FALL 2023
NORTHEAST REGIONAL COUNCIL
SMART UPDATE DELIVERING RESULTS IS WHAT WE DO
LOCAL 17 PINNING CEREMONY PAGE 4
TABLE OF CONTENTS 3 PRESIDENT’S REPORT 4 LOCAL 17 PINNING CEREMONY 14 LOCAL 40 UPDATES 16 LOCAL 63 UPDATES 17 GSA ADMIN VISIT TO LOCAL 17 18 PRESIDENT BIDEN JOINS UAW PICKET LINE 19 GOVERNOR LAMONT VISITS LOCAL 40
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 membersand 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.
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PRESIDENT'S REPORT Brothers and Sisters, I trust that you and your loved ones have been enjoying the cool fall weather and the changing colors of the New England leaves. Sheet Metal Workers Local 17 was honored to host the 125th Annual Pinning Ceremony to recognize and celebrate the outstanding achievements of those receiving pins for their membership milestones. You can find photos from the event, as well as a list of all pin recipients, on pages 4-13. Sheet Metal Workers Local 40 was proud to host Governor Ned Lamont earlier this fall to tour our facility and meet recent graduates of the BTTI program. Find out more on page 19. Sheet Metal Workers Local 17 was also pleased to host GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan this September. Thank you to all those who made her tour of the SMW17 JATC meaningful. Read more about the experience on page 17. Sheet Metal Workers Local 63 reminds you that voting and sharing messages with your friends and family are inherently important. As a union member, you have a responsibility to participate in democracy to better our communities. Read more about the importance of voting on page 16. We have been diligently lobbying on Beacon Hill to close the prevailing wage loophole for offsite prefab workers. Two bills in the Massachusetts State Legislature, House Bill 1943 and Senate Bill 1171, filed by Rep. Jeff Roy and Sen. Paul Feeney, would require contractors to pay the prevailing wage for work offsite. You can show your support by adding your name at SMW17.org/Offsite. If you’ve already added your name, please share this critical fight with your family and friends. Together, we can build support for these bills and ensure a living wage for all workers. As always, thank you for your hard work and dedication. Our union is strong because of members like you. In Solidarity,
Robert Butler President SMART Northeast Regional Council 3
Local 17 Pinning Ceremony
LOCAL 17 PINNING CEREMONY Sheet Metal Workers Local 17 has a rich history that stretches back to our founding in 1896. Our purpose has always been clear: to advocate for the rights of working people. This fall, we had the honor of recognizing the outstanding achievements of those receiving pins for their membership milestones at our 125th Anniversary Pinning Ceremony. We had the pleasure of celebrating members of 25 years, 40 years, 50 years, 60 years, and 70 years. It is with immense pride that we extend our heartfelt congratulations to all of you! Your unwavering support and dedication have been the cornerstone of our success. Over the course of our 127-year history, we have advocated for and achieved better wages, safer working conditions, and improved benefits for each and every one of us. Our advocacy is about ensuring that every hardworking individual, regardless of their background, can enjoy a high-quality life for themselves and their families. Congratulations to all of our Local 17 pin recipients!
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Local 17 Pinning Ceremony
25 YEARS Stephen Adduci
Nelson Colon
Timothy Drury
Robert J. Hewer
Richard Altenbrand
Steven Conant
Jeffrey C. Dufault
Charles Holden
George Amaral
Michael J. Cooley
Gerard J. Dugas
Harry L. Howarth
Joseph A. Anastasio
Joseph A. Coronite
Scott M. Ehlers
Blake D. Hughes
Andrew S. Andersen, Jr.
William B. Cox
Michael J. Fanning
Dennis F. Johnson, Jr.
Michael J. Angellis
Kevin J. Coyman
Thomas M. Ferrara
Christopher F. Joyce
Enrique Araya
Christopher W. Cummings
Brian J. Fisher
Kyle J. Kane, Sr.
William G. Balch
Brian L. Cuneo
Kenneth S. Gallant
Yiu-Kei Lau
Marc D. Barry
Michael A. Daigle
Joseph R. Gallant
Jason Kelley
Theodore J. Belanger
Paul J. Daley, Jr.
Rene P. Gamache
Michael D. Kelly
Joseph M. Berube
Evan W. Davie
Joseph P. Geary, III
Peter B. Kelly
Curtis Bianchi
Mark A. Davis
William H. Gendrolis
Thomas W. Kilgore
John L. Bonner
James H. DeBoer
Joseph B. Germano
Richard D. Killilea
James A. Bradbury
Daniel W. Desrosiers
Edward J. Gibbons
David L. Kimball
Bernard J. Brady
George Devon
Alan M. Gilbert
James M. Kimball
Ken R. Brousseau
Robert H. Dickie
Dede Gjoni
Dana Kroon
Eric M. Brown
Darren S. Digravio
Glenn F. Granigan
Michael L. LaFlamme
Gary M. Calderone
Karl Dlugosinski
James M. Hansen
Jason E. Lane
John F. Casale
Patrick Donlan
Brian M. Harrington
Adam Lannan
Kenneth W. Chamberlain
Mark T. Donovan
Christopher R. Harrington
John E. Lashinsky
Scott A. Charpentier
David J. Doucette
George P. Hayes, III
Sean M. Leclaire
Nicholas J. Choukas
Jay R. Drabble
James E. Hayward
Dennis A. Leger
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Robert J. Leone
Jimmy F. Mullins
Francis G. Scolaro
Kevin D. Theis
Jonathan Levesque
William C. Murphy
Gordon M. Sevene
Peter P. Thompson
Daniel Lewis
Lawrence A. Natale
Gregg R. Sevene
Charles F. Uminski
Ronald A. Locke, Jr.
William Newell
Dennis J. Shea
Paul J. Uvanitte, Jr.
Stephen V. Losciuto
Jeffery A. Nicholson
Jamie Small
John P. Ventura
Gary A. MacWilliams
Clifford W. Norling, Jr.
Gregory L. Smith
John J. Walsh
Robert J. Maloney
Alfred L. O’Connor
Kevin M. Smith
Michael E. Walsh
Robert R. Mandeville
Richard J. O’Keefe, Jr.
Richard D. Sonia, Jr.
James P. Watkins
William R. Marcotte
Jan P. Ostrowski
Mathew P. Sopper
Michael J. West
Daniel Martell
Roy T. Peterson
Kevin M. Souza
Jason B. Wood
David T. McCann
Derek Pond
Robert G. Spengler
Paul Yousif
James J. McCarthy
William L. Portanova
Jacques H. St Arnault
Michael E. Zaczek, Sr.
David C. McCormack
Mark S. Quinn
John J. St Jean
Wayne J. Zanchi
Francis J. McDonough
Meisha Reikhrud
Paul R. St Onge
James E. McDonough
Maurice J. Richard
Christopher J. Sullivan
Kevin M. McHugh
Anthony M. Rivera
Jeffrey J. Sweeney
Kevin M. McHugh
Ernest F. Robillard, Jr.
Eric K. Szeto
Jeffrey S. McKeen
Michael R. Roche
Michael J. Tambouris
Daniel C. McPartland, Jr.
Paul J. Rossignol
Kexuong X. Tat
Martin Monaghan
Richard R. Roy
Lance R. Tavares
Anthony Monzione
Mark J. Rudnisky
Paul Tavares
Brian Mulkern
Rafael E. Santos
Norman M. Taylor
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Local 17 Pinning Ceremony
40 YEARS John H. Akerley
Mark F. Cincotta
Barry E. Dwyer
Paul R. Guay
Chris M. Arsenault
Richard K. Clarke
Robert Eldridge
Glenn A. Hahn
Richard M. Bache
Robert M. Coache
James H. Elwell
Edwawrd J. Hamilton
Richard J. Barton
William B. Contois
Michael R. Eva
Alan B. Hardigan
Randal Bestwick
Daniel E. Corrigan
Kevin J. Fanning
Russell D. Harris
Lucien Bilodeau
David M. Cortese
Louis R. Faria
Timothy F. Hayes
John J. Blazo
Partick M. Costello
Thomas P. Feely
Robert Hayhurst
Douglas L. Bois
Patrick Costello
David A. Field
Robert Hayward
Robert J. Boone, Jr.
Richard J. Cote
Sean K. Flanigan
Thomas F. Hayward
John P. Brady
Kevin S. Cox
Dalton R. Foreman
Joyce S. Hayward
Paul S. Briggette
Frederick S. Creager
Paul D. Frazier
John A. Healy , Jr.
Russell C. Burns
Robert Cunetta
Stephen M. Frazier
Wayne L. Hirst
Richard R. Burrell
Ronald M. Curtis
Raymond E. Fredette
Joseph T. Hoyt
Kwok W. But
Anthony Dalfonso
James P. Freitas
Gerry Hughes
Kevin J. Calabro
Paul Deady
Andrew Garber
Richard F. Imprescia
Steven R. Cann
Brian D. Deboer
Lawrence A. Gauthier
Kenneth Isakson
Michael Cann
Joseph A. Defreze
William P. Gedaminsky
William J. Isakson
David Capers
Donald Dellascio
Paul D. Gerbutavich
Richard L. Jesse
Richard J. Carchedi
William R. Dinon
Donald J. Gillis
John J. Jones
Alonzo H. Card, Jr.
John M. Dostie
Benjamin Glover
Larry E. Jordan
Paul R. Caron
Michael J. Drinan
Robert M. Gould
Mark P. Jordan
William J. Chappell, Jr.
David Dumais
Richard A. Graves, Jr.
Gerard J. Joyce
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Robert P. Kane
Kevin M. McLaughlin
Michael Riley
Stephen P. Tracey
Bruce N. Kaplan
David T. Mielbye
John R. Rogers
Kevin G. Turner
Kevin F. Keeley
Robert W. Milton
Mark Rogers
Fred J. Twombly
Norman M. Keith
Richard Monzione
Philip F. Roth, Jr.
Reed J. Vanelli
Richard D. Keogh
Marcel R. Morin
George M. Rust
Eugene W. Vanelli, Jr.
Robert W. Keogh
William A. Morrell
Barry S. Ryan
Robert W. Wilkes
Bryan T. King
William K. Mroz
William J. Safran, Jr.
Henry H. Williams
Francis P. Kwiatkowski, Jr.
Shawn P. Murphy
Mark Salverio
Wesley W. Wright
Brian J. Lankiewickz
Bruce S. Nash
Daniel S. Sellers
Daniel M. Wright
Steven Lemieux
Paul Niedzialkoski
Keith B. Shaw
Arthur R. Lemieux, Jr.
Robert C. Nigro
Richard T. Shea
Kevin F. Leonard
George E. Norcott
Glen S. Sherriff
Michael D. Lesiczka
Frederick D. Oliver, Jr.
William E. Shores
Paul C. Lesiczka
Thomas F. Patenaude, Jr.
Michael D. Showstead
Steven Lombardo
Richard Petersen
Antone M. Silva, Jr.
Steven D. Lovegreen
Anthony J. Piacentini
Stephen J. Skinner
Glenn J. Lydon
John V. Poissant
David B. Slaven
Joseph MacDonald
Dennis R. Pomerleau
Michael Stoddard
Mark A. Marrocco
Glwen A. Pomerleau
Robert Stokes
Danny Mauritson
Raymond J. Pomerleau
Emery J. Stoklas, Jr.
David McCormack
Thad F. Pratt
Timothy F. Sughrue
Ronald McGann
Wayne Reis
Louis P. Sweeney
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Local 17 Pinning Ceremony
50 YEARS Frederick A. Allan, Jr.
Lewis K. Christesen
Joseph F. Flynn
Dennis F. Johnson
Ross S. Andren
Richard A. Christino
Edward J. Foley
Joseph O. Johnson
Anthony P. Angelis
William J. Clark
Phillip Freethey
Harry W. Jones
Robert F. Austin, Sr.
Paul J. Cleary
Clifford E. Garrett
Russell A. Junkins
Ara M. Aznavoorian
William J. Comeau
Richard J. Gebhardt
Robert E. Jutras
Linwood R. Bailey
Stephen R. Comis
Randy R. Gersbach
William E. Kanuse
Abe Baker
Paul J. Connors
Charles J. Gillis
Lawrence J. Keating
Steven D. Barkowski
Joseph A. Connors
Joseph J. Goode
John L. Keeley
Dennis M. Bean
George W. Crocker, Jr.
Philip Gordon
Richard A. Kelley
Harold Bertino, Jr.
Joseph L. Cummings
John A. Graticcia
James E. Kenney
Donald E. Blais, Jr.
William L. Daley
John F. Graves
Dale Kollars
Robert J. Bourgeois
John H. Davidson
Frank F. Grover, Jr.
Paul J. Kroon
Albert M. Bourgeois
Dennis M. Dellascio
Donald R. Hamilton, Jr.
Louis Kroon, Jr.
Richard A. Brosnan
Kevin J. Delorey
Ronald A. Hansen, Sr.
Michael J. Kuhlman
Michael F. Buono
Roger Desgrosseillier
Jerry T. Hartman
Leonard Laflamme
Domenc Buonopane
Salvatore Dinenna
James H. Hildreth
Alfred K. Langill, Jr.
Michael C. Burns
Jimmy R. Dixon
Robert F. Holland
Robert P. Laverdiere
Russell F. Callahan
James E. Donaghey
Michael P. Hurley
John O. Leavitt, III
Robert Cameron
Thomas F. Donelan, Jr.
Robert D. Hurley, Jr.
Paul M. Lebel
Thomas J. Carey
John C. Doran
Paul M. Hurrie
Kenneth P. Lee
Glenn R. Carver
Roger Dube
Robert Hutchinson
Kevin P. Lee
Robert G. Charleton
Francis J. Florio
Steven C. Isabelle
Ronald P. Lescinskas
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Carl J. Lesiczka
Paul F. Netishen
Michael J. Ruggieri
Joseph Wieszbicki
Laurence A. Lewis
Kenneth L. Nevens
Michael J. Ryan
William W. Wolfe
Charles H. Linfield
Michael S. O’Brien
Lino J. Salvatori
Charles A. Wood
Cecil C. Linton
Antone L. Oliveira
William W. Sampson
James P. Wright
Paul L. Lynch
Charles A. Oliveri
James D. Sargent
Charles M. Yanoolis
Donald D. MacIntyre
Charles A. Oliveri
Roger A. Simpson
Peter A. Young
Ronald E. Macleod
Joseph J. Pacheco, Jr.
Michael G. Small
James P. Maloney
John C. Packer
Robert S. Sparks
Paul J. Manson
Steven J. Page
Ronald J. Spinney
Donald L. McKee
Paul S. Palen
Chester R. Stewart, Jr.
Warren E. Menchin
Richard S. Palmer, Jr.
Richard A. Stoddard
Michael Miselman
Albert S. Pearce
Edward P. Sullivan
Yusuf Mohamed
Gustav E. Pearson
John H. Svagdis
Robert W. Monzione
Norman Peckham
Joseph A. Sybertz
John R. Morgan
James T. Perdios
Alfred J. Tessier
Richard R. Morgan
Keith R. Philbrook
Daniel F. Uvanitte
Kenneth R. Mulcahy
Leonard F. Portanova
Ronald N. Vasconcellos
Thomas P. Murphy
Robert Pronk
Peter J. Vigliano
Charles D. Murray, Jr.
Vincent Puccio
Richard J. Virta
James M. Mylett, Jr.
Brian J. Robinson
William E. Walsh
Edward Nastar
John J. Ross
Gary N. Wells
William J. Nastar
David A. Rossborough
Harold F. Wheeler
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Local 17 Pinning Ceremony
60 YEARS
70 YEARS
Theodore S. Abbett
Henry E. McGibbon
John D Collins
George Angelo
Thomas C. McInerney
James V. Ficarra, Jr.
Robert L. Arsenault
Eugene E. Moloy, Jr.
Melvin Levitts
Gerard F. Belanger
Ronald H. Oriola
Michael R. Martin
Ronald J. Butler
William P. Phillip
George C. Psaros
Frank A. Catapano
Donald J. Santry
Robert W. Schreiter
Richard V. Cipitelli
Alfred J. Verrier
Stanley G. Winchester
Thomas A. Coleman
Glenn F. Walker
James W. Conlon
Murray C. White
Robert E. Crabbe, Jr.
Paul E. Whiting, Jr.
Alan P. Dellascio
Thomas J. Whyte
Robert F. Drury
Henry J. Wolf
Paul M. Engeian Richard D. Felteau Kenneth R. Floyd Vincent G. Franceschini Charles F. Hanrahan, Jr. Timothy W. Harrington Nicholas S. Imbrunone Kenneth S. Lewin Robert V. Magnone Edward J. Marks
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Local 40 News
LOCAL 40 NEWS The Connecticut Building Trades Training Institute (CT BTTI) is a Building Trades preapprentice program that is run through union training centers, including Local 40, that offers an opportunity in unionized construction industry that ties the municipalities directly into a Project Labor Agreement. A few of the current projects and communities the Connecticut Building Trades have partnered with are listed below: 9 Killingly Community Center & Memorial School
September marked the first anniversary of the BTTI. The Training Institute met and exceeded all of its goals for its first year. They’ve had over 300 placements in the Union Building Trades. Nearly half of Local 40’s 20232024 class of first-year apprentices are from the BTTI. Regional Manager, John Nimmons, specifically addressed the coordinators and instructors in attendance, the workforce innovation grants have strong union apprentice language in them. The JATC’s who train the pre-construction readiness classes get to feature their facilities while helping the next generation of apprentices. That’s a win for everyone.
9 Bloomfield’s Libraries 9 Hartford Schools Burns & Bulkeley 9 Manchester Schools Bowers & Kenney 9 Torrington High School 9 New London High and Middle schools 9 New London Community Center 9 Bradley International Airport 9 Windsor Locks Train Station 9 UConn 9 Yale University and Hospital systems These are just some of the communities we have partnered with, giving their residents a career in construction and our members a chance to work on jobs in towns we traditionally have not worked in the past.
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Closing remarks for the first anniversary of the CTBTTI.
The BTTI graduates with Governor Lamont to right of the class and DOL Commissioner Bartolomeo on left.
From left to right: Retired Local 40 Secretary-Treasurer, Phil Benoit; NERC Financial SecretaryTreasurer, Russell Bartash; Retired Business Manager, David Roche; Governor Ned Lamont, Labor Management Representative, Fred Descy; Regional Manager, John Nimmons; Instructor, Cliff Richards; and Field Representative for NEMI, Jeremy Zeedyk. 15
Local 63 Regional Manager’s Report
LOCAL 63 REGIONAL MANAGER’S REPORT Brothers and Sisters, As fall 2023 is upon us, so is election season for our local elected officials. As I’ve said before, ELECTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES! There are many mayoral, city council, and selectmen races throughout Western Massachusetts and Vermont. Those elected officials are often the decision-makers when it comes to voting whether or not a construction project moves forward in their respective cities and towns. Electing pro-labor and pro-worker candidates who advocate for safer workplaces with health insurance and retirement benefits helps to strengthen the communities in which we live and raise our families. Being a union member is more than just showing up on Election Day to cast our votes; it’s about helping union leadership get the message out to our friends and families. It’s more than just a job with great pay and wonderful health and retirement benefits. Our past brothers and sisters stood on picket lines and actively fought for the aforementioned benefits that some members take for granted and non-labor-friendly candidates are trying to take from us. Many times, you will receive a text or email asking you to support a piece of legislation or to show up for a standout to support a union-endorsed candidate. These things matter, and I hope in the future I will see an increase in participation when members are asked to volunteer. Election Day is Tuesday, November 7th, 2023. As always, I will continue to work collectively with Northeast Regional Council representatives to provide new work opportunities and reduce administrative costs for our hard-working brothers and sisters. In Solidarity, Michael J. LaFleur Local 63 Business Manager SMART Northeast Regional Council
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GSA ADMIN VISIT TO LOCAL 17
GSA ADMIN VISIT TO LOCAL 17 This September, Sheet Metal Workers Local 17 had the pleasure of hosting GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan as she toured the JATC facility and union hall. Our Local 17 Training Coordinator, John Martin, and Financial Secretary-Treasurer, Russell Bartash, spoke with Administrator Carnahan about our incredible work. Administrator Carnahan rounded out the day with hands-on experience and time spent with our trainees. We are grateful to our enthusiastic trainees who contributed to a successful tour and represented our union well.
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PRESIDENT BIDEN JOINS UAW PICKET LINE
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN JOINS THE UNITED AUTO WORKERS PICKET LINE For the first time in presidential history, President Joe Biden joined the United Auto Workers picket line to show support for striking workers. The unprecedented visit to Michigan to support UAW has underscored President Biden’s continuous efforts to support the labor movement. As union members, we understand the importance of President Biden recognizing workers as the foundation of America and taking action to further the UAW cause. Currently there are 13,000 members of UAW on strike at three facilities: a GM factory in Wentzville, Missouri, a Ford plant in Wayne, Michigan, and a Jeep plant in Toledo, Ohio. President Biden joined some of these workers in Michigan to share his support. His message to workers in the auto-industry was to continue fighting for the wages they deserve, noting the sacrifices that 18
UAW workers have made in order to help automobile companies succeed. “Now they’re doing incredibly well. And guess what? You should be doing incredibly well, too,” Biden shared over the bullhorn to the gathered crowd. As a long-time labor advocate, President Biden’s continued support of workers has strengthened the labor movement and encouraged more people to join the fight. The significance of his advocacy is not lost on the workers of America. In his final remarks to the crowd, Biden sent a determined message, “The Middle Class built this country, and Unions built the Middle Class. That’s a fact. Let’s keep going, you deserve what you’ve earned. And you’ve earned a hell of a lot more than you’re getting paid now.”
GOVERNOR LAMONT VISITS LOCAL 40
GOVERNOR NED LAMONT VISITS LOCAL 40 Local 40 had the distinct honor of extending a warm welcome to Governor Ned Lamont earlier this autumn. During this memorable occasion, our Building Trades Training Institute graduates had the incredible opportunity to personally meet and engage with Governor Lamont and the Commissioner of the Department of Labor Danté Bartolomeo. This remarkable encounter occurred during a thoughtfully arranged site visit, leaving a lasting impact on our graduates and the entire Sheet Metal Workers Local 40 community.
Governor Ned Lamont addresses the graduates and their families during the BTTI Training Completion Ceremony at Local 40 on September 1, 2023. 19
Sheet Metal Workers Local 17 1157 Adams Street Dorchester, MA 02124
REMINDER: USE YOUR ANNUAL PHYSICAL BENEFIT Your SASMI Annual Physical Benefit covers the costs associated with your yearly physical exam. This benefit can help with expenses like missed work and out-ofpocket incidentals, ensuring you and your family can utilize preventative care services.
Members receive $200 annually for their physical exam, with an additional $100 for covered family members, maxing out at $600 per family each year. To claim, ensure you’re an active member, eligible for the benefit, and apply within 12 months of your checkup.
Learn more about eligibility and claiming this benefit: SMW17.org/physical