"We are proud of the meaningful change the program is driving across the sheet metal industry," says SMACNA's chief executive officer.

A recent study from Plus Docs analyzed Bureau of Labor Statistics data to identify the states with the most dramatic changes in union membership between 2013 and 2023.

Matt Sano, a member of SMART Local 19 in Philadelphia, is the 21st inductee and the third from his local to receive the honor.

The International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART) held its third general convention in Las Vegas, with appearances from high profile politicians budding union elections.

The replica, which is made of angle iron, came together thanks to F.A. Wilhelm, who built the bottom section, Poynter, who built the second section, R.A.D. fabrication, who built the third section and Latinas Welding, who completed the fourth section.

The campaign to organize PreCast Florida grew out of the local's existing relationship with Southern State Duct Masters, a unionized sheet metal contractor that has thrived since signing with Local 435 in 2022.

The strategic alliance is expected to deliver tangible benefits to the members of MCAA, NECA, SMACNA and TAUC.

Moving forward, Daikin continues to grow and require more workers. Local 480 is organizing accordingly, spreading the good graces of working in unionized HVAC to anyone who will listen.

SMACNA says final rules address a workforce skills crisis and shortage due almost entirely to "the predictable and avoidable result of intentional underinvestment in skill and workforce quality over decades."

"There is no doubt that the IRA is a law that concretely benefits SMART sheet metal workers," SMART said in a statement.