WINTER 2024
SMART UPDATE DELIVERING RESULTS IS WHAT WE DO
WOMEN IN TRADES EVENTS PAGE 10 SCHOLARSHIPS PAGE 14
TABLE OF CONTENTS 3 PRESIDENT’S REPORT 4 LOCAL 17 CHILDREN’S HOLIDAY PARTY 6 LOCAL 40 UPDATES 8 LOCAL 63 UPDATES 10 WOMEN IN TRADES EVENTS 12 LOCAL 17 TRUNK-OR-TREAT EVENT 14 SCHOLARSHIPS & MODERN ASSISTANCE 15 BIDEN-HARRIS ADMINISTRATION
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, As we enter a new year, let us make it our everlasting goal to continue strengthening and supporting our unions. Unions serve as the most powerful champions for you and your families. It is more important than ever that we fight against the loophole that allows contractors to underpay workers who do their work in a shop rather than at a job site. Go to SMW17.org/prefab to tell your state legislators to close the prevailing wage loophole by backing House Bill 1943 and Senate Bill 1171. We’re happy to share recent updates from all of our local unions. Sheet Metal Workers Local 17 hosted their annual Children’s Holiday Party bringing joy and laughter to our members’ families (pages 4-5). Representatives from Sheet Metal Workers Local 63 proudly attended the Western Massachusetts Girls in Trades event to speak with young women about career opportunities in the trades (pages 8-9). Sheet Metal Workers Local 40 celebrated its 100-year anniversary this past October and celebrated members’ milestones with a pinning ceremony (page 6). In this edition, we celebrate women in the trades by highlighting two major gatherings from recent months: Women Build Boston and Tradeswomen Build Nations. We are proud to have more women joining our ranks and will continue to encourage more women to join our membership. See the highlights from these events on pages 10-11. Our solidarity is paramount as we fight for improved work environments and better wages, in addition to facing a presidential election year in the United States. Check out the impact that the Biden-Harris administration has made on pages 15. As always, thank you for your hard work and dedication. Our union is strong because of members like you. Looking forward to a new year with all of you. In Solidarity,
Robert Butler President SMART Northeast Regional Council
Take Action: Scan this QR code and urge your state legislators to close the prevailing wage loophole by sponsoring House Bill 1943 and Senate Bill 1171.
Local 17 Children’s Holiday Party
CHILDREN’S HOLIDAY PARTY Sheet Metal Workers Local 17 welcomed Santa Claus to spread cheer to the children of our members. Their infectious spirit was a great way to kick-off the holiday season.
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Local 17 Children’s Holiday Party
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Local 40
LOCAL 40 CELEBRATES 100 YEARS SMART Local 40 celebrated its 100-year anniversary this past October with a live band and service pin ceremony with much success for the members and their families that attended. We would like to send a big “thank you” to our vendors, other building trades, and sister locals for making the event possible.
The band “Nucullers” with member Eugene Dobbs as the lead singer.
For the retirees club two fishing trips donated by Frank Mastropasqua’s daughter. Names left to right: John Roche (Vice President of Retirees Club), Frank Mastropasqua, John Nimmons (Regional Manager), and Tony Crescenzo. 6
MC: John Beal, Randy Nyborg (40), Tom Schreindofer (40), Tony Crescenzo (60), John Nimmons (Regional Manager), Dennis Guerrera (25), Jeff Roche (15), Eugene Dobbs (15), Frank Civitello Sr. (25), Ray Colello Sr. (50), Al Diana Jr. (60), Jack Herrmann (60), Fred Descy (25), and Shaun Keating (25) years.
Local 40
THE NEW YEAR The 2024 Connecticut construction outlook is very promising, starting with hospital work in Hartford and New Haven, along with the Science Hill PLA at Yale. The balancing industries enter a new market with the passing of the IAQ legislation and look to expand new opportunities for members entering the TAB sector of SMART.
TWBN 2023 CONFERENCE The following letter was written by Ebelisse Robles “Bell” about her experience at the North American Building Trades conference for women in the Unionized construction industry: Tradeswomen Build Nations. Construction is changing faster than ever before with new technologies along with social media in our industry. We must embrace the changes with diversity and inclusion because it’s what Union principles were built on. “This year was amazing!!!! Loved every second of it. I attended the plenary sessions, the banner parade, the caucus, and the reception at SMART headquarters. At the plenary sessions, it was empowering to hear women from all scopes of life success stories and the many words of advice given to all the many women
possibly dealing with the same challenges. It was so great to see Nancy Pelosi!!! Seeing the many people we see on TV and in person was truly the experience. One guest speaker who made the biggest impression at this conference was Ethan!! I absolutely loved her encouraging words, and we were among the first to receive training on Indigenous women; it was eyeopening to hear about the many challenges many races experience. The banner parade was EPIC!! SMART stole the show with the TIN suits our Sisters wore. Chanting, “Who brings the heat, we bring the heat” and “SMART WHEN ITS COLD WE BRING THE HEAT on the streets of our country’s capital. To see the local residents and tourists stop and record us, wave, and applaud to cheer us on felt rewarding. Attending the caucus this year was awesome as we have a new GP and got to hear the many goals he has implemented to change for the upcoming year. His speech was also one of the greatest of the weekend. One that made the most impression was, “F#%K around with us & you’ll find out!” Ensuring the backup for us women and the movement. Lastly, Mia, FANTASTIC JOB SISTER!!! You are truly an inspiration. Keep striving in everything you do because you are great at it. I salute you and your dedication to our trade.” 7
Local 63
LOCAL 63 REGIONAL MANAGER’S REPORT Brothers and Sisters, I hope everyone had a great holiday season, and all of you are looking forward to the new year. As many of you are aware, Local 63 had a busy 2023. Recently, several shops have slowed down due to a couple of larger jobs ending, and we are no longer at full employment. In speaking with our contractors, work is expected to pick up with several larger projects beginning simultaneously in early 2024. I would like to thank all of our members who helped hold signs for local laborfriendly political candidates in central/western Massachusetts. I would also like to thank everyone who turned out to vote for those candidates. Many incumbent mayors we have relationships with won re-election, and several new mayors and city councilors we endorsed won their elections. Local 63’s Women’s Committee officers Sherry Geisler, Brandie Benoit, and Rebecca Sturtevant joined Local 63 Apprentice Coordinator Scott Demers at the Western Massachusetts Girls in Trades event held at Dean Vocational Tech High School in the city of Holyoke, Massachusetts. They handed out material outlining the details of a career as a sheet metal worker apprentice in Local 63. Local 63 member Brandie Benoit introduced guest speaker Leah Rambo, Deputy Director of the U.S. Department of Labor Women’s Bureau Executive Team and a longtime SMART Local 28 member. After her speech, Leah spent some time at the Local 63 booth, talking to young women about the opportunities that a career with SMART can provide. Please see all the photos of the Western Mass Girls in Trades Event on the opposite page. As always, I remain committed to working 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 8
Local 63
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Women Build Boston & Tradeswomen Build Nations
WOMEN IN TRADES EVENTS New England is the leader in getting more women into trade jobs, with one of the highest national averages for women in union apprenticeships. We’re proud to be part of this effort, creating more opportunities for women and making the industry more welcoming. In late October, our Local 17 and Local 63 joined over 500 tradeswomen at the second-annual Women
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Build Boston. In December, trade sisters from 17, 40, and 63 joined leadership at Tradeswomen Build Nations, the largest gathering of tradeswomen in North America. Over 4,000 union sisters. Read more about the conference on page 7 as a Local 40 member highlights her experience.
Women Build Boston & Tradeswomen Build Nations
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Local 17 Trunk-or-Treat Event
LOCAL 17 TRUNK-OR-TREAT Thanks to the efforts of the Sheet Metal Workers Local 17 Women’s Committee, the 2023 Trunk-or-Treat event gave families of Local 17 members the opportunity to put on their best costumes and collect candy in a safe, fun environment.
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Local 17 Trunk-or-Treat Event
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Scholarships & Modern Assistance
SCHOLARSHIPS Sheet Metal Workers Local 17 is proud to provide information about the annual NERCSMART Local 17 Lottery Scholarship application. We urge all our members to make the most of these opportunities. Every year, multiple scholarships are granted, so please ensure that you don’t miss the application deadline! These opportunities are open to children, grandchildren, and spouses of active or retired NERC-SMART Local 17 members in good standing. Additional information about eligibility requirements can be found on the application.
THE NERC-SMART LOCAL 17 LOTTERY SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION DEADLINE IS MARCH 31, 2024. To apply, visit: SMW17Boston.org/2024Scholarship-Applications or scan this QR code:
Don’t hesitate to get in touch with our Union Hall with any questions: (617) 296-1680.
MODERN ASSISTANCE As a member of Northeast Regional Council, you have access to a wide array of benefits, including Modern Assistance. This resource offers support around substance abuse, mental health, grief, work-life stress, relationship issues, and a variety of other challenges. For 34 years, Modern Assistance has been New England’s leader in providing mental and physical health resources to construction and trade unions. Experienced counselors who truly understand the 14
needs of Sheet Metal Workers are available 24/7. In addition to providing support to individuals, counseling is also available for couples and families.
Call (800) 878-2004 or scan the QR code:
Biden-Harris Administration
HARRIS: RECAPPING A VISIT TO BOSTON BIDEN: OUR BEST CHOICE FOR UNION ADVOCACY AND SUPPORT
Vice President Kamala Harris made a visit to Boston just ahead of the official start of National Apprenticeship Week 2023. During her visit, she emphasized the significance of apprenticeship programs, union employment, and the administration’s initiatives to bolster the nation’s workforce.
The new year brings a new presidential election in the United States.
Empowering the skills of America’s workforce is crucial not only for the welfare of our citizens and labor force, but also for our global leadership,” stated Harris.
Throughout his first term, President Biden demonstrated his prioritization of workers by spearheading important initiatives like the American Rescue Plan, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act. These actions have directly contributed to enhancing the lives of SMART members, providing much-needed support and relief during challenging times. Casting your vote is crucial to ensuring a better future for all of us. Remember to vote for pro-union candidates in your local elections and consider the impact that politics can have on the working class, unions, and, specifically, our industry.
The Biden-Harris Administration consistently demonstrates its backing for unions, exemplified by President Biden’s active involvement in supporting the United Auto Workers strike. This administration remains dedicated to championing workers and fostering well-paid union positions. Both the President and Vice President have voiced their support, urging workers to stand united and support each other. Harris emphasized, “The strength of our democracy hinges on our determination to defend it.”
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Sheet Metal Workers Local 17 1157 Adams Street Dorchester, MA 02124
REGISTER TO VOTE The 2024 presidential election is officially upon us. At the state and local levels, your vote is just as important. We encourage you all to participate in upcoming elections and select pro-union candidates who care about working families.
Upcoming 2024 Presidential Primary Dates: Super Tuesday (MA, VT, ME): March 5 Rhode Island & Connecticut: April 2
Get information about voter registration, poll opening times, and more by going to your Secretary of State’s website or scanning this QR code: