Latest SMART News
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March 26, 2026
After experiencing a brutal on-duty assault nearly two years ago, Sister Heather Steele refused to let the incident define her career or her legacy. Instead, she’s becoming the face of the national rail safety movement while continuing her physical recovery. As Women’s History Month draws to a close, read on to learn how Sister Steele embodies what it means to build history in real time and what’s next on her advocacy journey.
March 26, 2026
What began as simple walk-ins and persistence by SMART Local 27 organizers ultimately turned into a successful organizing effort — one that expanded the union’s reach into a specialized part of the HVAC industry and set a precedent for future organizing in the duct cleaning sector. Now, new signatory company Induct Air Duct Cleaning and its workers are set to benefit for the years to come.
March 25, 2026
Brother Steve James (Local 590, Portage, Wis.) retired in December of 2025 after more than 30 years on the railroad, many of those spent serving SMART-TD members in his home state. To show their appreciation for his dedication and hard work, he received two meaningful honors from both his local and state legislative board. Read on for details.
March 23, 2026
For SMART members, solidarity means action — from the jobsite, to the cab of a locomotive, to city council meetings, to marches and rallies, and well beyond. And for members in Detroit, it meant taking on harsh conditions to make life better for local students: On March 13, Local 80 staff and nine member volunteers volunteered to help clean up the park ahead of the annual Detroit St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
March 23, 2026
When tragedy strikes on the railroad, injured workers and families face pressure while management focuses on liability and control. Members must be prepared to protect one another and stand united. Read on to learn how to hold the line.
March 23, 2026
The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) is announcing two new online services that are now available for retired railroad workers. Read on for details about the RRB’s ongoing efforts to update and modernize its systems.
We Look Out For Each Other
SMART members have each other’s backs. The SMART “I Got Your Back” Campaign is designed to reinforce our solidarity and let union brothers and sisters know that as union members, we have each other’s backs. This union is built on the foundation of mentorship, and we support each other in the face of adversity – which may include the ongoing pandemic, difficult life events or hardships on the job, such as hazing, bullying and harassment.
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Always stay connected with your union. Keep in touch with union news and benefit information, scan labels, and contact your local when you need representation – all with a simple touch of your smart phone. Text the word APP to 67336 to download the SMART Union app.*
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SMART-SMACNA Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Statement
In recognition that working together on diversity, equity and inclusion within our industry would be the most effective way to effect real and lasting change, SMART and SMACNA have partnered to recruit and retain a diverse and inclusive workforce with the skills to meet the sheet metal industry’s needs now and in the future.
A Rewarding Career
Through our wide-ranging network of 148 sheet metal industry training centers, you can get the high-quality education and training designed to give you a rewarding lifelong career in one of the fastest growing industries in North America. Start your journey today.
Our Careers
Architectural Sheet Metal
Architectural sheet metal is a combination of technical skill and artistry. As an apprentice, you will specialize in fastening and joining, managing expansion and contraction, sealing and controlling moisture to ensure the appearance and durability of buildings. You may spend […] Learn more
Bus Operators & Mechanics
Bus operator and mechanic duties vary, depending on whether they drive or work on local buses in cities and suburbs, intercity buses, long-distance buses between states, charter buses on tours or school buses. When drivers report to terminals to get their assignments, they in […] Learn more
CAD, Drafting & Detailing
Sheet metal detailing, also known as sketching, is often thought of as CAD (computer-aided drafting). A certified detailer is a skilled commercial HVAC trade person who will advance to provide coordination between the fabricators and the installers from various trades. You wi […] Learn more
Freight Rail
SMART TD, with more than 450 locals in the U.S., has more members than any other railroad labor union and holds some of the best freight rail contracts in North America. It is the only labor union that has united various operating crafts while protecting craft autonomy and ha […] Learn more
HVAC Shop/Fabrication
Sheet metal workers sometimes exclusively, or in conjunction with field installation work, will fabricate, assemble, install and repair sheet metal products and equipment, such as ducts, control boxes, drainpipes and furnace casings. Work may involve setting up and operating […] Learn more
Lagging
Lagging is the finishing material (such as steel, aluminum or other materials) used to cover many types of insulation, especially on large flat surfaces such as boiler walls, flues, ducts, precipitators, selective catalytic reduction systems, baghouses, wind boxes or fans. In […] Learn more
Passenger Rail
SMART represents workers on Amtrak, the largest passenger rail operator in the United States, as well as other smaller regional and local passenger carriers. Rail remains one of the most sustainable and efficient ways of safely transporting travelers to their destination, and […] Learn more
Production / Manufacturing
Production and manufacturing is the creation or production of goods from components or raw material with the help of equipment, labor, machines and tools. The term may refer to a range of work, from handcraft to high-tech, but it is most commonly applied to industrial design, […] Learn more
Rail Mechanical
Union sheet metal members work in freight and passenger rail transportation, including commuter railroads. They maintain and rebuild locomotives that move freight, long-distance passenger train equipment and equipment used in commuter rail service. Additionally, members of th […] Learn more
Residential HVAC
HVAC stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. As a residential HVAC technician, you will work on installing and servicing complete residential HVAC systems. You’ll install ductwork for a wide variety of residences including single-family homes, town homes […] Learn more
Roofing
A roofer is a skilled tradesperson who installs a waterproof membrane on a building that has either a flat or sloped deck consisting of wood, steel or concrete. They may specialize in residential or industrial roofing. The most commonly used roofing product is a layer of asph […] Learn more
Service and Refrigeration
Almost everything we do indoors depends on a working heating and cooling system. These systems make buildings comfortable and safe. Demand for skilled technicians in this specialized field is high. As a service and refrigeration technician, you’ll work on a variety of job sit […] Learn more
Shipyard
SMART members perform work in shipyards from coast to coast, including Pearl Harbor in Hawaii and the Ingalls Shipyard in Mississippi. Most, but not all, of the ships that members work on are vessels for the U.S. Navy. We build new ships from the ground up, and we also perfor […] Learn more
Sign Fabrication & Installation
As a sign hanger and builder, your job includes installing, mounting, servicing and repairing signs in commercial, industrial and high-rise residential settings. Your duties include preparing poles, buildings, billboards and other structures for installations, and then mounti […] Learn more
Indoor Air Quality and Energy Efficiency (TAB)
Testing, adjusting, and balancing (TAB) is an important part of air and water delivery systems. TAB technicians make sure that air and water in heating and air conditioning systems are delivered efficiently, quietly and safely throughout a building. As a TAB technician, you w […] Learn more
Transit & Commuter Rail
SMART represents workers on a number of major regional transit providers, including light and heavy rail carriers in major metropolitan areas nationwide. Rail remains one of the most sustainable and efficient ways of safely transporting travelers to their destination, and nat […] Learn more
Industrial and Shop Welding
Welding is the most common way of permanently joining metal parts. In this process, heat is applied to metal pieces which melts and fuses them to form a permanent bond. Because of its strength, welding is used in shipbuilding, automobile manufacturing and repair, aerospace an […] Learn more
Yardmaster
Yardmasters are the traffic controllers of the yards and terminals in the railroad industry. Using computers and supervising switching equipment in the yard tower, they route trains and engines within the yard. The yardmaster reads switching orders and schedules to determine […] Learn more
Become a SMART Member
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Member Voices
Hear about the union directly from SMART members themselves.
Latest Jobs: Sheet Metal Opportunities
Most sheet metal jobs are available directly through our local unions. SMART Job Bank listings usually reflect large projects, which will appear here when open positions are available.
No SMART Job Bank listings at this time. Please contact your local union.
