'Together, we do it better'

Joint advocacy efforts can boost chances for success.

By Michael McConnell

In 2019, after years of effort, Local 49 and SMACNA of New Mexico officials finally saw the fire life safety bill they had been supporting signed into law by the governor.

In addition to improving public safety, it would mean more work for members of both groups.

A few years earlier in Pittsburgh, SMACNA of Western Pennsylvania and Local 12 built a fire simulation room to show council members just how quickly a fire can spread through an HVAC system.

The result? A new fire life safety ordinance—and more work for association contractors and the Local.

And in the 1990s, when Precision Air Balance Co. Inc. President Karen Fox discovered that California schools were shutting down vocational education programs—eliminating opportunities to promote construction careers to students—she worked with union officials to stop it.

Those are just three examples of what SMART and SMACNA can accomplish when they advocate together on important issues. Officials with both organizations point out that management and labor on the same side can boost appeal to Republican and Democratic lawmakers, improving the chances of a bill’s passage.

For example, SMACNA and SMART officials credit bipartisan appeal for the success they’ve had enacting laws requiring training and certification to inspect fire and smoke dampers.

New Mexico was first to pass a statewide law that added vital requirements to the state’s fire code. The law mandates that the dampers and smoke control systems in apartments and public buildings be inspected and tested to National Fire Protection Association standards.

It was a long-time priority for the union and SMACNA in the state, says Isaiah Zemke, Local 49 business manager and financial secretary. It’s also a public safety issue, since malfunctioning dampers during a fire can send toxic smoke throughout a building’s HVAC system. That’s why manufacturers recommend that dampers be regularly tested by trained inspectors.

“That wasn’t being adhered to prior to this legislation being enacted,” Zemke says. “These systems will now have to be inspected. This is one extra layer they’re going to have to follow to get the certificate of occupancy for their building.”

Zemke said the law should lead to more work for union members, since its fire life safety training program is accredited by ANSI (American National Standards Institute).

In Pittsburgh, which passed a similar ordinance in 2016, the smoke simulator housed at the Local 12 training center made an impact on city council members, says business manager Greg Blose. It demonstrated the importance of inspection and maintenance.

“We did many, many tours where we brought in groups of politicians, and it really opened their eyes to how fast a room can fill with smoke and how dangerous it is,” he says. “We had several of them say, ‘This is what really changed my mind.’”

In the seven years since the ordinance passed, Blose says the union and SMACNA of Western Pennsylvania have secured inspection and repair work, which is what they were hoping for.

He encourages other locals and SMACNA chapters to pursue similar ordinances, since they touch on two things most politicians care about: public safety and creating jobs.

“Why would a politician not go for that?” Blose says.

Similar legislation has been signed into law in Nevada, Illinois, and Washington state. Proposals are working their way through legislatures in other states, including Alaska, where hearings were held in 2022. Cities such as Cleveland have also enacted ordinances requiring damper inspection by certified technicians.

In Fox’s case, efforts on behalf of the industry in the 1990s led to her becoming more involved on issues on the state and national levels. She became active on topics such as pension reform and securing tax credits to fund critical infrastructure projects. “Such issues are important to labor and management,” she says. “We’re talking about things that are good for the industry as a whole.”

Her ongoing work led to Fox being recognized as the 2022 SMACNA Legislative Contractor of the Year.

The fact that SMACNA chapters and Locals have seen success jointly advocating for important issues doesn’t surprise Stanley E. Kolbe Jr., SMACNA’s executive director of government and political affairs. It’s a trend he’s followed for decades. The long-time lobbyist says the contractor group and union have worked closely on a number of important federal issues, such as apprenticeship training standards, maintaining project labor agreements, and funding to upgrade public school HVAC systems.

“There’s an old expression,” Kolbe says. “‘Together, we do it better.’ I really appreciate that SMACNA and SMART have common views on a lot of these issues.”

The opportunities for SMACNA contractors and union sheet metal workers today are “booming,” he adds. Projects in infrastructure and semiconductor chip manufacturing represent the kind of complex work at which SMART members excel.

Kolbe notes that the Inflation Reduction Act signed by President Joe Biden in 2022 “is loaded with hundreds of billions of dollars in tax incentives for high-efficiency and high indoor air quality standards work.”

Tiffany Finck-Haynes, a SMART government affairs representative, says she’s been educating developers on the generous tax breaks that projects can get if they use SMACNA contractors.

And it’s been working. Union workers are involved in eligible HVAC construction and duct fabrication projects around the country. “There are big electric vehicle battery facilities that SMACNA contractors and SMART members are working on in Ohio, Tennessee, and Georgia—all over the country,” she says. Finck-Haynes says that when labor and management are on the same side of an issue, lawmakers notice.

“I think it’s very helpful when we can demonstrate that labor and management are coming together and advocating for the same policy,” she says. “It just helps us in showing that we have a united front.”

The combination of labor unions and management associations both advocating on the same side is powerful, she adds.

“We are in this together,” Fox says. “So, whatever it takes to get legislation passed, we need to work together.” ▪

Michael McConnell’s experience encompasses B2B and B2C copywriting, online journalism, and newspaper reporting. The former editor of SNIPS, he’s always interested in finding out the stories behind interesting people and projects. Contact him at mrmcconnell36@gmail.com

Advocating for industry change is not a short-term effort. Here’s how to secure long-term change, together.

Karen Fox says the keys to government advocacy are patience, persistence, and a willingness to work across the aisle. “Whether it’s writing letters or inviting local lawmakers to a business open house, you have to be willing to put in the effort to get your voice heard,” she says.

An encyclopedic knowledge of industry issues doesn’t hurt, either.

Fox would know. She’s president of Precision Air Balance Co. Inc., in Anaheim, California, and for over 25 years, she has made it her mission to ensure legislators from California to Congress know about the topics important to SMACNA members.

She regularly travels to the California state capitol in Sacramento, as well as Washington, D.C., to speak to senators and representatives on subjects such as pension reform and prevailing wage legislation. She writes letters, drafts emails, and meets with representatives from her Southern California district whenever she’s able.

Greg Blose, business manager at Local 12 in Pittsburgh, says working together is the best chance at creating real change. Local 12 and SMACNA of Western Pennsylvania representatives spoke to Pittsburgh city officials numerous times in their joint push to get a fire life safety bill passed in 2016. “All politicians like to see that something is a joint effort between the union and the contractor management,” Blose says.

Fox and Blose agree that getting started in joint advocacy can be overwhelming if organizations aren’t sure where to begin. “Approaching politicians to lobby for the first time can be intimidating,” Fox says. “But it’s not so scary if you’re prepared.”

Here are some tips for SMACNA and SMART members who want to take their partnership to the advocacy level.

Know your issues.

Lawmakers are impressed by people who are knowledgeable about issues they’re passionate about. You need to know your talking points and be prepared to answer their questions. “You’ve really got to know what you’re presenting to these legislators,” Fox says. “Legislators are busy and most won’t be able to give you much time. You’re lucky if you get 10-15 minutes to present maybe four or five different issues.”

Cultivate relationships with local politicians.

How well do you know your state senator or representative? He or she could have a major impact on legislation that’s critical to your organization. If you’ve established a relationship, lawmakers are more likely to listen to your side of an issue. “Get involved in their local events,” Blose says. “Just step up and introduce yourself if you have a chance. Let them know that you support what they’re doing.”

Be active at all levels of government.

Whether it’s at the local, state, or national level, join a group—such as a SMACNA or SMART legislative committee—with positions you support. The larger your group, the more influence you have. “There is strength in numbers,” Blose says. “We may be representing different groups, but we both need to work for the betterment of the industry.”

Be patient.

Legislation often moves at a slow pace. Other issues take priority or a supporter leaves office. Don’t get discouraged. It’s part of the process. “You have to go back year after year and educate over and over and over again,” Fox says. “And it’s not that you always get to see your legislator. You learn that you have to work with their staff.”

Don’t be partisan.

It may be challenging in today’s hyper-political environment, but don’t dismiss lawmakers with different political beliefs than your own. They may be an ally on some issues. “You have to reach across the aisle,” Fox says. “We talk to not only Republicans, but also to Democrats. We’re talking about things that are good for the industry as a whole.

“While some legislators will never change their minds about an issue, others can be convinced it’s in the best interest of their constituents. The combination of labor unions and management associations both advocating on the same side is powerful.”

“We are in this together,” Blose adds. “So, whatever it takes to get legislation passed, we need to work together.” ▪