SMART UnionLocal 9 (Colorado) member Jacob Stone recently completed his apprenticeship capstone assignment in impressive fashion, crafting a custom copper lantern featuring acid etching and intricate design work.
“The craftsmanship speaks for itself,” Local 9 wrote. “Beyond the shop, Jacob also serves as a sergeant in the U.S. Army Reserves, balancing military service with apprenticeship training — an incredible commitment that deserves recognition.”
Great work, brother!
Strong relationships between unions and signatory contractors are the foundation of a thriving industry. When contractors and labor work together, the result is safer jobsites, stronger training and better long-term opportunities for workers and businesses alike.
In Colorado, the recent, pioneering partnership between Midtown Chimney Sweeps and SMART Local 9 demonstrates how collaboration, professionalism and high-quality union training can open new doors for local unions, employers, Coloradans and entire industries. Maintenance of metal chimney flues and end caps in Colorado will now be performed by Local 9 members!
“As the owner of the first chimney and fireplace company in the United States to join a national sheet metal workers union, I am proud to share my experience with Local 9 and the transformative impact it has had on my business,” said Byron Schramm, member-owner of Midtown Chimney Sweeps.
In July 2025, Schramm visited the Local 9 union hall looking for solutions.
Like many contractors across the country, Schramm was facing a challenge that has become increasingly common in the trades: finding qualified workers with the training, professionalism and long-term commitment needed to meet the demands of his industry.
Schramm’s interest in raising the standards of his industry had been developing for some time.
“This journey began during my seven-month tour of Europe, where I witnessed the unparalleled excellence in craftsmanship among German, Swiss, and Austrian chimney professionals,” he said. “Their dedication to precision, skill and quality left an indelible mark on me, inspiring a vision for elevating standards back home.”
Upon returning to the United States, Schramm aimed to pursue that vision, but he ran up against obstacles.
“I faced the familiar challenges of our industry: hiring inexperienced workers from outside the building trades, investing time and resources in their training, only to see many drift away and start their own businesses,” he explained. “This cycle made it nearly impossible to scale or grow sustainably. The constant turnover eroded work quality, placed immense stress on me as the owner, and undermined our commitment to delivering exceptional service in an industry where precision is paramount.”
Schramm had previously spoken with representatives from another union about their training program but felt it did not meet the specific workforce needs of his business. During those conversations, he was encouraged to reach out to SMART and was given the name of Chaz Tedesco, Local 9’s political director and organizer. Contacting SMART made sense: Schramm was seeking skilled tradespeople to work on the chimney’s flue and end cap, both of which are made of metal.
After making the connection, Tedesco, along with Business Agent Lon Comstock, welcomed Schramm to the union hall. They provided a tour of the facility and introduced Schramm to the structure and depth of SMART’s training programs. The conversation quickly expanded beyond workforce needs and into the broader benefits of becoming a signatory contractor — access to highly trained workers, structured apprenticeship programs, safety standards and a professional workforce committed to craftsmanship.
As discussions continued, Schramm and members of his staff returned to the hall for additional meetings and a deeper look at the local’s training program. During this process, they met Andy Gilliland, state director of the Colorado Sheet Metal Workers Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC), and Reed Ausmus, Denver training coordinator.
For Gilliland, Schramm and Midtown Chimney Sweeps represented a unique opportunity.
“During the campaign, I was asked whether the Colorado Sheet Metal Workers Apprenticeship could provide training for this industry,” Gilliland explained. “I’ve been involved in many organizing efforts, and most fit easily into our existing training format. Midtown Chimney Service, however, presented a unique opportunity to build new pathways within our program.”
While much of the needed instructional material already existed within the broader sheet metal curriculum, the specialized nature of chimney and fireplace metal work required adaptation.
Gilliland and the training team began restructuring portions of the curriculum to ensure apprentices and journeypersons would receive the same level of rigorous instruction and craftsmanship expected across the trade — while also meeting the technical needs of this specialized industry.
“My role included shaping curriculum, aligning standards and ensuring our apprenticeship could support this sector with the same rigor and excellence we apply across the trade,” Gilliland said.
Schramm’s involvement played a critical part in that process. By sharing industry knowledge and equipment, he helped bridge the gap between a traditional craft and modern union apprenticeship training.
“Working on this project has been energizing and deeply rewarding,” Gilliland said. “Having a business owner like Byron has been critical. He has provided an incredible amount of information, insight, and support throughout the process.”
Schramm has also supported training by supplying industry-specific training devices and helping the program collaborate with Germany’s national chimney training system — bringing international expertise into the development of the curriculum.
The collaboration between Midtown and Local 9 required a significant effort. Because chimney sweep and fireplace service work had never previously been covered under a Local 9 agreement — or any other union — there was no contract template available from another local.
Union leadership and Midtown Chimney Sweeps worked together to carefully review contract language and build an agreement that maintained union standards while allowing the company to successfully transition into signatory status.
“As the owner of the first chimney and fireplace company in the United States to join a national sheet metal workers union, I am proud to share my experience with Local 9 and the transformative impact it has had on my business,” said Byron Schramm, owner of Midtown Chimney Sweeps.
On September 23, 2025, Midtown Chimney Sweeps officially signed a collective bargaining agreement with SMART Local 9, with the contract taking effect on October 1, 2025. Shortly after, all of Midtown’s existing employees were signed up and participated in an orientation program introducing them to the union, its standards and the opportunities available through training and career advancement.
Schramm also joined as an owner-member, further demonstrating his commitment to the partnership and to building a stronger workforce within his company.
For Schramm, the difference in workforce quality became clear almost immediately.
“The journeymen provided by Local 9 demonstrated a level of professionalism and expertise I’ve rarely encountered,” he said.
He recalls one moment in particular that illustrated the union difference.
“I was working alongside a journeyman named Eric on a fresh air kit installation. When I asked him to cut a 4-inch round hole for the pipe, he asked what exact size was needed, explaining that it couldn’t be ‘size on size’ — a trade term meaning the hole must account for the pipe’s physical dimensions, plus a margin for error.”
The solution was simple but telling, Schramm explained.
“We opted for a 4.5-inch hole saw to accommodate the 4.25-inch pipe, a small adjustment that enhanced my own training methods and ensured a flawless fit.”
Later that same day, Schramm witnessed another example of the craftsmanship that comes with union training.
“We moved to the roof to install flashing on a metal surface. [Eric] pulled out a spoon to apply silicone sealant, creating a perfectly smooth, professional seal that was nothing short of remarkable.”
The initial contract was designed to meet Midtown’s existing wage structure during the contractor’s transition into the union. Because the company was new to SMART, the agreement initially did not include a journeyperson pay scale, with the highest rate set at approximately 70 percent of Local 9’s standard scale.
However, as Schramm experienced firsthand the value of union craftsmanship, his perspective quickly evolved. After seeing the skill and efficiency that Local 9 journeypersons brought to the jobsite, he requested a modification to the agreement to include a full journeyperson rate within the contract.
Today, that rate has been added, and Midtown Chimney Sweeps now pays that scale to qualified workers. Schramm is also considering adding a foreman position to help manage operations and allow him to focus more on growing the business.
The partnership has already created new opportunities for members of Local 9, Gilliland noted. Journeypersons and apprentices now have the opportunity to work within a specialized segment of the trade while maintaining the quality and standards that define union craftsmanship. The effort has also expanded the apprenticeship program itself by introducing new curriculum, hands-on equipment and even international collaboration.
Union leadership views the Midtown agreement as a significant milestone.
Jon Alvino, Local 9 business manager, emphasized the teamwork required to make the partnership possible.
“This agreement with Midtown Chimney Sweeps marks a groundbreaking moment for SMART Local 9 as we welcome the first signatory chimney sweep shop into our union family,” Alvino said. “I’m incredibly proud of the collaboration that made this possible — our organizing department, led by Don Perkins, alongside Chaz Tedesco and Jon Davis, working seamlessly with our business representatives Lon Comstock and Ian Fick, as well as our apprenticeship training center, to navigate every detail. This is exactly what teamwork looks like, and I’m excited about the strong future we will build together with Midtown.”
Gilliland believes the partnership represents something even greater. By combining a traditional craft with modern apprenticeship training, Midtown Chimney Sweeps and SMART Local 9 are building a model that could be replicated in other markets. The success of the partnership has already sparked interest from other contractors and demonstrated that union standards can adapt to support new sectors of the industry.
With continued collaboration between labor, contractors and the apprenticeship program, this effort is helping expand opportunities for members while strengthening the future of the trade.
At its core, the Midtown partnership reinforces a fundamental truth of the union building trades: high-quality training, skilled craftsmanship and strong contractor relationships are the keys to raising standards and building the workforce our industries depend on.
And for Schramm, the partnership has already proven transformative.
“Joining the union has not only stabilized my workforce but also reignited my passion for the trade by fostering an environment of excellence,” he said. “I encourage other business owners in our field to consider this path — it’s a game-changer for building a stronger, more resilient industry.”
In 2024, SMART Local 9 worked tirelessly to push an indoor air quality in public schools bill through the Colorado state legislature and to Governor Jared Polis’s desk — only to see the governor veto the legislation, along with the work hours it would have created for SMART members.
The local could have accepted defeat. But Business Manager Jon Alvino and Political Director/Organizer Chaz Tedesco knew that HVAC work in public schools represented a golden opportunity for Colorado sheet metal workers, not to mention benefiting kids and educators — especially important at a time when continued federal funding for indoor air quality work is being threatened by Congress.
Their resolve paid off in June 2025, when Gov. Polis signed a new version of the bill that requires school districts to thoroughly assess and upgrade their HVAC systems using certified contractors when spending federal infrastructure or education funds, and to provide for regular maintenance and inspection of HVAC systems following installation.
“After the governor’s veto of last year’s bill, I had serious reservations about running something similar again,” Alvino said. “But I owe a great deal of thanks to Representatives Sheila Lieder, Eliza Hamrick and Senator Jessie Danielson. Their leadership, encouragement and unwavering support gave this bill and our union the momentum we needed.”
“Representative Lieder has been an incredible champion — not just for this bill, but for sheet metal workers across Colorado,” he added. “Her advocacy, rooted in her experience as a labor leader with CWA, continues to make a real impact.”
The bill directs the governor to use remaining Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds to assist school districts in finding certified contractors and writing grants to access federal funding, and instructs the state Department of Labor and Employment to create a list of certified HVAC contractors schools can hire from.
“There are many qualified HVAC contractors across Colorado, and this legislation ensures that when schools update their heating and cooling systems, they meet high standards for safety, efficiency and quality,” said Colorado State Rep. Lieder in a post-session statement. “This law is good for workers and small businesses because it helps them secure HVAC maintenance contracts while creating safer air to breathe for Colorado students and educators.”
Whether it’s indoor air quality, offsite fabrication or other sheet metal work, SMART members and high-road signatory contractors miss out on jobs when bad-faith employers take advantage of loopholes to win bids on work such as HVAC in public schools. For that reason, Alvino explained, the enshrining of SMART HVAC standards into state law is a big win for members.
“The certified contractor list created through this bill guarantees that those who pay prevailing wages and participate in registered apprenticeship programs are eligible. It’s a huge step forward for ensuring quality work and supporting skilled local labor,” Alvino explained.
Plus, when combined with local bond measures, the legislation puts Local 9 in a strong position to partner with school districts, helping them leverage matching funds at both the state and federal level to improve their facilities.
“This legislation wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication of our members, the courage of our state leaders and the tireless advocacy from labor and community partners,” Alvino concluded. “Thanks to their efforts, students and educators across Colorado will benefit from cleaner, healthier air, and workers will have more access to good-paying, meaningful jobs that make a real impact.”
In 2024, SMART Local 9 worked tirelessly to push an indoor air quality in public schools bill through the Colorado state legislature and to Governor Jared Polis’s desk — only to see the governor veto the legislation, along with the work hours it would have created for SMART members.
The local could have accepted defeat. But Business Manager Jon Alvino and Political Director/Organizer Chaz Tedesco knew that HVAC work in public schools represented a golden opportunity for Colorado sheet metal workers, not to mention benefiting kids and educators — especially important at a time when continued federal funding for indoor air quality work is being threatened by Congress.
Their resolve paid off in June 2025, when Gov. Polis signed a new version of the bill that requires school districts to thoroughly assess and upgrade their HVAC systems using certified contractors when spending federal infrastructure or education funds, and to provide for regular maintenance and inspection of HVAC systems following installation.
“After the governor’s veto of last year’s bill, I had serious reservations about running something similar again,” Alvino said. “But I owe a great deal of thanks to Representatives Sheila Lieder, Eliza Hamrick and Senator Jessie Danielson. Their leadership, encouragement and unwavering support gave this bill and our union the momentum we needed.”
“Representative Lieder has been an incredible champion — not just for this bill, but for sheet metal workers across Colorado,” he added. “Her advocacy, rooted in her experience as a labor leader with CWA, continues to make a real impact.”
The bill directs the governor to use remaining Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds to assist school districts in finding certified contractors and writing grants to access federal funding, and instructs the state Department of Labor and Employment to create a list of certified HVAC contractors schools can hire from.
“There are many qualified HVAC contractors across Colorado, and this legislation ensures that when schools update their heating and cooling systems, they meet high standards for safety, efficiency and quality,” said Colorado State Rep. Lieder in a post-session statement. “This law is good for workers and small businesses because it helps them secure HVAC maintenance contracts while creating safer air to breathe for Colorado students and educators.”
Whether it’s indoor air quality, custom offsite fabrication or other sheet metal work, SMART members and high-road signatory contractors miss out on jobs when bad-faith employers take advantage of loopholes to win bids on work such as HVAC in public schools. For that reason, Alvino explained, the enshrining of SMART HVAC standards into state law is a big win for members.
“The certified contractor list created through this bill guarantees that those who pay prevailing wages and participate in registered apprenticeship programs are eligible. It’s a huge step forward for ensuring quality work and supporting skilled local labor,” Alvino explained.
Plus, when combined with local bond measures, the legislation puts Local 9 in a strong position to partner with school districts, helping them leverage matching funds at both the state and federal level to improve their facilities.
“This legislation wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication of our members, the courage of our state leaders and the tireless advocacy from labor and community partners,” Alvino concluded. “Thanks to their efforts, students and educators across Colorado will benefit from cleaner, healthier air, and workers will have more access to good-paying, meaningful jobs that make a real impact.”
The SMART Transportation Division Colorado State Legislative Board announced that a railroad safety bill it supports received a key committee endorsement on October 3 and looks likely to be considered in the state Legislature’s 2024 session.
By a 14–6 vote, the state’s Joint Transportation Legislation Review Committee approved of the measure, which limits train lengths to 8,500 feet and sets placement of trackside detectors to mirror what is proposed in the Railway Safety Act introduced after the East Palestine, Ohio, disaster in February 2023. The legislation also would prohibit carriers from blocking rail crossings for longer than 10 minutes.
According to Colorado State Legislative Director Carl Smith, the Ohio derailment was the impetus for some of the legislators to take a hard look at rail safety — and a couple of other incidents closer to home have kept the attention on the railroad.
“A military train from Fort Carson derailed right across from the El Paso County Jail, in Colorado Springs,” Smith said. “So that drew a lot of media attention, a lot of media spotlight.”
Incidents such as the Colorado Springs derailment and a second, more recent incident in Pueblo, Colorado, combined with members’ active outreach, made the commonsense efforts advocated by SMART-TD hard to ignore — even for people who had previously aligned with the carriers.
Smith said that state Rep. Ty Winter had adamantly refused to support rail safety legislation in the 2023 session and was a “no” for several months leading up to the vote in early October, but changed his mind in a statement to the review committee.
“I firmly believe the pressure that Rep. Winter received from the railroad workers that live and work in the 47th House District caused a significant change to his previous stance,” Smith said. “We will thank Rep. Winter for his support and continue to ensure that he supports rail safety legislation. The lobbyists of both railroads were visibly shocked by Winter’s statement and vote.”
A great deal of work on the legislation has been done, but there’s more ahead.
“We still have many steps to go before it gets to the governor’s desk for signature,” Smith noted.
But the committee endorsement with bipartisan support and 14 cosponsors — even before introduction before the full Legislature in 2024 — give it a leg up over legislation starting from scratch.
Smith also said that the legislation remains subject to amendment, especially at the encouragement of the railroad carriers, to soften the protections the bill advocates.
“I anticipate that happening,” he cautioned.
Smith and the Colorado State Legislative Board have already created a coalition of other unions, public safety and environmental groups to help raise awareness in the Legislature for a successful outcome that mirrors the winning two-person crew effort in the state in 2019.
“We will continue to educate legislators on railroad safety and lobby them to support the bill for the 2024 session,” Smith concluded.
A recent poll conducted by RBI Strategies & Research in conjunction with Magellan Strategies found that 61% of those surveyed would support a sales tax increase to fund a passenger rail service project along Colorado’s Front Range.
Although a sales tax increase is supported at this time, an article in The Colorado Sun said that support for the sales tax increase will likely go down once voters are told how much of an increase will be required to fund the $5 billion project, which would establish a passenger train route to operate from Fort Collins to Pueblo, Colo.
Click here to read the full survey results.
Click here to read more from The Colorado Sun.
Two-person freight crew safety legislation is one step closer to becoming law in Colorado with the state Senate’s passage of House Bill 1034 (H.B. 1034).
After its 19-15 passage on Feb. 25 in the Senate, the bill is on the desk of Democratic Gov. Jared Polis for consideration after a successful March 4 reconciliation vote in the House.
Polis has three options — signing the bill to make it state law, vetoing the bill or not signing the bill. If he chooses not to sign the bill, it will then become law after 10 days of inaction.
“We need to let the governor know that this is a grassroots effort with the safety of the public in mind,” Colorado State Legislative Director Carl Smith said.
Through the process, members in the state, as well as their families and friends, have been instrumental in supporting the efforts of the Colorado State Legislative Board to get the two-person crew bill through the Legislature and onto the governor’s desk.
Help is needed one more time for that final push. Members, their families and friends in Colorado all can voice their support for the legislation by following the link below:
Show your support for the Colorado two-person crew bill.
Smith said that he is optimistic that Polis, who as a U.S. representative was a co-sponsor of the 2017 Safe Freight Act legislation, will support the bill once he hears from SMART members, their families and anyone else in the state who is concerned about rail safety.
H.B. 1034 first passed the Colorado House on Feb. 5 by a 39-23 vote.
Amtrak has informed federal, state and local officials along the route of the daily Chicago-to-Los Angeles Southwest Chief that it will provide matching funds to enable a federal grant to be awarded for safety and reliability upgrades in Kansas, Colorado and New Mexico, the carrier said in a news release Feb. 27.
The funds available to upgrade the route came after Congress passed and President Donald Trump signed the FY2019 Appropriations Act, which included funding for Amtrak and intercity passenger rail, earlier in the month.
The legislation set aside at least $50 million of its National Network grant for improvements to the Southwest Chief route. Amtrak is using $3 million of these funds to match a $16 million grant successfully sought by these states, counties and cities and awarded to Colfax County, N.M. The grant and matching funds from the partners will result in an investment of more than $26 million in preserving the daily route from Chicago to Los Angeles.
Amtrak and BNSF Railway began community discussions regarding safety and other infrastructure improvements in 2011. Since then, more than $80 million has been committed from U.S. Department of Transportation grant programs, state and local governments, Amtrak and BNSF.
As reported in prior articles published on the SMART Transportation Division website and in the SMART TD News, Amtrak has been considering “bus bridges” on portions of the route or the potential discontinuation of the route altogether.
“We’re glad it’s getting funds to go through Colorado,” said Colorado State Legislative Director Carl Smith. “We’re supportive of all measures to continuing the Chief’s service through our state.”
Amtrak said in the release that it will use the newly available federal capital funding to continue needed work on the next route segment in New Mexico.
The carrier said in its release it is working on a long-term financial plan with state and local partners to address the unique challenges of the Southwest Chief route, particularly where Amtrak is the only user of BNSF tracks in Colorado and New Mexico.
State Legislative Director Carl Smith is urging all members from Colorado to contact their state representatives and ask them to support the state’s two-person crew bill, H.B. 1034. Smith says that members, their families and friends are encouraged to visit www.corailsafe.com to contact their legislators about supporting this bill.
Better yet, union members can come out in person to express their support, Smith said.
The bill, which was introduced Jan. 4 by state Reps. Tom Sullivan and Daneya Esgar, is set to be heard by the House Transportation Committee at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 30 at the Colorado State Capitol, 200 East Colfax, Denver.
“We will meet in the basement at 11:30 a.m.,” Smith said. “You and everyone you know that cares about railroad safety must contact your state legislator by phone, letter or email before this date to tell them to support H.B. 1034. We need everyone! You, your family, your friends and neighbors.
“It will take all of us.”
Click here to contact your legislators.
Click here to view the members that sit on Colo. House Transportation Committee.
On Jan. 9, the Colorado State Legislative Board released the results of a survey that showed strong support among Coloradans for a law requiring two-person crews. The survey, conducted Jan. 2 – Jan. 5, 2019, asked 550 random Colorado residents older than 18 using both cell phones and landlines about issues centered around railroad safety. The results showed that 77 percent of Coloradans said that, given the chance, they would vote in favor of a two-person crew law.
“More than three of four respondents to this poll understand the safety benefits of having more than one person operating a freight train. Safety is a top priority for them and requiring all trains in the state to be operated by a crew of at least two people, no exceptions, makes perfect sense,” Smith said in a press release about the survey results.
To keep the state’s rails safe, legislators need to hear about the importance of keeping two people operating freight trains. Now is your chance to make your voice heard!
SMART Transportation Division Colorado State Legislative Director Carl Smith reports that legislators in his state are again considering a Right to Work For Less bill.
This is the second time in two years that politicians are attempting to undermine the right to union representation in that state, Smith said. The bill, this time known as HB18-1030 “Prohibit Discrimination Labor Union Participation,” is scheduled to be heard in the Colorado House State, Veterans & Military Affairs Committee at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24.
“Last year, we were able to provide excellent testimony and pack the room to defeat this bad legislation and send a strong statement on our thoughts about the bill,” Smith said.
Smith again asks members to unite to provide a strong turnout in opposition to this attack and is seeking SMART TD members in his state to testify before the committee in Denver.
To sign up, visit this link: https://goo.gl/forms/JhLmxn5Q9h4Dycyr2 or email Smith at ColoSMARTUnion@gmail.com.
The goal of this type of legislation ultimately is to reduce your wages – to take money out of your pocket and to further line the pocketbooks of businesses at your expense. Right to Work For Less bills are falsely portrayed by their corporate-friendly backers as anti-discriminatory or as preserving individual rights. In reality, this kind of legislation is a thinly-veiled attempt to bust unions, to jeopardize union members’ livelihoods by making workplaces more dangerous and to maximize business profits by paying you less.
In 2008, Colorado voters were on our side and overwhelmingly rejected a ballot initiative that tried to install Right to Work For Less legislation in the state.
But since then, Smith said, misguided anti-union legislators have continued to introduce Right To Work For Less bills.
In this latest attempt, Colorado Rep. Justin Everett and state Sen. Tim Neville, both Republicans, are the primary sponsors. Everett’s office phone number is 303-866-2927. Neville’s is 303-866-4873.
Ten additional representatives and two additional senators also are signed on as sponsors of HB18-1030.
The representatives are Perry Buck, Stephen Humphrey, Timothy Leonard, Kimmi Lewis, Patrick Neville, Kim Ransom, Lori Saine, Kevin Van Winkle, Dave Williams and Cole Wist.
The senators are Chris Holbert and Vicki Marble.
Once we have come together to crush this legislative attack on our union and others, SMART TD members in Colorado are encouraged to remember this betrayal and to vote accordingly the next time they see these politicians’ names on the ballot.