SMART Northeast Regional Council Fall 2021 Newsletter

FALL 2021

NORTHEAST REGIONAL COUNCIL

SMART UPDATE DELIVERING RESULTS IS WHAT WE DO

STRONGER TOGETHER PRESENTING THE NORTHEAST REGIONAL COUNCIL

TABLE OF CONTENTS 3 PRESIDENT’S REPORT 4 FIGHTING FOR WORKING FAMILIES 6 LOCAL 40: WE SET THE STANDARD 8 LOCAL 63: UNITED WE STAND 10 REGIONAL COUNCIL EXECUTIVE BOARD 11 LOCAL 17: SHEETMETAL WORKERS GET OUT THE VOTE

NORTHEAST REGIONAL COUNCIL

ABOUT

SHEET METAL WORKERS The SMART Northeast Regional Council was formed in 2021 to centralize our resources throughout the region. By creating a united front among our locals and contractors, we are able to bring new jobs for our collective workforce, making us stronger and more nimble in the fight ahead. The SMART Northeast Regional Council is composed of Locals 17, 40, and 63 spanning across New England. With nearly 4,000 members and counting, we use our collective bargaining power to fight for better training, benefits, and wages for our workers and a better future for our communities.

PRESIDENT'S REPORT

BROTHERS AND SISTERS, This issue marks our first newsletter as a Regional Council, incorporating Local 40 and Local 63 into the fold. We’re proud to showcase our Brothers and Sisters in Western Massachusetts and Connecticut, and we look forward to broadcasting their highlights as we continue to come together. Read more about Local 40 and Local 63 happenings on pages 6 and 8 of this newsletter.

As our industry recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, I’d like to thank our members for your continued commitment. Thank you for always showing up and getting the job done. Because of your dedication, we’re able to secure reliable, good-paying jobs time and time again.

Together we can ensure that these job opportunities never falter. Recently President Biden’s infrastructure bill was passed by Congress, thanks in part to your advocacy. This bill represents the most significant infrastructure investment in modern history and will help create and protect hundreds of thousands of good, union jobs in the construction and transportation industries.

This bipartisan legislation will help improve the American economy as we grow and improve.

As we look forward to the future, it has become apparent that our new normal will look drastically different. The COVID-19 vaccine is now widely available, and we encourage all of our members who can take this step so that we can get back to doing what we love as soon as possible. Like all health decisions, we ask you to make an informed decision that works best for you and your family.

We all deserve to enjoy every day to the fullest potential. By getting vaccinated, you are protecting your union brothers and sisters and their families. Together, we can build back even stronger.

In Solidarity,

Robert Butler SMART Northeast Regional Council

3

FIGHTING FOR WORKING FAMILIES

FIGHTING FOR WORKING FAMILIES REBUILDING OUR NATION’S INFRASTRUCTURE On Tuesday, November 5, Congress finally passed the critical Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the largest investment in modern history and a step towards protecting good, union jobs in the construction and transportation industries. The Infrastructure bill will be instrumental in rebuilding our nation and will further aid our nation’s economic recovery.

But there’s still work to do — Congress must immediately pass the Build Back Better Act. In addition to monumental reforms to the National Labor Relations Act, the bill applies labor standards to clean energy tax credits, expands registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs, invests in high-speed rail projects, and addresses indoor air quality in schools. Congress must fulfill its promise to the American people and deliver on the entirety of President Biden’s agenda by swiftly passing the Build Back Better Act. We deserve a modern-day American economy, and investing in our infrastructure is the first step. Tell Congress to pass the Build Back Better Act to finish the job.

4

CRACKING DOWN ON MISCLASSIFICATION As Massachusetts construction returns to pre-pandemic levels, it’s increasingly urgent to ensure that our hard-working members and taxpayers receive their fair share. So-called “labor brokers” like TrueBlue work in the non-union construction industry claim to provide on-demand workers to keep pace with demand.

The reality is that shoddy contractors use labor brokers like TrueBlue to exploit loopholes in the law. By misclassifying workers as independent contractors, they’re able to dodge payroll taxes and avoid paying workers’ compensation insurance.

With our consolidated power as a Regional Council, we’re urging Massachusetts regulators and lawmakers to crack down on brokers like TrueBlue and take these evasions seriously. We’re working to pass legislation that takes action against the labor agencies that are hurting Massachusetts working families.

To learn more about the fight against misclassification, read President Bob Butler’s latest op-ed in Commonwealth Magazine.

5

LOCAL 40

LOCAL 40:

WE SET THE STANDARD CONNECTICUT’S SHEET METAL INDUSTRY: FROM DESIGN TO DELIVERY Connecticut’s construction industry requires high standards for all of its cutting-edge projects. The sheet metal industry of Connecticut provides skilled craftsmen and state-of-the-art design, fabrication, installation, and coordination that building owners and developers have come to expect for their sheet metal needs. While heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems are often concealed from view, they affect the health and comfort of our visitors and occupants of a building — more important than ever in the time of COVID-19.

We are committed to excellence on every project, ensuring a safe and efficient indoor environment. Many of our industry’s project managers have experience working on LEED-certified projects and have risen to the green challenge by using sustainable materials that improve indoor air quality and support the environment.

As green-energy building in Connecticut grows and continues, you will see us high above the skyline and elsewhere, certifying climate-controlled buildings. Our training center in New Haven, Connecticut, is where we learn to optimize our skills and build the best infrastructure in the state. We look forward to sharing more of our success stories in this newsletter in the future.

6

7

LOCAL 40

LOCAL 63:

UNITED WE STAND BUILDING CENTRAL AND WESTERN MASS FOR OVER 110 YEARS Sheet Metal Workers Local Union 63 has been serving Central and Western Massachusetts and Vermont since 1903. We have a tradition of offering training programs and working with superior contractors to maintain the high-quality craftsmanship we represent.

Our current membership comprises approximately 132 retired members and 516 active members, including: ▪ Production Workers ▪ Journeymen ▪ Apprentices ▪ Residential & Classified Workers We’re proud to partner with the best contractors in the region, from Kleeberg Sheet Metal Inc. to Titan Roofing. Together, we bring pride, quality, and craftsmanship to the buildings of Central and Western Massachusetts. Stay tuned in the coming months for more updates about Local 63 and our affiliates.

8

9

REGIONAL COUNCIL EXECUTIVE BOARD

INTRODUCING THE REGIONAL COUNCIL EXECUTIVE BOARD Together, the SMART Northeast Regional Council Executive Board ensure that Local 17, Local 40, and Local 63 members continue to be represented in the best way possible.

While the positions of President and Financial Secretary-Treasurer were appointed by SMART General President Sellers, in the future the Executive Board will be directly elected by the membership.

10

Bob Butler ­ President

Russell Bartash ­ Financial Secretary-Treasurer

Fred Descy ­ Executive Board Member

Jason Wright ­ Executive Board Member

Kyle Violette Executive Board Member

Mike Matthews­ Executive Board Member

Patrick McCormack Executive Board Member

Paul Connors Executive Board Member

Sean Hayward Executive Board Member

LOCAL 17 IN ACTION

LOCAL 17:

GET OUT THE VOTE It's not enough to just show up for these candidates at the ballot box. We have to stand with them every step of the way.

This election season, our members had the opportunity to back candidates who will support and foster New England's building boom, creating good union jobs and building a Boston that works for all. These candidates included Annissa Essaibi George in her run for Boston Mayor and Erin Murphy for City Council, two women with proven pro-union track records.

Together, our members stood out for Annissa Essaibi George and Erin Murphy and signed up to volunteer in droves for our endorsed candidates. We thank each and every one of you for doing your part to fight for working families. Together, we can continue to build a Boston that works or all.

11

Sheet Metal Workers Local 17 1157 Adams Street, Dorchester, MA 02124

INTRODUCING THE NEW SMART REGIONAL COUNCIL WEBSITE We’re proud to announce the launch of our brand new SMART Regional Council website.

Stay up to date with real-time union updates and more, all in one sleek, user-friendly place.

Just visit SMART-NERC.org or scan this QR code to see for yourself.

@SheetMetalWorkersLocal17

@SMWLU17

@SMWLU17

SMW17Boston.org