SMART 100 Summer 2022 Newsletter

A Word from Your Business Manager

Bigelow: Finding Meaning in Membership

First!

BEYOND 100

News Affecting Our Union and Trade

ANNOUNCEMENTS

In Memoriam

1OO UPDATES Stay Connected 15

ABOUT SMART LOCAL 100

Sheet Metal Air Rail & Transportation Local 100 provides top-quality advocacy, support, and employment services for skilled sheet metal workers in the Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Cumberland, Richmond, Roanoke, and Norfolk regions. We care about quality construction because we live in the communities where we build. From drawing boards to grand openings, our members are true partners in the growth of our communities while receiving best-in-class wages and benefits.

We ensure fair wages, job safety, quality health care, pensions, training, and more to support each generation of skilled sheet metal workers.

A WORD F ROM YOUR BUSINESS MANAGER

BROTHERS AND SISTERS,

Welcome to our third quarterly newsletter, and thank you for entrusting me with a third term as your Business Manager. Nearly 1,000 of you participated in the SMART 100 General Election this June — a strong showing by any measure, and a sign of the energy within our union and the great deal of trust its members have in their elected leaders.

Over the past two terms, we’ve improved Local 100’s general fund, grown our membership, expanded our apprenticeship program, and worked hard to make sure our union serves the best interests of ourselves and our families.

I’m proud of SMART Local 100 and the things we’ve accomplished together.

I also want to congratulate my brothers — Thomas Killeen, Michael Noble, Michael Mahar, Dane Watts, Brian Diehl, Derrick Aikens, and Gregory Brakeall — on their elections.

I’m excited to get back to work with all of you.

As your Business Manager, I’m thankful and humbled by your support, and I’m ready to carry the energy we saw in this election into a new term. I believe that, as members of this local and of the labor movement, we derive our energy from organizing. It’s our lifeblood, coursing through all that we do within the Local and on the shop floor. The day we stop organizing is the day we die.

Organizing comes in different forms, but it fundamentally comes down to building a network of personal connections with your fellow workers. It’s the same practice whether you’re talking to a young person looking to join the trades, telling a sheet metal worker about the great benefits of being in the union, or getting one of your brothers or sisters in the union more involved. In the end, it’s all organizing.

It may not always be easy, but the act of organizing is simple. It’s relationship-building, first between you and your fellow worker, then between the worker and the larger union family. Any of us who has had relationships and family know that they aren’t always easy; we’re all people and come with our imperfections. But no matter how strained relationships can be or how tense some moments

can become, almost none of us would say that we would be better off without our friends and family. The same is true for our union family; we know we’re better off together.

Organizing is what keeps us together and keeps us growing. Organizing new shops and taking on new employers as signatories with the union grows our market share. Bringing in new, young people as apprentices builds a pipeline of talent to continue our tradition of excellence in tradesmanship. Motivating members to become more involved in the Local increases morale, builds camaraderie among our members, and contributes to the overall health of our organization.

I want to close by thanking each and every one of you. For being a member, for voting, for organizing, and for making our union strong. I have no doubt that, as long as we continue to organize, our future will be bright.

In solidarity,

Richard LaBille III Business Manager SMART 100

Washington, D.C. • Baltimore • Cumberland • Roanoke • Norfolk • Richmond

Special Report

2022 ELECTION RESULTS

On June 24, 2022, SMART Local 100 held its general election.

The June 2022 elections saw strong turnout among Local 100 membership. After two consecutive terms of growth in membership, apprenticeship, and financial stability across union funds, Business Manager Richie LaBille III was reelected for a third term.

BELOW ARE THE FULL ELECTION RESULTS.

BUSINESS MANAGER / PRESIDENT: Richard ‘Richie’ LaBille III (702)* Edward T. Whalen (183) Donald L. Voyzey, Jr. (55)

WASHINGTON D.C. BUSINESS AGENT: Thomas M. Killeen (596)* Michael G. Noble (534)* Michael S. Mahar (524)* Ronald L. Phillips (241) Luis G. Mejia (156)

BALTIMORE BUSINESS AGENT: Dane A. Watts (506)* Jeffrey L. McCubbin (233) Robert E. Santiago, Sr. (128)

CUMBERLAND BUSINESS AGENT: Brian W. Diehl (652)* Harry E. Riggleman, Jr. (202)

BALTIMORE EXECUTIVE BOARD: Derrick A. Aikens, II (601)* Steven F. Castle (258)

CUMBERLAND EXECUTIVE BOARD: Gregory A. Brakeall (553)* Paul R. Chaney (300)

Latauna Bigelow

FINDING MEANING IN MEMBERSHIP

For Latauna Bigelow, a union job in sheet metal working was not promised. In 1996, Latauna was incarcerated, with no prospects and no vision for what life could be on the other side of her sentence. While serving her time, however, Latauna developed an interest in the trades. “At first, I tried a little bit of everything,” says Latauna. “After trying plumbing and a few other trades, I found HVAC, and I was hooked. I like working the sheet metal, figuring out the duct work. After a couple of years, I learned enough that I started tutoring some of the other women I was serving with while I was still a student, myself.”

Once released, Latauna knew she wanted to build a future for herself in the trades. “I connected with someone I knew who told me I needed to sign with a union,” she remembers. “I knew I loved working with sheet metal and doing HVAC, so joining the sheet metal workers was just the right choice.”

Soon thereafter, Latauna joined SMART Local 100’s fouryear apprenticeship program. She recalls that time going by easily. “Everyone at the union was just so helpful. They were all invested in my success. No one hesitated to give me a hand or show me the way.”

Since then, Latauna’s career path has been rising steadily. “I first went to CMC Sheet Metal to start my job. Before I knew it, I was at NASA, installing plenum boxes on their building in Greenbelt.” Today, she considers herself a jack of all trades, always ready for whatever comes her way. “Right now, I’m doing a lot of what we call ‘knock knock,’ getting ductwork ready for installation. I love it,” she says. In addition to her work on the job, Latauna also is an active member in her union. “I’m a shop steward where I work,”

she explains. “Officially, that means I’m like a go-between, listening to concerns that union members have on the job and seeing what things we can handle right then and there, and what things we need to bring to the main union office. A lot of the time, though, I’m a listening ear. When things on the job get hard, sometimes I’m the person other workers can come to and know that I’ll listen.”

At the union hall, Latauna has another important role: conductor warden, attending all meetings and ensuring all members’ dues are in order. Although she holds two positions in the union on top of her job, Latauna finds the work rewarding. “I just love being part of this family,” she repeats time and again.

As a woman in the trades, Latauna often finds herself in male-dominated environments, but to her, that hasn’t been an obstacle. In fact, she’s found her experience in the trades positive ever since she started. Still, there have been occasional challenges. “Once in a while, you meet a guy at work who just doesn’t like you, just doesn’t want you there working with the guys. But I think of interactions like that as personal problems, and I try to resolve those by talking one-on-one with the guy having the problem.” Asked about being a woman in the union, Latauna offers a slightly different answer. “In the union, that’s not an issue. We know we’re in this together.”

For Latauna, the union has become a source of support, focus, and strength. “Being a part of the union has been wonderful, not just for my career, but for my life,” she notes. “I used to not know what I wanted to do with my life. I was in trouble and I ended up incarcerated. After being an

apprentice, and now being a journeyman and active union member, I have a whole new life. I can buy a house and a car, and I can take care of my mom. It’s not just that. Being involved in our union has given me a sense of purpose.”

The future looks bright for this fellow SMART 100 member, who’s already thinking about what she wants to do next in her career and in the union. “Even when my body’s too tired to swing a hammer, I’ll still be here,” she says. Indeed, Latauna already is planning to teach after she retires. “I want to be able to pay it forward, pass along the gifts that my instructors gave to me, and help train the future of our trade.”

you can call the union and make sure that your concerns are heard. For me, the union has been a source of support. Whenever I need to talk, there’s someone there.”

“Having a union means good jobs, good benefits, being able to take care of yourself and your family,” says Latauna. “When you’re on the job and you need somewhere to turn, I want to be able to pay it forward, pass along the gifts that my instructors gave to me, and help train the future of our trade.”

From the SMART Newsroom:

“On June 9, 2022, 3M Fall Protection announced a stop use/recall of specific 3M™ DBI-SALA® ShockWave™2 Arc Flash Shock Absorbing Lanyards. 3M determined that, for a limited number of devices, a potential manufacturing issue could result in the lanyard not performing properly in the event of a fall, which could result in severe injury or death. There have been no reports of injuries, accidents, or complaints associated with this issue.

At this time, users/owners of affected lanyards can choose to receive either a free new replacement unit (when available) or a cash option. Visit the recall website at shockwaverecall.com to read the detailed recall notice, view a list of affected part numbers and file a claim for any affected lanyards you own.”

Source: Smart-Union.org/News

Visit the recall website at shockwaverecall.com to read the detailed recall notice, view a list of affected part numbers, and file a claim for any affected lanyards you own.

Beyond

NEWS AFFECTING OUR UNION AND OUR TRADE

REMEMBERING FORMER VP ROBERT EARLEY

Former SMART Vice President Robert “Bob” W. Earley passed away near his home in western New York State on June 7. Earley, who served SMART’s membership for decades before his retirement in 1999, started as a member of Local 610, Railroad Division, in Baltimore.

Beginning his railroad career in 1963 with B&O Railroad, Earley became an active member of the United Transportation Union, eventually becoming secretary of the B&O General Committee in 1981. During his career, Earley studied at Cornell University’s Railroad Labor Studies and the George Meany Center for Computer Studies and Labor Relations. Earley stayed active with his union even following his retirement as a member of the SMART-TD Alumni Association.

On June 24, in response to the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health, which overturned fifty years of precedent set by Roe v. Wade, SMART issued the following statement:

“Today’s decision by the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade is yet another attack on the freedoms of working Americans by unelected extremist justices. The right to make our own choices about our bodies — and, consequently, our jobs — is fundamental in this country.

“These justices will not stop at reproductive rights — these extremists will attempt to dismantle all labor rights. SMART remains committed to fighting back to ensure our members and all American workers are fully guaranteed their right to privacy, economic justice and to make their own healthcare decisions.”

SMART’S STATEMENT ON THE SUPREME COURT’S OVERTURNING OF ROE V. WADE

12 UNIONS DEMAND ARBITRATION FOR 140,000 WORKERS

The dozen unions that represent 140,000 Class 1 freight rail workers are calling on the National Mediation Board (NMB) to order binding arbitration for the two sides to reach a new contract. This comes after two years of unproductive negotiations. The Transportation Division of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers (SMART–TD) is part of the dozen unions pushing for arbitration. The Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees Division and SMART Mechanical Unions also are bargaining as a coalition. The letter to the NMB was first was released by Railroad Workers United, a grassroots network of workers from across the rail sector. The workers in RWU describe themselves as “an inter-union, cross-craft solidarity ‘caucus’ of railroad workers from all crafts, all carriers, and all unions across North America.” They regularly post news and updates to Twitter under the handle @railroadworkers. More on this story is available from the St. Louis/ Southern Illinois Labor Tribune at LaborTribune.com/ Rail-Unions-Demand-Arbitration-For-140000

VICTORY FOR SHEET METAL WORKERS IN NEW YORK STATE

In western New York State, our brothers and sisters at SMART Local 112 have reached a three-year agreement with Dawson Metal. The new agreement increases pay and benefits for workers at the 76-year-old company, which produces metal fabrications and architectural products for clients in the United States and abroad.

This story reported by the Post Journal, Jamestown, NY.

YOU’RE EITHER AT THE TABLE, OR YOU’RE ON THE MENU

On episode 21 of SMART’s podcast, Talking Smart, the crew sits down with Matt Cherry, a Local 33 sheet metal member from Toledo, Ohio, who serves as the president of the Toledo City Council. They discuss the importance of the support Matt received from the local labor community, including more than 50 union members who helped with door-knocking during his successful campaign for city council.

They also are joined by Dan O’Connell, a long-time member of the SMART Transportation Division who served as New Jersey State Legislative Director for 20 years and as the Delran Councilman and Burlington County freeholder. The guests and host agree: It’s one thing to vote, lobby, and write to elected officials, but it’s another altogether to be in an elected position and make decisions that affect our jobs, families, and communities. Dan underscored the importance of having regular working people in elected positions: “You’re either at the table, or you’re on the menu.”

Listen at TalkingSmart.podbean.com or at Smart-Union.org/Talking-Smart.

SCAN HERE TO LISTEN TO THE TALKING SMART PODCAST!

In Memoriam

Brother William Adams

Brother Charles Boyd

Brother Henry Ingle, Jr.

Brother Lee King, Sr.

Brother Carl Knighten

Brother Joseph Mattia, III

Brother Ronald Ranere

Brother Joseph Rison

Brother Joshua Schweit

Brother James Simmons

Brother James Trivette

Brother John Whelan

Stay Connected

Did you know that SMART Local 100 has a brand new Twitter and Facebook? It’s a great way to stay connected with the latest from your union!

Don’t miss a single update. Head to Smart100.org/signup now to update your contact information.

We’re excited to unveil our new website, www.SMART100.org, rebuilt to service our members’ needs. From benefits to reps to apprenticeships and more, find everything you need on your computer or phone at the same familiar address!