Tag: Recruitment and Retention Council

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Pittsburgh welcomed SMART leaders, staff and members as the Recruitment and Retention Council kicked off the first day of the Three-Pack Attack — the three-day meeting of the Recruitment and Retention, Production and Sign, and Roofing and Building Enclosure Councils.

The day opened with a welcome from Geoff Foringer, Local 12 business manager, who greeted attendees on behalf of the host city. Foringer highlighted Pittsburgh’s deep cultural roots, proud sports tradition and important place in the history of the American labor movement.

Local 12 Business Manager Geoff Foringer

Opening remarks followed from Tom Wiant and Lance Deyette, SMART assistants to the general president. They discussed new SMART International initiatives underway across the the United States and Canada, emphasizing the importance SMART leadership places on hearing directly from local leaders and members. That feedback, they noted, is essential as our union continues working to improve the lives of SMART members and their families.

Wiant and Deyette

The meeting featured a full slate of presentations focused on organizing, member support, recruitment and retention. Jason Benson, SMART director of organizing, shared updates on SMART’s organizing priorities and ongoing efforts to grow our union.

That was followed by a presentation on new developments in SMART’s child care partnership with TOOTRiS, led by Louise Medina, director of special projects, and Tiffany Finck-Hayes, governmental affairs representative. SMART General Vice President and Local 85 (Atlanta) Business Manager Steve Langley, along with Local 5 (East Tennessee) Business Manager Christian Fuller, also discussed how their locals are using child care support to make the trade more accessible to new recruits — and to help keep members in the industry.

Finck-Haynes
Langley
Fuller
Medina

The morning wrapped up with a presentation on how the International Training Institute is supporting recruitment and retention efforts, as well as the work of the RISE Committee. The presentation was delivered by Tammy Meyen, ITI field staff — recruitment and retention specialist, and Dale Clark, RISE Committee chair and ITI OSHA specialist.

In the afternoon, the council turned its focus to workplace protections, workforce development and practical recruitment tools. David Ortiz-Whittingham, construction organizer with Worker Justice, presented on protecting immigrants at work and in the community, taking questions from attendees on a range of issues impacting immigrant workers and their families.

Benson
Chappell
Local 565 Organizer Steve McDonald
Meyen

The session also included a BE4ALL Toolbox Talk led by Jan Chappell, Recruitment and Retention Council recording secretary.

All told, the day’s agenda reflected SMART’s continued commitment to organizing, supporting members, strengthening local unions and building real pathways into the trade. From child care and worker protections to recruitment tools and workforce partnerships, the first day in Pittsburgh centered one shared goal: expanding opportunity for current and future SMART members.

From May 15–19, 2023, the SMART Recruitment and Retention Council — along with the Roofing and Building Enclosure and Production and Sign Councils — met in Memphis, Tennessee, where SMART leaders from across the United States and Canada reviewed and planned out activities for the year and beyond.

With the continent-wide need for workers at a generational high, now is the time for locals to recruit new members and apprentices for upcoming megaprojects in both nations. Lauren Sugarman and Lark Jackson from Chicago Women in the Trades discussed recruitment strategies to build a diverse pool of potential members to strengthen the union. Tiffany Finck-Haynes from the SMART Government Affairs Department gave an overview of federal funding available to local JATCs to assist with recruitment and retention of members from across all ethnic and gender backgrounds.

Darrell Roberts, SMART’s assistant to the general president, and Josh Garner from the SMART International Organizing Department led a presentation on recruitment tactics, while SMART-TD Chief of Staff Jerry Gibson led a discussion on recruitment and retention and its unique role in the industries the SMART Transportation Division represents. He was joined by John Pitts (organizer from SMART-TD Local 608), James Sandoval (general chairperson for SMART-TD Local 0023) and Chad Yokoyama (SMART-TD Local 1687).

Michael Childers speaks to SMART councilmembers.

Attendees at the Roofing and Building Enclosure Council meeting were also updated on cutting-edge tools and training for new panel systems. These will give SMART architectural sheet metal workers and roofers a leg up over the nonunion competition as SMART continues to expand market share and collective bargaining power for members.

The Production and Sign Council heard from Michael Childers, the department co-chair of the School for Workers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Childers spoke about the collaboration between the labor movement and civil rights movements, and how that solidarity translates to work being done today as SMART looks to spread our message of opportunity to people of all races and backgrounds. Local 464 (Ponca City, Okla.) Business Manager Mechelle McNew, a longtime leader on the council and founding member of the SMART Women’s Committee, was also honored at the close of the council meetings for her contributions to the organization as one of the first woman leaders in the SMART sheet metal industry.

Former SMART General President Joseph Sellers and General President Mike Coleman addressed attendees at all three meetings and updated them on progress at the International level. Each committee later honored General President Sellers for his contributions to the union and the substantial progress made during his time in office. Among the items Sellers received was a fishing rod to use during his retirement, when he will have the chance to spend time with his family.

Remarking at the end of a presentation from the SMART Women’s Committee, whose members were also in attendance, Sellers noted that he “looks forward to seeing the work you continue to do, because you’re shaping SMART.”

SMART Army lands in Memphis

On Thursday, May 18, members of SMART Local 4 in Memphis were joined by SMART members across North America for a community litter cleanup in historic Soulsville, where union members also helped repair and plant in Urban Forest and Community Garden. Following the event, the SMART Army presented a $21,100 check to Memphis City Beautiful, the nation’s oldest beautification commission.

“As part of our Recruitment and Retention Council, Roofing and Building Enclosure Council and Production and Sign Council meetings in Memphis this week, we decided to collectively do what our union does best: uplift working families in local communities,” said SMART General President Michael Coleman, who participated in the volunteer event. “We are proud to partner with organizations like Memphis City Beautiful and the Urban Forest and Community Garden to give back to the neighborhoods in which our members live and work.”

This is a critical moment in the movement for equality, equity and justice in both of our countries, and SMART has taken steps to lead the way. When we welcome and support members from communities that are currently underrepresented in our membership, our union only becomes stronger.

The Recruitment and Retention Council was formed to create an action plan for locals to recruit, retain and include diverse groups in our organization. The council also looks to champion workplace equality within our industries and to promote respect, inclusion and safe, non-hostile work environments at all levels within SMART.

The council aims to facilitate members coming together as one organization, have these necessary conversations and collectively work on these important issues. The first meeting, featuring attendees from dozens of locals across North America, looked to introduce members to each other, with SMART General President Joseph Sellers, Jr. joining leaders from across the union in kicking off proceedings by addressing its immediate goals. The council is working to create an action plan for locals to recruit, retain and include diverse groups within the organization, while ensuring these new members feel welcome. In meeting this goal, the council aims to ensure workplace equality by promoting respect, inclusion and safe, nonhostile work environments at all levels within SMART.

Louise Medina, a SM Local 265 (DuPage County, Ill.) member who chairs the council, remarked that, “this meeting was only a first step in a long road ahead. I look forward to taking a look at how we recruit and how we will help shape the future for our union brothers and sisters.”