Local 33 (Northern Ohio, West Virginia) has started 2026 with strong organizing momentum, signing six new contractors to date and continuing to grow the local’s market share across multiple districts. These victories are especially significant in West Virginia, where organizing success in a “right-to-work” state requires persistence, relationship-building and commitment from the local’s staff and potential new partners.
And while these wins are tough to achieve, they lead directly to more work opportunities and strengthened collective power for members and families.
One of Local 33’s biggest wins came early in the year in the Parkersburg District, where we signed RW Miller after nearly a year of organizing efforts, meetings and relationship-building. This success brought 17 new members into Local 33 and strengthened our position in the residential market throughout the region.
We also secured agreements with two additional residential contractors, adding seven new members at each company. One contractor was organized in the Charleston District and the other in the North Central District, further expanding Local 33’s union residential presence and creating new opportunities for members in both markets.
Another major milestone came from a long-term organizing effort. Back in 2022, Local 33 organized Wood Commercial and welcomed them into our union family. After experiencing the benefits of being a successful union contractor, the company made the decision to bring its residential company, Wood Heating and Air Conditioning, into Local 33 as a signatory contractor this year. This achievement demonstrates the value of our partnership with contractors and the strength of the union business model.
These organizing victories are helping Local 33 grow our membership, strengthen market share and create more opportunities for sheet metal workers throughout our jurisdiction. We look forward to building on this momentum throughout the rest of 2026.
The union difference isn’t just something that pays off in better pay, safer working conditions and stronger benefits for union members. Study after study shows that unions raise pay and living standards across entire regions, for both union and nonunion workers alike. When union density is high — when SMART signatory contractors have a greater share of the local market, for example — everyone benefits.
That’s why organizing is so important, and why SMART works constantly to bring signatory contractors into every state and province of North America. A recent victory in Vermont demonstrated how that work pays off in practice.
SMART Local 63 faced a critical challenge in the state when its only commercial HVAC signatory contractor closed following the passing of the owner. This left six building trades members without a place to work and created a gap in union market presence in a region already dominated by nonunion contractors.
Recognizing the urgency, Local 63 took immediate action. The local began reaching out to contractors and members to gauge interest in purchasing the company. While those efforts did not result in a sale, they helped identify broader opportunity in the region. With ongoing work tied to the University of Vermont, GlobalFoundries and multiple projects in Burlington, the demand for skilled, UNION labor remained strong.
Building a new path forward
Local 63 shifted its strategy toward bringing in an established signatory contractor. After meeting with John W. Danforth Company, a signatory contractor based out of Buffalo, New York, the local initiated discussions about entering the Vermont market. Local 63 committed to supporting Danforth by identifying and supplying qualified workers and demonstrating the value of establishing a presence in the area.
At the same time, Local 63 began advertising for workers, developing lists of potential new members and strengthening relationships with existing signatory partners, including GDS, a powder coating duct company. These efforts helped build a pipeline of vetted workers ready to support incoming work.
Securing work and expanding opportunities
Danforth soon secured a major retail and residential project in downtown Burlington, creating an immediate need for workers. Local 63 successfully supplied qualified workers to meet those demands, reinforcing confidence in the local’s ability to deliver — and putting members on the job.
With continued collaboration between Local 63, Danforth and GDS, efforts expanded to pursue additional work across the region. Danforth recognized both the available market and the local’s proactive efforts in securing projects and workforce.
Establishing a union presence
Following several successful engagements, Danforth made the decision to open a shop in the Burlington area, marking a significant milestone for Local 63. A grand opening event introduced the company to the local market and signaled a renewed union presence in the region.
In addition, Local 63 worked with Danforth to establish a new collective bargaining agreement tailored to Vermont, ensuring union contractors could remain competitive with open shop competition.
Measurable growth and long-term impact
In just six months, Local 63 transformed a challenging situation — one that left members without work and a region without reliable union contractors — into a major organizing success:
Grew from six members without a contractor to approximately 18 active workers
Secured two active signatory shops in the region
Established ongoing work across Burlington, GlobalFoundries and the University of Vermont
Created a competitive framework for future union growth in the state
This success demonstrates the power of strategic partnerships, proactive organizing and workforce development. By identifying opportunity within a crisis and working collaboratively with contractors, Local 63 was able to rebuild its presence, expand opportunities for its members and reintroduce union competition into a previously open shop-dominated market.
Local 63’s efforts stand as a strong example of how organizing and contractor engagement can drive meaningful growth and long-term success: benefiting a local community, a signatory contractor, SMART members and Burlington families.
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., leftDylan 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!
Good partnerships in the union sheet metal industry don’t happen by accident. They’re built the same way anything worth a damn is built: with time, trust and hard work.
That’s exactly how things got rolling between Local 12 (Pittsburgh, Pa.) and Avalotis Corporation.
Back on October 14, 2025, Local 12 Business Manager Geoff Foringer connected the local with Chris Avalotis, owner of Avalotis Corp. Chris isn’t new to the skilled trades, and he knew what he was looking for. Avalotis Corp started as a family painting business more almost 60 years ago, in 1967. In the decades since, the company has grown into a multi-trade operation, taking on jobs across the country.
During the conversation with Foringer, Chris made it clear what he needed: skilled workers who could deliver on architectural work at a higher level. While his company was already performing that work, he saw something different in what Local 12 brings to the table.
About a week after the first meeting between Avalotis and Local 12, the conversation moved from the phone to the field.
On October 23, Foringer and Local 12’s Chris Weist sat down with Avalotis reps to talk shop — what Local 12 can do, where the local fits, and how SMART can help Avalotis get the job done right. The focus was simple: show the company the value of trained, union sheet metal workers when it comes to architectural applications.
The foundation was set for the potential partnership to grow.
“During this meeting, we outlined how Local 12 could serve as a strategic partner and addressed questions regarding our capabilities,” said Weist. “Avalotis expressed strong interest and requested a follow-up visit to tour the training center and learn more about our programs. Plans were made to prepare a contract in anticipation of that visit, with the goal of executing it at that time.”
Of course, like any job, there were a few starts and stops.
On November 11, 2025, Chris reached out to say they’d reconnect after Thanksgiving. That was no problem for Local 12. The lines stayed open: calls, emails and steady communication, “allowing both parties to further develop the relationship and build mutual trust between Local 12 and Avalotis Corporation,” Weist said.
That’s how trust gets built in this business.
Fast forward to March 9, 2026. Business Agent Joe Schueler and Weist met with Chris and Art Avalotis for a full facility tour and to talk next steps. What came out of that meeting was big:
Avalotis is working nationwide
They’re planning to partner with SMART sheet metal locals across multiple regions
They’re actively looking to bring in more union workers
And it wasn’t just talk. The company is already looking to put Local 12 members to work, starting with a roofing project in Aliquippa, said Weist. On top of that, the company is feeling good about landing insulation and lagging work at a huge project near Homer City, which could mean even more opportunities for SMART sheet metal workers.
All the groundwork paid off on April 6, 2026. Art Avalotis sat down with Foringer and Business Agents Schueler, Dave Boyd and Kodee Bailey to make it official, signing the contract with Local 12.
With ink on paper, the conversation shifted to where it belongs: putting members to work.
Plans are already underway to staff upcoming projects, both locally and nationwide, getting Local 12 members on the job and expanding opportunities across the board. That means:
More job opportunities
Travel work potential
Stronger union presence across multiple jobsites
Work that matches our training and skill level
When contractors recognize the value of union labor, everybody wins. And this partnership? It’s just getting started.
Construction is booming in the American Southwest, with current and upcoming projects popping up steadily in New Mexico and Texas. Thanks to the proactive work of SMART International staff and Local 49, union sheet metal workers and local community members are set to benefit.
“Over the past several months, we have focused on proactively identifying and positioning Local 49 ahead of upcoming work opportunities across the Lubbock and Amarillo, Texas, and New Mexico markets,” said SMART International Organizer Willy Solorzano. “Working alongside Local 49 officers Erick Corona and Roy Privitt, we have taken a coordinated approach to tracking megaprojects, conducting site visits and gathering accurate, real-time information to stay ahead of workforce demands.”
A project in Childress, Texas
Megaprojects create enormous opportunity for SMART sheet metal workers, but they can also present challenges for local unions and signatory contractors. To meet those challenges, staff have been out in the field, maintaining consistent communication to identify projects in early stages, monitor those projects’ progress and prepare accordingly. This has helped SMART stay organized, maintain up-to-date project tracking and stay ready for any upcoming opportunities.
“As a result of this approach, Local 49 staff has successfully met workforce needs on current projects without issues. All workforce requests have been filled in a timely manner, and work continues to move forward smoothly with no disruptions,” said Solorzano. “The ability to anticipate demands and maintain a ready workforce has played a key role in this success.”
What that means in practice: Local 49 members are taking on the existing work that these projects demand, and the local is positioning itself for growth — and more job opportunities — in the future. That is why we organize!
SMART membership changes lives — not just for members, but for entire families. Local 399 (South Carolina) member Fabian Campos is a powerful example.
Fabian Campos, right, with his son, a Local 399 apprentice
On May 30, 2025, Brother Campos walked into the SMART Local 399 office to complete an application and interview. At the time, he was nearing the end of a nonunion apprenticeship program in Columbia, South Carolina. Despite having several years of verified experience — including time as a jobsite superintendent in New York — Campos had been placed into an apprenticeship program that did not reflect his skill level.
Like many hardworking Americans nationwide, he accepted this situation out of necessity, determined to support his family even as he earned wages that fell short of meeting their needs.
The unfairness of the situation brought him to the local, where during his interview, it quickly became clear that Campos’s experience and capabilities aligned with the qualifications of a journeyperson. We discussed the opportunities available through SMART Local 399 not only for Fabian but also for his son — including fair wages, comprehensive benefits and a clear pathway for advancement.
The realization of the union difference made an immediate and profound impact. Overcome with emotion, Fabian expressed deep gratitude, recognizing that this opportunity represented a turning point for his family.
Since joining Local 399, Brother Campos has excelled. He is now serving as a foreman on one of our largest projects, demonstrating leadership, skill and professionalism on the jobsite. His son has also joined the apprenticeship program and is actively building his own future within the trade.
Fabian has fully embraced union membership, going above and beyond to give back. He volunteers his time to help organize, teach, translate and mentor others. He has enrolled in every available training class and consistently attends union meetings, embodying SMART’s values of commitment and brother/sisterhood.
Brother Campos’s story is a testament to the life-changing impact of opportunity, fairness and solidarity; in other words, the impact of union membership. Through SMART Local 399, one family’s future has been transformed, and a new leader has emerged to help uplift others.
SMART membership changes lives for:
Members
Families
Communities
Through the power of collectively bargained pay, benefits and apprenticeship programs that provide pathways into middle-class careers.
Back in spring 2025, SMART Local 435 and organized labor announced a landmark victory in Jacksonville, Florida. Thanks to the unrelenting advocacy of Local 435 and the North Florida Building and Construction Trades Council, in a campaign led by Business Manager Lance Fout, the $1.4 billion Jacksonville Jaguars stadium renovation project included mandatory apprenticeship and local hiring requirements for the stadium and future city-funded developments.
“This is a first in Jacksonville, and hopefully a trend we can continue,” Fout said at the time.
Lance Fout, Local 435 and building trades workers lobbied for pro-worker provisions on the new Jaguars stadium.
Members mobilize in support of local careers
The campaign started when the stadium project was first announced. Fout, Local 435 and the building trades maintained a constant presence in the halls of power, working to ensure public investment by the city of Jacksonville benefited the local community. Together with fellow union building trades workers, Fout and Local 435 held several rallies, urging the city council to include apprenticeship and local hire requirements in the stadium deal, and turned out more than 100 union members to attend a town hall meeting with Mayor Deegan and Jaguars President Mark Lamping. Members continued to mobilize for future meetings.
This visible show of solidarity and direct engagement with city officials successfully moved the needle from simple interest to legislative action, with the inclusion of the apprenticeship and local hire requirements in the final stadium deal.
But the work didn’t stop there. To implement those requirements, Local 435 led the charge in securing a commitment for up to $675,000 in funding to support union apprenticeship programs in Jacksonville. These robust training programs do more than staff a jobsite; they will transform temporary construction roles into decades-long, middle-class careers for the residents of Duval County.
Construction of the stadium has since started, with union sheet metal contractors already awarded the critical HVAC ductwork and exterior architectural applications. Now, as the project scales toward its 2027 peak intensity and 2028 completion, it serves as a blueprint for how organized labor can secure the future of cities across the United States. Enormous projects can work for the communities in which those projects are built — as long as they create good, well-paying jobs for local community members.
Fout put it simply when he testified to the Jacksonville City Council: “When we drive by these major projects, we want to see Duval County license plates. Apprenticeship changes lives.”
Thanks to the work of Local 435 and the North Florida labor movement, union apprenticeships will change more and more lives in the county as the “Stadium of the Future” comes to fruition.
Great work, brothers and sisters!
Success Summary:
Policy Victory: Established mandatory apprenticeship and local hiring requirements for city-funded projects.
Training Investment: Secured a commitment for up to $675,000 to expand and support union apprenticeship programs in Jacksonville.
Collective Mobilization: Maintained a consistent presence of 50+ building trades members (primarily Local 435) at public meetings.
Secured Work Scope: Union contractors officially awarded the HVAC ductwork and exterior architectural metal contracts.
Project Timeline: Construction is underway, peaking in 2027 with a scheduled completion in 2028.
Strong relationships between unions and signatory contractors are the foundation of a thriving industry. When contractors and labor work together, the result is safer jobsites, stronger training and better long-term opportunities for workers and businesses alike.
In Colorado, the recent, pioneering partnership between Midtown Chimney Sweeps and SMART Local 9 demonstrates how collaboration, professionalism and high-quality union training can open new doors for local unions, employers, Coloradans and entire industries. Maintenance of metal chimney flues and end caps in Colorado will now be performed by Local 9 members!
“As the owner of the first chimney and fireplace company in the United States to join a national sheet metal workers union, I am proud to share my experience with Local 9 and the transformative impact it has had on my business,” said Byron Schramm, member-owner of Midtown Chimney Sweeps.
Schramm (far left) signs with Local 9
A contractor looking for a better path
In July 2025, Schramm visited the Local 9 union hall looking for solutions.
Like many contractors across the country, Schramm was facing a challenge that has become increasingly common in the trades: finding qualified workers with the training, professionalism and long-term commitment needed to meet the demands of his industry.
Schramm’s interest in raising the standards of his industry had been developing for some time.
“This journey began during my seven-month tour of Europe, where I witnessed the unparalleled excellence in craftsmanship among German, Swiss, and Austrian chimney professionals,” he said. “Their dedication to precision, skill and quality left an indelible mark on me, inspiring a vision for elevating standards back home.”
Upon returning to the United States, Schramm aimed to pursue that vision, but he ran up against obstacles.
“I faced the familiar challenges of our industry: hiring inexperienced workers from outside the building trades, investing time and resources in their training, only to see many drift away and start their own businesses,” he explained. “This cycle made it nearly impossible to scale or grow sustainably. The constant turnover eroded work quality, placed immense stress on me as the owner, and undermined our commitment to delivering exceptional service in an industry where precision is paramount.”
The SMART union advantage
Schramm had previously spoken with representatives from another union about their training program but felt it did not meet the specific workforce needs of his business. During those conversations, he was encouraged to reach out to SMART and was given the name of Chaz Tedesco, Local 9’s political director and organizer. Contacting SMART made sense: Schramm was seeking skilled tradespeople to work on the chimney’s flue and end cap, both of which are made of metal.
Schramm, pictured in Wigan, England
After making the connection, Tedesco, along with Business Agent Lon Comstock, welcomed Schramm to the union hall. They provided a tour of the facility and introduced Schramm to the structure and depth of SMART’s training programs. The conversation quickly expanded beyond workforce needs and into the broader benefits of becoming a signatory contractor — access to highly trained workers, structured apprenticeship programs, safety standards and a professional workforce committed to craftsmanship.
As discussions continued, Schramm and members of his staff returned to the hall for additional meetings and a deeper look at the local’s training program. During this process, they met Andy Gilliland, state director of the Colorado Sheet Metal Workers Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC), and Reed Ausmus, Denver training coordinator.
For Gilliland, Schramm and Midtown Chimney Sweeps represented a unique opportunity.
“During the campaign, I was asked whether the Colorado Sheet Metal Workers Apprenticeship could provide training for this industry,” Gilliland explained. “I’ve been involved in many organizing efforts, and most fit easily into our existing training format. Midtown Chimney Service, however, presented a unique opportunity to build new pathways within our program.”
While much of the needed instructional material already existed within the broader sheet metal curriculum, the specialized nature of chimney and fireplace metal work required adaptation.
Gilliland and the training team began restructuring portions of the curriculum to ensure apprentices and journeypersons would receive the same level of rigorous instruction and craftsmanship expected across the trade — while also meeting the technical needs of this specialized industry.
“My role included shaping curriculum, aligning standards and ensuring our apprenticeship could support this sector with the same rigor and excellence we apply across the trade,” Gilliland said.
Schramm’s involvement played a critical part in that process. By sharing industry knowledge and equipment, he helped bridge the gap between a traditional craft and modern union apprenticeship training.
“Working on this project has been energizing and deeply rewarding,” Gilliland said. “Having a business owner like Byron has been critical. He has provided an incredible amount of information, insight, and support throughout the process.”
Schramm has also supported training by supplying industry-specific training devices and helping the program collaborate with Germany’s national chimney training system — bringing international expertise into the development of the curriculum.
Schramm in Stuttgart, Germany
A historic agreement
The collaboration between Midtown and Local 9 required a significant effort. Because chimney sweep and fireplace service work had never previously been covered under a Local 9 agreement — or any other union — there was no contract template available from another local.
Union leadership and Midtown Chimney Sweeps worked together to carefully review contract language and build an agreement that maintained union standards while allowing the company to successfully transition into signatory status.
“As the owner of the first chimney and fireplace company in the United States to join a national sheet metal workers union, I am proud to share my experience with Local 9 and the transformative impact it has had on my business,” said Byron Schramm, owner of Midtown Chimney Sweeps.
On September 23, 2025, Midtown Chimney Sweeps officially signed a collective bargaining agreement with SMART Local 9, with the contract taking effect on October 1, 2025. Shortly after, all of Midtown’s existing employees were signed up and participated in an orientation program introducing them to the union, its standards and the opportunities available through training and career advancement.
Schramm also joined as an owner-member, further demonstrating his commitment to the partnership and to building a stronger workforce within his company.
The value of union skill and professionalism
For Schramm, the difference in workforce quality became clear almost immediately.
“The journeymen provided by Local 9 demonstrated a level of professionalism and expertise I’ve rarely encountered,” he said.
He recalls one moment in particular that illustrated the union difference.
“I was working alongside a journeyman named Eric on a fresh air kit installation. When I asked him to cut a 4-inch round hole for the pipe, he asked what exact size was needed, explaining that it couldn’t be ‘size on size’ — a trade term meaning the hole must account for the pipe’s physical dimensions, plus a margin for error.”
The solution was simple but telling, Schramm explained.
“We opted for a 4.5-inch hole saw to accommodate the 4.25-inch pipe, a small adjustment that enhanced my own training methods and ensured a flawless fit.”
Later that same day, Schramm witnessed another example of the craftsmanship that comes with union training.
“We moved to the roof to install flashing on a metal surface. [Eric] pulled out a spoon to apply silicone sealant, creating a perfectly smooth, professional seal that was nothing short of remarkable.”
Growing the partnership
The initial contract was designed to meet Midtown’s existing wage structure during the contractor’s transition into the union. Because the company was new to SMART, the agreement initially did not include a journeyperson pay scale, with the highest rate set at approximately 70 percent of Local 9’s standard scale.
However, as Schramm experienced firsthand the value of union craftsmanship, his perspective quickly evolved. After seeing the skill and efficiency that Local 9 journeypersons brought to the jobsite, he requested a modification to the agreement to include a full journeyperson rate within the contract.
Today, that rate has been added, and Midtown Chimney Sweeps now pays that scale to qualified workers. Schramm is also considering adding a foreman position to help manage operations and allow him to focus more on growing the business.
The partnership has already created new opportunities for members of Local 9, Gilliland noted. Journeypersons and apprentices now have the opportunity to work within a specialized segment of the trade while maintaining the quality and standards that define union craftsmanship. The effort has also expanded the apprenticeship program itself by introducing new curriculum, hands-on equipment and even international collaboration.
A team effort, a bright future
Union leadership views the Midtown agreement as a significant milestone.
Jon Alvino, Local 9 business manager, emphasized the teamwork required to make the partnership possible.
“This agreement with Midtown Chimney Sweeps marks a groundbreaking moment for SMART Local 9 as we welcome the first signatory chimney sweep shop into our union family,” Alvino said. “I’m incredibly proud of the collaboration that made this possible — our organizing department, led by Don Perkins, alongside Chaz Tedesco and Jon Davis, working seamlessly with our business representatives Lon Comstock and Ian Fick, as well as our apprenticeship training center, to navigate every detail. This is exactly what teamwork looks like, and I’m excited about the strong future we will build together with Midtown.”
Gilliland believes the partnership represents something even greater. By combining a traditional craft with modern apprenticeship training, Midtown Chimney Sweeps and SMART Local 9 are building a model that could be replicated in other markets. The success of the partnership has already sparked interest from other contractors and demonstrated that union standards can adapt to support new sectors of the industry.
With continued collaboration between labor, contractors and the apprenticeship program, this effort is helping expand opportunities for members while strengthening the future of the trade.
At its core, the Midtown partnership reinforces a fundamental truth of the union building trades: high-quality training, skilled craftsmanship and strong contractor relationships are the keys to raising standards and building the workforce our industries depend on.
And for Schramm, the partnership has already proven transformative.
“Joining the union has not only stabilized my workforce but also reignited my passion for the trade by fostering an environment of excellence,” he said. “I encourage other business owners in our field to consider this path — it’s a game-changer for building a stronger, more resilient industry.”
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.
The patience and persistence of SMART union organizers is set to pay off for both workers and a new signatory contractor in New Jersey.
About three years ago, the Local 27 (Southern New Jersey) Organizing Department began to connect with a small but growing duct cleaning contractor called Induct Air Duct Cleaning. What started as a simple cold-call visit gradually turned into meaningful conversations, with organizers stopping by the shop periodically to discuss how Local 27 might be able to provide expanded opportunities for the company’s success and growth, always leaving the door open for the next meeting and further discussion.
Pictured: George A. Nowatcki, Local 27 organizer, and company owner Boota S. Kharoudh. Not pictured: Greg Goble, Local 27 organizer.
Over time, those brief discussions turned into meaningful dialogue with the company’s owner. As trust slowly developed, the conversations moved from quick visits at the shop door to scheduled sit-down meetings where the organizers and the owner could talk more openly about the future of the company and the benefits of becoming a union contractor.
The local took a slow and steady approach. During several meetings over the years, organizers focused on building a relationship rather than forcing a quick decision. They explained how becoming signatory could provide access to a skilled workforce, training resources and long-term stability in a growing industry sector. The owner listened carefully, asking questions about how the agreement would work and what it would mean for his business.
Eventually, the outreach paid off. The company agreed to move forward, making Induct Air Duct Cleaning the first duct cleaning contractor to become signatory with Local 27.
What began as simple walk-ins and persistence ultimately turned into a successful organizing effort — one that expanded the local’s reach into a specialized part of the HVAC industry and set a precedent for future organizing in the duct cleaning sector. Now, both Induct and its workers are set to benefit for the years to come.
