SMART Local 17 gives shipyard workers the wages, protection, and training you deserve. Our contracts lock in fair pay with guaranteed raises, quality healthcare, and real retirement benefits no guessing about tomorrow. You’ll get top-tier training and certifications tailored to marine work sheet metal, welding and ventilation, so you can advance quickly and work safely. On the job, you’re never on your own: a union steward has your back on safety, overtime, and respect, and our grievance process means problems get solved. Whether you’re just starting out or already experienced, SMART Local 17 is a pathway to stability, family-supporting wages, and a voice on the job
Union 101
A union is a nonprofit, democratic organization of workers who have formally come together to promote their interests and advocate on each other’s behalf. Unions push for better wages and working conditions, defend individual workers when their rights are violated on the job, champion state and federal laws and new legislation that protect workers’ rights, and hold irresponsible companies or government agencies accountable in court or by other means, when they don’t do their jobs properly.
The International Association of SMART is made up of many local union chapters around the U.S. and Canada. Every SMART member belongs to a local union that is primarily who they will interact with for most union-related matters. A local union can be as simple as the workers at one manufacturing facility, rail yard or bus company, or it can be tens of thousands of workers across several states at many employers, such as in the HVAC industry. Each local union has its own bylaws and elects its own local union leadership.
In a nonunion setting, the employer makes all the rules. They may promise to listen to employee input, but at the end of the day, they aren’t required to take any of that input seriously and ultimately still get to decide what the final policies are. In a union setting, the rules are negotiated by the union and the employer, with the union representing the best interests of the workers and the employer representing the best interests of the company.
One of the most important benefits of coming together with your co-workers to form a union is gaining the clarity and security of a union contract. Having one means knowing exactly what is expected of you at work, and what you can expect from your employer in return. A union contract is a written agreement between the employer and the employees that details the terms and benefits in a clear and legally binding way.
Because they work! Labor unions band workers together through collective bargaining to exercise a voice in their own lives and futures, in a way that individual wage earners cannot. Union members elect their own officers, determine their own goals, set their own dues and choose the rules by which their unions operate for the common good. It is this collective strength and power that allows labor unions to negotiate for more favorable working conditions and other benefits through collective bargaining. On average, union workers’ wages are 27% higher than their nonunion counterparts, in addition to the many other benefits a union contract brings.
“Organizing” can be a confusing term for people because it means different things in different contexts. Here at SMART, we use it as shorthand to talk about nonunion workers joining SMART to improve their jobs. It starts with workers talking to each other about improving their wages, benefits and working conditions. Once a majority of workers agree that they are interested in forming a union and want to make things better at their workplace, they should reach out to SMART. An experienced organizer whose job is to help guide you through this process will be assigned to you and your co-workers.
Better Wages and Benefits
You deserve more. We believe you’ve earned and deserve better pay at work, and SMART Local 17 members see and feel the difference in their paychecks every day. By coming together in a union, we gain collective strength and power to negotiate higher wages and better benefits at the bargaining table. Union members on average earn more than our nonunion counterparts.
Workplace Safety & Keeping Workers Safe
Does your workplace feel unsafe? You don’t have to work in danger – you should go to work knowing that you will come home safe at the end of the day. Our collective power allows us to negotiate contracts that have strong and enforceable safety language; in many cases, going beyond what’s in laws and regulations. We strive to protect SMART Local 17 members through training, enforcement and contract negotiations to ensure every member’s safety.
Work-life Balance
Work shouldn’t control our existence. Do you need more predictable hours, better access to education, advancement opportunities or better family leave when needed? When you’re a member of SMART Local 17, your contract protects you by clearly spelling out your work hours, training requirements, advancement procedures and how you can take time off.
You deserve a life outside of work. Members have access to discounts on theme park tickets to have some fun, mortgage and real estate services, auto insurance, lower-cost cellular service and so much more! SMART is there for you no matter what part of your life you’re in.
SMART Local 17 Interest Form
With a union, we have power and a voice with our employers and elected officials. We fight for wages, health care, safety and respect in our workplaces. There’s never been a better time than now to take the next step! Please fill out the form below for more information.
All Information will be kept confidential.