The agreement that SMART Local 103 negotiates with your employer is signed by both parties and is a legal contract. Your local union and the International Association will take whatever legal action would be necessary to enforce every aspect of this document.

Every job site or manufacturing plant has a union steward who is one of your fellow workers. He or she is your contact for any concern or grievance. A meeting with your employer can be arranged by your union job steward to address your concerns. If this fails, your local union business representative can be brought into discussions, and also an International Association representative when needed.

Monthly dues, where part goes to the local union and part to the International Association to finance their work on your behalf. The dues rates are established by vote of delegates to the International Convention every five years and in your local union by a vote of the entire membership.

Considering the benefits you gain through your union membership, these monthly dues literally pay for themselves. It just may be the best investment you ever make throughout your working lifetime.

You can have a union by following these steps:

• Contact our Business Representative online using the form above, call 406.458.3364, or visit our office in Helena.
• A local union representative will contact you to discuss your situation and advise you of the SMART Local 103 Program.
• The law requires that employees must show that they are interested in being represented for purposes of collective bargaining. Employees’ interest is shown by a “signed authorization card”.
• When a majority of employees in your company have signed authorization cards, your local union will request recognition from your employer.
• Your employer can recognize and agree to negotiate a union contract with a bargaining committee of your choosing from the employees and a representative of the union.
• If your employer does not recognize the union, the union may petition the National Labor Relations Board, and the NLRB will set a date for an election.  If the results are in favor of the union, the NLRB will certify the union as the legal bargaining representative for the employees.
• Collective bargaining then will begin with your employer to negotiate a union contract.  No union contract can be signed without the full knowledge and consent of the majority of the employees covered by it.

The Sheet Metal Workers’ International Association (SMWIA) has a long history of settling local union/employer problems without the need to strike.  Procedures for settling disputes, including arbitration by an outside, objective party, are in place to prevent strikes.  Only as a last resort is a strike called.

NO.  Your right to join a union of your own choosing is guaranteed by the laws of the country.  The National Labor Relations Act gives you the right to form or join a union for the purpose of collective bargaining.  The law prohibits your employer from interfering with your efforts to organize.

Unions, including the Sheet Metal Workers’ International Association through its Political Action League (PAL), are involved in politics for three good reasons:

1. To protect themselves and the gains they have won for workers through collective bargaining.

2. To promote justice, fairness, and equal opportunity  for all workers.

3. Elect public office holders who believe in the above.

No dues monies are given to political candidates running for office.  Only voluntary contributions to PAL are used to contribute to political campaigns.