Cross-trade solidarity strengthens SMART in Topeka

In Topeka, Kansas, solidarity across transportation and sheet metal has helped strengthen our union — and forged bonds of friendship among SMART-TD and Local 2 (Kansas City) officers.

SMART-TD GO-953 General Chairperson Luke Edington explained:

“Our general committee has extra office space which has been utilized by a business representative from Local 2 for over 10 years. We also gave office space to an organizer for a couple years who focused on the Topeka area.

“I’ve seen several good business representatives in our office over those years, and the latest one, Rich Deviney, is stellar. His devotion, work ethic and leadership are unmatched and have brought the local numerous members from our area.

“We give Rich full access to all the resources from our office (meeting rooms, copy services, etc.), and he uses them to their full advantage, which is fantastic. The local hosts training sessions each week in the evenings, new members are in here weekly to talk with Rich, and current members come in to get help with issues.

“This is a testament not just to what Rich has done for his sheet metal brothers and sisters, but also the relationship he’s built with his TD brothers here in the office. We’ve adopted him as one of our own.”