Sheet Metal Workers Union Builds Organizing Momentum in Arizona

Thanks to the Arizona AFL-CIO for the following in-depth report on the Sheet Metal Workers (SMWIA) organizing campaign in that state:

The Sheet Metal Workers union is fighting for the rights of thousands of workers in Arizona.  The leadership has done their research, developed a plan, and now they are on the brink of improving the working standards for 1,500–1,600 workers in Arizona. This is a hard fight, but it is the right fight, at the right time, for all the right reasons. The Sheet Metal Workers union is putting an abundance of their time, money and people into regaining the National Residential Heating Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Industry, and a large part of this industry is right here in Arizona.

According to David Benites, an international staff member:

Our goal is to focus on the entire residential HVAC industry, rather than just one small shop at a time. We expect employers to treat their workers without discrimination and with dignity, justice and respect. In order for these employees to have a voice at work, we need to hold accountable those companies that mistreat their workers. That’s why the focus is now on the largest company that installs air conditioning in Arizona: Chas Roberts.

The SMWIA and Local Union 359 understand and plan to continue their support of the workers’ struggle. The workers are looking forward to the day when all of their issues will be resolved through the advantages only a collective bargaining agreement can bring. These currently unrepresented workers have no assurance of job security or effective means of addressing their issues through current Human Resource Department policy. 

For instance, Benites said, the company “recently forced out a worker after 26 years of dedicated service—demonstrating employee loyalty means nothing to Chas Roberts. They routinely place profits before their employees.”

 Arizona is unique to national organizing efforts because of the recent trends which include enormous residential construction growth, support of other unions and an organizing partnership agreement. Arizona is the second-fastest growing state the country, and Chas Roberts is benefiting enormously from this growth. Chas Roberts grew to be the largest residential HVAC contractor in Arizona and the second-largest residential contractor in the nation working side by side with the SMWIA. They recently abrogated their 50-year collective bargaining relationship with the workers.

The workers of Chas Roberts want the opportunity to again bargain collectively over many issues at their workplace. As Benites states:

The working conditions are often inhumane. We have collected evidence which indicates they are not paid for all of the hours they work. They do not pay their travel time from job site to job site. In many instances, they are not paid all overtime hours, not allowed to take breaks, discouraged from taking a lunch, and they are often forced to drive unsafe trucks.  Additionally, the evidence shows they are forced to seat more people in a truck than seat belts are available, causing unsafe and illegal driving conditions. One of the most inhumane conditions observed is the lack of water for workers installing heavy air-conditioning equipment in tight attic spaces where temperatures often exceed 120 degrees. In the past, workers have been reprimanded for taking cold water supplies from the company’s facilities to the job sites.

The workers face many other dangers related to safety concerns on the job. Where workers are forced to hand carry air conditioners weighing in excess of 100 pounds up many stairs and into the attic spaces, injuries are commonplace. Evidence shows when a worker sustains an injury and reports it to their supervisor, they often are ignored. Says Benites:

The day-to-day pressure the workers face is enormous. They are constantly discriminated against, treated with a lack of respect, and are under constant pressure to meet unrealistic deadlines and other supervisory demands. This undue stress, mandatory overtime, and other burdens often make it extremely difficult to maintain a happy and healthy family life after work.

The Sheet Metal Workers International Association was founded in 1888 with members in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. The union represents workers in residential, commercial and industrial work, in addition to shipyards and railroads. 

The SMWIA has committed major resources to empower and educate workers at Chas Roberts and throughout Arizona. This team has been working on these efforts for more than 30 months. The SMWIA has seen concrete evidence of the workers gaining momentum in their struggle.

With hard work and determination—and the assistance of SMWIA Local 359, national SMWIA staff, and the AFL-CIO—the workers will be successful in this struggle. The union is their insurance policy for a better life and a better community.

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