Strong relationships between unions and signatory contractors are the foundation of a thriving industry. When contractors and labor work together, the result is safer jobsites, stronger training and better long-term opportunities for workers and businesses alike.
In Colorado, the recent, pioneering partnership between Midtown Chimney Sweeps and SMART Local 9 demonstrates how collaboration, professionalism and high-quality union training can open new doors for local unions, employers, Coloradans and entire industries. Maintenance of metal chimney flues and end caps in Colorado will now be performed by Local 9 members!
“As the owner of the first chimney and fireplace company in the United States to join a national sheet metal workers union, I am proud to share my experience with Local 9 and the transformative impact it has had on my business,” said Byron Schramm, member-owner of Midtown Chimney Sweeps.
A contractor looking for a better path
In July 2025, Schramm visited the Local 9 union hall looking for solutions.
Like many contractors across the country, Schramm was facing a challenge that has become increasingly common in the trades: finding qualified workers with the training, professionalism and long-term commitment needed to meet the demands of his industry.
Schramm’s interest in raising the standards of his industry had been developing for some time.
“This journey began during my seven-month tour of Europe, where I witnessed the unparalleled excellence in craftsmanship among German, Swiss, and Austrian chimney professionals,” he said. “Their dedication to precision, skill and quality left an indelible mark on me, inspiring a vision for elevating standards back home.”
Upon returning to the United States, Schramm aimed to pursue that vision, but he ran up against obstacles.
“I faced the familiar challenges of our industry: hiring inexperienced workers from outside the building trades, investing time and resources in their training, only to see many drift away and start their own businesses,” he explained. “This cycle made it nearly impossible to scale or grow sustainably. The constant turnover eroded work quality, placed immense stress on me as the owner, and undermined our commitment to delivering exceptional service in an industry where precision is paramount.”
The SMART union advantage
Schramm had previously spoken with representatives from another union about their training program but felt it did not meet the specific workforce needs of his business. During those conversations, he was encouraged to reach out to SMART and was given the name of Chaz Tedesco, Local 9’s political director and organizer. Contacting SMART made sense: Schramm was seeking skilled tradespeople to work on the chimney’s flue and end cap, both of which are made of metal.
After making the connection, Tedesco, along with Business Agent Lon Comstock, welcomed Schramm to the union hall. They provided a tour of the facility and introduced Schramm to the structure and depth of SMART’s training programs. The conversation quickly expanded beyond workforce needs and into the broader benefits of becoming a signatory contractor — access to highly trained workers, structured apprenticeship programs, safety standards and a professional workforce committed to craftsmanship.
As discussions continued, Schramm and members of his staff returned to the hall for additional meetings and a deeper look at the local’s training program. During this process, they met Andy Gilliland, state director of the Colorado Sheet Metal Workers Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC), and Reed Ausmus, Denver training coordinator.
For Gilliland, Schramm and Midtown Chimney Sweeps represented a unique opportunity.
“During the campaign, I was asked whether the Colorado Sheet Metal Workers Apprenticeship could provide training for this industry,” Gilliland explained. “I’ve been involved in many organizing efforts, and most fit easily into our existing training format. Midtown Chimney Service, however, presented a unique opportunity to build new pathways within our program.”
While much of the needed instructional material already existed within the broader sheet metal curriculum, the specialized nature of chimney and fireplace metal work required adaptation.
Gilliland and the training team began restructuring portions of the curriculum to ensure apprentices and journeypersons would receive the same level of rigorous instruction and craftsmanship expected across the trade — while also meeting the technical needs of this specialized industry.
“My role included shaping curriculum, aligning standards and ensuring our apprenticeship could support this sector with the same rigor and excellence we apply across the trade,” Gilliland said.
Schramm’s involvement played a critical part in that process. By sharing industry knowledge and equipment, he helped bridge the gap between a traditional craft and modern union apprenticeship training.
“Working on this project has been energizing and deeply rewarding,” Gilliland said. “Having a business owner like Byron has been critical. He has provided an incredible amount of information, insight, and support throughout the process.”
Schramm has also supported training by supplying industry-specific training devices and helping the program collaborate with Germany’s national chimney training system — bringing international expertise into the development of the curriculum.
A historic agreement
The collaboration between Midtown and Local 9 required a significant effort. Because chimney sweep and fireplace service work had never previously been covered under a Local 9 agreement — or any other union — there was no contract template available from another local.
Union leadership and Midtown Chimney Sweeps worked together to carefully review contract language and build an agreement that maintained union standards while allowing the company to successfully transition into signatory status.
“As the owner of the first chimney and fireplace company in the United States to join a national sheet metal workers union, I am proud to share my experience with Local 9 and the transformative impact it has had on my business,” said Byron Schramm, owner of Midtown Chimney Sweeps.
On September 23, 2025, Midtown Chimney Sweeps officially signed a collective bargaining agreement with SMART Local 9, with the contract taking effect on October 1, 2025. Shortly after, all of Midtown’s existing employees were signed up and participated in an orientation program introducing them to the union, its standards and the opportunities available through training and career advancement.
Schramm also joined as an owner-member, further demonstrating his commitment to the partnership and to building a stronger workforce within his company.
The value of union skill and professionalism
For Schramm, the difference in workforce quality became clear almost immediately.
“The journeymen provided by Local 9 demonstrated a level of professionalism and expertise I’ve rarely encountered,” he said.
He recalls one moment in particular that illustrated the union difference.
“I was working alongside a journeyman named Eric on a fresh air kit installation. When I asked him to cut a 4-inch round hole for the pipe, he asked what exact size was needed, explaining that it couldn’t be ‘size on size’ — a trade term meaning the hole must account for the pipe’s physical dimensions, plus a margin for error.”
The solution was simple but telling, Schramm explained.
“We opted for a 4.5-inch hole saw to accommodate the 4.25-inch pipe, a small adjustment that enhanced my own training methods and ensured a flawless fit.”
Later that same day, Schramm witnessed another example of the craftsmanship that comes with union training.
“We moved to the roof to install flashing on a metal surface. [Eric] pulled out a spoon to apply silicone sealant, creating a perfectly smooth, professional seal that was nothing short of remarkable.”
Growing the partnership
The initial contract was designed to meet Midtown’s existing wage structure during the contractor’s transition into the union. Because the company was new to SMART, the agreement initially did not include a journeyperson pay scale, with the highest rate set at approximately 70 percent of Local 9’s standard scale.
However, as Schramm experienced firsthand the value of union craftsmanship, his perspective quickly evolved. After seeing the skill and efficiency that Local 9 journeypersons brought to the jobsite, he requested a modification to the agreement to include a full journeyperson rate within the contract.
Today, that rate has been added, and Midtown Chimney Sweeps now pays that scale to qualified workers. Schramm is also considering adding a foreman position to help manage operations and allow him to focus more on growing the business.
The partnership has already created new opportunities for members of Local 9, Gilliland noted. Journeypersons and apprentices now have the opportunity to work within a specialized segment of the trade while maintaining the quality and standards that define union craftsmanship. The effort has also expanded the apprenticeship program itself by introducing new curriculum, hands-on equipment and even international collaboration.
A team effort, a bright future
Union leadership views the Midtown agreement as a significant milestone.
Jon Alvino, Local 9 business manager, emphasized the teamwork required to make the partnership possible.
“This agreement with Midtown Chimney Sweeps marks a groundbreaking moment for SMART Local 9 as we welcome the first signatory chimney sweep shop into our union family,” Alvino said. “I’m incredibly proud of the collaboration that made this possible — our organizing department, led by Don Perkins, alongside Chaz Tedesco and Jon Davis, working seamlessly with our business representatives Lon Comstock and Ian Fick, as well as our apprenticeship training center, to navigate every detail. This is exactly what teamwork looks like, and I’m excited about the strong future we will build together with Midtown.”
Gilliland believes the partnership represents something even greater. By combining a traditional craft with modern apprenticeship training, Midtown Chimney Sweeps and SMART Local 9 are building a model that could be replicated in other markets. The success of the partnership has already sparked interest from other contractors and demonstrated that union standards can adapt to support new sectors of the industry.
With continued collaboration between labor, contractors and the apprenticeship program, this effort is helping expand opportunities for members while strengthening the future of the trade.
At its core, the Midtown partnership reinforces a fundamental truth of the union building trades: high-quality training, skilled craftsmanship and strong contractor relationships are the keys to raising standards and building the workforce our industries depend on.
And for Schramm, the partnership has already proven transformative.
“Joining the union has not only stabilized my workforce but also reignited my passion for the trade by fostering an environment of excellence,” he said. “I encourage other business owners in our field to consider this path — it’s a game-changer for building a stronger, more resilient industry.”