Sheet Metal News
BE4ALL Town Hall brings leadership, nearly 200 members together in Seattle
The second-ever BE4ALL Town Hall — featuring General President Michael Coleman, SMACNA President Todd Hill and Funds Executive Director Michael Harris — brought nearly 200 SMART members and dozens of 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.
Federal judge dismisses criminal case against Kilmar Abrego Garcia — General President Coleman responds
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. Read SMART General President Michael Coleman's statement in response.
Generational growth and leadership drive success in Local 24
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.
SMART leaders train to strengthen the unionized sheet metal industry with organizing class
Nonunion contractors across North America stand ready to benefit from the union advantage — top-notch training, reliability and a skilled workforce. But whether it’s because they’re misinformed or just not aware of the union difference, these contractors have yet to partner with SMART. That’s what made the Education Department’s Top-Down Organizing class so important: Bringing together union leaders from across North America, the course focused on developing “top-down” organizing campaigns that target nonunion contractors.
WE Have the Power to Protect Jobs in Santa Cruz
5,500 more signatures are needed to protect Santa Cruz METRO funding, preserve more than 100 union jobs, and maintain critical transit services for working families. Read on to learn how SMART-TD members can help keep the campaign moving forward.
Recruitment and Retention Council meets in Pittsburgh to strengthen SMART
Pittsburgh welcomed SMART leaders, staff and members as the Recruitment and Retention Council kicked off the first day of the Three-Pack Attack — the three-day meeting of the Recruitment and Retention, Production and Sign, and Roofing and Building Enclosure Councils. From child care and worker protections to recruitment tools and workforce partnerships, the first day in Pittsburgh centered one shared goal: expanding opportunity for current and future SMART members.
San Diego transit workers build skills and solidarity through new SMART trainings
SMART Local 398 members from San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) and North County Transit District (NCTD) came together in February and April 2026 for two impactful rounds of training designed to educate, empower and build stronger connections within their workplace and across San Diego County transit employers.
Local 36 members rebuild roof of Missouri Historical Society Library and Research Center
For SMART sheet metal workers, union solidarity and union craftsmanship go hand-in-hand. SMART Local 36 proved that with its work to rebuild the roof of the Missouri Historical Society Library and Research Center.