According to recent studies, the vast majority of Americans — over two-thirds — view unions favorably. Working people know that unions like SMART can change lives with higher pay, protections at work, stronger health care, a pension and a good life for members and their families.
The same studies show that more than 50 million workers in the United States said they would vote to unionize their workplace in 2025 if they got the chance. But due to a variety of factors, from hostile employers to broken labor law, they were unable to get that opportunity.
That’s why it’s more important than ever that SMART organizes to help those workers join our union. And it’s why the SMART Education Department held its Bottom-Up Organizing Class in Austin, Texas, during the week of January 5th, 2026. Using comprehensive role-play that mimicked a worker-led organizing campaign over the duration of the week, the class focused on developing practical competency in the process and skills required to successfully facilitate victorious unionization drives.
Participants worked in small “local” teams; each local worked as both an organizing team and role-played as workers at two fictional companies — Coleman Sheet Metal and Daniel Sheet Metal & Fabrication — based on character backgrounds provided for the simulation. From initial contact to a mock union election at the end of the week, attendees dedicated their days in Austin to developing the skills that will help SMART continue to grow.
“Participants were really engaged in the simulation and were observed organizing each other outside of class time,” said International Instructor Richard Mangelsdorf. “Everyone did a fantastic job working with their groups and playing their parts. The fictional Local 5 — Chris Weist (Local 12), Paul Conners (Local 17), Ryan Miller (Local 66), Brian Legge (Local 100) and Kenny “Math” Montejano (Local 105) — was the top “local” in the class, based on highest election win percentage. Well done everyone!”
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