Union Links

Sheet Metal Local Union Links – Sheet metal local unions cover all 50 states as well as U.S. territories, along with all 10 Canadian provinces and three territories.

Transportation Local Union Links – Links to the websites of individual TD locals.

Transportation General Committees of Adjustment – Links to the websites of individual TD general committees.

Transportation State Legislative Boards – Links to the websites of individual TD state legislative boards.

TD Connect – A link to the SMART TD database system where reports can be filed by union officers.

SMART TD Auxiliary – The Auxiliary is an organization of persons ages 16+ who are related to members of SMART TD or the Auxiliary. Its purpose is to unite the families of SMART TD and to promote their welfare: socially, morally and intellectually. Members who have been a member for at least a year are eligible to apply for an Auxiliary Scholarship for themselves (if aged 25 or younger), their children, stepchildren, grandchildren or step-grandchildren.

UTUIA – UTUIA provides innovative fraternal and insurance benefits based on the longstanding commitment to, and understanding of, the unique needs of the members of SMART TD in the transportation industry and its related crafts, with the goal of protecting the financial security of members and their families.

SMART Canada – This site was established with a focus on Canada for SMART sheet metal workers living and employed throughout the nation.

SMART Women’s Committee – This site serves as a clearinghouse for women across SMART to connect and share material and resources.

International Training Institute (ITI) – The International Training Institute (ITI) is a joint labor-management fund that establishes and maintains the sheet metal industry’s training curriculum for new members and journeypersons. Through ITI, labor and management work together to ensure that members are trained for the work opportunities of tomorrow and that we continue to have a well-trained workforce to tackle challenges that arise in the industry.

National Energy Management Institute (NEMI) – The goal of the National Energy Management Institute (NEMI) is to identify emerging markets for union members and their employers. By developing programs that train members and their employers on how to perform in new industries, SMART is able to stay on the leading technological edge of the industries we represent and break into new ones as they develop.

Sheet Metal Workers’ National Pension Fund (SMWNPF) – The Sheet Metal Workers’ National Pension Fund is a multi-employer, defined benefit pension plan. The plan exists to provide union members with a continuing source of funds during their retirement years.

Sheet Metal Occupational Health Institute Trust (SMOHIT) – SMOHIT’s mission is to provide industry-leading health and safety solutions to minimize occupational illnesses and injuries for sheet metal craftsmen. SMOHIT offers the highest quality of safety training available, making union sheet metal workers more productive and economical. The well-being of sheet metal workers remains, as always, our primary focus.

Stabilization Agreement of the Sheet Metal Industry (SASMI) – SASMI is commonly used to refer to the National Stabilization Agreement of the Sheet Metal Industry Trust Fund. The trust fund was originally designed to assist sheet metal workers during periods of unemployment or underemployment — and that’s still the case — but over the years, it has expanded to include even more benefits for members.

Testing and Air Balancing Bureau (TABB) – TABB has set the certification standards for the HVAC industry for over 30 years. TABB is the first and only HVAC testing, adjusting and balancing certification program accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). TABB-certified professionals are recognized as the most competent, reliable and qualified in the HVAC industry.

Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA) – The Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA) is an international trade association representing 3,500 signatory contracting firms with more than 100 chapters throughout the United States, Canada, Australia and Brazil. SMACNA is SMART’s sheet metal industry partner and the leader in promoting quality and excellence in the sheet metal and air conditioning industry.

HVAC Expertise – HVAC Expertise is what the partnership teams at SMART and SMACNA define as quality workmanship performed in a productive and efficient manner, using accepted industry standards with a vast pool of talented workers. Whether you are a homeowner or a building owner/manager, learn more about how Industry Expertise is the key to filling your HVAC service, maintenance and new construction needs.

Partners In Progress – The SMART-SMACNA Partners In Progress initiative is to maintain an effective cooperation effort to ensure an increasing market share and dominant role for the unionized sheet metal industry. The Partners In Progress Task Force was established to advance the interests and prosperity of the union, its members, signatory employers and associations, and customers and users of union services in the sheet metal industry. Read about the Initial Vision from 2003.

Center to Protect Worker Rights (CPWR) – The Center for Construction Research and Training is a nonprofit dedicated to reducing occupational injuries, illnesses and fatalities in the construction industry.

Through research, training and service programs, it serves the industry by collaborating with key partners, including workers, contractors, project owners, health and safety professionals, researchers, key government agencies, unions and associations. Created by North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU), CPWR is a world leader in construction safety and health research and training.

Construction Safety Council  The Construction Safety Council was founded in 1989 as a non-for-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of safety and health interests in the field of construction throughout the world.

Economic Policy Institute – The Economic Policy Institute (EPI) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank created in 1986 to include the needs of low- and middle-income workers in economic policy discussions. The EPI proposes public policies that protect and improve the economic conditions of low- and middle-income workers and assesses policies with respect to how they affect those workers.

Helmets to Hardhats – Helmets to Hardhats is a national, nonprofit program that connects transitioning active-duty military service members, veterans, National Guard and Reservists with skilled training and quality career opportunities in the construction industry. The program is designed to help military service members successfully transition back into civilian life by offering them the means to secure a quality career in the construction industry.

Jobs to Move America – Jobs to Move America (JMA) is a strategic policy center that works to transform public spending and corporate behavior using a comprehensive approach that is rooted in racial and economic justice and community organizing. JMA seeks to advance a fair and prosperous economy with good jobs and healthier communities for all.

National Coordinating Committee for Multiemployer Pension Plans (NCCMP) – The NCCMP is dedicated exclusively to the advocacy and protection of multiemployer plans, their sponsors, participants and beneficiaries. The committee has achieved an unparalleled track record of results, and the NCCMP is widely respected and recognized as the voice of the multiemployer community. The committee is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization with members, plans and contributing employers in every major segment of the economy, including airlines, agriculture, building and construction, bakery and confectionary, entertainment, health care, hospitality, longshore, manufacturing, mining, retail, wholesale food, service, sports, steel and trucking industries.

OneRail Coalition – The OneRail Coalition is a diverse group of rail stakeholders, including SMART TD, who have come together to educate America about the benefits of a strong freight and passenger rail system.

Operation Lifesaver (OLI) – OLI is a nonprofit organization and a nationally recognized leader of rail safety education. Since 1972, OLI has been committed to preventing collisions, injuries and fatalities on and around railroad tracks and highway-rail grade crossings, with the support of public education programs in states across the U.S. Operation Lifesaver, Inc. is the only national nonprofit organization dedicated to saving lives with free rail safety education presentations in communities throughout the U.S.

Tradeswomen Build Nations – Tradeswomen Build Nations (TWBN) is a program through North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU) and was created to help tradeswomen in the construction industry achieve access, opportunity and equity at work. Tradeswomen Build Nations promotes efforts at the local and national level to improve and promote best practices in apprenticeship, training, workforce development, career tech, nontraditional employment and job site equity for women at work. TWBN also has an annual conference for union women in construction.

The American Federation of Labor and Council of Industrial Relations (AFL-CIO) – The AFL-CIO is the leading federation of 57 national and international labor unions that represent 12.5 million working men and women across the United States.

The Canadian Labour Congress – The Canadian Labour Congress is the largest labour organization in Canada, bringing together dozens of national and international unions, provincial and territorial federations of labour and community-based labour councils to represent more than 3 million workers across the country.

North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU) – Founded in 1907, North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU) is a labor federation of 14 North American unions in the building and construction trades.

Transportation Trades Department (TTD) – Founded in 1990, the department provides AFL-CIO-affiliated unions whose members work in the transportation industry or who build transportation infrastructure a unified policy-making voice on issues related to the industry.

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) – Part of the U.S. Department of Labor, the BLS measures labor market activity, working conditions, price changes and productivity in the U.S. economy to support public and private decision making. The BLS is the principal fact-finding agency for the federal government in the broad field of labor economics and statistics. BLS collects, processes, analyzes and disseminates essential statistical data to the American public, Congress, other federal agencies, state and local governments, business and labor. BLS data must satisfy a number of criteria, including relevance to current social and economic issues, timeliness in reflecting today’s rapidly changing economic conditions, accuracy, consistently high statistical quality and impartiality in both subject matter and presentation.

Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) – Part of U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), the BTS is the preeminent source of statistics on commercial aviation, multimodal freight activity and transportation economics, and provides context to decision-makers and the public for understanding statistics on transportation. BTS assures the credibility of its products and services through rigorous analysis, transparent data quality and independence from political influence. The Bureau’s National Transportation Library (NTL) is the permanent, publicly accessible home for research publications from throughout the transportation community; the gateway to all DOT data; and the help line for Congress, researchers and the public for information about transportation.

Department of Labor (DOL) – The DOL administers federal labor laws to guarantee workers’ rights to fair, safe and healthy working conditions, including minimum hourly wage and overtime pay, protection against employment discrimination and unemployment insurance.

Department of Transportation (DOT) – The DOT is responsible for planning and coordinating federal transportation projects. It also sets safety regulations for all major modes of transportation.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) – The EEOC enforces laws that make discrimination illegal in the workplace. The commission oversees all types of work situations including hiring, firing, promotions, harassment, training, wages and benefits.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) – The FAA works to ensure that air travel is safe.

Federal Bus Testing Program – Part of the Federal Transit Administration, the bus testing program tests new bus models for maintainability, reliability, safety, performance (including braking performance), structural integrity, fuel economy, emissions and noise. The Secretary of Transportation assigns a numeric score to a bus model based on the results of each of the above tests and issues a “pass/fail” rating for each tested bus model based on its weighted aggregate score. FTA bus testing is not required for bus models acquired without FTA grant assistance. Since the creation of the bus testing program, over 500 new bus models have been tested, resulting in over 10,000 documented failures, dozens of which could have resulted in serious injuries or significant property damage had they occurred in revenue service. Many of these failure modes would have adversely impacted service, and all would have increased maintenance costs and required corrective maintenance actions. The significant durability test mileage conducted by the program aids in the identification of structural issues that could prevent the bus model from operating economically over the period designated by its service life category. By testing new bus models before they are purchased, recipients and manufacturers can often identify and address potential design, manufacturing and component selection problems before building a fleet of buses.

Federal Highway Administration (FHA) – The FHA is an agency within the U.S. DOT that supports state and local government in the design, construction and maintenance of the highway system. Through financial and technical assistance to state and local governments, the FHA is responsible for ensuring that America’s roads and highways continue to be among the safest and most technologically sound in the world.

Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) – The FMCS provides mediation and other conflict resolution services for managing and enhancing labor-management relationships.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) – Part of U.S. DOT, the FMCSA works to prevent deaths and injuries related to commercial motor vehicles.

Federal Register – The Office of the Federal Register oversees the Federal Register publication system, making available the full text of federal laws and regulations, presidential documents and other federal program information.

Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) – Part of U.S. DOT, the FRA creates and enforces rail safety regulations, administers rail funding and researches rail improvement strategies and technologies.

Federal Transit Administration (FTA) – Part of U.S. DOT, the FTA provides financial and technical assistance to local public transit systems, including buses, subways, light rail, commuter rail, trolleys and ferries. FTA also oversees safety measures and helps develop next-generation technology research.

The House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure (T&I) – The House T&I Committee has jurisdiction over all modes of transportation: aviation, maritime and waterborne transportation, highways, bridges, mass transit and railroads. The committee also has jurisdiction over other aspects of our national infrastructure, such as clean water and wastewater management, the transport of resources by pipeline, flood damage reduction, the management of federally owned real estate and public buildings, the development of economically depressed rural and urban areas, disaster preparedness and response and hazardous materials transportation.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) – Part of the U.S. DOT, the NHTSA is responsible for keeping people safe on America’s roadways through enforcing vehicle performance standards and partnerships with state and local governments.

National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) – Part of the CDC, NIOSH conducts research and makes recommendations for the prevention of work-related injury and illness.

National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) – The NLRB enforces the National Labor Relations Act by investigating allegations of wrong-doing brought by workers, unions or employers. They are comprised of a team of professionals who work to assure fair labor practices and workplace democracy nationwide. The NLRB is an independent federal agency vested with the power to safeguard employees’ rights to organize and to determine whether to have unions as their bargaining representatives. The agency also acts to prevent and remedy unfair labor practices committed by private sector employers and unions.

National Mediation Board (NMB) – The NMB facilitates the resolution of labor-management disputes in the rail and airline industries through representation, mediation and arbitration services.

National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) – As a result of the declining use of passenger trains, Congress passed the Rail Passenger Service Act of 1970, creating Amtrak to take over the intercity passenger rail service that had been operated by private railroads. Today, Amtrak operates on 21,000 route miles in 46 states, the District of Columbia and in three Canadian provinces, providing more than 300 trains each day to more than 500 destinations. They are the operator of choice for state-supported corridor services in 17 states and for four commuter rail agencies.

National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) – The NTSB determines the probable cause of accidents and issues safety recommendations aimed at preventing future accidents. They investigate accidents in the aviation, railroad, highway, marine and pipeline industries. In addition, the NTSB carries out special studies concerning transportation safety and coordinates the resources of the federal government and other organizations to provide assistance to victims and their family members impacted by major transportation disasters.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) – Part of the U.S. DOL, OSHA assures safe and healthy working conditions by setting and enforcing workplace standards and by providing training, outreach, education and assistance. OSHA also enforces whistleblower laws through its Whistleblower Protection Program.

Office of Drug & Alcohol Policy and Compliance – The Office of Drug and Alcohol Policy and Compliance advises the Secretary of Transportation on national and international drug testing and control issues and is the principal advisor to the Secretary of Transportation on rules related to the drug and alcohol testing of safety-sensitive transportation employees in aviation, trucking, railroads, mass transit, pipelines and other transportation industries. The office publishes regulations and provides official interpretations on drug and alcohol testing, including how to conduct tests and the evaluation and treatment procedures necessary for returning employees to duty after testing violations.

Office of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS) – Part of the U.S. DOL, OLMS promotes union democracy, protects union assets, advances labor-management transparency, protects employment rights of public transit employees and highlights the important role unions play in the modern American economy. OLMS encourages labor-management transparency by making available reports that show unions’ financial condition and employers’ expenditures for their activities in persuading workers during union organizing campaigns.

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) – Part of U.S. DOT, the PHMSA regulates the transport of hazardous materials. The agency establishes national policy, sets and enforces standards, and educates and conducts research to prevent incidents. They are also tasked with preparing the public and first responders to reduce consequences if an incident does occur.

Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) – The RRB administers retirement, survivor, unemployment and sickness benefits for U.S. railroad workers and their families. The RRB also has administrative responsibilities under the Social Security Act for certain benefit payments and railroad workers’ Medicare coverage.

Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation – Comprised of 28 senators and seven subcommittees, the committee oversees legislation in communications, highways, aviation, rail, shipping, transportation security, merchant marine, the Coast Guard, oceans, fisheries, weather, disasters, science, space, interstate commerce, tourism, consumer issues, economic development, technology, competitiveness, product safety and insurance.

State Departments of Transportation – A list of State Departments of Transportation and links to their individual websites.

Social Security Administration (SSA) – The SSA assigns Social Security numbers and administers the Social Security retirement, survivors and disability insurance programs. They also administer the Supplemental Security Income program for the aged, blind and disabled.

Surface Transportation Board (STB) – The STB is charged with the economic regulation of various modes of surface transportation, primarily freight rail. The agency has jurisdiction over railroad rate, practice, and service issues and rail restructuring transactions, including mergers, line sales, line construction and line abandonments. The STB also has jurisdiction over certain passenger rail matters, the intercity bus industry, non-energy pipelines, household goods carriers’ tariffs and rate regulation of non-contiguous domestic water transportation (marine freight shipping involving the mainland United States, Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories and possessions).

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) – Part of the Department of Homeland Security, the TSA protects the nation’s transportation systems to ensure freedom of movement for people and commerce.

USAGov – USAGov, formerly known as the Federal Citizen Information Center, provides free, timely and useful government information to the public through its website and operates the USAGov Contact Center.

U.S. House of Representatives – As per the Constitution, the House is one of Congress’s two chambers and part of the federal government’s legislative branch. It has 435 members; the number representing each state is determined by population. Each member is elected to a two-year term and serves the people of a specific congressional district by introducing bills and serving on committees, among other duties.

U.S. Senate – As per the Constitution, the Senate is one of Congress’s two chambers and part of the federal government’s legislative branch. The Senate is comprised of 100 members, two from each state, who are elected to serve six-year terms.

Wage and Hour Division (WHD) – Part of the U.S. DOL, the WHD is responsible for enforcing the country’s labor laws, including those related to the minimum wage and employment of minors.

Whistleblower Protection Program – Part of OSHA, this program enforces the whistleblower provisions of more than 20 whistleblower statutes protecting employees from retaliation for reporting violations of various workplace safety and health, airline, commercial motor carrier, consumer product, environmental, financial reform, food safety, health insurance reform, motor vehicle safety, nuclear, pipeline, public transportation agency, railroad, maritime, securities, tax, antitrust and anti-money laundering laws, and for engaging in other related protected activities.

White House – The White House houses the executive office of the President of the United States and serves as his/her residence.

America’s Work Force Union radio – On air since 1993, America’s Work Force Union is the only daily labor-radio program in America. It supplies listeners with useful, relevant input into their daily lives through fact-finding features, in-depth interviews, informative news segments and practical consumer reports.

The American Prospect – The American Prospect describes itself as “an independent voice for liberal thought.” They are devoted to promoting informed discussion on public policy from a progressive perspective.

Belabored Podcast by Dissent Magazine – Dissent is a quarterly magazine that has established itself as one of America’s leading intellectual journals and a mainstay of the democratic left. Their podcast focuses on labor issues and on educating listeners on the most radical right-wingers out there.

Building Bridges Radio – Building Bridges Radio: Your Community & Labor Report is broadcast weekly in NYC on Mondays from 7-8 p.m. EST. They examine the world of work and workers on the job as well as where they live, issues that affect their everyday lives (with particular sensitivity towards human rights abuses) and environmental concerns.

Catherwood Library at Cornell University – Links to the latest news stories on workplace issues.

HuffPost – A link to HuffPost’s coverage of labor stories.

In These Times – In These Times was founded with the mission to “identify and clarify the struggles against corporate power” in 1976. They have a labor segment covering news affecting the nation’s labor unions and members.

The Labor Desk – They highlight the struggles of everyday people for health care, childcare, livable wages and more, with a focus on challenging the false image people have of organized labor and the broader labor movement.

Labor Notes – Labor Notes is a media and organizing project that has been the voice of union activists who want to put the movement back in the labor movement since 1979. Labor Notes is also a network of rank-and-file members, local union leaders and labor activists who know the labor movement is worth fighting for.

The Labor Paper – The Labor Paper has been serving union members and their families in central Illinois since 1896.

LaborPress – LaborPress was founded in 2009 to provide a media outlet for unions and workers.

Labor Radio Podcast Network – Hosts podcasts produced by workers, union members, union leaders and activists.

Labor Radio-Podcast Weekly – Part of the national Labor Radio/Podcast network of shows, they have highlights from labor radio and podcasts around the country, focusing on working people’s issues and concerns.

The Labor Report – The Labor Report provides news on trending labor topics and provides extended content from labor reporting featured in The Guardian and other media outlets.

LabourStart – An online labor news outlet that gives daily updates about what’s going on with labor around the world. The site has a drop-down menu where you can choose to read labor news from your home state.

Labor Video Project – A YouTube channel featuring labor videos and documentaries about the issues important to labor.

More Perfect Union – A news outlet helping working people be seen and heard in media coverage. They tell the stories of working Americans who are fighting for policy change and corporate accountability.

Moving America Podcast – Moving America is a podcast by railroaders – for railroaders. Hosted by Locomotive Engineers John Belcher and Mike Necessary, the Moving America Podcast covers industry news and includes personal stories from John and Mike’s careers, as well as answering listener questions about what it’s like to work on the railroad.

My Labor Radio – A part of the Labor Radio Network and Indiana Talks Network, this radio show is hosted by Mark Gevaart of the United Auto Workers and focuses on interviews with working people and reviews data and information essential to working families. He is a strong union supporter and advocates for the importance of having a union in the workplace.

The Nation – A link to The Nation’s coverage of labor news.

The New York Times – A link to the New York Times’ coverage of labor news.

Northwest Labor Press – The Northwest Labor Press is an independent, union-supported newspaper that is mailed out twice a month to over 50,000 members of more than 80 unions in Oregon and Southwest Washington. “At the Northwest Labor Press, we believe unions are most effective when they have an active membership, an engaged community, and an informed public. Hence our mission: to provide accurate and timely information on the issues that matter most to union members and working people.”

OnLabor – A blog devoted to workers, unions and their politics.

Politico Weekly Shift – Weekly Shift is Politico’s flagship labor and immigration newsletter examining the latest news in employment, labor and immigration politics and policy.

Portside – The left-leaning Portside regularly provides coverage of the labor movement.

RadioLabour – The RadioLabour team consists of labor educators, negotiators, research representatives, union members and others connected to the labor movement. The goal of RadioLabour is to promote global communication between labor organizations.

The Real News Network (TRNN) – TRNN makes media connecting you to the movements, people and perspectives that are advancing the cause of a more just, equal and livable planet. Their platform highlights the voices and ideas not just of academics and pundits, but grassroots participants in social movements for change: the people on the frontlines of fights against injustice.

The Rick Smith Show – Hosted by Rick Smith, this podcast is his answer to right-wing ideologues and conspiracy pushers who promote their anti-worker agenda on the airwaves. A proud union member, Smith’s show is “by working people for working people, serving up a heaping portion of democracy with a side of fairness, the grit of a Teamster, and no apologies. Where facts are the center, where science is real, and where everyone gets a seat at the table.”

The Stand – A service of the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, The Stand provides news about working people standing together in Washington state. Its reports and opinion columns focus on creating and maintaining quality jobs, improving families’ quality of life and promoting public policies that will restore shared prosperity.

Working Class History – A podcast featuring labor history and its strikes.

Working People Podcast – A podcast by, for and about the working class today. Working People is a podcast about working-class lives in 21st-century America. In every episode you’ll hear interviews with workers from around the country, from all walks of life. They aim to share and celebrate the diverse stories of working-class people, to remind ourselves that our stories matter, and to build a sense of shared struggle and solidarity between workers around the country. Also available here: https://therealnews.com/working-people

XPDNC Labour Directory – A directory of links to help users access organized labor resources.

Martin P. Catherwood Library Kheel Center at Cornell University – The Martin P. Catherwood Library in Cornell University’s ILR (Industrial and Labor Relations) School is the most comprehensive resource in North America on labor and employment. The Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation & Archives is the unit of Catherwood Library that collects, preserves and makes accessible special collections pertaining to the history of the workplace and labor relations. The Kheel Center is the official repository of SMART TD. Archives of SMART TD’s predecessor unions are available to review at the library with an appointment.