SMART UnionIn May, SMART-TD Local 854 teamed up with the International Longshoremen’s Association Local 970 for a charity golf tournament. The two unions helped raise money for PORTCO, Inc., a Virginia nonprofit that helps veterans and people with disabilities find employment opportunities.
Great work, Local 854!
In collaboration with the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA), members of SMART Local 100 donated their time and labor to build two brand-new pavilions from scratch at Broad Creek Memorial Scout Reservation in Whiteford, Md. — helping provide necessary structures for the area outdoor youth center.
“We really appreciate the partnership with Local 100, in conjunction with USA, for coming out and being part of this project,” said Manuel Fonseca, deputy scout executive & COO, Baltimore Area Council, Scouting America. “Having two additional structures for staff and campers is much needed and much appreciated. Scouting is all about safety — along with utilizing them for social activities, having these two new pavilions will provide another option for shelter.”
Each year, more than 23,000 youth visit Broad Creek to participate in activities designed to foster youth development, adventure and team building in the great outdoors. Located just over 40 miles from Baltimore, Broad Creek is the fifth-largest block of undeveloped land in the traditional Baltimore metropolitan area, with 1,624 of the reservation’s 1,676 acres permanently protected under a combination of county, state and federal conservation easements. The campsite offers programming to kids across the area — and staff saw the need for an additional two pavilions to provide places for campers and staff to gather, eat, socialize and potentially take shelter during inclement weather.
That’s where the union volunteers entered the picture. Both USA and Local 100 share the values of solidarity and ensuring young people have access to the great outdoors — for that reason, it was an easy decision for both organizations to come together and build the two pavilions, lifting the burden off Broad Creek’s shoulders.
The Local 100 volunteers took just four days to build the two pavilions essentially from scratch: Besides raw materials and poured concrete, the sheet metal workers and Broad Creek staff assembled every part of the completed structures.
The end result? A demonstration not just of union craftsmanship and efficiency, but of SMART’s principles as well.
“We look forward to many years of future projects with Local 100 and USA,” Fonseca concluded.
Members who participated: Apprentices Nicholas Ray, Andre Matthews, Erick D. Rosa Pineda, Nigel Mills, Gary Plumley Jr. and Zachary A. Evans, plus Organizers Latauna Bigelow and Lester Larios.
Members of Local 5 attended the International Training Institute’s SWIFT foreperson training in Greensboro, North Carolina, helping jobsite leaders develop their professional skills and further their careers.
This type of class is especially important right now, with signatory contractors reporting a need for leadership to help take on new work and grow the unionized sheet metal industry. The North Carolina course consisted of 10 individuals with varying degrees of leadership experience. Over four days, participants covered a variety of topics, including but not limited to: cost control, scheduling, people skills, communication skills, collaboration, document management, contract awareness and organizational skills.
“Overall, the class was very well received by the participants,” said ITI’s Adam Smith.
The ITI’s foreperson training curriculum was revamped in 2020 by a task force of representatives from labor, management and training. Smith was one of the ITI staff members on the task force; having spent his career as a foreperson, general foreperson, superintendent and general superintendent at a large mechanical contractor, he had plenty of input on what he wished he had been taught ahead of time.
“One of the first lessons in the curriculum is about self-reflection and what it takes to be a foreperson. We felt this was important, because all too often, a contractor just picks someone based on their work output and hands them a set of prints. But is this person really cut out for it? Or do they really know what they are getting themselves into?” Smith explained. “As time has passed in the construction industry, the speed of information and project schedules has increased immensely, and throwing someone into the fire blind can certainly be a daunting endeavor. We wanted this training to help soften this shock to the system and provide our membership with a basic knowledge and skill set to at least have a heads up of what they are getting into and how to better prepare themselves.”
“This training can help equip current journeypersons and apprentices with the tools necessary to build these projects on time, safely and on budget,” he concluded. “For locals looking to put on their own foreperson training, their JATC already has access to the curriculum and resources we used to put on this SWIFT training, but if they would like to have ITI come in and assist, they can reach out to their ITI field representative to get the ball rolling.”
I’ve talked a lot about the importance of solidarity recently. It’s our foundation, our core value and our strength; it’s the guiding principle that has carried us through generations of challenges, whether we’re at work, at the bargaining table or on the picket line.
Much of the conversation around our solidarity has been in response to political events in the United States. Recent developments, from the unprecedented firings at the U.S. National Labor Relations Board to the shifting policies on tariffs, have sent ripples through our industries. These decisions have real consequences for working people — our people.
But make no mistake, brothers and sisters: Our union solidarity spans all of North America, from Hawaii to Vancouver, Florida to St. John’s; whether we’re on the shop floor, the jobsite, the railroad or the bus terminal.
Amid all the noise encompassing our nations’ governments, I want to focus on the hard-working citizens of our two nations that make up our membership: We have far more in common than we have differences. Skilled SMART sheet metal workers perform top-notch craftsmanship on jobsites and in production shops across both of our two nations. Organizing in British Columbia, Ontario and everywhere in between strengthens our union in the states just like it does in the provinces, and vice versa. And political developments in Ottawa and Washington have ramifications for every single one of us.
“Our union solidarity spans all of North America, from Hawaii to Vancouver, Florida to St. John’s; whether we’re on the shop floor, the jobsite, the railroad or the bus terminal.”
As SMART members, we want the same thing, regardless of which country we call home: good, family-sustaining jobs, stellar pay, a retirement with dignity. And our union organizes across North America for those exact goals — recently, in both of our nations, winning extraordinary growth. Regardless of the political climate, no matter who holds power in Washington or Ottawa, we will continue to fight for the betterment of this union: no member left behind.
The history of SMART spans over 200 combined years of organizing, tradition, mentorship and solidarity. We’ve faced adversity, fought countless battles and secured life-changing victories for workers across North America. Every victory we’ve achieved stems from our unity and the principle that an injury to one is an injury to all.
I want to emphasize something, though. That collective power doesn’t simply appear when we pay our dues. We, the members, are the union. We need to be engaged, involved and ACTIVE in our locals. That’s how we organize new manufacturing plants and contractors, like Evergreen Sheet Metal in B.C. That’s how we secure local laws that bring in more work for members, like project labor agreements in Southern California. That’s how we develop new tools to help keep our SMART-TD bus members safe. All this is only possible when we proactively flex our collective strength.
We continue to see anti-worker entities, whether bad-faith employers or antagonistic governments, attempt to divide us. They want us to fight each other instead of fighting the rich and powerful. They want to pit Canadians versus Americans, railroaders versus sheet metal workers; they want workers against workers.
Brothers and sisters, we must reject that division and choose solidarity instead. Let’s stand together, not just in the face of political challenges, but for the future we believe in. When we are united across the United States and Canada, there’s nothing we can’t achieve.
In solidarity,
SMART General President Michael Coleman
“You get what you pay for.”
It’s an old saying that most of us have heard plenty of times. But it holds special relevance for union workers — because for us, it’s true in a profound way. We pay union dues, and what we get is something priceless: the solidarity that defines SMART membership.
As General President Coleman wrote, solidarity is the bedrock of our organization. At the International level, across the United States and every Canadian province, our unity gives us power: Together, we fight for jobs and fairness, transcending our border and winning real gains for SMART members and families. That’s true strength — the type that can never be broken, even as external pressures intensify.
What I want to highlight are the everyday investments SMART makes as a result of your continued solidarity. Our union dues are an investment in ourselves: in worker power, in collective bargaining, in strong contracts and in our families. They are also a reflection of our intentional focus — our collective commitment to building a stronger union, piece by piece. That manifests in specific, material ways. A few examples:
Union EAP is an example of a member assistance program specifically tailored to SMART members. This service, if adopted by your local union or your local healthcare plan, is available at no direct cost to the member. Union EAP connects members and their families with licensed clinicians, available 24/7/365. Each case is guided by a master’s-level clinician who works with the member and their insurance provider to build a personalized plan and help navigate life’s challenges.
“We pay union dues, and what we get is something priceless: the solidarity that defines SMART membership.”
In addition to mental well-being, one of our priorities at the International is empowering our local unions to better serve their members. That’s why we introduced the Voyager system — a fully supported union management software solution at no direct cost to local unions. Voyager helps streamline internal operations, provides digital dues receipts for members and allows locals to manage union affairs without unnecessary hurdles and expenses.
We have also heard — and acted on — the need to strengthen the future of the sheet metal trade. For too long, the lack of maternity leave in the sheet metal industry prevented women and new mothers from joining and staying in the craft. That’s why SMART and SMACNA launched a maternity leave benefit fund for sheet metal members: a reimbursement program for participating U.S. local unions’ health and welfare funds, providing for a combined total of 26 weeks of maternity leave. Another example of SMART leading where others have hesitated.
And most recently, SMART launched a childcare benefit program with TOOTRiS. Too many working families — especially in the trades — are forced to choose between career and care. Thanks to this new partnership, sheet metal members at participating U.S. local unions can more easily access flexible, high-quality childcare options that meet the unique demands of our work schedules.
Brothers and sisters, these programs and partnerships are more than benefits. They represent solidarity in action — and the result of our shared focus on building a better future. That’s what we pay for. That’s why we pay dues. That’s why our solidarity — and our intentional focus — are more important now than ever before.
We know challenges lie ahead. Economic forces beyond our control, from aggressive tariff disruptions to unpredictable market shifts, will test the foundations we have built. The potential ripple effects — from stock market volatility to pressures on pensions, healthcare funds and even renewed threats of healthcare taxation — remind us that we cannot afford to lose focus.
Union membership means looking out for one another — leveraging our individual power into something far greater, something that sustains SMART families today and tomorrow. When we remain focused, disciplined and united, there is nothing we cannot achieve.
In solidarity,
John Daniel
SMART General Secretary Treasurer
As we move forward in these changing times, one thing is clear: Standing together is our greatest strength. A hallmark of our union is that our members have always faced challenges head-on. While we continue to address evolving issues in our industry, we are also seeing progress, particularly when it comes to improving safety for our members.
A step forward in bus safety
A shining example of what we can accomplish through collaboration is unfolding in Philadelphia, Pa. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of SMART and BTAPS, a pilot project is underway that equips SEPTA bus operators with bulletproof, glare-resistant full enclosures. These enclosures are designed to enhance the safety of our operators, protecting them from potential threats while maintaining clear visibility for safe driving. This success underscores what we can achieve when our local leaders and the International work in unison to protect our members.
Our goal is to expand this life-saving initiative to all SEPTA buses and beyond, ensuring that bus operators across the country benefit from this enhanced safety. This project is not just a win for Philadelphia; it’s a model of what’s possible when we prioritize safety and work together to bring about real change.
Staying strong through education and unity
Our ability to advance and protect our members’ interests lies in knowledge and preparation. That’s why we are urging all local officers to take full advantage of the Regional Training Seminars being offered this year. These seminars provide valuable tools and information that empower our local officers to navigate the complexities of our industry while staying informed about our members’ rights and how to effectively fight for them.
The first seminar in Dallas, Texas, was a resounding success, with over 180 brothers and sisters in attendance. Three more opportunities remain this year. They are in Denver, Colo.; Anaheim, Calif.; and Atlanta, Ga. These events are more than just training sessions; they are platforms for building stronger lines of communication and fostering the solidarity that makes our union so effective.
Challenges remain, but so does our resolve
While we celebrate our wins, we remain aware of the challenges that persist. Discussions about privatizing Amtrak and the push for autonomous freight trains are ongoing concerns that we are closely monitoring. We also continue to address the impacts of decisions like the closure of critical Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) offices, which affect the services our members rely on.
However, instead of dwelling on these obstacles, we are focused on solutions. Through strategic planning and a unified approach, we can protect the future of our industry and safeguard the dignity and livelihoods of our members.
A call to action: Build on our momentum
We stand at a crossroads where we have a choice — to allow challenges to divide us or to come together and shape a stronger future. The victories we have achieved, like the SEPTA bus operator enclosures, show that collective action works. By building on this momentum, we can continue to secure meaningful wins for our members.
From the local level all the way to SMART General President Michael Coleman, our leadership is committed to this mission. In a world that continues to change, we know where we stand. When we are united in knowledge, strength and purpose, there’s nothing we can’t accomplish.
In solidarity,
Jeremy R. Ferguson
President, Transportation Division
Sisters and brothers,
My name is Jack Wall, and I’m honoured to have been appointed director of Canadian affairs for SMART in December 2024. It’s a responsibility I don’t take lightly, and I’m proud to follow in the footsteps of those who served before me. Like them, I’ll work hard every day to represent our members and do what’s best for our union.
We’re at an important moment — not just for SMART Canada, but for the broader labour movement across North America. This year has already brought significant political changes and new challenges. Ongoing tariffs continue to impact our sheet metal, roofing and production sectors here at home and for our SMART brothers and sisters in the United States. But beyond the headlines, your Canadian staff is pushing forward — advocating, organizing and working to strengthen the future of our locals from coast to coast. Despite the challenges we face, I firmly believe the future is bright for SMART members.
Years of advocacy at all levels of government have resulted in real, concrete wins — from funding grants to labour-friendly language in clean energy legislation. These achievements didn’t happen by chance — they’re the result of hard work, persistence and unity. Now, we need to build on that momentum. That means growing our capacity and continuing to invest in the future of our members.
Over the past year, and with the full support of SMART leadership, we’ve added key resources to help us make progress — both politically and publicly — across Canada. I’m pleased to welcome two new staff members to our dedicated team:
Bob Gougeon, former business manager and financial secretary-treasurer of Local 285 in Toronto, has joined as our new International representative for government affairs and megaprojects. Bob brings years of experience and a strong understanding of what our locals need on the ground.
Aidan Strickland, previously director of communications for Helmets to Hardhats Canada, is our new communications specialist. She will help raise SMART’s public profile and share the stories and successes of our members in a variety of forums.
Together, our Canadian team brings the knowledge, experience and energy we need to keep moving forward. I’m confident we’re stronger with them onboard — and that their work will make a meaningful difference for members from coast to coast to coast.
I also want to acknowledge the continued uncertainty caused by shifting tariff policies. I know the toll this takes on our industries, our locals and our families. But I also know that General President Michael Coleman has been clear: Canadian locals and members have his full support. His commitment to unity across borders — Canadian and American alike — remains one of our greatest strengths. I share that commitment, and I know it will carry us through whatever comes next.
As we look ahead to the rest of 2025 and beyond, we’ll stay proactive — whether it’s organizing in our communities or working with officials at every level of government to advance our cause. You have my word: I, along with the rest of the Canadian staff, will give everything we’ve got to secure a strong future for SMART members across this country.
In solidarity,
Jack Wall
Director of Canadian Affairs
After more than four years of tireless effort and advocacy, SMART-TD announced the successful passage of the Railroad Employee Equity and Fairness (REEF) Act in December 2024, with President Biden signing the bill into law in January 2025. This historic legislation permanently exempts Railroad Unemployment Insurance Benefits from sequestration, ending a 5.7% reduction that railroaders have unfairly borne for years. In simple terms, this bill ends the outdated tax of $50 every two weeks on railroaders drawing unemployment benefits from the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB).
The REEF Act rights a longstanding wrong that has disproportionately impacted railroad workers, particularly those who find themselves furloughed or medically unable to work. These workers, many of whom already face significant financial hardship when transitioning from regular railroad wages to the modest $450 every two weeks provided by the RRB, were subjected to sequestration that further reduced this already limited benefit.
“For most Americans, a $50 cut may seem insignificant, but to a railroader relying on a fixed benefit, it’s a financial crisis,” said SMART-TD National Safety and Legislative Director Greg Hynes. “After years of fighting this injustice, the REEF Act’s passage is proof that persistence pays off. The work we’ve done on Capitol Hill to secure this victory is worth every ounce of effort and all the shoe leather we left on the steps of the House and Senate buildings.”
The process to get this bill over the line was not easy. It took consistent advocacy, relentless lobbying and cooperation across political parties. SMART-TD’s Hynes and Jared Cassity, who collectively bring decades of experience from BNSF and CSX, respectively, led the charge, ensuring that Congress understood the gravity of the situation faced by railroad workers.
“We understand the struggle because we’ve lived it. We know how much that small cut impacts an out-of-work railroader’s ability to make ends meet,” said Deputy National Safety and Legislative Director Cassity. “This legislation is a direct result of the tireless advocacy of our members, who took the time to speak out, engage with lawmakers and apply pressure at every step
Cassity continued: “Railroad workers not only sell their labor, they sacrifice more than most to care for themselves and their families. It is through their hard work and efforts that railroad retirement is funded, which is why it is so rewarding to see the senseless reductions from sequestration finally lifted. In this process of advocating for REEF, our brothers and sisters have proven that they are willing to stand in solidarity to put up a fight. I couldn’t be prouder of our members for their tenacity to win back not just what was earned — but what is deserved.”
The REEF Act’s passage is a powerful reminder of what is possible when unions, lawmakers and working people come together to fight for fairness. Cassity and Hynes extended their deepest thanks, on behalf of SMART-TD, to all of the sponsors and cosponsors who supported this bill, as well as the thousands of TD members who stood united throughout the process.
“SMART-TD members have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with us every step of the way, from rallies to calls to congressional offices. This victory belongs to every one of our members who answered the call and fought to make sure their voices were heard,” said Hynes. “It is because of their engagement, their commitment and their perseverance that we’ve been able to secure this long-overdue relief.”
SMART’s Ontario organizers held their first-quarter meeting on Tuesday, March 18, where they strategized for the months ahead and further developed their knowledge and skills.
“It was a highly productive session where we tackled key topics, including preparing for the open period, CRM training with Kris Harmon and Cecilia Locke, the Ontario blitz, area reports and more,” said SMART Canada International Representative for Business Development Patrick Gordon. “The discussions were insightful, setting a strong foundation for our upcoming initiatives.”
In early January, 2025, the world watched in horror as fires swept through Southern California, leaving unprecedented devastation and destruction in their wake. Entire neighborhoods were obliterated, with tens of thousands of buildings and homes wiped off the map.
SMART local unions, the International and members across North America responded with an awe-inspiring show of solidarity. At the IA level, General President Michael Coleman sent a letter requesting donations from local unions. SMART-TD bus members assisted in evacuating impacted neighborhoods and supported operators working when the fires broke out. And both TD locals and SM Local 105 immediately leapt into action, even as the fires were still burning.
“Local 105’s full-time officers quickly developed a plan on how to address the needs of our members in the affected burn areas and evacuation zones,” said Local 105 Business Manager/President Steve Hinson. “First, we put together a collection center in the hall and donated all the collected food goods, blankets, pillows, etc. to one of the donation centers in Pasadena. Then we identified our own members in the burn areas and reached out to each member to ask them what their needs may be since the fires broke out. Of the 70 members in the burn zones, there were 12 members that had some displacement from either lost power, missed work from evacuations and/or loss of property. Unfortunately, we had two retirees lose their homes due to the fires.”
Along with coordinating local support efforts, Local 105 worked with SMART Director of Special Projects Louise Medina to secure a Disaster Relief Fund grant to address the immediate needs of members. The financial support ended up being crucial.
“The members’ needs were so wide in range, the full-time officers of the local decided it would be best to give all 12 members a Costco gift card to help them replenish any goods they may have lost due to the power outages in the burn areas,” Hinson explained. “We also decided that for any member that lived in the burn areas, if they lost time from work due to evacuation orders, we would reimburse their lost wages with documentation of lost work hours.”
Hurricane Relief
“Words cannot express how much the financial assistance we received from you was appreciated for the devastation we suffered from Hurricane Milton, and Greg Blose for his immediate action. The damage to our home and loss of our vehicle was a big financial and mental burden for us. With your help, we have been able to get a vehicle and pretty much get our home back to normal. Again, thank you so very much for helping during this difficult time.” — Local 12 retiree testimonial
“We are very grateful to all of you for this support and help for our family as we recover from the damages suffered from the Hurricane Helene flooding. We weren’t expecting this, and we can’t thank you enough.” — Local 5 member testimonial
The local also decided it wasn’t enough to simply react to disaster. At 105’s February union meeting, the members voted to start a local disaster relief fund, allocating an initial $25,000 to the cause. As Hinson pointed out, members in Southern California know there will be fires, floods and earthquakes in the future: “We need to be prepared to act swiftly to make sure our brothers and sisters are taken care of in their time of need.”
Overall, the tragic fires demonstrated what SMART membership is all about: standing together for our union family.
“We received an overwhelming amount of support from SMART locals in both the United States and Canada,” Hinson said. “I would like to thank all our sister locals for their generous donations directly to Local 105 and to the SMART Disaster Relief Fund. I would also like to thank the full-time staff for making all the calls and reaching out to ensure our brothers and sisters are taken care of — and, of course, our members, who donated goods and time to help our communities.”