The Sheet Metal Workers’ International Association (SMWIA) serves to protect and raise the living standards of over 150,000 skilled men and women employed throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. We work in the construction, manufacturing, service, railroad and shipyard industries.
The SMWIA strives to establish and maintain desirable working conditions for its members through their employers. Doing so provides them that measure of comfort, happiness, and security to which every member is entitled to in return for his or her highly trained and skilled labor.
SOUTH BEND Area
Rebuilding Together Skilled Trades Day Coverage
Eighteen local homeowners grateful for renovations
ABC-57: http://www.abc57.com/home/top-stories/-renovate-eighteen-local-homes-201782321.html
"It's not everyday that somebody comes in your home and does things that you can't afford to do or are not able to do," said Sharon Giles, homeowner. Her home on Fisher Street is one of the eighteen lucky homes on the west side selected for a pick-me-up, and she says help couldn't have come at a better time. "Couldn't be better. My husband's in the hospital. He was diagnosed with colon cancer," said Giles. Before his health declined, he was her handyman. But now, a group of volunteer union tradesmen are completing that unfinished honey-do list. "It's something I kind of look forward to," said Randy Smith, retired plumber. Retired plumber Smith worked for Local 172 for 39 years. He's offered his set of hands every year since the project's birth. "It's helping the community and it's helping your neighbor," said Smith. Over 800 union workers will replace at least seven roofs, furnaces, water heaters, windows, gutters, level porches and even install a handicap ramp. "Many people obviously are very grateful. It gets homeowners pretty emotional and overwhelmed with just the amount of repairs," said Michael Divita, coordinator, Rebuilding Together.
Repairs Giles said she never thought she'd have to the chance to make. "I'm just gonna be so overwhelmed that I'm not gonna know how to act. I'm gonna be so appreciative," said Giles. Next weekend community volunteers will finish all the work and complete those finishing touches. Since the nonprofit's start in 1989, "Rebuilding Together" has rehabbed 827 homes in the South Bend area.
http://indianaworkersvote.com/
THEY TOOK OUR JOBS - IMMIGRATION STORIES YOU ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO HEAR - H-1B H-2B Visas. Check out this U-Tube for News: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YItkuxv7dhU
FROM THE DESK OF: JAMES SHOULDERS
This year's 40th annual International Sheet Metal Contest was one of the most competitive ever, showcasing the "best of the best" in HVAC, TAB, service, architectural, industrial/welding, and Benchmark detailing. For those of you who couldn't attend (or those who wish to relive some of the memories), we have compiled a brief highlight video.
Please click on the link below and take a few minutes to enjoy the top moments from this year's Contest. Congratulations to all of our winners, and to everyone who participated in our signature event.
We are proud to have you represent the future of the unionized sheet metal industry.
http://vimeo.com/38924638
PLAs Are Not Discriminatory, Plant Vogtle gets its Construction License from Nuke Commission
Project Labor Agreements are said to limit competition and by extension do not allow non-union contractors to bid on them. The Federal Transit Administration of the Department of Transportation says otherwise and unions in construction agree. Also BCTD President Mark Ayers is receiving the Instituto Laboral de la Raza's Labor Leader of the Year Award and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission gives Plant Vogtle is Construction and Operating License, paving the way for thousands of jobs.
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Fort Wayne – Sheet Metal Workers Local 20 Fort Wayne Area
