Sheet Metal Locl 36, SMACNA Reach Agreement

Sheet Metal Workers' Local 36 has reached a two-year contract settlement with the St. Louis Sheet Metal Contractors' Association (SMACNA).

The new contract includes a rollover provision with no wage increase during the first year, August 1, 2011 through July 31, 2012, and a $.75 increase from August 1, 2012 through July 31, 2013, the end of the contract.

Throughout the contract discussions, Local 36 and SMACNA officials were mindful of the current economic situation and the need to remain competitive in this environment, according to David C. Zimmermann, President and Business Manager of Local 36, and his management partner George "Butch" Welsch, SMACNA Labor Chairman.

"Our members and contractors have forged a very strong partnership during the many years they have worked together," said Zimmermann. "As part of these efforts, we have worked together to maintain very strong local health insurance and pension programs. The strength of these plans has allowed the two organizations to negotiate this agreement with no first year increase since the plans do not require immediate cash infusions as do many of the plans around the country."

Both sides are hopeful that by the 2013 contract termination a rebounding economy will enable Local 36 and the contractors to negotiate in a more typical fashion with additional mutually beneficial results.

"We respect our signatory contractors, and are proud of our long-standing partnership with them," said Zimmermann. "This contract reflects collaboration built on trust and an investment in each organization's future."

Sheet Metal Workers Local 36 members design, fabricate, install, manufacture and service residential and commercial HVAC systems, and well as working with architectural sheet metal applications and specialty sheet metal products. They provide a skilled workforce to businesses throughout the region, and are active in numerous charitable organizations.

For more information about Sheet Metal Workers' Local 36, visit the organization's Web site at http://www.sheetmetal36.org.

About Sheet Metal Workers' Local 36
Serving its members since January 25, 1888, Sheet Metal Workers' Local 36 encompasses the greater St. Louis metropolitan area, Eastern Missouri, Columbia, Jefferson City, and Springfield Missouri, as well as Arkansas. Representing over 3,000 members and serving over 150 contractors, the organization is committed to providing customer satisfaction on every job through the highest quality, value, integrity, safety and craftsmanship. Local 36 is an affiliate of the Sheet Metal Workers Union International Association.

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