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What You Need to Know About the Rapid Response Protocol

This Protocol is intended for use by businesses and chapters to help prepare for and respond to incidents of bias, discrimination, and harassment. It contains best practices and recommendations for the entire industry, and a version of this Protocol has also been developed for use by local unions, regional councils, and JATCs. It is acknowledged and underscored that creating respectful workplaces is a responsibility shared by everyone in our industry, however, it’s contractors who face the greatest liability exposure when this does not occur.

Chris Hronek Named SMACNA Innovator of the Year

The award, presented at the 2024 MEP Innovation Conference, recognizes a pioneer from a SMACNA member contractor who champions innovation and continuous improvement across their company and the industry.

SMACNA Premier Partner Interview: Mestek Machinery

Mike Bailey talks about some of the innovative product lines that Mestek is pioneering, while also outlining the value of their ongoing partnership with SMACNA.

February 2024 Update: State Legislative Activity

Learn more about Wal-Mart's ambitious remodeling plan, the proposed natural gas ban in Chicago, and consider participating in one of the several Federal sector webinars taking place this month!

DOL issues Final Rules clarifying Employee or Independent Contractor Status

Rules clarifying whether workers can be classified as independent contractors under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). 

SMACNA Joins Other Trade Associations in Supporting Bipartisan Tax Legislation

U.S. House Ways and Means Committee features SMACNA’s statement of support for the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act. 

OSHA civil penalty amounts adjusted for 2024

Changes in amounts reflect current levels of inflation.

NEMIC Seeking to Hire Field Representative & Technical Specialist

Role serves critical function in building joint labor/management partnerships that can promote ICB and TABB contractors to various public/private stakeholders.

SMACNA Premier Partner Interview: Johns Manville

Product Manager Cassie Todtenhagen discusses some of the popular products being offered by Johns Manville along with detailing the value of being a SMACNA Premier Partner.

The Davis-Bacon Act- New Rules

Discover key compliance strategies, understand recent changes, and gain practical knowledge to navigate the complexities of the Davis-Bacon Act confidently. 

SMACNA Urges Senate to Quickly Confirm Julie Su

SMACNA circulates letter to Senators voicing support for Acting Secretary Su to be confirmed as the 30th Secretary of Labor.

Time is running out to register for the Collective Bargaining Orientation!

Comprehensive session designed to help both new negotiators and experienced collective bargainers prepare for their next collective bargaining session.

How to Save When Purchasing Materials with the Help of AI

Learn how, with the assistance of artificial intelligence and new technology, you can easily identify areas of improvement and savings in your current materials procurement process.

Maintaining a Labor-Management Relationships

A panel of experienced chapter executives, Ginger Slaick, Stacey Smyly, John Sindyla, and Charlene Zezawa will discuss methods for maintaining a working, and preferably good labor-management relationship with the union during the life of the collective bargaining agreement. The panelists will discuss how to approach both the union official who is open to a good relationship as well as those where the relationship is more challenged and how they may have changed the relationship over time.

January 2024 Update: State Legislative Activity

SMACNA-Endorsed Policy Changes Yielding Real Results for Increased Industrial Construction in Local Communities as Construction Boom is Called Eye-Popping.

The SMOHIT Helpline

The SMOHIT Helpline is a unique and personalized mental health service for our SMART members and their families, operated by Jeremy Holburn with assistance from a variety of mental health professionals. Although the Helpline is available 24/7, it is possible that when you call you may be prompted to leave a message, most likely due to our therapists helping other members. In most cases you will receive a callback within a three-hour window.

The SMOHIT Member Assistance Program

The Sheet Metal Occupational Health Institute Trust Inc. (SMOHIT) works with the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation (SMART) workers to provide its Member Assistance Program (MAP). This mental health awareness and action program highlights the issues associated with substance use disorder and suicide prevention, then educates union members on solutions, helping members and their families access those resources when they need them.

The Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention (CIASP)

The Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention (CIASP) is an organization that raises awareness about suicide prevention and provides resources and tools to create a zero-suicide industry by uniting and supporting the construction community.  With a suicide rate that is four times greater than the national average, the construction industry is facing a crisis. Construction workers are at a heightened risk for suicide for a variety of reasons that can all be addressed – starting with changing the culture in the workplace.  CIASP is dedicated to changing the statistics by educating and equipping organizations, industry service providers and construction professionals to STAND Up for suicide prevention and address it as a health and safety priority. There mission is to provide and disseminate information and resources for suicide prevention and mental health promotion in construction with the goal of creating a zero-suicide industry.

CPWR - The Center for Construction Research and Training Suicide Prevention Materials

The CPWR is a nonprofit dedicated to reducing occupational injuries, illnesses and fatalities in the construction industry. They have been providing a growing number of resources available on Suicide Prevention to help organizations and individuals understand the issue, start a conversation, and play a role in supporting friends, co-workers and family members. The information on the website is intended to help construction employers, unions and workers quickly find information on suicide prevention.

NIOSH – Suicide Prevention Materials for Suicide Prevention

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is a department of the CDC and provides research focused on the study of worker safety and health, and empowering employers and workers to create safe and healthy workplaces.  NIOSH has created several materials including the CDC’s “Preventing Suicide: A Technical Package of Policy, Programs, and Practices” that is located on their above website.

OSHA Materials for Suicide

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has developed materials  to promote workplace mental health and suicide prevention awareness.  Materials can be located at the above website on workplace mental health and suicide prevention awareness in multiple languages that reflect diversity in the workforce and encourage workers' sense of belonging.

SMACNA Suicide Prevention Hardhat Stickers and Chips

SMACNA, NECA, MCAA, and TAUC have joined forces to help spread awareness about mental health. Construction is a hard and high-stress profession and has one of the highest rates of suicide in the nation. Our four trade associations are uniting behind fixing this problem and shining a light on the importance of your mental health. Together they have released a “chip” and “hardhat sticker” with the new suicide and crisis prevention number; 988. Our goal is to provide our members, or someone they know, a resource of where they can get help. We want to spread the message of “It’s okay to not be okay.” And it’s time for the construction industry to step up and change the culture of not speaking up when you have a problem.  Not all injuries are visible. Not all trauma is evident. Your mental health matters. If you are a SMACNA Chapter or member, please click here to place your order for hardhat stickers and chips. 

If you have questions, please email Justin Crandol at jcrandol@smacna.org. 

Limited Seats Remain for the Collective Bargaining Orientation

Whether you are a new negotiator or an experienced collective bargainer, this two-day workshop will prepare you for your next collective bargaining session

SMACNA Urges Senate to Pass Nuclear Energy Legislation

The ADVANCE Act would promote the deployment of advanced, safe nuclear reactor technology.

Webinar: Back on Track: Why Software Implementation Derails and How to Fix It

Introducing new software can be frustrating and stressful to your team. Watch this webinar to get an industry-specific game plan for successfully implementing software in your organization.

Sheet Metal Industry Introduction

Eli Howard, SMACNA’s Executive Director of Technical Services and Research, explains what the sheet metal industry is for those who have not worked for a contractor or in the field. This session will introduce chapter executives to common terms, systems, and technologies within the sheet metal industry as well as an overview of the major sectors that most sheet metal contractors work within.

Re: SMACNA Endorses Jessica Looman as Administrator of DOL’s Wage and Hour Division

SMACNA views Ms. Looman as a highly competent, first-rate administrator supportive of a construction industry

Webinar: Use Digital Workflows to Streamline Field/Office Communication

This webinar explores the challenges confronting sheet metal contractors today and discusses the best practices to consider when taking steps to improve your shop and jobsite operations.

From streamlining ticket fittings, to better materials management, and analyzing shop run rates, you'll get information about simple and scalable principles you can deploy to implement technology that ultimately mitigates risk, while increasing project efficiency that pivots your workforce to “Proactive Mode”.

Mitigating the Risk of Social Inflation at Your Business

A devastating company vehicle crash can leave a lasting impact at your business in more ways than you may realize. Businesses may need to consider the repercussions stemming from negative public sentiment.

2023 SMACNA Convention Interview: Todd Byxbe and Carmen Koo

Two of SMACNA’s top legislative advocates talk about why it is important that members become as politically engaged as possible.

SMACNA Convention Interview: Rick Hermanson and Angie Simon

The founders of the Heavy Metal Summer Experience sit down with Seth Lennon to talk about the impact of the program and how it can address workforce challenges.

Politics and Structure: Working with Your Union Partners

Former SMART Local 80, Business Manager Mark Saba will describe the inner workings of a local union.  To truly work effectively with a local union, one must understand the interplay between the business manager, the local’s executive board and the local’s members, both active and retired.  SMART International’s structure and relationship with its locals will also be covered.

BE4ALL Toolbox Talk #6: Microaggressions

Take a moment to review the latest BE4ALL Toolbox Talk on Microaggressions and watch a video to learn more about the topic and what you can do to help build a more respectful workplace.

New Horizons Foundation Annual Meeting Report

The official report for the 2023 Annual Meeting of the New Horizons Foundation is now available for all members to view online or to download.

Insurance Policies

Patrick Cunningham of SMACNA’s Premiere Partner, Federated Insurance, will detail the types of insurance every association should have in place as well as the factors the association should consider when determining coverage levels. Federated will also discuss optional coverage lines and when they should be strongly considered. Finally, Federated will also give a brief overview of common construction business coverage and answer common questions a chapter executive may be asked.

December Update: State Legislative Activity

Read more about the recent developments at the state and local level, including how the Department of Energy annoucement of $31 Million in Grants for Retrofits and Energy Efficiency for 19 States could impact your business. 

November Update: State Legislative Activity

Read more about the recent developments at the state and local level, including how the Department of Commerce's designation of regional tech hubs, could positively impact SMACNA contractors.

Joint Comments of SMART and SMACNA

Joint Comments of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART) and the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association (SMACNA) on the Prevailing Wage and Apprenticeship Requirements in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022

The International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART) and the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association (SMACNA) submit these comments in response to the Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service’s (collectively referred to as “Treasury” in these comments) NPRM, Increased Credit or Deduction Amounts for Satisfying Certain Prevailing Wage and Registered Apprenticeship Requirements.

Duncan Elected as SMACNA President, New Executive Committee Seated

CEO and Owner of General Sheet Metal begins her one year term with a focus on further building SMACNA’s legislative influence while working to evolve the industry’s workforce.

Kevin Gill, Jr. is SMACNA’s 2023 Contractor of the Year

President of Boston-based McCusker-Gill commended for his work in promoting technological innovation throughout the entire industry.

ChatGPT: How to use it as a Communications Power Tool

Learn how to maximize your personal efficiency while also navigating the common pitfalls associated with ChatGPT, including how to prevent this technology from being used as a crutch. 

Indigenous History Learning Journey