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CDC Pushes for Mental Health Discussions on Jobsites

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now encourages construction contractors to invest in the mental wellbeing of their employees, as the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on every working class American.

The CDC has updated their COVID-19 safety checklists for employees and employers. The sheets now include mental health items for both groups to think about and promote.

On the CDC webpage promoting the new checklists, the CDC recommends ways for contractors to prevent the spread of COVID-19, encourage social distancing, masking and how to manage sick workers, as well as dealing with the mental health of employees, among other tips. Continue reading →

Non-Union Workers Hurt More by Pandemic than Union Workers

Posted by / April 1, 2021 / Categories: News / Tags: , , , / 0 Comments

While COVID-19 eliminated millions of jobs and forced additional layoffs last year, an annual report released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics found fewer union members lost their jobs in 2020 compared to non-union workers.

The pandemic hit the job market extremely hard, with a large number of both union and non-union members getting laid off. Union members, however, fared slightly better, the study found.

From a nationwide perspective, the overall union membership rate increased last year, despite declines in the number of actual union members. The rate increase indicates a larger decline in total wage and salary employment among non-union workers compared to union members. Continue reading →

Lima Husky Refinery to use Non-Union Construction Workers During Fall Turnaround

During a recent press conference, Lima Building and Construction Trades Council President Rick Perdue, who is also a Sheet Metal Workers Local 24 Business Representative, confirmed the Lima Husky refinery does not intend to use union construction workers during its fall turnaround.

The fall turnaround, which was the largest preventative maintenance project scheduled at the plant this year, will be performed by “turnaround specialists” instead of the building trades members who have worked on the facility for years.

Continue reading →

Brother Paul Uhrig Receives 70-year Pin Award

Posted by / February 2, 2021 / Categories: News / Tags: , / 1 Comment

Sheet Metal Workers Local 24 is proud to announce Brother Paul Uhrig recently received his 70-year pin.

Local 24 retiree Rich Uhrig and member Clint Uhrig had the honor of presenting retiree Paul Uhrig with his 70 year pin award.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Local was unable to host a pin award ceremony last year. Continue reading →

New $2.1 billion Capital Budget Approved

Posted by / January 18, 2021 / Categories: News / Tags: , , , / 0 Comments

Ohio lawmakers approved a $2.1 billion capital budget that provides funding for construction projects and more initiatives to boost the state economy.

The bill earmarks funding for a great deal of construction work, mostly infrastructure projects. The funding supports both new construction and renovation work.

Gov. Mike DeWine signed the bill into law on Dec. 29. Continue reading →

Construction Workers Will Have to Wait for COVID-19 Vaccine

Posted by / December 30, 2020 / Categories: News / Tags: , , / 0 Comments

While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have suggested providing priority COVID-19 vaccination doses to tradesmen and tradeswomen, Ohio and other states are pushing construction workers down the priority list.

On Dec. 20, the CDC released a presentation that outlines when they recommend certain age groups and occupations should receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

The CDC has recommended tradesmen and tradeswomen be in the third phase of essential workers, who receive the vaccine. Continue reading →

2020 General Election Results

Posted by / November 25, 2020 / Categories: News / Tags: , / 0 Comments

The following candidates received the political endorsement of Sheet Metal Workers Local 24 and won in the Nov. 3, 2020 General Election:

President/Vice President of the United States

Joseph Biden and Kamala Harris (endorsed by SMART International) Continue reading →

Columbus City Council Unanimously Passes Wage Theft Law

In late September, Columbus City Council passed an ordinance to target wage theft and payroll fraud.

Councilman Rob Dorans, who also works as Chief Legal Counsel for Affiliated Construction Trades (ACT) Ohio, was the chief architect of the ordinance. He pointed out that despite the booming growth in Columbus, many people are not enjoying economic prosperity.

“Unfortunately, too many in our community have been taken advantage of by companies seeking to cut corners to improve their bottom line,” he added. Continue reading →

SMART Voter Website Provides Important Voter Information

Posted by / September 24, 2020 / Categories: News / Tags: , , , / 0 Comments

Register to Vote!

Members of Local 24 are urged to visit a new SMART website to check your voter information or to register to vote.

In order to hold politicians accountable, you must vote. However, you cannot vote unless you are registered.

SMARTvote2020 helps members check voter registration status, helps members register to vote and also helps members request a mail-in absentee ballot.

With each passing day, the voter registration deadline in your state draws near. Continue reading →

National Safety Stand Down Week Set for Sept. 14

Posted by / September 14, 2020 / Categories: Safety / Tags: , , / 0 Comments

This week, tradesmen and tradeswomen across the nation, including members of Sheet Metal Workers Local 24 will be encouraged to spend a little extra time thinking about jobsite safety.

Initially scheduled to take place between May 4 and May 8, National Safety Stand Down Week was rescheduled for Sept. 14 through Sept. 18 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This marks the seventh year for National Safety Stand Down Week, which aims to eliminate fall hazard deaths and injuries through collective awareness, education and conversation. Continue reading →