Local 63 rebuilds presence in Vermont, puts union members to work through organizing

The union difference isn’t just something that pays off in better pay, safer working conditions and stronger benefits for union members. Study after study shows that unions raise pay and living standards across entire regions, for both union and nonunion workers alike. When union density is high — when SMART signatory contractors have a greater share of the local market, for example — everyone benefits.

That’s why organizing is so important, and why SMART works constantly to bring signatory contractors into every state and province of North America. A recent victory in Vermont demonstrated how that work pays off in practice.

SMART Local 63 faced a critical challenge in the state when its only commercial HVAC signatory contractor closed following the passing of the owner. This left six building trades members without a place to work and created a gap in union market presence in a region already dominated by nonunion contractors.

Recognizing the urgency, Local 63 took immediate action. The local began reaching out to contractors and members to gauge interest in purchasing the company. While those efforts did not result in a sale, they helped identify broader opportunity in the region. With ongoing work tied to the University of Vermont, GlobalFoundries and multiple projects in Burlington, the demand for skilled, UNION labor remained strong.

Building a new path forward

Local 63 shifted its strategy toward bringing in an established signatory contractor. After meeting with John W. Danforth Company, a signatory contractor based out of Buffalo, New York, the local initiated discussions about entering the Vermont market. Local 63 committed to supporting Danforth by identifying and supplying qualified workers and demonstrating the value of establishing a presence in the area.

At the same time, Local 63 began advertising for workers, developing lists of potential new members and strengthening relationships with existing signatory partners, including GDS, a powder coating duct company. These efforts helped build a pipeline of vetted workers ready to support incoming work.

Securing work and expanding opportunities

Danforth soon secured a major retail and residential project in downtown Burlington, creating an immediate need for workers. Local 63 successfully supplied qualified workers to meet those demands, reinforcing confidence in the local’s ability to deliver — and putting members on the job.

With continued collaboration between Local 63, Danforth and GDS, efforts expanded to pursue additional work across the region. Danforth recognized both the available market and the local’s proactive efforts in securing projects and workforce.

Establishing a union presence

Following several successful engagements, Danforth made the decision to open a shop in the Burlington area, marking a significant milestone for Local 63. A grand opening event introduced the company to the local market and signaled a renewed union presence in the region.

In addition, Local 63 worked with Danforth to establish a new collective bargaining agreement tailored to Vermont, ensuring union contractors could remain competitive with open shop competition.

Measurable growth and long-term impact

In just six months, Local 63 transformed a challenging situation — one that left members without work and a region without reliable union contractors — into a major organizing success:

• Grew from six members without a contractor to approximately 18 active workers
• Secured two active signatory shops in the region
• Established ongoing work across Burlington, GlobalFoundries and the University of Vermont
• Created a competitive framework for future union growth in the state

This success demonstrates the power of strategic partnerships, proactive organizing and workforce development. By identifying opportunity within a crisis and working collaboratively with contractors, Local 63 was able to rebuild its presence, expand opportunities for its members and reintroduce union competition into a previously open shop-dominated market.

Local 63’s efforts stand as a strong example of how organizing and contractor engagement can drive meaningful growth and long-term success: benefiting a local community, a signatory contractor, SMART members and Burlington families.