Members and contractor benefit from union advantage in Sacramento

Union membership brings real change to workers and employers alike, and Div 15 Tech, Inc. out of Sacramento, California, is proof. 

For years, SMART Local 104’s Business Development team met with Div 15 Tech owner Blake Harrison and made the case for signing a collective bargaining agreement. The message was straightforward: Local 104 could provide access to a highly trained workforce, a state-of-the-art training center and the long-term stability that comes with partnership.

For a long time, that message did not resonate. Like many nonunion contractors, Harrison was skeptical — influenced by industry pressure — and he chose to remain independent.

The turning point came when Harrison, discouraged and considering selling his company, reached out to Local 104 Organizer Aaron Leslie to see if the local could help him find a buyer. Instead, Leslie built a relationship grounded in trust and transparency. Through that process, and after taking a closer look at Local 104’s training programs and the professionalism of the local’s members, Harrison decided not to sell. He signed with Local 104. 

In less than four months, Div 15 Tech brought on 16 Local 104 members and developed a strong working relationship with the local’s business representatives and organizers — setting the stage for a bright future ahead.  

“I should have done this 20 years ago,” Harrison remarked.

The takeaways are simple. For local organizers, consistent outreach, patience and credibility matter. Even when conversations seem unproductive, relationships can create opportunities later. And for business owners who aren’t yet signatory, it’s even more straightforward: It is never too late to secure quality training, skilled workers and a strong partnership by signing with SMART.

Employers and employees benefit when they go union. This is why we organize!