My Journey: Mechelle McNew

Business Manager/Financial Secretary-Treasurer, Local 464

I became interested in the sheet metal industry totally for the better pay and benefits for my family. I was working as a bank teller at the drive-thru window, and I would see sheet metal workers from the local production shop come through my teller line each Friday. shortly after 3:30 p.m. Their weekly checks put my bi-weekly check to shame, not to mention they were off work when I still had two hours to go. I was pregnant with my first child at the time, and I was at a point in my life where I had to put my responsibilities to my family first.

Directly after I was off maternity leave, I submitted my application to be considered for employment with the local sheet metal production facility. Soon after, I was called in for an interview, and I happily accepted a job offer from them.

It was most definitely a different career path from the bank job, but it has been a journey and career that has helped both me personally as well as provided for my family.

My journey started in 1990 at the beginning of my newfound career as a sheet metal worker. In 1997, the local union members submitted a request for SMWIA International to grant us our own charter, and Local 464 was born. I was one of the first elected officers. Over the years, I have held office as executive board member, vice president, and shop steward before running for and being elected as Local 464 Business Manager/FST in 2011. Since that time, I have been elected as vice president of the SMART Production Council, appointed as the first chairperson of the International SMART Women committee, appointed as a member of the Best Practices Market Expansion Task Force, and been appointed to the office of financial treasurer for our newly formed SMART Recruitment and Retention Council.

I have been Local 464 Business Manager/FST for 11 years now. It is quite challenging being the only one in the office—I take on the roles of business manager, negotiator, mediator, financial secretary-treasurer, and organizer. I wear many hats, but I love what I do. I get the privilege and honor to stand up for and represent the outstanding sheet metal workers that I worked side by side with for 20 years, but at a new level.

When I decided to run for the elected position of business manager in 2011, I was told “We respect you wanting to run for this position, but we need a strong man to do the job. Challenge accepted! I won the election and have held the position for four terms. I also had to overcome the challenges

of responsibilities outside of my comfort zone, such as public speaking. This career path has helped me grow in many ways, and I am forever grateful for that.

For young people just starting out or thinking about sheet metal as a career, I say go for it! Sheet metal is a career with many opportunities for all walks of life. It does not matter your gender or ethnicity. There is a place for you, and the growth opportunities are unlimited.

I have prided myself on establishing good labor-management relationships. We all want the same thing and that is for the industry to thrive and grow. It has been my stand as a members’ representative that if we can uphold the contract by communicating with each other instead of using the “gottcha” technique, we can solve problems before they even start. Anything we can do on a common front helps us all move forward in a positive manner so we can focus on providing a safe and happy workplace for us all.

The Best Practices Market Expansion Task Force works hand-in-hand with labor and management to establish best practices for all of us on diversity, recruitment, retention, and being trained and prepared for the work growth the future has in store for us. ▪

Partners in Progress » May / June 2022 » 15