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.
Watch individual segments:
- Labor Day 2023: Biden administration highlights work of SMART locals
- BE4ALL Committee reviews progress, looks forward
- SMART-TD leader discusses solidarity with striking actors, writers
- SMART-TD helps furloughed Union Pacific workers preserve rail careers
- SMART debuts training program tailored to Production Dept. locals
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.
Watch individual segments:
- SMART members focus on growth, safety at 2023 Leadership Conference
- Alaska shipyard workers win rank-and-file union campaign
- California bus operator stands for safety, helps form committee during SMART Leadership Conference
- Union sheet metal and railroad workers honored for community service, solidarity
- Toolbox Talks promote solidarity and inclusion to strengthen the union sheet metal industry
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.
NTSB holds investigatory hearing on East Palestine derailment
Heavy Metal Summer provides teens with hands-on intro to union sheet metal trade
Bus drivers, transit operators seek protection from rampant assaults
Union sheet metal workers help build new LA Clippers arena
Union railroaders authorize strike at White Pass & Yukon Route in Alaska
Union solidarity on display at SMART General Committee 2 convention
Watch individual segments:
- NTSB holds investigatory hearing on East Palestine derailment
- Heavy Metal Summer Experience introduces sheet metal to high schoolers
- SMART-TD bus and transit operators demand protection from assaults
- SMART sheet metal workers help build new LA Clippers arena
- SMART-TD Local 1626 authorizes strike in Alaska
- General Committee 2 convention highlights solidarity, ongoing fight
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.
Philly sheet metal worker discusses Biden endorsement, pro-worker policies
SMART GP Coleman visits Ford Blue Oval City megaproject in Stanton, Tenn.
Union railroaders negotiate historic tentative agreements
Union leaders, elected officials highlight infrastructure jobs in Boston
Ohio sheet metal worker discusses Juneteenth
Minnesota railroaders win two-person crew, passenger rail funding
Watch individual segments:
- Philly sheet metal worker discusses Biden endorsement, pro-worker policies
- GP Coleman visits Ford Blue Oval City megaproject in Tennessee
- SMART-TD railroaders negotiate historic agreements with paid leave
- Union leaders, elected officials highlight infrastructure jobs in Boston
- Ohio sheet metal worker discusses the history and importance of Juneteenth
- Minnesota railroaders win two-person crew, passenger rail funding
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!
Watch individual segments:
- Union railroader in Kansas mobilize to pass two-person crew law
- Berkeley sheet metal workers help win groundbreaking labor standards ordinance
- ProPublica report shows blocked train crossings forcing kids to crawl under cars
- Strong labor standards help create union jobs on megaprojects
- Railroad union leaders bring member voices to Washington, DC on Rail Safety Day
- Union members gather at NABTU Legislative Conference to push for pro-worker agenda
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!
Michigan Repeals Anti-worker “Right-to-Work” Law
SMART Heroes, Veterans Celebrate 500th Grad Milestone
Sheet Metal Union Wins Back Pay for Wage Theft, Job Misclassification
SMART-TD Testifies on Rail Safety, East Palestine at Senate Hearing
Union Building Trades Highlight OH Megaprojects, Jobs
April is SMART Army Month of Community Action
GP Sellers Reflects on SMART's Pension Progress
Watch individual segments:
- SMART, organized labor work with elected allies to repeal so-called right-to-work in Michigan
- SMART Heroes celebrates 500th graduate milestone
- SMART locals win back pay for workers hurt by wage theft, worker misclassification
- SMART-TD testifies in front of the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee, pushes for state and federal rail safety regulations
- SMART Local 24 members highlight megaprojects, job opportunities in central Ohio
- Members in Maryland and Canada serve their communities during the SMART Army’s month of community action
- General President Sellers reflects on SMART’s pension progress
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.
Jump to a segment in this episode:
- SMART General President Joseph Sellers discusses his retirement and decades of leadership
- An interview with incoming General President Michael Coleman
- Rail safety legislative efforts continue following East Palestine disaster
- SMART sisters look back on Women In Construction Week
- Megaprojects create hundreds of jobs, strengthen local union in Arizona
- SMART, SMOHIT recognized for ongoing commitment to mental health work
SMART News, Episode 6
February 27, 2023
Jump to a segment in this episode:
- New benefits and incentives aim to bring sheet metal travelers to megaprojects
- SMART-TD assists evacuees in East Palestine, Ohio
- SMART Women In Construction Week 2023 to benefit Soldiers’ Angels
- SMART-TD, rail labor stand with Sens. Sanders and Braun to demand paid sick leave
- GP Sellers discusses how Toolbox Talks strengthen our union
- SMART members, building trades workers rally for a PLA in PG County, Md.
- Remembering the labor activism of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
- SMART-TD office move projected to save members money
SMART News, Episode 5
January 23, 2023
Jump to a segment in this episode:
- SMART GP Joseph Sellers on new travel benefits for sheet metal members
- Infrastructure investments create jobs for SMART members
- Local 24 members bring MMA skills, experience to sheet metal
- Local 66 TAB apprentice talks about ongoing IAQ work in Washington
- Pressure from SMART TD members helps spark CSX attendance policy changes
- SMART locals spread holiday cheer, raise awareness of the sheet metal trade with BE4ALL toy drive
SMART News, Episode 4
December 21, 2022
Jump to a segment in this episode:
- SMART-TD President Jeremy Ferguson on the National Rail Contract
- SMART, ITI, sponsors celebrate the success of SMART Heroes
- Rail workers, elected officials rally against PSR and call for two-person crew rule
- BE4ALL Committee celebrates successes, maps out future work in Chicago
- Recruitment and Retention Council aims to strengthen SMART across industries
- An update on the latest Kingspan organizing efforts
- The year in review with SMART GP Sellers
SMART News, Episode 3
November 29, 2022
Jump to a segment in this episode:
- Overview of midterm elections
- 2022 Tradeswomen Build Nations conference
- VP Harris visits Local 17, announces coming work
- FRA extends comment period on proposed two-person crew rule
- Local 85 member (Ga.) discusses BE4ALL and her sheet metal career
- Local 124 members (Okla.) fabricate memorial statue honoring Native American vets
SMART News, Episode 2
October 31, 2022
Jump to a segment in this episode:
- Freight rail contract update
- GP Sellers on what’s at stake in the midterm election
- Local 28 business rep: Organizing new members is key to strengthening our bargaining power
- Federal legislation, new megaprojects create sheet metal jobs in Ohio
- Local 49 business manager brings SMART voices to the White House
- Local 73 organizer talks the importance of BE4ALL
- Local 16 members strike for better pay and fair treatment