SMART News - SMART Union

SMART News, Oct. 2023

October 11, 2023

Welcome to the October 2023 episode of SMART News, your union’s monthly video/web show that highlights news impacting SMART industries, members and jobs across the United States and Canada. This episode features coverage of our union’s ongoing work with the Biden administration, highlighted by visits to local unions by Secretary Pete Buttigieg and President Biden; SMART-TD’s work to help furloughed Union Pacific workers preserve their rail careers; an interview with a SMART-TD leader on the SAG-AFTRA strike and the importance of solidarity; and much more.

Members of SMART Local 19 hosted President Joe Biden at their Philadelphia union hall on Labor Day. And, at the end of August, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg visited SMART Local 20’s JATC in Indianapolis with AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, getting a tour of the training facility and seeing first-hand equipment funded in part by federal training grants.

Labor Day 2023: Biden Admin Highlights Work of SMART Locals

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The joint SMART/SMACNA/ITI Belonging and Excellence For All (BE4ALL) committee met in Toronto at the end of August to review projects and progress from the past year, and plan for the year ahead.   "Let's have a real conversation. And that's what this group is -- for our members to have a real conversation.... BE4ALL is for all of us. It's about being a good human being."
- Dale Clark, OSHA specialist, International Training Institute

BE4ALL Committee Reviews Progress, Looks Forward

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In late spring, unionized writers and actors went on strike to fight management greed and protect their livelihoods. While Writers Guild members ratified a new three-year agreement on October 9, SAG/AFTRA members continue to walk the picket lines. In this segment, Justin Wolters, a SMART-TD general chairperson who has also acted professionally, shares his unique perspective on what this fight is about.

SMART-TD leader discusses solidarity with striking actors, writers

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Union Pacific’s new CEO, Jim Vena, took charge in mid-August. Ten days later, 94 workers from various rail unions were furloughed, including some from the SMART Mechanical Division. That’s when leaders from SMART-TD in Nebraska stepped in, helping give these workers a chance to preserve their rail careers.

SMART-TD helps furloughed Union Pacific workers preserve rail careers

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SMART Production Department leaders from across the United States and Canada met in Indianapolis at the end of August for the first-ever Production Institute training.   The week-long class -- part of a three-year program tailored to production locals – featured trainings on bargaining, labor law, grievance handling, labor history and more.

SMART debuts training program tailored to Production Dept. locals

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SMART News, Sept. 2023

September 18, 2023

Welcome to the September episode of SMART News, your union’s monthly video/web show that highlights news impacting SMART industries, members and jobs across the United States and Canada. This episode features reporting on the 2023 SMART Leadership Conference; a successful rank-and-file organizing campaign that saw workers at the third-largest employer in Ketchikan, Alaska join SMART Local 23; the steps SMART-TD is taking to secure bus and transit operator safety, starting with one operator’s call to action at the Leadership Conference; and much more.

SMART sheet metal and Transportation Division union leaders gathered in Washington, DC for the SMART Leadership Conference in August. Attendees worked to ensure our union takes advantage of unprecedented work and growth opportunities, simultaneously refocusing on the battles that lie ahead.

Union members focus on growth, safety at SMART Leadership Conference

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SMART Local 23 won a wall-to-wall election at Vigor Alaska’s Ketchikan shipyard in June 2022. The campaign, which was led by rank-and-file workers, successfully unionized the third-largest employer in Ketchikan. Learn more from Danny Van Nostrand, a Vigor employee who helped lead the organizing drive.

Alaska shipyard workers win rank-and-file union campaign

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SMART-TD bus and transit operators are frequent targets of physical assaults, with recent incidents across the country making national headlines. GCA secretary and bus operator Christine Ivey stood up during the TD session at the SMART Leadership Conference and demanded change, motivating TD President Jeremy Ferguson and other attendees to introduce a committee on transit operator safety.

California bus operator stands for safety, helps form committee during SMART Leadership Conference

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Each year, SMART presents the Joseph J. Nigro SMART Army Award to sheet metal and Transportation Division members who exemplify the values of the SMART Army. This year’s winners demonstrate the many ways SMART members support their communities, from Vancouver, Canada, to Kansas City and beyond.

Union sheet metal and railroad workers honored for community service, solidarity

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SMART is committed to fostering welcoming work environments and ensuring all are treated with dignity and respect. Toolbox Talks, distributed by the BE4ALL Committee every other month, support this goal, helping position our union to grow and strengthen collective bargaining power.

Toolbox Talks promote solidarity and inclusion to strengthen the union sheet metal industry

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SMART News, Episode 11

July 27, 2023

Welcome to the 11th episode of SMART News, your union’s monthly video/web show that highlights news impacting SMART industries, members and jobs across the United States and Canada. This episode features coverage of the National Transportation Surface Board’s hearing in East Palestine, Ohio; ongoing construction on the new home of the LA Clippers; SMART-TD’s efforts to protect bus and transit operators; an on-site visit to the Atlanta Heavy Metal Summer Experience, a career exploration camp for young people interested in sheet metal; a strike authorization rote at a tourist railroad in Alaska; and much more.

In June 2023, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board held a rare on-site investigatory hearing in East Palestine, Ohio. The two-day panel discussion looked into what caused the Norfolk Southern train derailment in February, and what can be done to prevent anything similar from happening again. SMART’s Alternate National Legislative Director Jared Cassity, who is also the head of SMART-TD’s National Safety Team, represented SMART at the hearing. His questions prompted revelations about Norfolk Southern’s “vent and burn” at the accident site, as well as policies that may have led to the rail catastrophe.

NTSB holds investigatory hearing on East Palestine derailment

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NTSB holds investigatory hearing on East Palestine derailment

Across the country, high school students and recent graduates have been participating in the Heavy Metal Summer Experience, a free career exploration camp that introduces them to the unionized building trades. SMART News visited the shop of signatory contractor RF Knox in Atlanta, where Local 85 members were running the sheet metal summer camp — and introducing a new group of teens to career options in the trade.

Heavy Metal Summer provides teens with hands-on intro to union sheet metal trade

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Heavy Metal Summer provides teens with hands-on intro to union sheet metal trade

Transit operator safety is a serious concern for workers, riders and SMART-TD, with recent assaults in North Carolina and California making national headlines. SMART-TD Bus Department Vice Presidents Calvin Studivant and Alvy Hughes joined SMART News to discuss the ongoing problem and the need for real action.

Bus drivers, transit operators seek protection from rampant assaults

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Bus drivers, transit operators seek protection from rampant assaults

Approximately 125 SMART Local 105 members are performing HVAC, kitchen, architectural and TAB work on the new home of the Los Angeles Clippers. Known officially as the Intuit Dome, the $2 billion project is set to open for the 2024-2025 NBA season. SMART News toured the project in May with Local 105 member, Marine Corps veteran and Southland Industries General Foreman Mike Juran.

Union sheet metal workers help build new LA Clippers arena

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Union sheet metal workers help build new LA Clippers arena

The White Pass & Yukon Route is a tourist railroad that operates between Southeast Alaska and Canada’s Yukon Territory. After six years spent working without a contract, SMART-TD Local 1626 members working on the railroad voted to authorize a strike in July. A tentative agreement, yet to be ratified, followed soon after.

Union railroaders authorize strike at White Pass & Yukon Route in Alaska

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Union railroaders authorize strike at White Pass & Yukon Route in Alaska

General Committee 2, which is comprised of local unions in the SMART Rail and Mechanical Department, recently held its convention in Fort Lauderdale. John McCloskey, General Chairperson of General Committee 2, discussed the vital work carried out at the convention and the importance of solidarity in winning hard-fought victories for members.

Union solidarity on display at SMART General Committee 2 convention

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Union solidarity on display at SMART General Committee 2 convention

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SMART News, Episode 10

July 6, 2023

Welcome to the 10th episode of SMART News, your union’s monthly video/web show that highlights news impacting SMART industries, members and jobs across the United States and Canada. This episode features an interview with Local 19 member Elena Farina on the Biden administration; GP Coleman’s visit to Ford’s Blue Oval City megaproject in Tennessee; coverage of SMART-TD’s historic agreements, including paid sick leave; infrastructure funding creating good, union jobs in Boston; and another two-person crew victory in Minnesota.

SMART members joined workers from dozens of unions in Philadelphia on June 17th to officially endorse President Joe Biden for reelection. Local 19 apprentice Elena Farina, who attended the Labor for Biden event, discusses how President Biden's pro-worker agenda has benefited SMART members, creating tens of thousands of jobs and improving working conditions across industries.

Philly sheet metal worker discusses Biden endorsement, pro-worker policies

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Philly sheet metal worker discusses Biden endorsement, pro-worker policies

Longtime sheet metal worker Mike Coleman assumed the position of SMART General President on June 1st, 2023. He immediately began emphasizing the extraordinary opportunities on the horizon for SMART members, including work at megaprojects like Ford’s Blue Oval City in Stanton, Tennessee.

SMART GP Coleman visits Ford Blue Oval City megaproject in Stanton, Tenn.

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SMART GP Coleman visits Ford Blue Oval City megaproject in Stanton, Tenn.

Following on last year’s national rail negotiations, SMART-TD members have gained paid sick leave benefits for train & engine workers at some of the Big Four U.S.-based carriers.

Union railroaders negotiate historic tentative agreements

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Union railroaders negotiate historic tentative agreements

Workers, union leaders and elected officials came together during a May event at the Local 17 training center in Boston to highlight the union jobs created by ongoing infrastructure investments. SMART Northeast Regional Council Business Rep. Shamaiah Turner discussed how infrastructure funding is creating unprecedented opportunity for sheet metal workers in New England.

Union leaders, elected officials highlight infrastructure jobs in Boston

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Union leaders, elected officials highlight infrastructure jobs in Boston

Each year on June 19th, our union celebrates Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day. Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved people following the end of the Civil War, and provides an opportunity for all of us to reflect on our country’s past, present and future. Local 33 (northern Ohio) member David Moore joined SMART News to discuss the history and importance of Juneteenth.

Ohio sheet metal worker discusses Juneteenth

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Ohio sheet metal worker discusses Juneteenth

SMART members in Minnesota mobilized throughout the 2023 legislative session, pushing elected officials to stand with working families. That hard work paid off when Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed legislation that will benefit sheet metal and Transportation Division members. In a major victory for railroaders, one of those bills mandates a two-person crew minimum on freight trains operating in the state.

Minnesota railroaders win two-person crew, passenger rail funding

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Minnesota railroaders win two-person crew, passenger rail funding

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SMART News, Episode 9

May 26, 2023

Welcome to the ninth episode of SMART News, your union’s monthly video/web show that highlights news impacting SMART industries, members and jobs across the United States and Canada. This episode features coverage of Kansas railroaders’ innovative fight to win two-person crew law in their state; a groundbreaking new labor standards ordinance in Berkeley, California; a report on the terrifying dangers posed by blocked crossings and long trains; strong labor standards tied to public funding for megaprojects; and more!

SMART TD won a huge victory in May, when Kansas became the 10th state to require two-person crews on freight trains. As Kansas State Legislative Director Ty Dragoo explained in this segment, this win is a validation of our work with politicians across party lines, as well as the activism and strength of our membership.

Union railroaders in Kansas mobilize to pass two-person crew law

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In Berkeley, California, the mayor and city council voted in early May to adopt a new labor standards ordinance that will require employer-funded healthcare and apprenticeship standards on ALL projects over 50,000 square feet in the city of Berkeley. The law is the first of its kind in the state and will benefit construction workers, prioritize safety on jobsites, and help local residents find good careers in the industry.

Sheet metal workers help win groundbreaking labor standards ordinance in Berkeley

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"It's just a matter of time before one of these precious children gets seriously injured or killed." - SMART-TD Indiana State Legislative Director Kenny Edwards A recent ProPublica/InvestigateTV report revealed the terrifying dangers posed by long freight trains, which SMART members have been raising concerns about for years. In Hammond, Indiana, a working-class town just south of Chicago, crossings that are blocked for hours are forcing children to crawl under and around trains, risking their lives just to get to school. RELATED RESOURCES
------------------------------ TRAIN COUNTRY
Investigating Railroad Safety in America
As Powerful Railroad Companies Race to Maximize Profits Through Efficiency, Safety is Left Behind.
https://www.propublica.org/series/train-country May 25, 2023
Miles-long Trains Are Blocking First Responders When Every Minute Counts
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/interactive/2023/long-trains-block-intersections-paramedics/ May 1, 2023
Blocked Crossings Crisis Draws Local and National Calls for Action
https://www.propublica.org/article/trains-blocked-crossings-kids-lawmakers-response April 26, 2023
Railroaded: Blocked Crossings Force Kids to Crawl Under Trains to Get to School
InvestigateTV
https://youtu.be/RHItuGWpeeM April 26, 2023
As Rail Profits Soar, Blocked Crossings Force Kids to Crawl Under Trains to Get to School
https://www.propublica.org/article/trains-crossing-blocked-kids-norfolk-southern April 3, 2023
The True Dangers of Long Trains
https://www.propublica.org/article/train-derailment-long-trains

ProPublica/InvestigateTV report shows blocked train crossings forcing kids to crawl under trains

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“It wasn’t that long ago that a $1 million sheet metal job was very exciting; now we have 60 megaprojects in the pipeline," says SMART Chief International Rep. Scott Parks. "It’s a good time to be a sheet metal worker.” SMART's work with the Biden administration has helped to foster massive infrastructure investment, on both public and private projects: From New York state, to Central Ohio, to Arizona and beyond, megaprojects are creating tens of thousands of jobs for SMART sheet metal workers.

Strong labor standards help create union jobs on megaprojects

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SMART-TD leaders traveled to Washington, D.C. in May for Rail Safety Day on the Hill. Union leaders from across the country met with legislators and pushed our elected officials to act on rail safety, bringing the voice of our membership to the capitol.

Railroad union brings member voices to D.C. on Rail Safety Day

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SMART members gathered with fellow union workers for the 2023 NABTU Conference in Washington, D.C. in April. We heard from pro-worker elected officials and called on Congress to pass laws that help create jobs, benefit our members and strengthen our communities.

Union leaders gather at NABTU Legislative Conference to push pro-worker agenda

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SMART News, Episode 8

May 2, 2023

Welcome to the eighth episode of SMART News, your union’s monthly video/web show that highlights news impacting SMART industries, members and jobs across the United States and Canada. This episode features videos on organized labor’s success repealing so-called right-to-work in Michigan; SMART Heroes reaching the 500th graduate milestone; victories against wage theft in Virginia and Washington; SMART-TD’s rail safety efforts in the U.S. Senate; SMART members’ retirement security; and much more!

"For us to get to this point that we could repeal right-to-work and get prevailing wage reinstated is a huge win for labor." — SMART Local 80 (Detroit) Business Manager Tim Mulligan Workers won a huge victory in Michigan in March 2023 month when the Democratic-controlled state legislature and governor kept their promises and repealed the state’s so-called right-to-work law, while also restoring prevailing wage legislation. Republicans passed right-to-work legislation in 2012, when they controlled state government. This forced unions to represent members who refused to pay union dues, and weakened our bargaining power.
Since then, Michigan’s unionization rate has dropped significantly, and the state’s median wage has fallen below that of many other U.S. states. SMART members and union workers across Michigan worked tirelessly since 2012 to repeal the state’s right-to-work law.

Michigan Repeals Anti-worker “Right-to-Work” Law

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Michigan Repeals Anti-worker “Right-to-Work” Law

"I wasn't really sure what to expect. But after I got those first few paychecks as a second-year apprentice, my pay was about the same as I was making in the military as a specialist. And now that I'm a fourth-year apprentice, I'm making more than what I ever could have dreamed of."
— Sean Thompson, SMART Local 66, Dupont, WA The SMART Heroes program graduated its 500th participant in March 2023, reaching this milestone in just over five years. The program provides accelerated sheet metal industry training, free of charge, to active-duty U.S. military men and women and recent veterans, helping them transition to family-sustaining, union careers once they leave military service. Learn more: https://www.smart-heroes.org

SMART Heroes, Veterans Celebrate 500th Grad Milestone

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SMART Heroes, Veterans Celebrate 500th Grad Milestone

"In those four cases, they found that [the owner of 360 Sheet Metal] owed over $200,000 in back wages to 20 workers and they assessed $115,000 in penalties for failing to pay prevailing wage in the shop." — Brian Noble, Business Manager, SMART Local 16 (Portland, Ore.) Wage theft and job misclassification are forms of exploitation that plague the construction industry, where far too many unscrupulous employers take advantage of employees. Across the United States and Canada, SMART is standing up for prevailing wages, battling wage theft and job misclassification, and helping workers get the pay and treatment they deserve. This video highlights recent victories by sheet metal workers in Washington state and Virginia.

Sheet Metal Union Wins Back Pay for Wage Theft, Job Misclassification

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Sheet Metal Union Wins Back Pay for Wage Theft, Job Misclassification

In a significant victory for SMART and freight rail safety, Ohio has become the ninth state to require a two-person crew on freight trains. The state legislation was passed on March 31, 2023. A few days before that bill was passed, SMART-TD Ohio State Legislative Director Clyde Whitaker testified before a U.S. Senate committee hearing that focused on conditions leading up to the February derailment and subsequent toxic chemical spills in East Palestine, Ohio, as well as the proposed Railroad Safety Act of 2023. "This derailment [in East Palestine] did not have to happen," said Whitaker. "And it makes it so much more frustrating for us to know that it was very predictable. And yet our warnings and cries for help over the last seven years have fallen on deaf ears. And the outcome was exactly as we feared. Now, the result is a town that doesn't feel safe in their own homes, businesses failing to survive and a railroad that prioritized its own movement of trains before the people in the community, as well as its workers." The committee also heard from Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, rail industry stakeholders and the state’s two U.S. Senators — Sherrod Brown and J.D. Vance. "Norfolk Southern followed the Wall Street business model: Boost profits and its stock price by eliminating over the last decade 38 percent of its workforce," said Sen. Brown. "These profits were spent on stock buybacks that benefit executives instead of iinvesting in workers and investing in safety. Instead, they compromise safety cut costs to boost profits, the communities along their route be damned View Whitaker's full testimony before the Senate committee here:
https://youtu.be/kPQvTfk3Y8I

SMART-TD Testifies on Rail Safety, East Palestine at Senate Hearing

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SMART-TD Testifies on Rail Safety, East Palestine at Senate Hearing

As a result of massive investment and new megaprojects from companies like Intel, Honda and more – spurred in large part by federal legislation like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act and the Inflation Reduction Act – the Ohio State Building and Construction Trades Council estimates that more than 115,000 union workers will work full time from 2023 to 2025. The enormous number of jobs on these projects opens a huge window of opportunity for sheet metal workers for years to come, for both current and future SMART members. North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU) highlighted these opportunities during a “Meeting the Moment” event in Columbus in March. The event featured leaders and members from across the trades. SMART Local 24 Journeyperson McKenzie Quinn joined elected officials and others to talk about one thing: The more than $155 billion worth of projects currently breaking ground in Ohio. "I am very excited about the big jobs that are coming up," said Quinn. "We have many opportunities that they offer for those who are willing to work, work hard and learn new skills."

Union Building Trades Highlight OH Megaprojects, Jobs

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Union Building Trades Highlight OH Megaprojects, Jobs

SMART Army activists with sheet metal and transportation locals across the United States and Canada rolled up their sleeves and mobilized to serve their communities throughout the month of April . We spoke with Johnny Walker, Secretary for the SMART-TD Maryland State Legislative Board, about work SMART members did at Curtis Bay Elementary School in Baltimore to help clear brush, put down mulch, clean up a garden area and paint inside the school. "It was overall a great opportunity for all of us to get together," said Walker, "and kind of take a
break from what we do at transportation and, you know, really give back to the community."
We also spoke with SMART Local 280 (British Columbia) Business Representative Jeff Lind and about how members of his local turned out for the Vancouver Steps For Life Walk, helping the event sponsors to raise a total of $66k towards helping families who have suffered a workplace tragedy.

April is SMART Army Month of Community Action

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April is SMART Army Month of Community Action

GP Sellers Reflects on SMART's Pension Progress

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GP Sellers Reflects on SMART's Pension Progress

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SMART News, Episode 7

March 29, 2023

Welcome to the seventh episode of SMART News, your union’s monthly video/web show that highlights news impacting SMART industries, members and jobs across the United States and Canada. This episode features an interview with General President Joseph Sellers on his retirement and career with SMART, a conversation with incoming General President Michael Coleman, an update on rail safety legislative efforts following the East Palestine disaster, and much more.

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