The United Labor Agency and Feeding Hungry Children arrived at Sheet Metal Workers Local 40’s training center with an empty truck. By the end of the event, the truck was full. During one hour, 10,000 meals were packaged by 36 people on three assembly lines. Apprentices Daniel Meyer, Christopher Scott, Kevin Angell, Kevin Nelson, William Garthwaite, Matheau Willette, Oleg Afendulov, Robert Brown, Cullen Bridgers and Jonathan Medina, along with Jason Sherman, executive board member, helped with the event.
Each meal consisted of rice, lentils, vegetables and Himalayan salt, and each ingredient was put into a plastic bag, weighed and heat sealed. Each bag provides six child-sized meals. The majority of the meals went to children in Waterbury, Hartford and New Britain in Connecticut who only eat while at school. The meals packaged by the volunteers at Local #40 bridge the night, weekend and vacation gaps when nutritious food is not available.
Author: paul
George Donovan went to school to be an aircraft mechanic, but in the last nearly two decades he’s spent as a field representative for the International Training Institute (ITI), he’s driven 600,000 miles, or 35,000 miles per year. He doesn’t like to fly.
Donovan, who works out of Centralia, Missouri, north of Columbus, covers schools in Nebraska, Missouri, Illinois, Kansas, Iowa and Arkansas for the ITI, the education arm of the unionized sheet metal and air conditioning industry. With 153 schools across the country, Donovan’s windshield time is spent supporting training directors at the 23 schools in his region and keeping staff members at those schools up on TotalTrack, the student-tracking database system.
“I go from area to area, and the only thing that changes is the local number,” Donovan said. “The sheet metal workers from all over the country are exceptional people.”
His time in the industry began in 1978 as a 22-year-old sheet metal apprentice when he came to the conclusion he wasn’t going to make any money as an airplane mechanic. He graduated in 1982 and worked as a journeyman and then foreman while also teaching part time at his alma mater. In 1994, he became the school’s apprentice director and took on the role as regional representative in 1997.
As a certified welding instructor (CWI), Donovan also serves as an assessor who completes audits of the industry’s welding facilities.
“The schooling I had as an airplane mechanic wasn’t wasted,” he said. “It was applicable to two different skills for different things. Airplanes had sheet metal. They had woodworking. They had all those systems in airplanes. They gave you a basic knowledge that was useful in other areas than just being an aircraft mechanic.”
Being a teacher involved with training and curriculum was never a job Donovan set out to fill when he entered the industry. But it’s one of the most rewarding, he said. The only thing he misses – creating and building things.
“The rewarding thing is being able to work with the local training schools and being able to assist them,” he added. “Whenever I was working with my tools in my local area, I didn’t have exposure to what else was going on in other places. After you meet all the talented people in our industry you realize. It’s a humbling experience.”
More than 15,000 apprentices are registered at the 153 training facilities in the United States and Canada. The ITI is jointly sponsored by SMART, the International Association of Sheet Metal Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (formerly the Sheet Metal Workers’ International Association) and the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA).
ITI supports apprenticeship and advanced career training for union workers in the sheet metal industry throughout the United States and Canada. Located in Fairfax, Va., ITI produces a standardized sheet metal curriculum supported by a wide variety of training materials free of charge to sheet metal apprentices and journeymen.
SMART Sheet Metal Workers Local 293 dropped off 18 boxes of school supplies at the Kapaa Elementary School in Kauai on Monday. The school was selected based on it servicing the greatest percentage of Kauai’s population, and the percentage of children on the free and reduced lunch program.
“We collected materials to take care of 10 schools, and this year, five schools on Oahu were serviced and five schools on the outer islands received supplies,” Rick Paulino, Local 296 President.
Life events continually remind us of how much we depend on each other. The Union Member Assistance Coordinators’ program serves the membership in many ways. Most importantly, we help our brothers and sisters cope with tragedies in their lives. We believe that a burden shared is a burden lessened. By sticking together and providing positive emotional support based on our experiences, we help each other get through difficult times in our lives and begin the healing process. That’s our mission!
Don’t walk away from a brother or sister who is hurting. Learn to reach out and become part of the solution. Remember that, “People don’t care what you know, until they know that you care.”
It is our union’s trademark. We can’t ignore our problems. Stop, listen and support those in need, as caring union members. Keep in mind always this adage, “As long as the ties that bind us together are stronger than those that will tear us apart, all will be well.”
SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) Facts:
By 2020, mental and substance use disorders will surpass all physical diseases as a major cause of disability worldwide.
Half of all lifetime cases of mental and substance use disorders begin by age 14 and three-fourths by age 24
More than 34,000 Americans die every year as a result of suicide, approximately one every 15 minutes.
Each year, approximately 5,000 youth under the age of 21 die as a result of underage drinking. The annual total estimated societal cost of substance abuse in the Unites States is $510.8 billion. The total economic costs of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders among youth in the United States is approximately $247billion.
Among persons aged 12 and older who used prescription pain relievers non-medically in the past 12 months, 55.9 percent got them from a friend or relative for free.
Member assistance contact: umac@smart-union.org
Members of the SMART Transportation Division and all of labor are reminded that they have the opportunity to make it federal law to have two qualified persons working on all freight trains operating in the United States a reality.
Now is the time to contact your legislators in the House of Representatives and ask them to co-sponsor and support H.R. 3040.
Introduced in the House Aug. 2 by U.S. Reps. Michael Michaud (D-Maine) and Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), this legislation will require that “no freight train or light engine used in connection with the movement of freight may be operated unless it has a crew consisting of at least 2 individuals, one of whom is certified under regulations promulgated by the Federal Railroad Administration as a locomotive engineer … and the other of whom is certified under regulations promulgated by the Federal Railroad Administration as a conductor pursuant to section 20163.”
“This legislation is not only about the safety of the American public and the safety of railroading operating crews, it is an opportunity to prevent what in my opinion is an unsafe operating practice – having only one crew member aboard a train,” said SMART TD President John Previsich. “This measure will not only protect our communities, it will protect our jobs.”
The legislation reflects heightened concerns over crew size arising from the tragic July 6 derailment of a Montreal, Maine & Atlantic fuel train in Lac Mégantic, Quebec, which killed 47 and destroyed the center of the town. The MM&A train was crewed by a single person.
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) and the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) last year sent memos to Capitol Hill opposing this important piece of legislation, stating in part: “H.R. 3040 mandates freight trains operate with a certified locomotive engineer and a certified conductor without taking into consideration the realities of current industry practices and the overall rail safety record in the United States.”
In a letter to all members of Congress, the SMART TD’s Legislative Office wrote: “The reality is that 99+ percent of America’s trains already operate with two federally-certified crew members. It was the July 6, 2013, accident at Lac-Mégantic, Quebec, where 47 people lost their lives and a town was destroyed, that gave rise to this legislation.
“That accident happened because a crew member, working alone, had his train roll away causing horrific death and devastation.
“There are many tasks that must be performed by the crew of a freight train that one person cannot accomplish alone.
“Under current Federal Railroad Administration regulations and railroad operating rules: a single person crew cannot make a Class I air brake test; one person cannot act as a first responder when a collision at a road crossing occurs; one person cannot inspect his or her train when it breaks in two or derails, including when there is the possible release of hazardous materials; and one person cannot inspect his or her train when cars in that train become defective.
“Another reality is that freight train crews work long hours, day and night, with few set shifts, and are on call 24/7. With as little as 1 hour and 15 minutes’ notice, we are required to report to work for a 12-hour shift, often operating trains laden with hazardous materials. Fatigue in the freight railroad industry is our number one safety problem, and having two crew members is the main way that we help mitigate fatigue. Having two crew members is also the best way to assure compliance with our complex operating rules. Rules such as properly securing your train so it doesn’t roll away and destroy a town.
“H.R. 3040 – the Safe Freight Act – is a bipartisan bill that will ensure that trains are operated safely everywhere in America. We respectfully ask that you support this important bill and consider becoming a co-sponsor.”
To send a message to your House representative to co-sponsor and support this legislation, click here.
By entering your ZIP code and street address, a webpage prepared by the SMART will identify your representative in both the House and. After entering your email address, the website will send a prepared message to your legislators that reads, in part: “Please support H.R . 3040, the Safe Freight Act, which will improve railway safety by eliminating the risky practice of single-person train crews.
“A two-person crew would likely have been able to divert the runaway train that derailed in Lac-Megantic, Quebec this summer. A derailment that killed nearly 50 people, destroyed more than 40 buildings and caused hundreds of millions of dollars in environmental damage.
“By supporting H.R. 3040, you are taking a necessary step to end the dangerous practice of single-person crews that put the safety of the public, the crew, and the well being of our economy at risk.”
Contact your legislators today.
On the last day of the SMART Transportation Division Convention, held in San Diego, Calif., General President Joseph Nigro addressed the delegates and discussed transparency, solidarity between construction and transportation workers, along with giving a look at the upcoming SMART Convention to be held in Las Vegas, NV the week of August 11 through the 15th.
The term “higher education” can take on many connotations. Where some believe it means attending a two- or four-year college or university, there is another side to higher education – apprenticeship in the skilled labor trades.
Apprentices at more than 153 unionized sheet metal training centers across the United States and Canada go to classes, attend labs, earn grades and receive on-the-job training in four- to five-year programs. Apprentices are paid while they work to become journeymen, and, usually, they graduate debt free. While they don’t march down the aisle in caps and gowns for graduation, they are rewarded with hourly wages above and beyond those many university graduates can hope to make until they have “paid their dues” – if they ever receive comparable earnings.
Curricula for the country’s sheet metal workers are developed by the International Training Institute (ITI), the education arm of the unionized sheet metal and air conditioning industry. The apprenticeship program isn’t for people who failed at college or wanted to choose another route to a stable income. The program is for serious individuals who want to pursue an education, skill level and career in a trade such as the unionized sheet metal industry.
Just as the world needs doctors, lawyers and tax accountants to survive, it also needs heating, ventilation and air conditioning designers and technicians; welders to build schools and plants; certified fire life safety professionals to ensure a building on fire doesn’t place lives in jeopardy; designers to create building systems to keep occupants safe, comfortable and breathing clean air; industrial workers who build plants for power and sustainable energy, installing conduits the size of football fields; and technicians to conduct energy audits to keep buildings operating efficiently.
These skills take education, dedication and talent. The labor trades aren’t reserved for the less-intelligent. They are necessary career paths important to the proper functioning of the country and are there for those who take interest in a different kind of work.
This spring, Mike Rowe, formerly of Discovery Channel’s “Dirty Jobs,” testified on Capitol Hill for more attention to be paid to the jobs that need to be done by the skilled labor force.
“The reality is: look at the opportunities that are out there, make a case for the trades, and stop with this idea that there’s only one way to get educated,” he said.
Once the education is earned, jobs are available as well. It varies by state, but jobs are available, and more are on the horizon and on major projects such as the new Minnesota Vikings or Atlanta Falcon stadiums, airport renovations and new construction of high rises and office buildings around the country.
First Lady Michelle Obama’s new initiative, Reach Higher, focuses on inspiring all American students to take charge of their future by pursing and completing their higher education – and that includes apprenticeship.
In April, Vice Pres. Joe Biden announced the launch of the Registered Apprenticeship College Consortium (RACC), which is intended to bridge the gap between colleges and registered apprenticeship programs, allowing graduates of these programs to earn college credit for their training.
An Indiana Judge has ruled that the state’s “Right-to-Work” law is unconstitutional, the second such blow to the legislation since its passage in 2012.
Lake County Circuit Judge George Paras decided against the state in United Steelworkers vs. Zoeller on July 17th, ruling that the law was “null and void in its entirety” and the state is “permanently enjoined” from enforcing it. The law is already before the state Supreme Court as a result of a challenge from the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 150. Oral arguments in that case are set to be heard on September 4th.
Following the decision, Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller said he would ask for a stay to prevent the decision from immediately taking effect. He also argued that the law’s fate is still truly in the hands of the state Supreme Court. From his statement:
“Strong opinions exist on both sides about involuntary union dues, but the attorney general’s office has a duty to defend the laws the legislature passes from legal challenges plaintiffs file. If a trial court finds a law unconstitutional, then the appropriate action is to stay its ruling pending the appeal.”
The IUOE Local 150 case was originally decided last fall — in favor of the union — by Lake County Superior Court Judge John Sedia. He stayed the verdict to allow it to go to the Supreme Court.
In both rulings judges agreed with the union’s argument that “Right-to-Work” violates the “particular services clause” of the state constitution. That clause states that, “No person’s particular services shall be demanded, without just compensation.” Paras agreed with this argument and wrote a strongly worded opinion that suggests this clause was written specifically to protect workers from laws like “Right-to-Work.”
A recent article in the Wall Street Journal highlights the benefits of apprenticeships, noting the positive effect they have on the careers of those who participate. The article seeks to provide examples of those who have benefited from apprenticeship across numerous fields, but it does so while ignoring union apprenticeships entirely. This despite unions being a cornerstone of training in the skilled trades and a provider of far greater numbers of apprentices than the efforts described by WSJ.
As the American workforce continues to undergo drastic changes, apprenticeship programs of all types, both union and nonunion, are needed to meet the demands of the future. According to a study from the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, there will be a glaring lack of technical certificates and credentials necessary to succeed in high-growth, high-demand industries. The United States will be 5 million workers short in this regard, the study suggests.
WSJ gives the specific example of Dakota Blazier, an 18-year-old who began his path towards apprenticeship while still in high school. When the young man from a small town north of Indianapolis decided he did not want to attend college, apprenticeship became his focus:
I discovered a long time ago,” he explained, “I’m not book smart. I don’t like sitting still, and I learn better when the problem is practical.” But he didn’t feel this limited his options—to the contrary. And he was executing a plan as purposeful as that of any of his high-school peers.
It started in his junior year with release time from high school to take a course in basic construction skills at a craft training center run by the Associated Builders and Contractors. The next step was an internship with a local contractor, Gaylor Electric.
This summer, he’s at Gaylor full time, earning $10 an hour plus credits he can apply at the ABC training center, where he intends to return this fall for a four-year apprenticeship. Mr. Blazier, 18, beamed as he explained his plan. This was no fallback, no desperate Hail Mary pass. It was a thoughtful choice—and he was as proud and excited as if he were heading off to the Ivy League.
Apprenticeship is an excellent choice and the proper apprenticeship can lead to amazing career opportunities. However, omitted from the article is the fact that those who join union apprenticeships (the ABC is a staunchly anti-union organization) are 17 percent more likely to complete their apprenticeship than those who choose the non-union path.
Star in your own Video Selfies.
SMART is looking for Short Videos on why the Blue/Yellow Union Labels are important to you.
What does it mean to your work and income?
Answer the question by saying: I look for the SMART Union Label because…..?
Remember when recording on a phone, hold it landscape or horizontal.
Send your clips to members@smart-union.org or you can upload it on FaceBook then post a link to it or share it via the FaceBook “share” tool
on your Union’s Facebook page at
If you make the cut, you will be featured at SMART’s First General Convention.
Everyone who submits a video will be automatically entered into a drawing to win a new Kindle.