ABOUT  US

President: Domenic Theison
Vice-President: Steve Overholt
Business Manager/ Financial Secretary-Treasurer: Dave Gamber
Business Representative/Recording Secretary: Brian Bliss
Organizer: Domenic Theison
Executive Board: Matt Wroblewski, Cole Steiger, Ryan Otto, William Hasenstein
Union Trustees: Jim Almasy, Joe Genusa, Steve Schwarze,
Aaron Peters
Conductor/Warden: Wesley Sweet

Since before 1888, Local Union #1 of the Sheet Metal Workers’ International Association (now S.M.A.R.T.) has resided right in the heart of Illinois. In 1887, Robert Kellerstrass, Recording Secretary of the Tin and Cornice Makers’ Association of Peoria, Illinois, began communicating with the other local organizations promoting the idea of unity and a national organization. Peoria’s own Kellerstrass was elected General Treasurer at the unions’ first convention in 1888. Because of a shifting of local numbers years later, there has always been some question about Peoria’s real right to the #1. In fact, out of the seven original locals; Kellerstrass drew #1 out of a hat in 1924 when the name of the union was changed to Sheet Metal Workers International Association. In January of 2008 The Sheet Metal Workers International Association merged with The United Transportation Union to become The International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers or S.M.A.R.T. Many items are still on display at Local #1’s office from those very early days of our union, a Tinner’s union banner, a journal from 1888, member badges, and original charters from 1888 and 1924. Now, Local #1 serves 10 counties with a membership of roughly 700 + building trades’ journeymen, residential journeymen, apprentices, industrial, and retired members.

WHO  WE  ARE

Being a Sheet metal worker is a highly respected trade.  Local Union No. 1 serves its members with offices located in Morton, IL and Ottawa, IL.  We were established as a local union before starting and becoming part of The International Union on January 25, 1888. We are dedicated to providing an exceptionally skilled work force for our signatory contractors. We are also a member of the West Central Illinois Building Trades Association, the Illinois Valley Building Trades Association, the McLean and Livingston Building Trades Association and the Illinois AFL-CIO.
​
​We believe in being on the cutting edge of  technology, to better serve our customers, our contractors and our union members.  Therefore, we are committed to keeping up with advances being made in our field.  This allows us to use the most modern methods and equipment in order to provide the best possible service.   In a partnership with our signatory contractors we have our own self-funded apprenticeship school for training our members, with no taxpayer contributions.  We also offer Journeyman upgrade classes to suit the ever-changing demands of our work.
​
How do I find out more about a career in the Sheet Metal Industry?
The majority of our students complete the training and continue on to have productive careers in the construction industry.  If you would like to find out more about the Apprenticeship program, click on the 'Apprenticeship' tab at the top of the webpage.