Sheet Metal Workers International Association History
The history of the
Sheet Metal Workers’ International Association is that of a
strong and dynamic union that has been on the leading edge of
developments in organizing, representation and bargaining.
Early Years of the SMWIA
Below are just some of the milestones in our history:
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January 25, 1888 - Representatives from Peoria,
IL; Kansas City; Omaha, NE; Memphis, TN; Dayton, and Youngstown meet in
Toledo, OH to form the Tin, Sheet Iron and Cornice Workers'
International Association. The President was Archibald Barns, Secretary
was A. W. Chatfield, and Robert Kellerstrass was named Treasurer.
1896 – First Canadian local chartered in Toronto, Ontario.
1897 - Tin, Sheet Iron and Cornice Workers’ International Association
changed to the Amalgamated Sheet Metal Workers International Association
1899 – First charter granted to the Union by the American Federation of
Labor.
1901 – Union membership reported at 5,581 with 108 Local Unions.
1903 – Name changed to the Sheet Metal Workers’ International Alliance.
Headquarters established in Kansas City, MO.
1907 – National Building Trades Department established under the
American Federation of Labor. The International becomes a charter
member.
1922 - The first air conditioning system for human comfort was used in a
motion picture theater.
1925 – Pacific Coast Conference of Sheet Metal Workers agrees to
affiliate with the Sheet Metal Workers’ Alliance. Membership grows to
about 24,000 with 441 Local Unions.
1924 – Name changed to Sheet Metal Workers’ International Association.
1927 – Sheet Metal Workers from Local 206 in San Diego, CA build a major
portion of what became the “Spirit of St. Louis.” This is the plane
Charles Lindbergh flew across the Atlantic in May 1927.
1942 – During WWII, a number of Sheet Metal Workers were engaged in
“secret work” constructing an atomic bomb.
1949 – First National Apprenticeship Contest held in Washington, DC at
SMACNA Convention.
1952 – First pension checks issued by Local 28 in New York City, NY.
This program is a first of its kind in the building trades.
1955 – National Joint Adjustment Board is created by the SMWIA and Sheet
Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association (SMACNA) to
serve as an arbitration board to resolve grievance disputes after they
have been processed through the local level.
1957 – International begins tracking industry products manufactured
under collective bargaining agreements.
1962 – SMWIA becomes first union to offer its members accident insurance
– protecting members at work and at home in cases of accidental death.
1966 – National Pension Fund established for SMWIA members in
construction and production occupations.
1971 – National Training Fund established.
1971 – National Maintenance Policy Agreement established to promote
labor-management cooperation in the construction trades.
1973 – SMWIA establishes SASMI Program to help underemployed workers
affected by the recession.
1981 – National Energy Management Institute created in partnership with
the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors Association (SMACNA).
1983 – International Job Bank created to offer SMWIA members employment
opportunities outside of their local area.
1988 – Sheet Metal Workers’ International Association celebrate 100 year
anniversary.
1996 – Department of Education established to provide a specialized
training curriculum for future union leaders.
2003 – SMWIA joins the Industrial Union Council (IUC). The Industrial
Union Council consists of 14 unions with members represented in
manufacturing industries across the United States.
2004 – SMWIA Local 41, the first SMWIA local union outside of the United
States and Canada is established in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Since its founding, the SMWIA has continued its growth during times of
war, peace, depression and prosperity. We now represent 150,000 workers
in areas such as shipbuilding, HVAC installation, fabrication, repair,
and service; architectural sheet metal; manufacturing, metal roofing and
a range of other industries and occupations.