Tag: General Secretary-Treasurer

Home>News>General Secretary-Treasurer

As union workers, we have a lot to be proud of.

General President Michael Coleman says it all the time: SMART members are the people who build and move our two nations. Sheet metal workers and roofers across the United States and Canada help people stay safe, healthy and protected in schools, hospitals, apartment buildings and beyond. Railroaders keep our supply chain moving, transporting essential freight from coast to coast. Bus and transit operators bring parents to work, kids to school — and they bring people together.

That’s what SMART members do for our countries. And in return, we know what we deserve: a good, secure life for ourselves and our families.

That’s what SMART fights for, day in and day out. That’s what we stand for at the bargaining table, in the union hall and on the job. And it is the principle that guides our work here in Washington, DC. One word: Family.

As your general secretary-treasurer, my work spans a variety of different responsibilities. But ultimately, my role is simple. It’s my job to ensure that SMART has the resources and infrastructure, at every level, to fulfill General President Coleman’s vision of a union that fights — and wins — for members.

That means fortifying our foundation. We need to have solid ground to stand on.

Over the last couple years, SMART has taken concrete steps to better members’ lives. Under General President Coleman’s leadership, SMART has partnered with TOOTRiS to provide wraparound child care benefits to sheet metal members at participating U.S. local unions, taking on one of the biggest obstacles facing working people in the country. The general president has made member mental health a priority; that’s why SMART has expanded access to mental health support for members and their families with a new, 24/7 employee assistance program, Union EAP. We are investing in technology — developing tools that help us see around corners, leveraging our institutional knowledge, and providing resources like the Voyager system so local unions can serve members more efficiently and effectively.

On the Transportation Division side, General President Coleman and TD President Jeremy Ferguson are working in lockstep to fight for transportation workers nationwide. State safety and legislative boards won laws to protect members’ jobs and safety in Illinois, New Jersey and beyond. Members ratified national-level rail­road agreements to increase wages, enhance benefits and introduce new job protections — without concessions. Railroaders’ health care costs have remained stable, even as other working Americans face skyrocketing prices.

This is what it means when General President Coleman talks about “fighting for what matters.” These are the victories we can win for ourselves and our fami­lies when we have a strong foundation. And this is why it is so important for us to stay strong in the face of chal­lenges to our jobs, our benefits and our rights.

2025 tested us. Projects were canceled. Costs rose. Tariffs created uncertainty for both Canadian and American members. Families felt pressure. But here’s what I know about SMART members: When pressure builds, we don’t fracture. We reinforce.

That’s why unity isn’t optional. It is essential.

This year is an election year. That means white noise. Distractions. Endless commercials with competing voices telling working people what and who to fear. But our mission does not change with the headlines. Our focus is simple: Good jobs. Secure retirements. Safe workplaces. Strong families.

When we stay focused on that mission — when we remember who we fight for — we strengthen our foun­dation, no matter who occupies any office.

Our foundation is strong because it is built on solidarity. Our families are secure because we fight together. And our future is bright because SMART members never stop building — not just buildings and railways, but opportu­nity for the next generation.

In solidarity,

John Daniel
SMART General Secretary Treasurer

As we start another year, it’s worth reflecting on where we’ve been — and where we want to go.

Throughout 2025, SMART members won victo­ries that changed lives. Our own lives, the lives of our families and the lives of people we most likely will not ever meet. We organized, signing up new members in production shops in right-to-work states, recruiting sheet metal apprentices and journeyworkers all over the United States and Canada, bringing in new properties on the railroad and winning big victories at municipal bus carriers. We bargained, coming together to collectively secure contracts — across the sheet metal and transportation industries — that provide the pay, benefits and dignity that every single one of us deserves. We mobilized, whether we were helping build better communities through SMART Army service projects or packing city hall buildings to secure project labor agree­ments and union jobs.

That is what we do, sisters and brothers. We are sheet metal workers, sign workers, roofers, railroaders, bus and transit operators, and production employees. United by our common cause and our values, we achieve things together that we could never do alone.

And yet, as General President Coleman wrote, last year was still a tough one. We faced attacks from people who are wealthy, powerful and determined to hold on to that power, even if it means making life harder for working families.

The truth is, this isn’t new. Anti-worker forces have been attacking the labor movement for decades. They did it through “trickle-down” economic policies in the 1980s that cut taxes for the wealthy. They did it through deals like the North American Free Trade Agreement, which led to outsourcing and lost jobs for working people in both of our nations. And they kept it up this past year, in the U.S. especially: canceling funding for construction jobs, including when the government was shut down, and passing legislation that will raise costs and lead to lost work hours for SMART members.

With all those challenges, it can be easy to feel like the odds are against us. They have money, they have influence, and they have allies in government who will prioritize their interests over policies that benefit working families. But there’s a reason these forces are so determined to pass right-to-work laws, undermine collective bargaining and try to weaken our move­ment. It’s because they know our strength.

There’s a saying: “Organized people beat organized money.” SMART members prove that every single day. When we pass laws that extend prevailing wages to offsite fabrication, like we did in Connecticut, New Mexico and other states. When we get project labor agreements passed in cities and counties across the country. When we win state railroad safety policies in states like Colorado, or when we secure bipartisan support for our issues. All of that shows that when we stand together, we have real power and strength — even when we are up against the richest and most powerful people in the world.

The start of a new year gives us a chance to chart where we go from here. Over the next 12 months, let’s stand together, have each other’s backs and secure the future for ourselves, our families and our union.

In solidarity,

John Daniel
SMART General Secretary Treasurer

Brothers and sisters, we are in a fight for what matters. And what matters is not abstract. It’s not party politics, slogans or cable news. What matters is our way of life — where every working person has dignity, respect, and the pay and benefits we need to take care of our families.

That’s why we fight: for good jobs, for fairness, for the basic right to bargain collectively. And that’s why those who profit from our labor want to weaken us. Because they know that when SMART members stand united, we have power: the power to win contracts, protect safety and build stability for our families.

I didn’t grow up in a family with union benefits. My parents did not have the security of a union pension waiting at the finish line. When I joined this union, I didn’t just find a paycheck — I found stability. A future. A way to look my wife and kids in the eye and say: We’re going to be okay.

That’s what SMART gave me. And I know many of you have stories like mine — stories of how our union lifted you and your family up. No matter where we came from, whether we work in a shop, a rail yard, a bus depot, installing wall cladding systems, roofing, or in production shops across North America, we share this truth: Alone we beg. Together we bargain. Together, we build a better life.

What’s under attack today isn’t just our contracts or wages — it’s our unity. There are groups whose only goal is to steer power away from working people. They try to take what makes us strong — our ability to stand together as one — and weaken it by turning our differ­ences into divisions.

We see these ideas baked into efforts like Project 2025, or advanced by groups such as the American Legislative Exchange Council and The Fraser Institute. Their mission is clear: weaken labor, divide workers and tilt the balance of power even further away from those who build and service our countries, to those who pillage the fruit of our labor.

And let’s be honest — sometimes, it works. For those of us who get up early every day to provide for our families, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking: look what they got, look what they took. It’s easier to blame someone’s race, gender, origin, age or faith than to face the harder truth: There is a strategy at play to get us to look at each other as the enemy, instead of as brothers and sisters.

That division doesn’t ease the pain we’re feeling — it amplifies it. And the more we believe those distractions are the cause of our struggles, the more power we give to those who benefit from our division.

We are the Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation workers of North America. Diverse in background and craft, but united in family — our union family. Our diversity is not a weakness; it is our strength. The skills we bring, the perspectives we carry, and the experi­ences that shape us all come together to make this union stronger, smarter and more resilient. And when our union is strong — when we can provide for our fami­lies and build stability at home — we create stronger communities and stronger countries.

This isn’t about left or right. It’s about right and wrong. And the fight ahead will take all of us, pulling in the same direction.

I believe in us. I believe in our solidarity. And I know that as long as we remain focused and united, there is nothing we cannot achieve.

In solidarity,

John Daniel
SMART General Secretary Treasurer

This summer, as SMART members reflect on where we’re headed, one truth continues to ground our progress: Our strength comes from each other. From the shop floors to the rail yards, from Parliament to Capitol Hill, our success depends not on a single action or title, but on our unity.

In his Spring 2025 Members’ Journal message, General President Coleman outlined the rising threats we face — attacks on our jobs, our contracts and the industries we work in. Efforts to privatize passenger rail, defund construction projects and chip away at labor protections aren’t just political maneuvers — they’re direct chal­lenges to our ability to provide for our families. They are meant to divide us and weaken the solidarity that makes SMART so effective.

That’s why this year’s SMART Leadership Conference theme — “Fighting for What Matters… Our Members” — is more than a slogan. It’s a commitment. One that each of us makes when we join this union. It reminds us that the union isn’t somewhere else — it’s us. We, the members, are the union. Our collective action, our shared purpose and our daily work are what give SMART its power.

And as General President Coleman wrote on page two, that power has produced real, lasting wins. In recent months, Transportation Division members — rail, transit and bus — stood strong and won transformative contracts that reflect the dignity and demands of the work they perform. Sheet metal members secured maternity leave benefits, improved jobsite safety and gained access to TOOTRiS, a flexible childcare program tailored to our industry’s schedule. Across all sectors, SMART has worked to expand access to mental health support for members and their families via an employee assistance program, Union EAP. And we modernized how locals serve members through the Voyager system.

These gains didn’t come by accident — and they didn’t come easily. They came from our shared disci­pline, focus and resolve.

Our focus has been simple: strengthen our foundation so we can protect what we’ve built and push forward with confidence.

As your general secretary-treasurer, that’s my responsi­bility: to make sure every back-of-house decision — from vendors to banking, infrastructure to benefits — supports our front-line mission. We are not just responding to today’s needs. We are preparing for tomorrow’s chal­lenges. That means making smarter investments. Asking hard questions of our partners. Building a technology structure that allows SMART to leverage who we are — and the collective knowledge we hold — in new and more powerful ways.

This work is quiet, but it is transformational. It’s how we ensure stability in unpredictable times. It’s how we build opportunity for the next generation. And it’s how we prove, every day, that SMART is not just a strong union — it’s a growing one.

We aren’t finished. We’re just getting started. Together, let’s keep fighting for what matters: our fellow members.

In solidarity,

John Daniel
SMART General Secretary Treasurer

“You get what you pay for.”

It’s an old saying that most of us have heard plenty of times. But it holds special relevance for union workers — because for us, it’s true in a profound way. We pay union dues, and what we get is something priceless: the solidarity that defines SMART membership.

As General President Coleman wrote, solidarity is the bedrock of our organization. At the International level, across the United States and every Canadian province, our unity gives us power: Together, we fight for jobs and fairness, transcending our border and winning real gains for SMART members and families. That’s true strength — the type that can never be broken, even as external pressures intensify.

What I want to highlight are the everyday investments SMART makes as a result of your continued solidarity. Our union dues are an investment in ourselves: in worker power, in collective bargaining, in strong contracts and in our families. They are also a reflection of our intentional focus — our collective commitment to building a stronger union, piece by piece. That manifests in specific, material ways. A few examples:

Union EAP is an example of a member assistance program specifically tailored to SMART members. This service, if adopted by your local union or your local healthcare plan, is available at no direct cost to the member. Union EAP connects members and their families with licensed clinicians, available 24/7/365. Each case is guided by a master’s-level clinician who works with the member and their insurance provider to build a personalized plan and help navigate life’s challenges.

“We pay union dues, and what we get is something priceless: the solidarity that defines SMART membership.”

In addition to mental well-being, one of our priorities at the International is empowering our local unions to better serve their members. That’s why we introduced the Voyager system — a fully supported union management software solution at no direct cost to local unions. Voyager helps streamline internal operations, provides digital dues receipts for members and allows locals to manage union affairs without unnecessary hurdles and expenses.

We have also heard — and acted on — the need to strengthen the future of the sheet metal trade. For too long, the lack of maternity leave in the sheet metal industry prevented women and new mothers from joining and staying in the craft. That’s why SMART and SMACNA launched a maternity leave benefit fund for sheet metal members: a reimbursement program for participating U.S. local unions’ health and welfare funds, providing for a combined total of 26 weeks of maternity leave. Another example of SMART leading where others have hesitated.

And most recently, SMART launched a childcare benefit program with TOOTRiS. Too many working families — especially in the trades — are forced to choose between career and care. Thanks to this new partnership, sheet metal members at participating U.S. local unions can more easily access flexible, high-quality childcare options that meet the unique demands of our work schedules.

Brothers and sisters, these programs and partnerships are more than benefits. They represent solidarity in action — and the result of our shared focus on building a better future. That’s what we pay for. That’s why we pay dues. That’s why our solidarity — and our intentional focus — are more important now than ever before.

We know challenges lie ahead. Economic forces beyond our control, from aggressive tariff disruptions to unpredictable market shifts, will test the foundations we have built. The potential ripple effects — from stock market volatility to pressures on pensions, healthcare funds and even renewed threats of healthcare taxation — remind us that we cannot afford to lose focus.

Union membership means looking out for one another — leveraging our individual power into something far greater, something that sustains SMART families today and tomorrow. When we remain focused, disciplined and united, there is nothing we cannot achieve.

In solidarity,

John Daniel
SMART General Secretary Treasurer

Our union stands on an unbreakable foundation: solidarity. Time and again, we have shown that when we unite around our shared values, there are no limits to what we can achieve.

Solidarity goes beyond supporting each other in tough times. It is both a value system and a practice — the principle of having each other’s backs and actively standing together against injustice, from the jobsite to government halls. It embodies our belief that by working together — strategically, boldly and purposefully — we can create new opportunities, amplify our voices and enhance the quality of life for every SMART member and their families.

We are at a critical juncture for our union, our industries and our two nations. While challenges loom, immense opportunities for growth are present. In our industries, we are embracing new technologies and evolving standards. As a workforce, we are fostering unity and resilience to meet the challenges ahead. And as one unified union, SMART, our voice resonates louder and reaches further than ever before.

As General President Coleman often emphasizes, while administrative policies will influence our work, the essence of solidarity remains unwavering. Whether you fabricate HVAC systems, operate transit or work on the rails, whether you reside in Vancouver, Dallas or anywhere in between, our true strength lies in our unity. Together, we are invincible against any challenge.

Our history is a testament to our collective power. Across all disciplines within SMART, our brothers and sisters have made their voices heard loud and clear. In 2019–2020, we stood together to protect union apprenticeships from Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Programs (IRAPs). In 2022, we united across industries to fight for paid sick leave for railroad workers. These victories highlight our ability to effect meaningful change — and the limitless potential ahead.

“Solidarity goes beyond supporting each other in tough times. It is both a value system and a practice — the principle of having each other’s backs and actively standing together against injustice…”

Our future shines brightly because we will navigate it together. Whether it’s tackling workforce challenges, improving workplace safety for our bus operators, advancing rail safety or advocating for fair policies that support working families, we will act with strategy, vigor and resolve to build the future every member deserves. By prioritizing the safety and well-being of all our members and confronting exploitative forces head-on, we will transform our union and the industries and communities we serve.

At the time of writing, we and people across the United States are awaiting the start of President Trump’s second term. While we cannot predict the exact agenda of the new administration, we remain committed to working with any politician, regardless of party affiliation, to advance the interests of SMART members and their families. If past actions related to IRAPs, two-person railroad crews and our pension funds are any indication, we may face significant challenges ahead. That’s when it will be more important than ever to remember our values.

In SMART, an injury to one is an injury to all, and we act to keep all of us safe and secure — from confronting unsafe conditions at work, to taking a strike vote, to donating food to a fellow worker in need.

Today, I call on each of you to join this vital journey. Engage actively in your union, share your ideas and insights, and participate in local meetings, committees and initiatives. Make your voice heard on local politics that affect your job. Together, we will elevate SMART into an even stronger, more influential union; one that leads our industries and our two nations with unwavering resolve.

Let’s seize the opportunities before us and march forward together — as one union, one voice, one community.

In solidarity,

John Daniel
SMART General Secretary Treasurer

As a sheet metal worker and proud union member for decades, I can confidently say that I’ve never seen as much opportunity in our industry as I do today.

Like many of you, I’ve faced my share of challenges throughout my career. Whether I was working with the tools, fighting to secure jobs as an organizer or negotiating contracts to expand our market share as the business manager of Local 265 in Carol Stream, Illinois, I’ve been right there with you. We have navigated the ups and downs, including the unprecedented challenges of the Great Recession and its aftermath.

Today, we find ourselves in unprecedented times once again — but this time, it’s due to unparalleled growth.

Across the country, we see a surge of megaprojects breaking ground: EV battery plants, infrastructure projects, semiconductor fabrication facilities and more. These projects are coming online every day in places like Texas, Ontario, Tennessee, Kentucky, Vermont and beyond.

Our union is stronger than ever. Our membership now stands at 230,000 — a gain of nearly 30,000 new members. This growth is a remarkable achievement and a testament to the hard work and determination of members and leaders across the union. But let me be clear: This success wasn’t handed to us — it was earned.

In 2020, we mobilized to elect a pro-worker administration and allies in Congress — not because of the party they represented, but because they were willing to listen to us, understand our “Why,” and act on it. We pushed our agenda forward, negotiating with those who were open-minded and committed to understanding the needs of our members. We held accountable those who failed to stand by us and stood firmly behind those who proved their loyalty to our cause. We didn’t just sit back and support candidates based on party affiliation, nor did we simply take politicians at their word. We fought actively for our future.

Our hard work led to the passage of critical legislation — the American Rescue Plan Act, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act and the Inflation Reduction Act. These aren’t just political wins; they are victories for every single union member, ensuring jobs that offer fair pay, good benefits and the dignity of work.

But we cannot take these gains for granted. If we want this period of prosperity to continue, we must remain vigilant and proactive. Our future is at stake in this November’s election.

This election is not about partisan politics. I know that for some, issues like diversity, equity and inclusion, immigration reform, the right to bear arms or who we choose to love are deeply personal and vital. And they are important. But at the core of everything — no matter what we believe or how we live — is the need for family security. Whatever your family looks like, whatever you value, the foundation of it all is the ability to provide for those we love.

That means securing good wages, quality healthcare and the dignity of retirement through our hard-earned pensions.

Our union isn’t just about better wages and benefits; it’s about creating a stable foundation for every family, ensuring that every member can provide for their loved ones. A strong union builds stronger families, stronger communities and ultimately, a stronger country. When we protect and grow our union, we set the stage for addressing all of the other challenges we face. This November, let’s stay focused on what matters most: our union, our families and our future.

That’s why I’ll be voting for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, two pro-union champions who have proven their loyalty to SMART members and pledged to continue our shared progress. I urge you to join me in voting for the future of our families and our union this November.

In solidarity,

John Daniel
SMART General Secretary Treasurer

Sisters and brothers,

It is one of the greatest honors of my life to serve as your general secretary-treasurer. This trade, and this great union, have given me everything I have. I first picked up the tools in 1991, when I started in the Local 265 apprenticeship program in Carol Stream, Illinois. Since then, I’ve worked as a sheet metal fabricator, an installer, an instructor, an organizer, a business representative, financial secretary-treasurer and the president and business manager of my local.

At every step, I’ve been humbled to walk in the footsteps of the trade unionists who came before me; who passed along their knowledge and helped me serve my fellow members as best I could. That includes outgoing SMART General Secretary-Treasurer Joseph Powell. Joe has worked closely with me to ensure a seamless transition as he moves to a directorial role — and thanks in no small part to his hard work alongside General President Emeritus Joseph Sellers and General President Michael Coleman, our organization is well positioned for the future.

Five years ago, we faced a number of challenges. The Sheet Metal Workers’ National Pension Fund was still considered “endangered.” The SMART Transportation Division fought constantly against attacks like precision scheduled railroading, draconian attendance policies, anti-worker legislation and much more. Financially, the International and local unions alike found themselves making sacrifices to ensure our organization’s solvency.

We are living in extraordinary times, brothers and sisters — and if we take advantage, SMART and the labor movement will benefit for decades.

We are in a much different position today, and not by accident. The hard work of members at every level of this union helped push the National Pension Fund into the “Green Zone;” we recruited more new sheet metal workers than we lost in 2023; and in the face of untoward hostility from freight railroad carriers and anti-union government officials, the SMART Transportation Division managed to grow in the last year.

Financially, we are secure. We have met the challenge. But now, it’s time to put the pedal to the metal.

Megaprojects and pro-worker laws have combined with our core work to create unparalleled workforce demands — and opportunity — in the sheet metal industry. This is our time to grow; to organize, recruit and retain more than we ever have, and to secure our collective future for generations of SMART members to come.

The same goes for transportation workers. Our union has made incredible progress when it comes to rail safety, as well as funding for high-speed rail lines and major contract victories such as paid sick leave. We won’t let up now. I look forward to working with SMART-TD leaders and members to win further gains and secure more protections for our members.

We are living in extraordinary times, brothers and sisters — and if we take advantage, SMART and the labor movement will benefit for decades. Words cannot describe how proud I am to work for and alongside you in this pivotal moment, and I promise I will do everything in my power to help the 200,000-plus members of this union achieve the future we deserve.

In solidarity,

John Daniel
SMART General Secretary Treasurer

When Joseph Powell first began working as SMART general secretary-treasurer following his election in 2019, our union – and our two nations – was in a vastly different position. Nationally, both the United States and Canada were in the midst of tenuous and chaotic political climates that tested working families across states, provinces and territories. And SMART faced a variety of challenges, including a pension that was still considered “endangered,” the Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Programs (IRAPs) scheme from the Trump administration, attacks on two-person crews and much more.

Today, we have met those challenges, with the Sheet Metal Workers’ National Pension Fund certified in the Green Zone, IRAPs soundly defeated, a federal two-person crew regulation and pro-union legislation at the federal and state levels. And on June 4, 2024, Powell informed the General Executive Council that he would not seek re-election for the office of general secretary-treasurer at the 3rd SMART General Convention in August.  

“After 10 years of dedicated service, I have decided to step down as of June 30, 2024,” Powell said. “I will continue in my commitment to SMART and our members in a director capacity.”

“Joe has been a steadfast leader from day one; someone sheet metal and transportation workers know they can count on, from his days at Local 206 in San Diego, to his years serving our members across North America at the International,” added SMART General President Michael Coleman. “I have no doubt that he will continue that service as a director.”

GST John Daniel
Former GST Joseph Powell

Daniel to bring decades of experience to Washington, DC

Following Powell’s announcement on June 4, the SMART General Executive Council appointed John Daniel, outgoing president and business manager of Local 265 (Carol Stream, Ill.) and current SMART general vice president, to assume the remainder of the general secretary-treasurer’s term. Powell worked closely with Daniel during the changeover to ensure a smooth transition.

“I know our union will be in good hands with John as general secretary-treasurer,” Coleman said. “Congratulations to him on this achievement.”

Daniel has loyally served SMART members for more than 30 years. Since entering the industry in 1991, he has been a sheet metal fabricator and installer, an instructor, organizer, business representative, financial secretary-treasurer and most recently the president/business manager for Local 265.

Daniel said his career path has provided him with a well-rounded perspective of the sheet metal industry and the challenges facing the unionized sector. Having an open mind and being an active listener, leveraging assets both financial and relational, employing technology to not only capture more work opportunities but to attract the next generation of tradesmen and women — these are only a few of his priorities.

“I have some big shoes to fill, but I’m excited to serve the members of our great union, in every craft, every trade and every industry, from Canada to the United States,” Daniel said. “This is a crucial time for our organization, and I’m ready to do the work.”

When Joseph Powell first began working as SMART general secretary-treasurer following his election in 2019, our union – and our two nations – was in a vastly different position. Nationally, both the United States and Canada were in the midst of tenuous and chaotic political climates that tested working families across states, provinces and territories. And SMART faced a variety of challenges, including a pension that was still considered “endangered,” the Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Programs (IRAPs) scheme from the Trump administration, attacks on two-person crews and much more.

Today, we have met those challenges, with the Sheet Metal Workers’ National Pension Fund certified in the Green Zone, IRAPs soundly defeated, a federal two-person crew regulation and pro-union legislation at the federal and state levels. And on June 4, 2024, Powell informed the General Executive Council that he would not seek re-election for the office of general secretary-treasurer at the 3rd SMART General Convention in August.  

“After 10 years of dedicated service, I have decided to step down as of June 30, 2024,” Powell said. “I will continue in my commitment to SMART and our members in a director capacity.”

“Joe has been a steadfast leader from day one; someone sheet metal and transportation workers know they can count on, from his days at Local 206 in San Diego, to his years serving our members across North America at the International,” added SMART General President Michael Coleman. “I have no doubt that he will continue that service as a director.”

Incoming GST John Daniel
Outgoing GST Joseph Powell

Daniel to bring decades of experience to Washington, DC

Following Powell’s announcement on June 4, the SMART General Executive Council appointed John Daniel, outgoing president and business manager of Local 265 (Carol Stream, Ill.) and current SMART general vice president, to assume the remainder of the general secretary-treasurer’s term. Powell is working closely with Daniel during the changeover to ensure a smooth transition.

“I know our union will be in good hands with John as general secretary-treasurer,” Coleman said. “Congratulations to him on this achievement.”

Daniel has loyally served SMART members for more than 30 years. Since entering the industry in 1991, he has been a sheet metal fabricator and installer, an instructor, organizer, business representative, financial secretary-treasurer and most recently the president/business manager for Local 265.

Daniel said his career path has provided him with a well-rounded perspective of the sheet metal industry and the challenges facing the unionized sector. Having an open mind and being an active listener, leveraging assets both financial and relational, employing technology to not only capture more work opportunities but to attract the next generation of tradesmen and women — these are only a few of his priorities.

“I have some big shoes to fill, but I’m excited to serve the members of our great union, in every craft, every trade and every industry, from Canada to the United States,” Daniel said. “This is a crucial time for our organization, and I’m ready to do the work.”