered his second State of the Union address on February 7, 2023 – outlining the ways in which the Biden administration’s economic plan is delivering results for working families. SMART issued the following statement in response:

“On the campaign trail and during his first State of the Union speech last year, President Biden made big promises: substantial infrastructure investment for the first time in decades, the return of manufacturing to America, and an economy that works from the bottom up and the middle out, not the top down. Now, two years after the president’s inauguration, we can say that the Biden administration is delivering on those promises.

“President Biden signed legislation like the American Rescue Plan, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act and the Inflation Reduction Act into law: saving hundreds of thousands of union pensions, providing the most significant investments into our country’s infrastructure and semiconductor production in generations, and making the largest American investment in clean energy ever. These investments have already put thousands of SMART sheet metal members to work, and they will drastically improve the health and working conditions of our Transportation Division members across sectors.

“Since President Biden took office, more than 200 companies have announced private investment in manufacturing, utilities and energy to the tune of $700 billion, across all 50 states. Our members are already working these jobs, from solar panel production facilities in New York to data centers in Arizona.

“And after two years of President Biden’s agenda, the American economy has created more than 12 million jobs, with an unemployment rate of 3.4% – a 54-year low.

“But, as the president made clear in this year’s State of the Union, there is more work to do. We look forward to working with Congress and this administration to end the anti-worker corporate scheme that is Precision Scheduled Railroading. And we call on Congress to pass a billionaire minimum tax, which will finally see the one percent pay their fair share and ease the damaging impact of inflation for working families; expand the Child Tax Credit, which will lift more children and families out of poverty; extend the Inflation Reduction Act’s price cap on insulin to all Americans; and pass the Protecting the Right to Organize Act, which will make it easier for workers to form a union.”

The U.S. Department of Labor Women’s Bureau appointed SMART Local 28’s Leah Rambo as deputy director of its executive team in early February. In response, SMART issued the following statement:

“The U.S. Department of Labor’s Women’s Bureau does important work lifting up our sisters who strengthen our economy, our industry and our union – and promoting diversity, equity and inclusion across the trades. We celebrate the Bureau’s appointment of Leah Rambo from SMART Local 28 (New York City) as a deputy director on its executive team. As the director of training for Local 28 and a member of our SMART International Women’s Committee, Leah has worked tirelessly to recruit and retain an increasing number of women and ensure safe, quality work and training environments.

“Thanks to unprecedented investments in our infrastructure, megaprojects continue to come in across the country. We all have a responsibility to make sure women in our communities have access to the good, family-sustaining union jobs and the benefits our union and industries provide. We know Leah will be a dedicated advocate in the efforts to expand opportunities for women and their families.”