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The Sheet Metal Workers’ International Association holds a Business Agents’ Convention each year. For the first time since 1930, this convention was held in Toronto. Fittingly, the convention was held at the same location as it was in 1930, the historic Royal York Hotel on Front St. in downtown Toronto. Locals 30, 285, and 540 co-hosted the event.
In order to showcase the sheet metal and roofing industries, the committee responsible for organizing the convention arranged to have a copper and brass statue of Lady Justice placed just outside the convention floor. A Local 30 contractor, Heather & Little, graciously loaned the statue to the convention.
Local 30 Committee members (Left to right) Lea West, Business Manager James Jackson, Glenn Jewer, Art White, and Chris Paswisty
Heather and Little also provided to the convention commemorative sheet metal statuettes in the shape of the CN Tower, which were presented to the General President, members of the General Executive Council and the speakers at the convention. The statue had a slate insert on the base to symbolize the roofing industry.
Crafted by Local 30 members, Lady Justice served to display the technical skill and artistry of Canadian sheet metal workers.
The International hired sheet metal and roofing apprentices to help set up the convention and assist staff both prior to and during the week of the convention. They did an outstanding job.
(Left to right) Business Manager James Jackson with Local 30 apprentices Adam Falzon (roofing) and Mark Baxter (sheet metal), as well as Local 285 apprentice Daniel Fernandes.
The host locals worked as a team to prepare the delegates’ packages and to organize a baseball outing for delegates and their guests. A lot of planning was required to ensure that the convention ran smoothly.
The convention provided Business Managers, Business Representatives and Organizers with the opportunity to hear what is happening with the union throughout North America to share ideas and strategies for making us stronger.
James Jackson opened the convention on behalf of the hosting locals. Donna Lajeunesse sang the Canadian and American national anthems and members of the Anishnabe tribe from Keene (near Peterborough) blessed the convention with a sage smudge and a native dance. The Deputy Mayor of Toronto, Joe Pantalone, welcomed the delegates to our city.
The host Locals were responsible for arranging speakers to address the convention. The Ontario Minister of Labour, Steve Peters, Robert Blakely from the Canadian Building Trades and NDP Leader, Howard Hampton, all spoke. The Honourable Roy Cullen spoke on behalf of Stéphane Dion, the Leader of the Opposition in the House of Commons. Our American brothers and sisters, who made up the majority of the delegates, were interested in learning of the political differences between our country and theirs, and all the speakers were well received.
The International arranged for speakers as well. David Darcy, Comptroller for the IA, gave a financial report, while Marc LeBlanc spoke on the National Pension Fund. Robert Brown, Director of Canadian Affairs, gave a report on the state of the union in Canada, while Chris Carlough spoke on Youth to Youth and Mike La Fave reported on the production workers. SASMI, SMOHI, ITI, SMACNA, and NEMI representatives all gave updates and reports.
General President Michael Sullivan addressed the delegates on numerous occasions during the convention. His opening address was based on the convention theme, “Our Future Starts Today”. He welcomed new Business Managers and Representatives and asked for a minute of silence for those members who had passed away.
A report was given on the upcoming merger between the Sheet Metal Workers’ International Association and the United Transportation Union (UTU). The merger will create a union of 230,000 members that will be known as the Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation (SMART) workers. The merger takes effect on January 1, 2008.
As part of the convention structure, the host Locals chose the Sick Kids Foundation as the charity to which delegates were asked to contribute. We are extremely pleased to report that $50,000.00 was collected in support of Sick Kids. Since the International matched the contributions collected, a total of $100,000.00 was presented to the Sick Kids Foundation on behalf of the union. This was the largest charitable donation ever made at a Business Agents’ convention.
(Left to right bottom row) Joe Manso, Domenic Serino, Glenn Jewer, Bob Gougeon, (Left to right standing) James Jackson, Angelo Bozzato and Derek Evans working at the Sick Kids Charity table.
Members of the host Locals took turns manning the booth during the 2-day registration and the convention itself.
The General President Mike Sullivan and the Business Mangers of the host Locals presented the Sick Kids Foundation representatives with our $100,000.00 donation.
Derek Evans LU 540, James Jackson LU 30 and Louie Petricca LU 285 receive plaques from representatives of the Sick Kids Foundation
The delegates, their families and their guests had the opportunity to explore our city and the feedback was outstanding. No doubt many are planning to re-visit Toronto as a holiday destination.
James Jackson
Business Manager/Financial Secretary-Treasurer
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