Sheet Metal Workers Building Local 24

The Sheet Metal Workers Building Local 24, with an EIN of 311228205, is a union chapter of sheet metal workers based in Dayton, Ohio. It is part of the larger SMART (Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers) union, which resulted from the merger of the Sheet Metal Workers International Association (SMWIA) with the United Transportation Union in 2011.

History

The origins of Local 24 trace back to the late 19th century, when the national sheet metal workers union began to take form. Robert Kellerstrass, a secretary of the Tin and Cornice Makers Association of Peoria, Illinois, played a pivotal role in organizing a national convention for sheet metal workers. This led to the founding of the Tin, Sheet Iron and Cornice Workers' International Association in January 1888 in Toledo, Ohio. Over the years, the union underwent several name changes, becoming known as the Sheet Metal Workers' International Alliance in 1903 and eventually the Sheet Metal Workers' International Association (SMWIA) in 1924.

Activities and Role

Sheet Metal Workers Local 24, like other SMWIA and now SMART locals, is involved in representing skilled journeymen and apprentices in various sheet metal-related trades. These include fabrication and installation of heating and air conditioning systems, architectural sheet metal work, shipbuilding, appliance construction, and precision and specialty parts manufacturing.

Local 24 participates in training and education initiatives to enhance the skills of its members. It also engages in advocacy efforts to improve working conditions, wages, and benefits for sheet metal workers in its region.

Community Engagement

In recent years, Local 24 has been proactive in addressing mental health issues within the industry. It has hosted training sessions with the Sheet Metal Occupational Health Institute Trust (SMOHIT), focusing on mental health awareness and peer support for both union members and signatory contractors. These initiatives underscore Local 24's commitment to fostering a supportive and healthy work environment.

Legacy

As part of SMART, Local 24 is part of a broader movement that represents over 150,000 workers across the United States and beyond, contributing to various industries such as HVAC installation, architectural sheet metal, and manufacturing. The merger that created SMART has further strengthened the collective bargaining power and resources available to Local 24 members.

[1] https://unionhistories.com/images/uploads/books/pdf/smw-2-history-book-web.pdf [2] https://smw24.org/about-local-24/history/ [3] https://www.smw25.net/history/ [4] https://www.smartlu19.org [5] https://www.smart-union.org/tag/local-24/