On September 8, 2015, California Governor Jerry Brown signed into law legislation requiring that all freight trains and light engines are operated by a crew of at least two individuals. This critical legislation will protect SMART TD jobs, support the health of the Railroad Retirement trust fund and make California’s railroads — and the communities that surround them — safer.
Author: paul
By Missouri Governor Jay Nixon
We celebrate Labor Day to honor American workers and the role they continue to play in creating a strong and prosperous nation. Labor Day reminds us that the rights won by the labor movement benefit all workers, and calls us to keep fighting to keep the American Dream alive for every Missouri family.
Skilled workers build our homes, teach our kids, keep our streets safe, and maintain our roads and bridges. Here in Missouri, skilled union labor builds the best-selling truck in America, the Ford F-150, and the 2015 Motor Trend Truck of the Year, the Chevy Colorado. Union hands build the F/A-18, the nation’s first strike-fighter that continues to fight terror and protect our servicemen and women around the globe.
Read more from Labor Tribune.
This Labor Day, we recognize the incredible achievements of North America’s working people and celebrate the men and women whose hard work make our nations prosper.
We recognize there are many who are frustrated because despite all the vital contributions we make, too many of us struggle to support our families. Working families in both the U.S. and Canada have sacrificed tremendously and are more productive than ever, yet many of our friends and neighbors are not seeing the rewards for their work.
At SMART, we are making inroads towards addressing these problems and other challenges members and those working in our industries face each and every day. We are fighting back and organizing the unorganized. We are doing this in places like Bushnell, Florida where we gained over one hundred new members last month during the course of a large scale organizing campaign. We are seeing the fruits of our labor by finding new sources and avenues for work in the deep south, like the new work opportunities throughout the Southwest and Southeast U.S. that will be secured by whoever can be first to fill the work. Your Union is working aggressively to ensure those positions are filled by SMART members in order to strengthen a lasting industry relationship to ensure continuous work for all of us in the future.
In the Transportation Division, we are looking forward to a stronger, more united future. We are sharing resources and ideas, like those seen at recent workshops for local Union Leadership at the SMART TD Leadership Conferences. The more we share and learn from each other, the faster and more efficiently we can grow together to secure the promise of a better future.
And lastly, we are looking to kick off a new Union Label Campaign for those of you working in the Sheet Metal Industry. Those of you who come across the SMART Union Label at work will be receiving important information in the mail about the campaign in the coming weeks. You will be using new technology, through your mobile phone, to help you perform these functions.
This Labor Day, let’s celebrate working families, speak out for the aggressive change we need to promote a better future, stand together in solidarity and work to ensure our Union grows and prospers together, for the benefit of all our members.
Fraternally,
Joseph J. Sellers, Jr.
SMART General President
Richard L. McClees
SMART General Secretary-Treasurer
Almost half of states in the United States today are right to work states. ‘Right to work’ is a statute or law that prohibits union security agreements between labor unions and employers. These laws govern the extent to which an established union cannot require an employee’s membership, payment of union dues or fees as a condition of employment either before or after hiring.
The Taft-Hartley Act created a law for this provision. It supersedes, but continues most of the provisions of the NLRB (National Labor Relation Board). In addition, it provides for an 80-day injunction against strikes that endanger public health and safety, and bans closed shops, secondary boycotts, jurisdictional strikes and certain other union practices. Since 2000, four states have become a ‘Right to work’ state.
These laws represent challenges for unions to promote the welfare of their members and workers in general. Some of our bus locals operate under these laws, which can make our work more difficult, but not impossible.
Organizing and representing our current and new membership is a common goal that we all can share in our locals. We should organize on a regular basis. As an officer, organizing can be an asset to the local’s membership. Keeping organizing at the forefront of membership makes everyone a part of the team.
Representation is critical. Let’s know our agreement and be prompt with answers to membership questions. As members, let’s talk about the importance of your union, (what it provides, working conditions, safety and what it has done for you). Be involved by attending union meetings and union functions that the locals may have. Encourage your brothers and sisters to attend as well. And most importantly, ask questions.
Some locals have adopted new-employee orientations. This gives employees a first-hand opportunity to meet their local representatives and for them to interpret the current collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Additionally, it gives representatives an opportunity to explain how the union works in an employee’s best interest.
Together, we are powerful with greater and engaged membership!
The open enrollment period for the Voluntary Long-Term Disability (VLTD) Plan has been extended an additional 30 days. Transportation Division members will now have until September 30, 2015 to open enroll in the plan. Further policy details are being finalized and will be posted once available. Additional questions should be directed to your regional field supervisor (contacts) or to the VLTD hotline at (866)-753-3632.
Rail VLTD FAQ
Rail VLTD Enrollment Form
Bus VLTD FAQ
Bus VLTD Enrollment Form
Each year the SMART TD holds two regional meetings; one in the east and one in the west. The theme for the 2015 meetings was, “Your Union-Your Future; Training the Leaders of Tomorrow.” The theme references the future, since what our members learn today will ultimately determine the caliber of our leaders tomorrow.
Education is the goal of the meetings. Attendees are educated on a variety of functions performed by the union on behalf of all members. This are also an opportunity for elected union representatives to hone their skills. Whether someone is a Local President, Secretary, Treasurer, Trustee, Legislative Representative, Chairperson or simply a proactive member, all who attend return home with knowledge and experience that they can grow from. The meetings also promote face-to-face contact amongst the membership. Members are able to match names to faces, shake hands, build and strengthen bonds, and enhance fellowship and camaraderie amongst their union brothers and sisters.
The western regional meeting was held at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix from June 29 through July 1. The eastern regional meeting was held at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence, RI, July 13 through July 15. Attendees at both meetings took full advantage of the educational opportunities offered in the workshops and presentations by dignitaries. Workshop topics pertained to issues that affect all facets of the Transportation Division membership including rail, bus and airline workers.
Notable speakers at the regional meetings included: General President Sellers, TD President John Previsich, U.S. Rep. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), U.S. Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (D-Ariz.), U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-R.I.), U.S. Rep. David Cicilline (D-R.I.), Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Administrator Sarah Feinberg and National Mediation Board Member (NMB) Harry Hoglander.
The TD Designated Legal Counsel (DLC) historically has been a major force in providing educational workshops to members and this year was no exception. The DLC presented several workshops on a variety of important topics including general laws affecting railroad employees, Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA), and working with FELA attorneys. Coordinator of DLC Steve Young, who is retiring, presented to standing-room-only crowds his invaluable workshops for the last time. His presentations included a “Nuts & Bolts Rail Workshop”, “No Rules Rail Workshops” and “The Railway Labor Act Workshop”. For his many years of service to the union, Young was lauded on the last day of the meeting in Providence.
Also, on hand were representatives from the Federal Government. Speakers from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) presented workshops on hours-of-service and Federal certification, and on the FRA Confidential Close Calls Reporting System (C3Rs) and risk reduction. Representatives from the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) presented a workshop on retirement and disability.
A variety of other workshops were available to the membership including organizing, bus steward training, and bus grievance and arbitration. Local Secretary and Treasurers were provided workshops on the “Dos and Don’ts”, “Paying and Reporting Taxes”, “One-on-One”, and “Working the Billing”.
For those in the legislative arena, the workshops offered included a Legislative Representative Workshop, Legislative Action in a Conservative Environment Workshop and a State Legislative Workshop. Additionally, SMART Director of Education Chris Carlough and SMART International Representative Doug MacDonald both presented the SMART Training Opportunities workshop.
In the Live Arbitration Workshop, presented by Arbitrator Sidney Moreland and BNSF’s Melissa Beasley, a mock arbitration proceeding unfolded before the attendees’ eyes. This simulation allowed the members to experience, first hand, exactly what occurs during arbitration hearings to help prepare them for it.
Various other informative workshops were presented, including several by the Auxiliary of the UTU and a UTUIA workshop on Insurance training for LIRs and field supervisors.
The ability of members to provide instantaneous evaluations on the workshops they attended was enhanced by the unveiling of the new SMART TD mobile application in Phoenix. Developed by the IT Department in the Cleveland office, it allows members to stay connected to their union. Information about meetings, workshops and links to relevant union information is made readily available and further enhancements are under development. The evaluations received through this new app are already being used to plan new workshops and to improve future regional meetings.
Charitable causes and fraternalism were also in full operation at the regional meetings. Phoenix and Providence families in need were provided support through 50/50 raffles held for the benefit of the Ronald McDonald House in each of these two cities, respectively.
Members of Bus Local 1563, El Monte, CA, presented a plaque for General President Emeritus Joseph Nigro, in honor of his service to this union. General President Joseph Sellers accepted the award on Nigro’s behalf.
Also, Thomas J. Schmitt of TD Local 1974 was chosen as the 2015 UTUIA Volunteer of the Year as a result of his charitable work with Operation Lifesaver. He is an Operation Lifesaver authorized volunteer who travels the country giving presentations to schools, organizations, bus drivers, truck drivers, first responders and fire fighters. Last year he was the top presenter for the KCS Railway as well as in the state of Louisiana. He gave 148 presentations in 2014, a personal best for Schmitt. For his selfless commitment to volunteering for Operation Lifesaver, Schmitt received a $1,000 U.S. Savings Bond and a plaque of appreciation from UTUIA.
The turnout at both meetings was strong and the feedback on the meetings was positive. As a result of this and the many educational opportunities at both meetings, your union and its future leaders are more prepared than ever to take advantage of the opportunities that will allow us to grow together.
Metal Industries, like many other small companies, faced economic hardship as a result of the lagging economy. In order to make it through the lean years of the past recession, the company turned to SMART for help. This came after Sheet Metal Local 5 members proved the added value the blue label brought to the company’s products at their manufacturing plant in Marion, NC.
Seeking a way to grow their business, management approached the International about using the Blue Label at the company’s Bushnell, FL plant.
Metal Industries worked with SMART International staff including International Representative Tim Wallace, Region IV Organizing Director Gary Stevens, Director of Production Mike LaFave and Local 15’s Business Manager Patrick O’Leary. They worked on a neutrality agreement to ensure the company remained neutral during an organizing campaign. The Union held informational meetings with workers at the Bushnell, FL plant and began collecting authorization cards. Shortly thereafter, majority status was confirmed through a third party neutral observer and Metal Industries recognized SMART Local 15 as their bargaining representative.
Meetings were held and a negotiating committee was selected which consisted of shop employees John Reuder, Bonnie Sigler and Juan Gilberto, who worked alongside SMART’s Tim Wallace, Gary Stevens, and Pat O’Leary as the Union’s negotiating committee. Shop issues were discussed and were developed into the Union’s contract proposals. Negotiations began and a 1st contract was overwhelmingly accepted by the Metal Industries Bargaining Unit resulting in 93 new SMART Members.
The SMART Blue Label is already doing its job for the newly organized members at Metal Industries; Metal Industries has already hired over 20 new employees since the contract was ratified. David Hawkins, Vice President of Operations at the company noted that the, “Marion facility and the SMART Union’s Local 5 have had a very good working relationship for over 12 years. Both parties along with our associates, have worked together to create a respected manufacturing facility producing ATU and GRD products along with a full line of NCA louver and dampers. Metal Industries is very pleased that in the last few months, along with SMART union representatives and our associates have completed negotiations and brought the Blue Label to Bushnell, FL.
Bushnell is Metal Industries’ largest facility. The company produces a full line of grilles, registers, and diffusers at its newly organizing location – all of which will be now manufactured under the SMART Sheet Metal blue label. According to Dawkins, “our Bushnell and Marion facilities are well-known by our customers for short lead times, excellent customer service and over a decade of shipping above 97 percent on time. We are excited by our opportunity to bring our full offering of products into the union construction market.”
Interview Excerpts from SMART Attendees
On May 1 of this year—May Day, when labor unions in most parts of the world celebrate May Day—more than a thousand construction tradeswomen joined in Los Angeles for a union-sponsored conference to support working women.The event enables those who work in traditionally male environments to share best practices in everything from surviving and thriving in apprenticeship to dealing with a hostile workforce to balancing life and work in the trades. They all made their voices heard.
Among the attendees were 30 women from SMART Sheet Metal local unions from California to New York City. They included Rita Magner from SM Local 104 in San Francisco who was also a
panelist in the Leadership 101 workshop.“The Women Building the Nation conference is, first and foremost, a leadership conference,” Magner said. “Those who attend return to their locals, get active in their unions and communities to increase the profile of labor unions; and work to elect labor-friendly candidates to improve the lives of ALL workers and their families.”
More Recruitment—Plus Support and Retention
In other largely male careers, like the military and law enforcement, women are 15 percent of the workforce yet the construction trades have less than 3 percent, a number that has been unchanged for 40 years.
That rate can be higher in a given areas, thanks to groups like Oregon Tradeswomen, Inc., which offers pre-apprenticeship training that exposes women to various trades and prepares them for construction careers.In that part of Oregon, instructors and apprentices at Sheet Metal Local 16 in Portland, new apprentice classes average about 10 percent women. However, the number who “wash out,“ who finish and can’t find steady work, or who simply decide to seek a different career is shockingly high.
“When I told a woman at the conference I was eight years in, I got a ‘Congratulations’ for getting past the seven-year mark, which apparently is a common point where
individual women find themselves unable to continue in the trades,” commented Allie Medeiros, a journey-level worker from SM Local 16.As Medeiros framed it, “I talk often with male mentors and allies about recruiting and sustaining women who are in it for a career, who intend to retire on a union pension. As a contractor, why would you want to put out the extensive time, money, and effort to train someone you believe is temporary? As a woman, why would you want to continue the hard work needed to sustain a career in a field that consistently denigrates you, sometimes to the point of harassment?”
One of the most popular sessions was called, “Workshop for Men—How to be an effective ally.” Every woman knows that while a few men might cause them grief, if it
weren’t for the great men who step up to support them, they’d never survive in the trades.“There needs to be a culture shift that comes from the top,” said Chris Carlough, SMART Education Director and Women Building the Nation Committee member, “We need to lead by example and encourage our leaders to offer support and guidance to the determined and hard working women in our trade. That, along with contractors who are willing to do the same, will help us make a difference in increasing women in our trade.”
Next year’s conference will be held for the first time in Chicago, April 29 – May 1, 2016.
It was a breath of fresh air knowing I’m not alone and that there are women like me working successfully in our industry. I want women to know that it’s possible to succeed in construction.
URSELA LECHELT, SM LOCAL UNION 55, PASCO, WASHINGTON
The message that I received from this conference was that—[though] it’s tough at times, it may be lonely out there—I am not alone. Networks of women are willing to mentor and coach. There is nothing like learning from someone else’s mistakes.
ANGELA MOLINA, SM LOCAL 104, SAN FRANCISCO
I was able to meet 29 other women in the sheet metal industry from across the country. I was able to meet Rita Magner (VP of SM Local 104 out of San Ramon, CA). She was incredibly inspiring and it was great listening to how she’s moved up throughout her career.
KATE HANSON, SM LOCAL 16, PORTLAND
URSELA LECHELT, SM LOCAL UNION 55, PASCO, WASHINGTON
The message that I received from this conference was that—[though] it’s tough at times, it may be lonely out there—I am not alone. Networks of women are willing to mentor and coach. There is nothing like learning from someone else’s mistakes.
ANGELA MOLINA, SM LOCAL 104, SAN FRANCISCO
I was able to meet 29 other women in the sheet metal industry from across the country. I was able to meet Rita Magner (VP of SM Local 104 out of San Ramon, CA). She was incredibly inspiring and it was great listening to how she’s moved up throughout her career.
KATE HANSON, SM LOCAL 16, PORTLAND
Southwest Missouri Democrats plan a second town hall meeting to support Gov. Jay Nixon’s veto of right-to-work legislation.
Teresa Henry, a Democrat candidate for attorney general, will be the featured speaker at the event set for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, August 26 at the IBEW Hall, 3316 S. Main St., Joplin, MO. 64804.
Groups for and against the measure are gearing up in advance of the veto session that starts Sept. 16 in Jefferson City.
Read more from The Joplin Globe.
Please visit WNY Labor Today for more news and features centering on the Upstate New York Labor Movement.
The Sullivan Brothers – George, Francis, Joseph, Madison and Albert, Who Were All in Their 20s, Were Sailors Who Served Together on the U.S.S. Juneau During World War II and Were Killed in Action After the Light Cruiser They Were Serving on Was Sunk by a Japanese Torpedo in the Solomon Islands in November 1942.
The U.S.S. Sullivans – a Now Decommissioned Destroyer Named After the Brothers, is Currently Moored and Open to the Public in the Buffalo Naval Park.
The Retirees From the Buffalo-Headquartered Building Trades Union Gather at the Sheet Metal Workers’ Liberty Avenue Union Hall and Training Center in Buffalo Each Wednesday to Have Coffee, Share Stories and Donate Their Time to Building a Number of Items, Including Individual Flag Boxes That are Presented to Fellow Local 71 Retirees Who’ve Lost a Family Member That Had Served i n the U.S. Military.
But This is Not the First Time Local 71’s Retirees Have Been Involved in Such a High-Profile Project. A Couple of Years Back, the Retiree Group Built Several Light Sconce Replicas Used in the Restoration of Buffalo’s Historic Central Terminal – Without the Benefit of the Sconce’s Original Plans. Using Only Photographs of the Originals, the Retirees Work Was Publicly Recognized as They Received the Distinguished 2013 Preservation Award.
The Retirees Had Been Working on a Five-Sided Flag Box – Which Resembles the Bronze Star – When Business Manager Helak Came Up With the Idea to Present the Finished Product to the Buffalo Naval Park to Further Honor the Sullivan Brothers, Who Received a Combined Nine Battle Stars for Their World War II Service.
It Took Local 71 Retirees (Which Also Included Roger Korsch, Who Was Unable to Take Part in the Naval Park Presentation) Three Months – One Day a Week and Overall Around 100 Hours – to Design and Create the Galvanized Metal and Copper Starred Box, Which Was Later Powder-Coated Navy Blue to Reflect That Arm of the U.S. Military.
The Star Holds an Individual Glassed Flag Box for Each of the Five Sullivans and in its Middle, the Names of Each Brothers are Etched Upon a Five-Sided Metal Piece in Their Memory.
“This is a Very Active Group of Retirees Who Want to Keep Their Skills ‘Fresh.’ I’ve Never Seen ‘Anything’ Like it. The End Result Was ‘Remarkable.’ It Was ‘Fantastic,’” Helak Told WNYLaborToday.com Just Prior to Making the Presentation to Naval Commander in Charge of the Park. “And ‘What Better Way’ Than to Present it to Five Brothers Who Made the ‘Ultimate Sacrifice’ for Our Country.”
“It Feels Great,” Local 71 Retiree Forman Told Your On-Line Labor Newspaper. “I Often Think About Our Service Men and Woman Who Come Home, Many Who’ve Been Shot Up or are Missing Legs and Arms. Jeez, I Wanted to Do Something to Honor All of Them.”
Forman, Who Retired From the Union in 1990, is Also a Naval Veteran, Serving on a Submarine Between 1961 and 1967 – Which Prompted Fellow Retiree Perry to Joke: “Yeah, he Served ‘Underseas.’”
The Retirees Laid Out a Design of the Star on a Table and Went From There. They Started With Sheet Metal, Cut the Metal Into the Appropriate Sizes and Built a Base to Attach the Flag Boxes Before Deciding How the Plaque With the Sullivan Brothers’ Names Would Appear on its Front.
When it Was Finished, the Star Contained Galvanized Metal, Brass and Copper – and Was Powder-Coated Blue to Represent the Color of the U.S. Navy.
“It Was a Pleasure and an Honor,” said Retiree Adam, Who Served in the Army From 1950 to 1958. Said Retiree Stetzko: “We All Just Really Enjoyed (Building it).” A Proud Adam Added: “We’re Sheet Metal Workers – We’re ‘Professionals.’ We ‘Design Our Own.’”
The Retirees – Who are Hopeful the Star Will be Adhered Somewhere on the Destroyer So Everyone Who Tours the Vessel Will See it – Were Disappointed There Was No Local Media Coverage of Their Donation at the Naval Park. Said One Retiree: “I Guess it Wasn’t ‘Newsworthy’ Enough for the Newspaper or the TV Stations. It Wasn’t ‘News.’”
But Stetzko Also Hopes Those Who See the Star – Which Also Has Inscribed That the Piece Was Presented by Sheet Metal Workers Local 71 Retirees – Also Works to Positively“Change the Perception” of Unions and The Workers They Represent.