About Us

Sheet Metal Workers Local Union 49

Sheet Metal Workers Local Union 49 is a member of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail & Transportation (SMART).

SMART works to protect and raise the living standards of over 150,000 skilled men and women employed in the sheet metal industry throughout the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico.

We work with the construction, manufacturing, service, railroad, and shipyard industries to establish and maintain desireable working conditions for members through their employers, providing them the opportunity for comfort, happiness, and security to which every member is entitled in return for his or her highly trained and skilled labor.

Mission Statement

SMART Local 49 is dedicated to creating economic security and career opportunities for its members in the Sheet Metal Industry by safeguarding workplace, wage, and benefit standards, investing in progressive apprenticeship training, and creating pathways to the middle class for our members and their families.

Who We Are

On May 17, 1919, Local 188 was granted its charter in El Paso, Texas by the Amalgamated Sheet Metal Workers International Association.

Born of Local 188 as it spread ever northward, 129 men petitioned for and were granted their own charter for Local 49 in Albuquerque, New Mexico on January 7 1953. Local 49 has continued to grow and flourish, providing a better life for its members and their families, and improving the industry as a whole.

Coming full circle, El Paso area Local 188 was merged into Local 49 on April 1, 1981, and the two Locals again became one.