What SMART Local 16 does

SMART Local 16 (Sheet Metal Workers Local Union 16), founded in 1892, is a private labor union representing more than 2,150 highly skilled sheet metal craftspeople across 32 counties spanning Oregon and Southwest Washington, under the Northwest Regional Council of SMART and the international SMART (International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers). It serves workers and signatory contractors in the architectural, HVAC, industrial, service, stainless steel, and shipyard sectors, providing collective bargaining representation, workplace safety advocacy, and workforce recruitment.

The union's core products and services are structured around four pillars: (1) Union Membership — formal collective bargaining representation with signatory contractors that produces negotiated wages, benefits (including 100% employer-paid health insurance and pension plans), and working conditions; (2) the Apprenticeship Training Program, delivered through the Sheet Metal Institute and the Total Track online training platform, producing certified journeymen; (3) Member Benefits, which now include the TOOTRiS wrap-around childcare benefit (launched February 2025 — the first such offering in the U.S. building trades), the SMART International Scholarship Fund, the Member Assistance Program (counseling, crisis, legal, and financial support), and the annual Presents from Partners holiday program; and (4) Digital Member Infrastructure, consisting of the Member Portal dashboard and a multi-channel communications stack spanning website, social media, SMS, and email. From a technology perspective, SMART Local 16 is an operating service organization rather than a technology company; no proprietary AI, data, or software products are disclosed.

The revenue model is subscription-based recurring monthly member dues — rates set every five years at the International Convention and locally by member vote — with a portion remitted to the international union. Geographic reach is concentrated in Oregon and SW Washington via two physical offices (Portland headquarters at 2379 NE 178th Avenue and a Springfield training center at 1887 Laura St) plus satellite meeting locations and annual regional formulation meetings. As a non-profit, member-governed union, SMART Local 16 has no equity ownership, no public listing, and no external funding rounds; it is structurally insulated from conventional exit and acquisition dynamics that apply to for-profit entities.

Name

SMART Local 16

Legal name

Northwest Regional Council of SMART | SMART Local 16

Website

https://smw16.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1892

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

SMART Local 16 is a private labor union founded in 1892 representing more than 2,150 sheet metal workers across 32 counties in Oregon and Southwest Washington. It delivers collective bargaining, apprenticeship training through the Sheet Metal Institute, and member benefits including childcare and scholarships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Labor Union Services

NAICS

Apprenticeship Training (611513), Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Specialty Trade Contractors (238), Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors (238210)

SIC

Services-Employment Agencies (7361), Construction - Special Trade Contractors (1700), Electrical Work (1731)

akta.pro primary industry

Employment & Job Readiness Support Services (BPAGAEAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Incumbent Worker Training & Upskilling (EDAAAOAE), Contractor Benefits & Perks Administration (BPACAGAJ), Independent Contractor Compliance & Classification (IC vs Employee) (BPACAGAA)

Keywords

• Labor union representation
• Sheet metal workers
• Collective bargaining services
• Apprenticeship training programs
• Trade union organizing

Headquarters

HQ city

Portland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Member Dues: Monthly union dues where part goes to the local union and part to the International Association to finance their work on behalf of members. Dues rates are established by vote of delegates to the International Convention every five years and in the local union by a vote of the entire membership.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

SMART Local 16 is a labor union that represents more than 2,150 sheet metal workers across 32 counties in Oregon and Southwest Washington, delivering collective bargaining, workplace grievance representation, health and pension benefits negotiation, and apprenticeship training. The union signs recognition agreements with contractors such as Vigor Marine and Thompson Metal Fab and provides its members access to apprenticeship programs, an online training platform (Total Track), a Member Assistance Program (MAP), and partner benefits such as childcare discounts through TOOTRiS.

Product overview

SMART Local 16 is a labor union for sheet metal workers operating in Oregon and SW Washington, representing over 2,150 skilled craftspeople across 32 counties. The organization offers union membership with collective bargaining representation, a premier apprenticeship training program through the Sheet Metal Institute and Total Track platform, member benefits including TOOTRiS childcare services, scholarship programs, and the Presents from Partners holiday program. Members access services through a secure online portal dashboard. The union connects workers with signatory contractors and provides ongoing training, retirement resources, and crisis support through the Member Assistance Program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Union Membership (SMART Local 16)
• Apprenticeship Training Program
• Member Assistance Program (MAP)

Named customers11 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• TOOTRiSflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 February 2025SMART announced a nationwide partnership with TOOTRiS, an on-demand childcare services provider, to offer childcare benefits to its U.S. membership. This initiative makes SMART the first building trades union in the country to provide wrap-around childcare benefits for members. The benefit becomes active on February 1, 2025, for participating sheet metal locals. Through TOOTRiS, members can browse, compare, and enroll in licensed childcare programs nationwide, including non-traditional hours, drop-in care, and 24/7 availability.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• United Brotherhood of Carpenters (UBC): Major building trades union with overlapping construction-site jurisdiction in Oregon and SW Washington. Comparable operating model: dues-funded, apprenticeship-trained, signatory-contractor-driven representation of skilled craftspeople.
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW): Building trades union with overlapping jurisdiction in HVAC and electrical work. SMART Local 16 actually co-locates union meetings at IBEW Local 280 (Redmond), evidencing close operational and jurisdictional comparability in Oregon/Washington.
• International Association of Ironworkers: Building trades union with overlapping structural construction work in the Pacific Northwest. Comparable business model: skilled-craft membership, apprenticeship programs, collective bargaining, and signatory contractor relationships.
• Laborers' International Union of North America (LIUNA): Building trades union with construction-industry presence in the Pacific Northwest. Comparable scale, dues model, and signatory contractor framework, though focused on laborers rather than skilled sheet metal craft.
• United Association of Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Service Techs (UA): Building trades union covering HVAC-adjacent mechanical work. Both unions operate apprenticeship programs, signatory contractor networks, and collective bargaining in the same construction markets as SMART Local 16.
• International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT): Building trades union with shared organizing geography in Oregon and Washington. Both unions operate apprenticeship pipelines, collective bargaining, and member benefit programs in the nonresidential construction sector.
• International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE): Building trades union covering heavy equipment operators and mechanics on the same construction sites where SMART Local 16 members perform sheet metal and HVAC work. Comparable dues model and Pacific Northwest membership footprint.

Broad incumbents

• SMART (International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers): International parent union governing SMART Local 16. Directly comparable as the overarching trade union organization with shared dues structure, training programs, and member benefits framework for sheet metal workers across North America.
• Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association (SMACNA) – Oregon Chapter: Industry trade association representing signatory contractors that employ SMART Local 16 members. Directly comparable as the contractor-side counterpart organization, and explicitly linked on SMART Local 16's website.

Emerging players

• Northwest Regional Council of SMART (SMART NWRC): Regional coordinating body for SMART locals in the Northwest, including Local 16. Directly comparable governance layer for organizing, training, and member services across the multi-state territory Local 16 operates within.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SMARTLocal16
• Facebookfacebook.com/smartlocal16
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/smartlocal16
• Instagraminstagram.com/smartlocal16

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SMART Local 16