Certain Ohio lawmakers have the state’s Prevailing Wage set in their cross-hairs, as they look to repeal the decades old law aimed at providing fair wages to construction workers on government projects.
House Bill 78, which is primarily sponsored by State Reps. Craig Riedel (R-Defiance) and Susan Manchester (R – Lakeview) proposes to give local governments, special districts, college and universities the ability to opt out of paying Prevailing Wage on construction projects. Continue reading →
The world’s largest search engine is coming to Central Ohio, which should create about 100 of jobs for members of Sheet Metal Workers Local 24.
While the project is still in the design stages, the $600 million data center is expected to be smaller than the $750 million Facebook datacenter. Both datacenters will be built in New Albany.
In a Feb. 13 blog, Google CEO Sundar Pichai announced the company’s expansion into 14 states across the U.S., including Ohio. Continue reading →
Sheet Metal Workers Local 24 proudly spread holiday cheer, by making monetary donations and volunteering with two wonderful community programs.
Retired SMW Local 24 members, Joe Sicilian, Bill Burris, Keith Sheumaker and Greg Sheumaker volunteering for Union Shares.
As members of #SMARTArmy, Local 24 feels a duty to give back to the community and we proudly donated time and money to both the Unions Share and Adopt-a-Family programs.
In partnership with the affiliated members of the Central Ohio Labor Council AFL-CIO, United Way of Central Ohio and St. Stephen’s Community House, Local 24 proudly participated in the Union Shares program. Continue reading →
On Oct. 17, ground was broken for the construction of Columbus Fire Station No. 35, which is the first City of Columbus project to be built under a new Community Benefits Agreement.
The work to build the new 26,750-square-foot fire station will create between 50-70 jobs for members of the Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council, including members of Sheet Metal Workers Local 24.
Under terms of the agreement, residents of the City of Columbus must complete 20 percent or more of the total project work hours, while at least 25 percent of total project work hours must be completed by tradesmen and tradeswomen who live in Franklin County or adjacent counties. Continue reading →
Sheet Metal Workers Local 24 Dayton District Business Representative Rick Perdue was recently elected as the new President of the Lima Building Trades.
Perdue, who served as the Vice President, replaced Mike Knisley, who retired in the summer after the Ohio State Building and Construction Trades Council Executive Board unanimously voted him as their next Secretary-Treasurer. Knisley served in this unpaid leadership role for 11 years in addition to also being the Business Manager of UA Local 776 for 14 years. Continue reading →
Mike Knisley, former president of the Ohio State Building and Construction Trades Council, was elected to serve as the new Secretary-Treasurer of the State Building Trades Council.
In addition to serving as the State president, Knisley recently retired from his position as Business Manager of UA Local 776, where he served for 14 years. He also retired as President of the Lima Building Trades, a position he held for 11 years.
“I’m proud to be selected to lead the building trades,” said Knisley. “It’s an honor.” Continue reading →
Dennis Duffey, who served the Ohio State Building and Construction Trades Council for nearly a decade as Secretary-Treasurer, retired on Sept. 1.
Duffey, who during his 45-year career served as the IBEW Local 8 Business Manager and past President of the Northwest Ohio Building Trades, was one of the driving forces behind the creation of Affiliated Construction Trades (ACT) Ohio. Continue reading →
Sheet Metal Workers and members of other building trades may be endangered by a new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rule that appears to loosen the restrictions on the use of asbestos.
The proposed change would mean those seeking to use asbestos in the manufacturing of products would be required to notify the EPA at least 90 days before importing, processing or using the substance in manufacturing. The EPA would then review each request on a case-by-case basis. Continue reading →
Two Sheet Metal Local 24 members were presented with their 70-year pins.
In the South Point region, Business Rep. Jeff Rowe presented a 70-year pin to Brother Vernon Martin.
This was a special event for both Rowe and Martin (pictured above).
Rowe said it was first time he has presented a member with a 70-year award. Continue reading →
In a late June ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of Mark Janus, denying public sector unions the right to collect “fair share” fees.
The court’s 5-4 ruling in Janus vs. AFSCME District Council 31 overturns its 1977 ruling Abood vs. Detroit Board of Education.
Joining in the majority were Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Anthony Kennedy, Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch.
Justices Elena Kagan, Sonia Sotomayor, Stephen Breyer and Ruth Bader Ginsburg dissented with the opinion. Continue reading →