News Archive
First of its Kind Labor-Management Collaboration Brings Back Major Shipyard from the Brink of Extinction
The Metal Trades Department (MTD), AFL-CIO President James Hart announced today that Philly Shipyard, Inc., had been awarded a contract for the construction of up to five (5) National Security Multi-Mission Vessels (NSMV) from TOTE Services, LLC. MTD President James Ha [...]
SMART leaders urge full initiation of Defense Production Act
The Defense Production Act (DPA) was invoked April 2 by President Donald Trump to expedite the manufacture and eventual distribution of supplies, especially ventilators, necessary to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. The first step in getting the products — including surgical mask [...]
Union leaders call on FTA to set mandatory safety standards, ensure pay for frontline transit workers
April 8, 2020 The Honorable K. Jane Williams Acting Administrator Federal Transit Administration U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Ave, SE Washington, DC 20590 Dear Acting Administrator Williams: First, we want to thank you and your staff for your hard work en [...]
DOL warns employers against retaliation for workers who report unsafe conditions during pandemic
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is reminding employers that it is illegal to retaliate against workers because they report unsafe and unhealthful working conditions during the coronavirus pandemic. Acts of [...]
Cloth Masks and Respirator Uses
With the latest information from the CDC now suggesting that the general public use homemade masks or scarfs when going out in public, we wanted to provide you with information on using them to protect you and your families during the current pandemic. The Difference Between [...]
First TD member fatality from COVID-19 reported
Joseph Hansen, a conductor out of Local 60 (Newark, N.J.) who worked for New Jersey Transit (NJT), passed away recently to become the first reported active SMART Transportation Division member to succumb to COVID-19, the novel coronavirus. Hansen was 62 years old and had been [...]
Louisiana latest state to introduce two-person crew bill
Louisiana State Legislative Director Chris Christianson reports that legislators in his state have introduced a two-person crew bill – HB-776 – March 31 in the state House of Representatives. The bill, as currently written, requires two persons on all freight trains with the [...]
SMART To Provide Nose Clips for Volunteers Fighting Pandemic
SMART sheet metal members stand ready to produce free metal nose pieces for the millions of masks being made by volunteers across the US and Canada. If you are a member of a volunteer group providing masks to first responders and hospitals, please fill out the order form. We [...]
Sheet Metal Industry COVID-19 Guidelines for Essential Workers
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