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By Ivan Meyen, SMART International representative

Organizing is not just about recruiting new sheet metal workers into our union; retaining members is a critical part of the equation. SMART local unions need to grow in order to bolster collective bargaining and ensure health and pension funds remain strong. That can only happen when members both join and stay in SMART.

To retain new members, it is vital that they understand what their union is and the support that defines SMART membership. For that reason, SMART Local 16 held its inaugural new organized member orientation on March 7, 2026. This marked the first of what will be many new organized member orientations, led by Regional Manager Brian Noble, Regional Rep. Darrin Boyce, Organizer Korri Stubenrauch and Scott Stricklyn with the local’s Special Projects Department.

Traditionally, SMART Local 16 has educated recruits about the benefits of union membership during the new member sign-up process. Officers and staff use this time to give incoming members a thorough overview of their new union; however, it can often feel like information overload for our latest SMART brothers and sisters. While third-year Local 16 apprentices attend a weeklong Youth-to-Youth class — aiming to build a local culture centered around organizing — no such option exists for members who are organized into the local. To solve that problem, the organizing team at SMART Local 16 created the new orientation, a Saturday class specifically for members who joined the local through organizing.

Inaugural orientation class charts course for the future

One challenge with offering the class was determining whether enough relationships had been built to motivate members to attend a Saturday session. Ultimately, SMART Local 16 set a date and decided to move forward to see if there would be attendance. Letters were sent out to members, and the class was scheduled.

The orientation began with a “What Is the Union?” session, covering union history, structure and how SMART works. Members discussed how to use the union as a resource, heard testimonials from organized members and learned how to get the most out of being in SMART. Additional topics included what to watch for on the job and how to get help when needed. Time was also spent ensuring everyone could log into the online local and International member portals and allowing members to share their experiences as SMART members so far.

Eight members and one spouse attended the class. Their time at Local 16 ranged from three months to five years, but participants shared one thing in common: They all said they were glad they attended and found the class informative. Participants also received a hoodie that is only available to those who attend the class.

Moving forward, the goal is to spread the word about the value of this class so new members make time to participate when they receive the invitation. For now, SMART Local 16 plans to hold the class twice a year.

Organizing is an ongoing process. New members joining our union is only the beginning; ensuring they become active, engaged members — who take advantage of every part of their membership — is the key next step. When that happens, and when new members stay in SMART, every member benefits.

Great work, Local 16!

In late September, SMART announced a brand-new maternity leave benefit fund — part of our union’s wholesale commitment to supporting, welcoming and retaining women and new mothers in the sheet metal industry.

The benefit fund, jointly funded with SMACNA as part of the Sheet Metal Industry Labor-Management Cooperation Fund, is designed as a reimbursement for local unions participating in health and welfare funds. During pregnancy, the fund will reimburse up to $800 per week beginning in the second trimester; after pregnancy, the benefit will reimburse up to $800 per week for six weeks (with two additional weeks — eight total — available for Cesarean deliveries). In total, the benefit provides for a combined reimbursement of 26 weeks.

“We believe this will empower SMART tradeswomen, so they no longer feel that they need to choose between having children and having a career in our industry,” said SMART General President Michael Coleman. “I’m proud of everyone involved for their tireless work on this important initiative, which will help bring more sisters into our union and our trade.”

“We all realize this is an important commitment to make to the industry, so we’re happy to partner with SMART to try to make the world a little bit better,” added SMACNA CEO Aaron Hilger during a webinar announcing the benefit fund in late September.

Along with childcare, pregnancy and childbirth are regularly cited by women in the building trades as major obstacles — both when starting their careers, and for staying in the trade. Local 265 (Carol Stream, Ill.) journeyperson Danielle Wilson, the first recipient of a maternity leave program at her local union, believes the new International maternity leave benefit fund will help strengthen and grow SMART for years to come.

“I think it’s going to be a huge selling point,” Wilson said. “We’re so well paid and our benefits are amazing, and our retirement’s so good, but the U.S. is one of only a handful [of countries] … that don’t have maternity leave.”

“To know that this is a profession that has maternity leave, I think it’s going to be a huge, huge point on bringing more women in,” she added. “To know that our unions are looking out for us by saying, ‘hey, not only do you have this great pay, these great benefits in retirement, but if you decide to have a family, we have your back for that, too.’”

The maternity leave benefit fund launched January 1, 2025. For more information, please contact SMART Director of Special Projects Louise Medina.

This is a critical moment in the movement for equality, equity and justice in both of our countries, and SMART has taken steps to lead the way. When we welcome and support members from communities that are currently underrepresented in our membership, our union only becomes stronger.

The Recruitment and Retention Council was formed to create an action plan for locals to recruit, retain and include diverse groups in our organization. The council also looks to champion workplace equality within our industries and to promote respect, inclusion and safe, non-hostile work environments at all levels within SMART.

The council aims to facilitate members coming together as one organization, have these necessary conversations and collectively work on these important issues. The first meeting, featuring attendees from dozens of locals across North America, looked to introduce members to each other, with SMART General President Joseph Sellers, Jr. joining leaders from across the union in kicking off proceedings by addressing its immediate goals. The council is working to create an action plan for locals to recruit, retain and include diverse groups within the organization, while ensuring these new members feel welcome. In meeting this goal, the council aims to ensure workplace equality by promoting respect, inclusion and safe, nonhostile work environments at all levels within SMART.

Louise Medina, a SM Local 265 (DuPage County, Ill.) member who chairs the council, remarked that, “this meeting was only a first step in a long road ahead. I look forward to taking a look at how we recruit and how we will help shape the future for our union brothers and sisters.”