Sheet Metal Workers, aka Tinners, Tin Knockers or Tin Bangers, are anyone whose job requires them to work with sheet metal, a common material used in various industries, such as construction and manufacturing. This includes but is not limited to professions such as HVAC-R (heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration) technicians, installers, and fabricators. We also represent anyone whose job requires them to work with various forms of sheet metal, including (but not limited to), carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, tin, and bronze.

SMART Local 103 is a Sheet Metal Workers trade union composed of individual workers that formed an association to fight for improved pay, benefits and working conditions for each of its members. The union's primary role is to advocate for the rights and interests of its members. Each member supports the union’s activities through participation in the processes that govern the union’s management and fund the organization’s efforts by agreeing to buy in (pay dues). The facilities and equipment all belong to the members and are purchased and maintained by dues money. The organization and its officers work for the membership and are managed by a board of trustees. The salaries and compensation for union officials are also funded by dues money and directly tied to the improvements in Pay and Benefits they negotiate for the members. Paying dues is the price of union membership, but as the old saying goes, “you get what you pay for”. By paying dues, you’re essentially hiring someone with a similar career background to manage the things that you’re too busy to do… cause you're busy working. They represent your interests in everything from growing the union's membership and contractor base, to health insurance and pension fund management, to dispute resolution between workers and management, as well as training in our craft. But most importantly, they work tirelessly to ensure better pay, benefits, and working conditions on behalf of the membership.

Your union officials work to negotiate better wages, benefits, and working conditions through collective bargaining with employers. This means they use the strength of the union members to secure agreements that improve pay, benefits, job security, safety standards, and overall working conditions. By leveraging the collective strength of its membership, the negotiating power is strengthened enormously, resulting in more favorable terms and conditions for workers, which might be difficult to achieve individually. It can be quite easy to break one pencil in half, but imagine hundreds of pencils organized and tightly bound together. How easy would it be to break one now? Each member of our organization adds to the strength of the whole. This may not seem important when everything is going smoothly (the cost of living is down and wages are up, and your employer is providing you with good benefits). It becomes extremely important when times are tough or you find yourself in a situation where you and your employer are at odds, especially concerning your paycheck. Becoming a member of the SMART Local 103 Sheet Metal Workers Union is literally an insurance policy for your pay and benefits, now and in the future.

In addition to fighting for fair market compensation and benefits, your union officials provide support and resources for each of their members, such as training, growing the membership, providing information and fair representation to members, and advocating for changes to laws or policies that are detrimental to people working in our trade. They are paid to ensure that all members are well-prepared and protected in their careers. Essentially, the union acts as the voice of its members, aiming to enhance their professional environment and safeguard their rights.

Journeyman Wages

• Non-Union:
  • $25–$35/hr
  • Avg annual raise: $0.50–$1/hr
• Local 103:
  • $37–$45/hr
  • Avg annual raise: $2–$3/hr

Health Insurance

• Non-Union: None or partial coverage
• Local 103: Full family coverage including dental & vision

Health Savings Account

• Non-Union: Not typically offered
• Local 103: VEBA and SASMI (health and supplemental unemployment benefits)

Retirement

• Non-Union: DIY savings or 401(k)
• Local 103: Two defined pensions plus a 401(k)

Job Security

• Non-Union: At-will employment, no representation
• Local 103:
  • Protected by signed contracts
  • Full-time reps to uphold negotiated pay, benefits, and working conditions

Training Cost

• Non-Union: $5,000+ out-of-pocket
• Local 103: Free training – earn while you learn

Myth 1: Union Work is Seasonal or Unreliable Work – False
Fact: SMART Local 103 members work an average of over 2080 hours per year. That’s 40 hours per week, 52 weeks per year.

Myth 2: Union Jobs are based on seniority – False
Fact: SMART Local 103 has no seniority clause. We are a merit-based local, meaning that your ability to keep a job is determined solely by your attitude, work ethic, and expertise.

Myth 3: Unions tell you how to vote – False
Fact: SMART Local 103 supports politicians on both sides of the aisle. Support is only given with the consent of the membership, in a direct democratic system (1 vote per 1 member). We only weigh in on issues pertaining to workers’ rights, wages, benefits, and working conditions when making recommendations to our members, as these are the issues at the heart of supporting our members’ future. We will never tell a member who they must vote for, but we will make a case why voting for specific politicians is in the best interest of the union and its members. No dues monies are given to political candidates running for office. Only voluntary contributions are used to contribute to political campaigns.

Myth 4: Union officials are corrupt – False
Fact: Union officials are required (by U.S. Law) to disclose and account for every penny of members' money (dues) that they spend. These same laws do not apply to private businesses. Although there have been cases of union officials prosecuted for embezzlement and other crimes, officers of private companies have a significantly higher rate of incarceration for embezzlement, corruption, and other crimes, and have much less oversight.

Myth 5: Union “bosses” get rich from members’ dues – False
Fact: SMART Local 103 officials are salaried employees of the union. Their pay and benefits are tied directly to the earnings of their membership. They are incentivized to negotiate the best deal for each member, because they are members… and they work for you! A quick Google search will show you that your local union manager makes significantly less money than most private company managers, who manage the same number of people.

Myth 6: Union pensions are in trouble and are supported by government handouts – False
Fact: Neither our Northwest Pension nor our National Pension has received a dime from the federal or state government. Union pensions are self-funded and professionally managed by boards of trustees. Our annually audited pension plans are both over 100% funded, meaning our pensions are healthy and earning significant returns that are later passed on to our members, so they have a retirement they can count on.

Myth 7: Unions are a “Good ol’ Boys Club” – False
Fact: Unions are trade development organizations, and SMART Local 103 is devoted to the idea that all workers deserve basic rights, fair pay, quality benefits, and safe working conditions. We are dedicated to these principles regardless of your background or who you happen to know. We represent each of our members fairly and equally in accordance with the SMART Constitution and our local contracts. If you’re someone who makes a living in the sheet metal industry, we want to help improve your standard of living. We believe that a rising tide lifts all ships!