The Sheet Metal Union of Omaha, Nebraska was started by a number of dedicated tradesmen in the late 1880’s.
Omaha, together with six other mid-western metal labor groups, met on January 25, 1888 in Toledo, Ohio to form the “Tin Sheet-Iron and Cornice Workers International Union.”
Omaha became Local #3 and Leo Hart from Omaha became General Vice President.
In 1897, the name was changed to “Amalgamated Sheet Metal Workers International Association”, and in 1903 to “Amalgamated Sheet Metal Workers International Alliance”, and finally in 1924 to “Sheet Metal Workers’ International Association.”
In its 112-year history, Local #3 has only had seven paid business managers:
Dale Steward 1928-1941
Edward Spink 1947-1949
Gustav Wigg 1949-1955
Lester Foreman 1955-1973
Ben Preis 1973-1988
Duwayne Doty 1988-1991
Thomas Blankman 1991-2003
Jeffrey L Anderson, Sr. 2003-2006
Mark Merwald 2006-present
Omaha’s apprentice training has struggled finding a meeting place. In the early days, they met wherever they could find room: in the fifties and sixties they used Omaha Tech High School and through the years Omaha South High School, Millard South High, and Omaha Metropolitan Community College.
With the completion of our two million dollar investment and with the dedication on May 13, 2000 of our new hall and training facility with over 33,000 square feet, we now have our own home.
   
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Copyright @2010 SMW Local #3 Omaha, NE |