The SMART Constitution and Ritual was passed at the First General Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. It represents the contributions of members representing every industry and occupation this Union services members in. Click here to view a copy of this important document.
Author: paul
Many veterans enlisted in the military instead of going to college. Instead of learning where their dorm room was, they learned where they would be stationed for the next year. Instead of learning statistics, they learned the art of war. For those who spent their formative years in the military, when their friends are graduating from college, they are being honorably discharged without an idea of how to transfer the skills they learned in the military to the civilian world.
In honor of Veterans Day, the International Training Institute (ITI), the education arm of the unionized sheet metal and air conditioning industry, is shedding light on all veterans – especially female veterans – who struggle to find a career post-military. Currently, 7.9 percent of female veterans ages 18 and older are unemployed compared to 4.2 percent for males 18 and older, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
First Lady Michelle Obama recently shared her initiative, Joining Forces, which creates opportunities for the civilian population to support military families, and shed light on the issue in a recent Redbook article.
“She’s been trained to be a leader,” Obama said regarding all female veterans. “She’s been trained to be the best of the best, not just for herself, but for her kids. And this country’s not giving her that opportunity, someone who wants it so desperately.”
The ITI has partnered with Helmets to Hardhats to bring in quality apprentices, and although the organization has been helping veterans nationwide find careers in the construction trades for more than a decade, many veterans still aren’t aware of all the program offers.
Meanwhile, college-age veterans ages 18 to 24 are struggling. The unemployment rate among all veterans ages 18 to 24 is 21.3 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Their civilian counterparts in the same age group are unemployed at the rate of 13.1 percent.
The ITI welcomes veterans into 153 unionized sheet metal and air conditioning industry schools across the country – whether they use the services of Helmets to Hardhats or find them on their own. Veterans have the benefit of direct entry into the schools as well as other benefits if they qualify for the program.
“Although veterans have proven work experience, dedication and discipline, they have a higher unemployment rate than the everyday person off the street in the same age group,” said Larry Lawrence, regional field representative/instructional development specialist for the International Training Institute (ITI), the education arm of the unionized sheet metal and air conditioning industry. “That doesn’t make sense to me. People with this military training and an honorable discharge should be able to work.”
It’s in the national standards for the ITI to give preferential standing to applicants that come to training centers through Helmets to Hardhats. A few training centers are examples of how that standard can be taken a step further.
In Pennsylvania, the sheet metal workers union gives veterans direct entry into the state’s two apprentice programs that take upwards of 18 months from application to acceptance for the average civilian applicant. In the land of brotherly love, a military background means a career can begin 18 months faster.
“We accept the honorable discharge and say we want that kind of candidate,” said Aldo Zambetti, ITI field representative and former coordinator at the training center at Local 19 in Philadelphia. “The coordinator there is the human resources department. He can have the resume and see if someone has HVAC experience or construction experience and put them to work as long as it’s available.”
Pennsylvania veterans interested in sheet metal work – including air conditioning and heating, welding and computer drafting, among others – can bypass the interview and test, enroll in the apprentice program and go straight to any available work. While all apprentices are in school, they can work while they learn for free.
“The ITI has always had a great experience with Helmets to Hardhats apprentices,” Zambetti said. “I’ve not seen one dropout. I’ve never seen one person fail to graduate to be a journeyperson. I see the Helmets to Hardhats vets in their first five years at their positions, and they are holding higher level jobs, and I think it’s because of their military training.”
In Connecticut, project labor agreements (PLA) are calling for a percentage of the workforce to be military veterans.
“We’re putting it in every one of our PLAs,” said David Roche, business manager at Local No. 40. “It’s helping the guys who deserve a job when they come back, and we’re getting quality workers. It’s a win-win for us all around.”
Since 2007, more than 100 workers have come to trades in the state through the school at Sheet Metal Workers Local No. 40.
“They have a work ethic. They’re used to taking direction, getting up early and going to work every day. They pay attention. They catch on quicker and they seem to excel through the program and afterwards,” Roche said. “Some of our best workers came through the military.”
Darrell Roberts, executive director for Helmets to Hardhats, was a union sheet metal worker, served in the U.S. Navy for four years and the National Guard for six. Active service members looking at an honorable discharge commonly don’t know their options. Giving the organization a call or filling out a profile on the website only helps open the lines of communication. This way, the veteran has a chance to review all opportunities and find the career that matches his or her background, personality and future goals in time for the discharge. The program also provides mentorship and eases the transition into civilian life.
“On one hand you’re really helping the service member,” Roberts said. “On the other hand, you’re helping the workers and contractors because you’re bringing on good workers. It’s good for everyone involved.”
As a veteran, Roberts understands the importance of stability and finding a career once the military part of life is over.
“If you’ve served in the Guard or active duty, you’ve served,” he said. “You’ve served us. We don’t turn them away.”
Veterans have a lot of choices, which can be good or bad. Trades like the sheet metal workers help by making the process easy.
“Direct entry is a great item. It’s a great boon. It’s not unique, but it is rare. It’s something we’ve been pushing across the United States with all the trades,” said Roberts of ITI’s direct entry program for sheet metal workers. “You have to educate people that they can make a career out of being a sheet metal worker. The goal of Helmets to Hardhats is to show there are real quality careers in construction, and we’ll help you with that transition. We try to get the stumbling blocks out of the way.”
The Union Sportsmen’s Alliance and Remington are teaming up to send one lucky USA member and a guest on a dream 2015 Wyoming antelope hunt at The Ranch at Ucross, armed with a brand-new Remington Model 700 CDL SF in 7mm Mag! The prize package, valued at approximately $7,000, includes the gun, guided hunt, airfare, accommodations and hunting licenses. One second prize winner will receive a Remington 700 SPS in 30-06. Both guns are union-made!
Not a USA member? As a SMART member, you can join at no cost. Click here to join.
Enter for Your Chance to Win the Hunt!
The Auxiliary of the UTU Bluebonnets Lodge 331 is holding a 5k run fundraiser. All ages are welcome to run in the race and medals and trophies will be awarded to the first place male and female in each age division and for the overall top male and female.
Registration is open to all railway families from Sept. 3 to Nov. 4. The first 50 entries will receive a goodie bag with a T-shirt. The race is being held at the Pepper Creek Hike and Bike Trail at 546 N. Kegley Rd. in Temple, Texas. The race is set to start at 9 a.m. with registration open at 7:30 a.m. on Nov. 8. Pre-registration online is $22.50 or $25 on race day.
Interested parties can sign up online by clicking here or by calling (254) 865-7551 or (254) 223-1400. Click here to see Lodge 331’s 5k run flyer.
With the assistance of SMART Transportation Division Ohio State Legislative Director Stu Gardner, Transportation Division Local 378 at Cleveland held a “call to action” labor rally Oct. 20 at Sheet Metal Division Local 33’s union hall and training center in Parma, Ohio.
With a turnout of approximately 45 members and Transportation Division office staff, Gardner opened the rally by reminding all that the upcoming election was about “voting their paychecks.”
“Ordinary Americans need to stand up and say enough! Enough against the excessive, great moneyed interests and power-brokers that currently wield enormous power in our country with the help of the politicians in government that big money supports,” Gardner said. “It is time that we take that stand and start getting out the vote by encouraging your families, co-workers and friends to vote, vote early, vote absentee or vote on election day.”
Gardner also cautioned those in attendance that right-to-work legislation is not dead in Ohio, despite S.B. 5 having been voted down by Ohioans by a 62-38 percent margin in 2012.
“Remember that S.B. 5 was just a few short years ago, and that labor and a vast majority of Ohio’s citizens rallied to defeat that bill in a referendum vote,” Gardner said. “Don’t be fooled into thinking that right-to-work is a dead issue in this state. It is not. H.B. 151 and H.B. 152 are currently waiting for a committee hearing and the lame duck session of the legislature to move forward this year.”
H.B. 151 would “prohibit any requirement that employees of private employers join or pay dues to any employee organization and to establish civil and criminal penalties against employers who violate that prohibition.”
H.B. 152 would “remove any requirement under the Public Employees Collective Bargaining Law that public employees join or pay dues to any employee organization and to prohibit public employers from requiring public employees to join or pay dues to any employee organization.”
The rally featured a number of political candidates who introduced themselves to the membership and asked for their support and their votes on Election Day.
“Listen to our guest speakers and candidates telling you their reasons for running for office. What is important to them should be important to you and your families,” Gardner said.
The first candidate to speak was Ohio State Rep. Connie Pillich, who is seeking the office of state treasurer in a race against incumbent Josh Mandel. Mandel began establishing a U.S. Senate seat campaign just months after being elected in 2012, a campaign that fizzled quickly. Pillich pointed out that she has the experience and financial background to point Ohio in the right direction.
Other candidates at the rally included : Kenny Yuko, candidate for the 25th District of the Ohio Senate; Cleveland Councilman Martin Sweeney, candidate for House of Representatives District 14; Cleveland Heights Councilwoman Janine Boyd, candidate for House of Representatives District 9; Sen. Michael Skindell, candidate for Senate District 23; State Rep. Nickie Antonio, candidate for House of Representatives District 13; Rep. Nicholas Celebrezze, candidate for House of Representatives District 15, and Rep. John Patrick Carney, candidate for Ohio state auditor.
“After the rally, do some research and educate yourself about these candidates, and see why the Ohio State Legislative Board endorses and supports them,” Gardner finished.
Ohio State Legislative Director Stu Gardner introduces State Rep. Connie Pillich, Democratic candidate for Ohio state treasurer. Cleveland City Councilman Martin Sweeney is seated at left.
Pictured, from left, are Carney, Celebrezze, Yuko, Antonio, Local 378 President Jeffrey Brandow, Gardner, Assistant State Legislative Director David Otten and Skindell.
SMART is now on Instagram. You can follow us at @SMARTUnionWorks. This adds to our social media presence on FaceBook, Twitter, Flickr and YouTube.
On June 24, the California Energy Commission determined that the Testing, Adjusting and Balancing Bureau (TABB—a function of NEMIC) met the requirements in Section 10-103-B(e) of the Standards to be conditionally approved as an authorized Interim Mechanical Acceptance Test Technician and Contractor Certification Provider. As a result, TABB is now a state-recognized provider and certifies contractors and technicians.
Acceptance tests are pass/fail tests for mechanical systems and equipment for newly constructed buildings, major renovations, and all newly installed replacement equipment.
Under interim approval, both ICB/TABB-certified technicians and their employers are required to attend training in eight of the 17 acceptance tests.
Acceptance tests ensure code compliance and promote optimization of efficiency and performance of qualified mechanical systems in commercial buildings. They serve to determine whether specific building components, equipment, systems and interfaces between systems conform to criteria set forth in the 2013 California Building Energy Efficiency Standards for nonresidential buildings only. This includes offices, retail stores, factories, warehouses, schools, churches, hotels, motels and other non-residential occupancy types. The tests are an effective tool to ensure proper installation of equipment and meeting the energy goals of owners, occupants and the community. The benefits of properly installed systems include energy savings, extended equipment life, health, comfort and safety.
In general, the acceptance tests apply to new equipment and systems installed in new construction, change-out or retrofit applications. If an acceptance test is required, the appropriate form along with each specific test must be submitted to the enforcement agency before a final occupancy permit can be granted.
ICB/TABB-Certified Acceptance Test Technicians (ATTs) are ideally positioned to provide this service. They are building mechanical specialists trained and certified by NEMIC Acceptance Test Technician Certification Providers (ATTCPs). ATTs conduct required tests, submit results and certificates to enforcement agencies and are employed by ICB/TABB-Certified ATT Contractors. These contractors are required to have specialized training by a NEMIC ATTCP.
“The new California legislation will dramatically increase market demand for mechanical acceptance testing in commercial buildings throughout the state,” said James Page, NEMIC administrator. “If technicians and contractors want to be part of this growing work opportunity, they must be certified.”
ALSTOM
On April 22, SMART won an election 5 – 1 to represent the fulltime material handlers at the New Castle, DE, facility for Alstom. These workers sort and deliver parts to our SMART members who work on the Acela Train for Amtrak in Wilmington and Bear, DE. Pictured here are both fulltime and part-time workers employed at this location.BOMBARDIER
On July 8, SMART won an election to represent the track technicians on the Riverline Division of New Jersey Transit (NJT) 8 – 1. These workers work for Bombardier, a railroad contractor who runs and maintains the Riverline through a subcontract with New Jersey Transit. This is the first of four units consisting of approximately fifty workers on the Riverline to join SMART. Pictured here are our new members from the Riverline location.
On July 8, SMART won an election to represent the track technicians on the Riverline Division of New Jersey Transit (NJT) 8 – 1. These workers work for Bombardier, a railroad contractor who runs and maintains the Riverline through a subcontract with New Jersey Transit. This is the first of four units consisting of approximately fifty workers on the Riverline to join SMART. Pictured here are our new members from the Riverline location.
Pennsylvania State Legislative Director Paul Pokrowka is asking all SMART Transportation Division members from Pennsylvania to take action and contact the office of Gov. Tom Corbett, requesting he sign House Bill 2354 into law.
The federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced the first ever regulation of carbon dioxide emissions for existing stationary sources (power plants). Under the preliminary EPA rule, Pennsylvania is given an emissions target to meet by 2030 and will be able to write its own implementation plan on how best to meet those reductions.
The legislation, which already has approval from both chambers of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, would require the state’s Department of Environmental Protection to receive approval from the General Assembly prior to submitting the plan to the EPA.
“This bill is important to our members because it helps to give us a voice in regulations concerning the coal industry,” Pokrowka said. “We need Corbett to sign this bill into law by Oct. 26 or the bill is dead in the water.”
Rep. Pam Snyder (D), who authored the bill said, “Pennsylvania deserves the opportunity to forge its energy future and protect electric ratepayers and jobs. The state legislature will be the final arbiter of how the commonwealth approaches greenhouse gas regulation. It is what we were elected to do, and leaving Pennsylvania’s energy destiny in the hands of unelected, unaccountable federal regulators would be irresponsible.”
Sheet Metal Local 435 members, along with national siding SMACNA contractor Crown Corr, Inc, completed work in August on the world’s largest video/scoreboards. Working in a very compressed 90-day schedule, all the metal siding, standing seam metal roof, associated flashing, coping, sub-structure, and associated side wall louvers were finished “on time and under budget,” reported Jacksonville Jaguars President, Mark Lamping.
Jacksonville, FL, city officials and the NFL team owner combined resources to give the publicly owned stadium major renovations, including the massive jumbotrons. The video boards measure 60 feet high by 362 feet wide and are in both end zones. They far exceed all other stadium jumbotron screens in size. The huge video boards are capable of showing any combination of live action, instant replays, vivid graphics, colorful animations, up-to-the-minute statistics, scoring information, and sponsor advertisements.
Approximately twenty Local 435 members and six of Crown Corr’s traveling SMART members completed the job in extremely taxing conditions over the summer. Business Manager John Parker reported that 29 days of the work schedule were in temperatures of 95 degrees or higher. SMART’s members worked seven days per week and showed why paying for the best was worth it. One of the local SMACNA signatories also benefited from design/build practices by fabricating reinforcement steel for Crown Corr.
“The job is a showcase of SMART diversity and union capability when time and performance are on the line. We will point to this job for years to come and be proud every time we enter or drive by the stadium. It is a real trophy for the members of Local 435. You really have to see the screens in person to appreciate the size and clarity,” said Parker.