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SMART Local 9 members, families and friends gathered at the local’s Denver union hall on September 6, 2025, for the inaugural SMART Derby, BBQ and Car Show, a first-of-its-kind event that celebrated craftsmanship, fellowship and the future of our trade.

Modeled after the traditional Scouts Pinewood Derby, the SMART Derby was the culmination of months of planning, collaboration and creativity. The event featured handcrafted derby cars built by members and their families, a double-elimination race format, a car show, great food and plenty of friendly competition.

With a startup budget of $6,000 approved to fund the track, scales, event decorations, commemorative T-shirts and prizes, the Local 9 Derby Committee worked tirelessly to bring the vision to life. Committee members Chaz Tedesco, Lon Comstock, Reed Asmus, Alex Forbes and Gary Soderquist dedicated countless hours developing rules, organizing logistics and ensuring a successful event for everyone involved.

The day served as a showcase of the talent, ingenuity and pride that define Local 9 members. More importantly, it created an opportunity for generations to work side-by-side, sharing skills and building memories that will last a lifetime.

The highlight came on race day, when eight-year-old Jax Pursel captured first place, showcasing remarkable determination and craftsmanship. Jax worked alongside his father, 21-year member Lans Pursel, whose guidance and support helped make their project a winning effort.

The Pursels’ victory exemplified one of the event’s most important goals: passing knowledge from one generation to the next and inspiring young people to take an interest in the skilled trades.

Reflecting on the day, Lans shared: “Such a good time! I’m so proud of my boy. Can’t wait to do it next year!”

“You’re the real winner, Dad!” Jax added.

Competition remained fierce throughout the bracket, with Chuck Studer earning both second and third place honors, demonstrating his skill, creativity and attention to detail.

Today, the winning derby cars are proudly displayed at the Denver union hall where members and visitors can stop by and admire the craftsmanship that went into each build.

From the custom-built derby cars and exciting races to the classic car show and outstanding barbecue, the inaugural SMART Derby proved to be much more than a competition. It was a celebration of union solidarity, family, mentorship and the traditions that make SMART Local 9 strong.

Organizers hope the SMART Derby becomes a model that can be replicated throughout our union. The vision is to continue growing the event locally each year while encouraging other SMART locals to establish their own derby programs. By fostering friendly competition, family involvement and hands-on craftsmanship, these events can strengthen connections within our union and generate excitement about the skilled trades among future generations.

Looking ahead, organizers hope to see local derby champions advance to regional competitions, creating opportunities for even greater participation and camaraderie across SMART. As these events grow, so too will member engagement and pride in our trade.

“A heartfelt thank you goes out to every member, family member, volunteer and guest who attended and helped make this event such a tremendous success,” said Local 9’s Tedesco. “Your support and participation transformed an idea into what promises to become a lasting Local 9 tradition.”

“What BE4ALL is about — for me, it’s about respect. It’s about respect for each and every person in this room, everybody out on the jobsites, in the shops, wherever you may be … To me, it boils down to the respect that each and every one of us should have for each other, because we’re part of an organization. We’re part of a family.”

Those words, spoken by SMART General President Michael Coleman, summed up the second-ever Belonging and Excellence for All (BE4ALL) Town Hall, which took place May 28, 2026, in Seattle, Washington. The Town Hall — featuring General President Coleman, SMACNA President Todd Hill and Funds Executive Director Michael Harris — brought nearly 200 SMART members and SMACNA contractors together at Seattle’s Museum of Flight to speak directly with leadership about an important initiative to strengthen the unionized sheet metal industry.

BE4ALL, a joint effort by SMART, SMACNA and the International Training Institute (ITI), started in 2021. Its goals are indicated by its title: Belonging and Excellence for All. In order to maintain the strength of our union, our signatory contractors and our market share, SMART locals need to be able to recruit and retain workers in communities across the United States and Canada. But that can only happen if all of us — from new apprentices to organized journeyworkers to longtime members to retirees, regardless of gender, race, sexual identity, political beliefs or country of origin — feel like we belong: on the jobsite, in the shop and at the union hall.

Coleman, Hill and Harris delved into the importance of BE4ALL during the Town Hall. The event, moderated by Dushaw Hockett, was divided into two parts: a conversation between Hockett and the three leaders followed by a question-and-answer portion, in which Local 66 members spoke directly with International leadership about BE4ALL.

In dialogue with Hockett, the three sheet metal industry leaders talked about what BE4ALL is — and what it is not — and why it is so important to every single member of our union. As General President Coleman said repeatedly throughout the event, BE4ALL is really very simple: It’s just about being a good human being. Being kind to one another, one and off the job. Making sure we all feel welcomed, in our union and in our workplaces.

But it’s also about taking specific actions and implementing strategies to counteract real issues that our industry is facing. With large portions of the skilled trades workforce approaching retirement, we need to recruit and retain members to maintain and grow our strength. That can’t happen if people come into our industry and immediately feel like they don’t belong. And the ugly truth of the matter is that, for too long, many talented individuals have left the trade because rather than being welcomed, they were met with hostility.

Those are people we lose to other trades or the nonunion sector. And that weakens our union.

To that end, the three leaders explained, BE4ALL has developed specific campaigns and resources to create a culture of belonging and excellence for every single member. A Rapid Response Protocol to help prevent and respond to hazing, bullying, harassment, discrimination and other harmful instances. Constitutional amendments, proposed and ratified by delegates to the last two SMART conventions, to take action against those same instances. Toolbox Talks and Learning Journeys to provide education and awareness around what we can do to welcome one another in the industry.

“It’s about all of the membership being exposed to [BE4ALL],” said Harris. “BE4ALL has a website, beforall.org. I challenge everybody in this room to go to that website, because all the resources we’ve talked about … are available on there.”

Early in the conversation, both SMART Northwest Regional Council President Devin Leingang and Heavy Metal Summer Experience President/cofounder Angie Simon told Local 66 members not to be afraid of bringing tough questions to the leaders on stage. Sheet metal workers took that to heart, asking for specific metrics for measuring BE4ALL’s success, inquiring about the specific problems BE4ALL was aiming to counteract, and more.

“Everything sounds good, but it seems like it’s more for the future than the present,” said Local 66 member Jerome. “What is happening now, for individuals who are in the situation now?”

In response, Coleman, Harris and Hill were open and honest with attendees. All of the resources discussed are available now, they reiterated. The BE4ALL Committee is working hard to develop both immediate, actionable items and forward-thinking strategies. But the culture change and the long-term work is just that: long term. And it needs to be adopted by all of us to be effective.

In the end, the three leaders emphasized, the stakes are clear. On one level, BE4ALL is strategic. If we don’t recruit and retain, we will lose talent, our contractors will be unable to go after the work that supports members, our market share will suffer, and ultimately, our pension and benefit funds will feel the impact.

On another, more important level, it’s about our union’s values. Solidarity. Having each other’s backs. Brotherhood and sisterhood.

“This organization is my family,” said General President Coleman, adding later: “It’s just not that hard, it really isn’t, to be a good person.”

With around 180 in-person attendees at the Museum of Flight, plus 296 views via livestream, the event had its intended impact: raising awareness about a crucial effort to strengthen our union and our industry. As Harris noted, BE4ALL — like our union and the labor movement — has to be an initiative driven by the members, for the members. Union sheet metal workers in every state and province need to engage with BE4ALL in order to accomplish the initiative’s goals and create opportunity for all members.

Judging from reactions at the Town Hall, that message resonated.

“I’m a first year apprentice, I’m 24, I don’t know sh*t — and so you guys are telling me what’s expected of me,” said Local 66 member Carlos. “So, thank you.”

On Friday, May 22, 2026, Judge Waverly D. Crenshaw Jr. dismissed the criminal case against Kilmar Abrego Garcia, “ruling that the Trump administration had brought human trafficking charges against him as part of a vindictive effort to punish him for challenging his wrongful deportation to El Salvador last year,” according to the New York Times. SMART General President Michael Coleman issued the following statement in response:

“From the beginning, our demand has been simple: Kilmar, like every single one of our members and every person in this country, must be granted his constitutional right to due process. He must be given his day in court. In Nashville, Kilmar was given his day in court, and on Friday, we saw just how important that is — for Kilmar, for his family and for the principles of justice that we all rely on. We will continue to stand for Kilmar’s rights and for every person’s right to due process, because that is what makes this country great.”

Union membership changes the lives of entire generations — often within the same family. The Johnson family out of SMART Local 24 (central Ohio) is proof, demonstrating the long-term impact of organizing, mentorship and generational growth.

Kevin Lyle Johnson Sr. was organized into Local 24 in 2007 from a non-signatory contractor in Cincinnati. Through hard work and dedication, he advanced from welder to foreman and ultimately became a part-owner of Peck Hannaford & Briggs, a signatory contractor in Local 24’s jurisdiction.

His journey laid the foundation for the next generation.

Kevin Lyle Johnson Sr., second from right

Building the next generation of SMART leadership

Johnson’s son, Kevin Lyle Johnson Jr., followed a similar path rooted in discipline and leadership. After excelling in trade school and beginning his apprenticeship at Local 24, he served in the United States Army as an Airborne Infantryman, including a deployment to Afghanistan. Upon returning home, he completed his apprenticeship and continued to grow within the trade.

In 2025, Kevin Jr. stepped into a foreman role while taking the next major step in his career: launching his own company, Johnson Metal Works LLC. Based in Northern Kentucky, the sheet metal fabrication business specializes in custom ductwork and precision metal solutions. Since its founding, the company has grown to a team of 10 employees, serving contractors throughout Kentucky and Ohio.

The Johnson family’s impact does not stop there. Another one of Kevin Sr.’s sons, Dylan Johnson, is currently in the Cincinnati apprenticeship program and is scheduled to top out this year, continuing the family’s strong presence in the union sheet metal workforce.

Kevin Lyle Johnson Jr., left
Dylan Johnson, completing his apprenticeship in September 2026, furthest left

The union difference

This story represents a full-circle organizing win — and what the union difference means in practice for entire generations. What began with organizing a single worker from a non-signatory contractor has evolved into a signatory contractor owner, a second-generation business and continued membership growth.

It also highlights SMART’s broader impact, beyond collective bargaining, better pay and stronger benefits. From apprenticeship training to leadership development and contractor support, SMART creates opportunities for long-term careers, business ownership and life-changing success across entire families.

A model for growth

The Johnson family’s story is a clear example of how investing in members can lead to lasting growth for the entire organization. By recruiting and training skilled workers, supporting leadership and fostering pathways to business ownership, SMART Local 24 continues to strengthen both its membership and its contractor base.

One new member led to a new signatory contractor, generations of SMART members and a stronger future for the trade in Ohio and Northern Kentucky. That is why we organize!

On May 19, 2026, United States President Donald Trump endorsed the Railway Safety Act, urging congressmembers to include the legislation in the Surface Transportation Reauthorization bill.

“From day one, we’ve said that we will work with any administration to benefit our members, and that we will keep calling balls and strikes on the policies that impact our members. This is a strike. We have stayed true to our commitment, and we welcome the White House’s support for including the Railway Safety Act in the Surface Transportation Reauthorization bill,” said SMART General President Michael Coleman in response. “The Railway Safety Act is just common sense: for SMART-TD members, railroaders and communities nationwide. We applaud this administration for supporting this legislation, and we urge Congress to swiftly pass the Railway Safety Act as part of the final Surface Transportation Reauthorization bill.” 

For generations, SMART members have used the power of our collectively bargained union contracts to build good lives for ourselves and our families. The stellar pay, good benefits and negotiated pensions that are a hallmark of our union have lifted up sheet metal and transportation workers over the years — even when pay stood still or went down for large parts of the working class.

Prices rose on most essential items throughout 2025

But despite the power of our contracts, SMART members and families still find themselves impacted by what has been called “the affordability crisis.” And in the United States, recent policies made by Congress and the federal government are consistently making life less affordable for working Americans, according to the Economic Policy Institute (EPI).

“At its core, affordability is shaped by whether workers’ paychecks keep pace with the cost of living,” a recent EPI report reads, explaining that the current crisis results from decades of policies that slowed or pushed down wage growth in the United States and chipped away at workers’ bargaining power. The EPI adds that the current presidential administration “has pursued an agenda that undercuts incomes for all but the wealthiest households, slows job growth, and invites employer exploitation and abuse—including unprecedented attacks on federal workers’ collective bargaining rights.”

The SMART Communications Department has identified some of the actions listed in the EPI report that make it harder for SMART members to afford the cost of living in the United States, listed below.

Federal policy damaged workers’ pay and economic security, including in the construction industry

  • One part of the affordability crisis is an increase in the basic costs of living, such as utilities, health care and everyday essentials. But the other half of affordability is being able to pay for those essentials in the first place. A variety of policies passed by the Trump administra­tion make it harder for workers to get the pay needed to afford basic necessities.
  • For example: One of the most persistent ways bad-faith employers exploit workers in construction is by misclassifying them as independent contractors. In 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor published a final rule that made it harder for employers to do exactly that.
  • But the current administration’s Department of Labor stopped enforcing these misclassification protections. This not only means working Americans will lose overtime, minimum wage and workers’ compensation pay; it lowers working conditions and safety standards on the jobsites where SMART members make their living.

The administration’s approach to construction and energy policy has hurt job creation for SMART members

  • Laws like the Inflation Reduction Act and the CHIPS Act had started to create jobs for SMART members on a variety of huge projects, including clean energy projects, chip plants, public transportation infrastructure and more.
  • But the Trump administration paused funding for projects autho­rized under the Inflation Reduction Act, threatening millions of jobs — many of which would have been for SMART members.
  • Congress passed, and the presi­dent signed into law, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. This law is esti­mated to give $1 trillion in tax cuts for the richest 1% in the country. It will likely cause more than 15 million people to lose health insurance. And it will lead to lost jobs for SMART members on clean energy projects that will no longer have funding.
  • The administration’s tariff policy caused chaos in the manufac­turing and construction industries. Uncertainty resulting from the tariffs helped lead to a steady decline in manufacturing jobs in 2025.

Executive orders and policies weakened workers’ rights across industries

  • Executive orders that threatened collective bargaining, moves that make it harder for government agencies to protect and empower workers, and the appointment of corporate-aligned officials — these approaches have made it harder for SMART members to stand up for themselves and make ends meet.
  • The president issued an executive order that eliminated more than one million federal workers’ right to collectively bargain, taking away their union contracts and representation with the stroke of his pen. SMART members working at U.S. Naval Shipyards were among the workers who were impacted.
  • The president fired the general counsel of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), Jennifer Abruzzo. Abruzzo had worked to strengthen unions and collective bargaining during her time at the NLRB. General President Michael Coleman called her a “champion” for SMART members.
  • The president’s nominee for NLRB general counsel was a lawyer at one of the largest union-busting law firms in the country.
  • The president revoked a “Good Jobs” executive order that promoted labor standards which benefited SMART members on projects with funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, CHIPS Act, Inflation Reduction Act and/or the American Rescue Plan Act. The previous executive order, rescinded by the president, had incentivized the use of project labor agreements, high-paying, prevailing wage jobs, and more.
  • The president picked the former leader of an anti-union orga­nization to lead the Office of Labor-Management Standards, an agency that oversees the financial disclosures of unions, employers and union-busting consultants.
  • The president fired a member of the NLRB for “disfavoring the interests of employers,” undermining the independence of a crucial agency for SMART members and making it so the board was unable to do key parts of its job for months.
  • The president issued an executive order on apprenticeships that does not require the federal govern­ment to consult with unions or labor-management partnerships, despite the key role unions like SMART play in registered appren­ticeship programs. This risks taking funding from the proven, high-road training programs that SMART members depend on.

Unfortunately, this is an incom­plete list of the governmental actions that negatively impact members and families.

SMART will continue our attempts to work with the federal government and urge them to change course. Our union will work with any politician, no matter their party, to benefit sheet metal and transportation workers.

Brothers and sisters,

As your general president, my mission is crystal clear. It is to fight for what matters: SMART members and their families. In any arena, by any means — organizing, negotiating or lobbying, whether we’re in union halls, state houses or our nations’ capitals. Fighting for members and fami­lies: That is this union’s North Star.

Here at the SMART International headquarters in Washington, DC, where your leadership and International staff take on that mission, we get to witness first-hand how the United States government works — or doesn’t work. These days, politics are known for divi­siveness and an inability to get things done.

But in January 2026, something unusual happened in Washington. Members of both political parties — 213 Democrats and 17 Republicans — came together to pass a law through the House of Representatives that benefits working Americans by extending Affordable Care Act subsidies. Without these subsidies, SMART members would see their health care costs go up as insurance companies shift the cost burden onto our strong benefit plans.

Unfortunately, this law made no progress in the United States Senate. But the House passage of this bill is still important. It’s proof that our issues aren’t Red or Blue — they’re just common sense. Both Republicans and Democrats recognized that these subsidies help hardworking Americans get the care they need.

Across the United States and Canada, the people who represent us in government have one job: to come together on the issues that matter to working people. We are the people who build and move our two nations. We are the workers who take on the hardest jobs, every single day of the year, to keep our societies running. In return, we deserve governments that stand with us, and for us, when it comes to our priorities.

SMART members and families don’t ask for much. We want good jobs, health care, a stable retirement. We want to be able to provide for ourselves and our families. And as union workers, our governments play a big role in our ability to do those things: to work, to stay safe on the job, to be able to help our loved ones and children stay secure, healthy and pursue their dreams. Whether it’s through rail safety laws or job-creating investments, the people we vote for have a direct impact on our everyday lives.

That’s why we will always work with any politician, no matter their political party, to pass laws that benefit members and their families. Because SMART members are our mission.

As you might already know, 2026 is an election year in the United States. SMART members and families can expect ads, emails and mailers from candidates and elected representatives through Election Day on November 3. You will hear promises from candidates about how they will stand with working Americans, not billionaires and elites. That’s when it will be more important than ever to stand together in solidarity, and pay attention to what candidates DO — not what they say. At the International, we work hard to track what candidates actually do to support SMART members, and we will make sure to communicate which candi­dates support us, regardless of their party. Because as your elected representatives, that is our obligation.

It is the greatest honor of my life to represent you and your families. That is my mission, it is SMART’s mission, and it is the work your union will continue to do every day.

In solidarity,

SMART General President Michael Coleman

As union workers, we have a lot to be proud of.

General President Michael Coleman says it all the time: SMART members are the people who build and move our two nations. Sheet metal workers and roofers across the United States and Canada help people stay safe, healthy and protected in schools, hospitals, apartment buildings and beyond. Railroaders keep our supply chain moving, transporting essential freight from coast to coast. Bus and transit operators bring parents to work, kids to school — and they bring people together.

That’s what SMART members do for our countries. And in return, we know what we deserve: a good, secure life for ourselves and our families.

That’s what SMART fights for, day in and day out. That’s what we stand for at the bargaining table, in the union hall and on the job. And it is the principle that guides our work here in Washington, DC. One word: Family.

As your general secretary-treasurer, my work spans a variety of different responsibilities. But ultimately, my role is simple. It’s my job to ensure that SMART has the resources and infrastructure, at every level, to fulfill General President Coleman’s vision of a union that fights — and wins — for members.

That means fortifying our foundation. We need to have solid ground to stand on.

Over the last couple years, SMART has taken concrete steps to better members’ lives. Under General President Coleman’s leadership, SMART has partnered with TOOTRiS to provide wraparound child care benefits to sheet metal members at participating U.S. local unions, taking on one of the biggest obstacles facing working people in the country. The general president has made member mental health a priority; that’s why SMART has expanded access to mental health support for members and their families with a new, 24/7 employee assistance program, Union EAP. We are investing in technology — developing tools that help us see around corners, leveraging our institutional knowledge, and providing resources like the Voyager system so local unions can serve members more efficiently and effectively.

On the Transportation Division side, General President Coleman and TD President Jeremy Ferguson are working in lockstep to fight for transportation workers nationwide. State safety and legislative boards won laws to protect members’ jobs and safety in Illinois, New Jersey and beyond. Members ratified national-level rail­road agreements to increase wages, enhance benefits and introduce new job protections — without concessions. Railroaders’ health care costs have remained stable, even as other working Americans face skyrocketing prices.

This is what it means when General President Coleman talks about “fighting for what matters.” These are the victories we can win for ourselves and our fami­lies when we have a strong foundation. And this is why it is so important for us to stay strong in the face of chal­lenges to our jobs, our benefits and our rights.

2025 tested us. Projects were canceled. Costs rose. Tariffs created uncertainty for both Canadian and American members. Families felt pressure. But here’s what I know about SMART members: When pressure builds, we don’t fracture. We reinforce.

That’s why unity isn’t optional. It is essential.

This year is an election year. That means white noise. Distractions. Endless commercials with competing voices telling working people what and who to fear. But our mission does not change with the headlines. Our focus is simple: Good jobs. Secure retirements. Safe workplaces. Strong families.

When we stay focused on that mission — when we remember who we fight for — we strengthen our foun­dation, no matter who occupies any office.

Our foundation is strong because it is built on solidarity. Our families are secure because we fight together. And our future is bright because SMART members never stop building — not just buildings and railways, but opportu­nity for the next generation.

In solidarity,

John Daniel
SMART General Secretary Treasurer

For decades, SMART-TD members have sounded the alarm about safety in our industry. Railroaders have warned about longer trains, shrinking crews and inspection shortcuts. Transit operators have voiced concerns about the growing violence they face simply for doing their jobs.

For too long, those voices were ignored.

Now the momentum is on OUR side.

Across Capitol Hill, lawmakers are introducing legislation that directly addresses the safety concerns our members have been raising for years. Bills like the Railway Safety Act and the Railroad Safety Enhancement Act aim to strengthen freight rail safety by addressing crew staffing, inspection standards and the risks posed by increasingly long trains. On the transit side, the RIDER Safety Act would help agencies deploy trained personnel to de-escalate conflicts and reduce assaults on operators, while the Bus Operator Safety and Security Act and the Passenger Rail Crew Protection Act would ensure stronger federal protec­tions for passenger rail crews and bus members that mirror the laws currently protecting airline crews.

These proposals represent pivotal steps forward for transportation safety reform.

But let me be clear about something.

These bills aren’t going to become law just because they make common sense. We owe it to ourselves to finish the job.

For years, railroads and transit agencies have tried to dominate the national conversation about safety. They have lobbyists, think tanks and industry groups working every day to shape the narrative in Washington.

But the true experts on transportation safety are not sitting in corporate boardrooms.

They are the men and women operating the trains and buses of this country every single day.

SMART-TD members have spent decades fighting to get a seat at the table in Washington. Thanks to the work of our National Safety and Legislative Department and our State Safety and Legislative Boards across the country, we finally have it.

But we cannot be so happy about getting our seat that we forget to order our meal.

Right now, unions have strong public support, and transportation worker safety has become a bipartisan issue. Lawmakers are listening.

But if they don’t hear from you, our message loses its power. Make no mistake: The lobbyists are more than happy to fill the void created by our silence.

When lawmakers hear directly from YOU, the workers experiencing this reality every day, it changes the conversation.

If you are tired of being told to do more with less while railroads invest in technology designed to replace you, this is your moment.

If you are tired of being hit, kicked, spit on and assaulted while doing your job as a transit operator, this is your moment.

The table is set in 2026.

Call your senators and representatives. Send emails. Write letters to the editor. Call into radio shows when our safety is being talked about. Speak up when these issues are discussed in your community.

The corporations have their public relations plans.

It’s time we disrupt them with the inconvenience of reality on the ground and the truth as only we know it.

SMART-TD has heard you.

Now Congress needs to hear you.

The moment is here.

Let’s not let it slip away. This fight isn’t coming. It is here. Your union needs you not to blink.

In solidarity,

Jeremy R. Ferguson
President, Transportation Division

I am pleased to share two exciting developments from our Canadian office that reflect both our growth and our continued commitment to supporting our members.

First, we are proud to announce the launch of our new Canadian Facebook page! This is an exciting step forward in how we connect and communicate with members across the country. Our page will serve as a space to highlight SMART Canada initiatives, showcase member stories, celebrate local successes and provide visibility into what the Canadian office and sister locals are accomplishing on the ground every day.

This platform is about representation, connection and pride. It’s a place where members can see the strength of SMART Canada in action, stay informed and celebrate the incredible work happening from coast to coast. We encourage you to follow, engage and share your stories with us by clicking here.

I’m equally excited to announce that SMART Canada is now offering a new benefit as part of our Health & Welfare package: a Financial Wellness Program through Enriched Academy.

We know that financial stress doesn’t just affect wallets; it also impacts health, well-being and overall happiness. With this new initiative, we are tackling these challenges head-on by providing education that can truly transform our members’ financial reality.

Through Enriched Academy, Canadian members will receive:

  • Exclusive access to expert financial guidance
  • Practical tools to manage and grow their finances
  • Interactive webinars and educational resources
  • Strategies to build confidence and long-term financial stability

This program is designed to give Canadian members the opportunity to redefine their financial future with knowledge and support tailored to their everyday needs. Reach out to your home local today for more informa­tion and to get signed up.

At the same time, we are encouraged to see continued support from the Canadian federal government for the unionized construction industry through major infrastructure investments. Equally important is the recognition that investing in projects must go hand in hand with investing in the skilled workforce needed to deliver them.

This commitment is reflected in new funding oppor­tunities under the Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy — Investments in Training Equipment program. This initiative is designed to help Red Seal trades modernize and upgrade the tools, equipment and technologies used in apprenticeship training, ensuring workers are fully prepared for today’s jobsite demands.

With the federal government covering up to 50% of eligible costs, this program offers a valuable opportu­nity to strengthen training capacity nationwide. We will actively promote this funding to our locals and encourage them to take full advantage by submitting proposals that enhance their training facilities and support the next generation of skilled tradespeople.

We are proud to continue expanding the value of our membership by investing in initiatives that strengthen both our union and our members’ well-being.

Stay connected, stay engaged, and as always, thank you for being part of SMART Canada.

In solidarity,

Jack Wall

Director of Canadian Affairs