New York City, one of the most famous metropolises of the world, is built, moved and powered by union members. And in New York and New Jersey, SMART Local 137 and Local 28 are working constantly to create more opportunities for union members, expand the number of unionized contractors performing work in the region, and help workers experience the difference in pay, benefits and quality of life that comes from SMART membership.
One recent success came after a Local 137 member alerted Organizer Robert Soto that a non-signatory contractor planned to perform overnight work at the HELIX project at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey — a three-building complex that promised plenty of work for SMART sign workers. Acting quickly, Soto responded to the project, resulting in hundreds of work hours being secured for Local 137 members while also opening productive discussions with the contractor regarding future opportunities to put SMART members to work throughout Northern New Jersey.
Local 137 has also continued its long-term strategic campaign to bring CAD Signs, one of the region’s largest nonunion sign contractors, into SMART. While maintaining discussions with company leadership, the local simultaneously strengthened its signatory contractor base by assisting AMA Signs in establishing a New Jersey operation and recruiting experienced employees from CAD. To date, 6 of AMA’s 12 journey-level workers and apprentices at the New Jersey location are former CAD employees, with additional workers continuing to transition to the union contractor.
Another organizing opportunity developed when contractor Signarama contacted Local 137 regarding work at a shopping mall covered by a labor harmony agreement. Rather than risk labor issues, the contractor agreed to subcontract the project to a Local 137 signatory contractor. In the short term, that meant more work opportunities for SMART members. In the long term, the successful collaboration has already generated additional subcontracting opportunities, and discussions continue regarding the company signing a Local 137 agreement.
The organizing momentum continued across the region as SMART Local 28 successfully signed Sahara Construction Corp. as a union contractor. The agreement brought nine new members into Local 28 and further strengthened the local’s contractor network throughout New York City.
Together, these victories demonstrate that successful organizing rarely relies on a single tactic. Through strategic job actions, targeted workforce development, relationship building, contractor assistance and sustained organizing discussions with management, SMART Locals 137 and 28 continue expanding the share of work performed by members in the region and creating new opportunities for workers.
