SMART Local 71

Local 71 Summer Outing is almost here! ☀️🍗

Join us Saturday, July 18 at Lamm Manor Grove for a day of food, drinks, fresh clams, co****le, and fun with fellow members.

This year’s outing will also include the 2nd Annual BBQ Smoke Off featuring chicken wings! Think you have what it takes to rule the grill? Register to find out -> https://www.smartlocal71.com/bbq-smoke-off-registration or scan the QR code

Tickets are $5 per member and can be purchased by calling or visiting the hall.

BBQ Smoke Off Details:
Meat Pickup: July 17 at the Hall
Smoking Begins: July 18 at 11 AM at Lamm Manor Grove
Smoking Ends: 3 PM for judging
Sign-Up Deadline: July 10

Questions? Contact Adam Kerr at (716) 912-9007 or Mike Nelson at (716) 698-0549.

On May 7, SMART Local 71 attended one of our favorite high school events of the year, the 11th Annual Technical Career Day at Alden High School.

We spent the day speaking with students about what a career in sheet metal can look like and giving them the chance to see the trade in action.

Tim Benner led a TIG welding booth where students had the opportunity to weld stainless steel. Mitchell Sievers ran a MIG welding booth where students practiced carbon steel MIG welding. Chelsea DiNardo shared her ductwork expertise by showing students how metal duct fittings are fabricated and giving them a chance to knock tin together for the first time.

Thank you to Alden High School for hosting another great Technical Career Day. We always appreciate the opportunity to connect with students, answer their questions, and introduce them to the possibilities within the sheet metal trade.

This Memorial Day, SMART Local 71 pauses to remember and honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.

Their courage, dedication, and selflessness will never be forgotten. Today, we honor their memory and reflect on the freedoms made possible through their sacrifice.

From all of us at SMART Local 71, we wish everyone a safe and meaningful Memorial Day.

Earlier this month, 30 of our industry leaders completed two full days of Member Assistance Peer Mentor Training!

This important training equips members with the skills to become SMART Mentors, trusted, compassionate peers who can offer guidance and support to fellow members who may be struggling with substance abuse, su***de, stress, mental health, or overall well-being.

Workers in the construction industry face higher rates of mental health challenges, substance abuse, su***de, and stress. As a union, we want to make sure our members have the education, resources, and support needed to look out for one another when times get tough.

Thank you to SMOHIT for coming to Buffalo and leading this meaningful training. We are proud of the members who stepped up to be part of this effort and help strengthen the support system within SMART Local 71.

Because taking care of our members means taking care of the whole person, on and off the job!

Happy Mother’s Day from SMART Local 71!

Today, we celebrate the mothers, grandmothers, stepmothers, mother figures, and all the women who lead with strength, love, and dedication.

To the moms in our union family and the mothers who support our members every day, thank you for all that you do. Your hard work, care, and commitment do not go unnoticed.

Wishing you a beautiful Mother’s Day!

As Construction Safety Week comes to a close, we’re reminded that safety isn’t something we recognize for just one week. It’s something we carry with us on every job, every day, and every step of the way.

This year’s theme, All In Together, reminds us of the importance of recognizing hazards, responding with the right controls, and respecting every person’s role in keeping the jobsite safe.

At SMART Local 71, safety is part of the standard we bring to our work, our training, and our trade. Because at the end of the day, the goal is simple: everyone goes home safe.

A great night with our SMART Local 71 family! 🧡

On April 11, we held our annual Bandits Lacrosse Outing as the Buffalo Bandits took on the Rochester Nighthawks. With about 80 members, family, and friends in attendance, it was a fun night of community, connection, and cheering on our local team.

The Bandits brought home the win, 12-6, this night and we’re proud to support a team that continues to represent Buffalo with grit and heart.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for another great union outing!

Today we celebrate International Workers’ Day—a day rooted in the fight for dignity, fairness, and the 8-hour workday. We honor the workers of Chicago whose courage during the Haymarket Affair in 1886 helped ignite a global labor movement. What began as a struggle for basic rights became a symbol of solidarity for working people around the world.

Their sacrifice reminds us that the protections we have today weren’t given—they were fought and died for.

From safer job sites to fair wages and benefits, we stand on the shoulders of those who refused to back down.

Solidarity then. Solidarity now.

Here at Local 71 Sheet Metal Union, we are the experts in all things related to metal ductwork and building air systems. This expertise includes the installation and inspection of Fire Dampers and Smoke Dampers which are crucial in preventing the spread of fire and smoke during an emergency. We educate and train our members on performing this important work at our hall and at the end of the training they take the Fire and Smoke Damper Technician Exam online through the International Certifications Board (ICB).

We are proud to announce another cohort of Local 71 members who recently passed their exam and can now perform this life saving work. And a big thank you to our instructor, Robert Robinson, and our Apprenticeship Coordinator, Tim Benner, for helping grow this training.

New Certified Technicians: Brad Haenel, Matt Guizotti, Mike Day, Brandon Barlow, Liam Conway, Matthew Bunch, Matt Jones, Alex McCausland, Ismael Gonzalez Jr., Travis Teixeira, Jeremiah Jones, Adam McCrobie

This Earth Day, let’s talk about impact 🌎

Did you know buildings account for nearly 40% of total energy use in the United States and over 35% of that energy goes to HVAC and air distribution systems alone?

That’s where SMART members make a difference.

Every day, our skilled workforce is behind the:
🔹 Fabrication
🔹 Installation
🔹 Servicing

of energy-efficient air systems, heating and cooling equipment, and insulated ductwork that power today’s buildings.

The result? Lower energy consumption, reduced environmental impact, and more efficient, cost-effective buildings

This isn’t just about construction, it’s about building a more sustainable future.

Because when we build smarter, we protect what matters most.