Sheet Metal Workers Local 49

09/03/2026

WHERE CRAFT BECOMES LEGACY.

What a great morning at the Albuquerque Rail Yards this past Sunday.

Local 49 leadership joined Mayor Tim Keller and community members for the dedication of The Line That Connects Us – Tracks in Time, now part of the City of Albuquerque Public Art Collection.

Seeing the finished piece in place, surrounded by the people who helped celebrate it, was something special. This project is a powerful reminder that sheet metal is more than a trade. In the right hands, it can become art, history, and a lasting part of the community.

We are proud of the Local 49 members whose skill and craftsmanship helped bring this piece to life.

And judging by the photos, it was a pretty great day to celebrate it.

Group Photo L-R: Local 49 Officer & Project Lead Erick Corona, Local 49 Business Manager Isaiah Zemke, Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller, Local 49 Executive Board Member Joe Valdez, and Local 49 Officer Chuck Lees.

Standing next to Chuck is Matthew Carter with the Albuquerque Public Art Urban Enhancement Division

09/02/2026

Local 49’s Voice in the Conversation

Proud to see our Business Manager, Isaiah Zemke, representing SMART Sheet Metal Workers Local 49 and New Mexico’s skilled trades in the Santa Fe New Mexican.

Isaiah’s recently published article explains why Local 49 supports Project Jupiter and what a project of this scale can mean for New Mexico workers: good-paying jobs, hands-on training, long-term careers, and the opportunity to build a future close to home.

Congratulations to Isaiah on getting this important perspective published and on continuing to ensure the voices of Local 49 members are part of the conversation about New Mexico’s future.

Read more on our blog: https://smwlu49.org/project-jupiter-creates-career-opportunity/

Image Credit: Project Jupiter Media Gallery

Local 49 Business Manager Highlights Jobs, Training and Long-Term Opportunity for New Mexico Workers SMART Sheet Metal Workers Local 49 Business Manager Isaiah Zemke recently shared his Local 49’s support […]

09/02/2026

A message from our partners Sheet Metal Occupational Health Institute Trust (SMOHIT).

September is Su***de Prevention Awareness Month, and we want every SMART member to know that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Our trade runs on trust: trusting the person next to you on the job, trusting your training and trusting your crew. That same trust extends off the jobsite, too. Through SMART MAP, our peer mentor network, fellow union members are trained to be there for you. No judgment, just support from someone who gets the trade.

We're proud to stand behind every member and their family, every day of the year. If you or someone you know needs to talk, our helpline is free, confidential, and available 24/7: 877-884-6227.

09/01/2026

Another Great Labor Day Picnic in the Books!

Thank you to all of our Local 49 members and families who came out for the 17th Annual Mike & Peggy Swisher Labor Day Picnic!

It was a great day to get together, enjoy some time away from the jobsite, catch up with old friends, and celebrate the people and families who make Local 49 what it is.

We work together. We stand together. And every once in a while, we get to kick back together too.

Thanks for spending the day with us. We’re already looking forward to next year!

08/27/2026

Craftsmanship Worth Dedicating

A piece of Local 49 craftsmanship now has a permanent home at the Rail Yards Market ABQ

This Sunday, the City of Albuquerque will officially dedicate The Line That Connects Us – Tracks in Time, a public art piece created with the skill and craftsmanship of SMART Sheet Metal Workers Local Union 49.

Mayor Tim Keller will be present for the dedication, and members, families, friends, and the community are invited to attend.

Sunday, August 30 - 10 a.m.
Rail Yards Market
Growers’ Grove / Tender Shop
777 1st St SW, Albuquerque

See full event details on our website. https://f.mtr.cool/qj4sratb7m

08/27/2026

THE SHOP IS LIVE!

Local 49 gear just got a whole lot easier to get.

Our new Online Merch Shop is officially open for members, families, supporters, and anyone who wants to rep Local 49.

We’ve got shirts, hats, jackets, tumblers, patches, and more ready to go.

No trip to the hall required. No digging around for your size. Just pick your gear and get after it.

REP THE 49. SHOP THE DROP.

👉 Hit the Local 49 Online Merch Shop on our website. Grab yours and go. https://f.mtr.cool/fj4riyglmc

08/25/2026

Attention, Members and Followers. We are currently experiencing an influx of spam bots dropping links to merchandise (t-shirts, hoodies, etc.) in our comment sections and tagging members. Please do not click these links or enter any of your information. The Union does not sell merchandise through random comment links. We are actively blocking these accounts. We appreciate your patience.

08/18/2026

17 YEARS STRONG. LET’S GET TOGETHER.

The 17th Annual Mike & Peggy Swisher Labor Day Picnic is coming up on Saturday, August 29, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Bring the family, catch up with your union brothers and sisters, and spend the day with the people who make Local 49 strong.

📍 Need directions? Head to the Events page on our website for the location, directions, and full picnic details: https://f.mtr.cool/wokyw###iz

We’ll see you there!

Event Host: Central New Mexico Labor Council

08/14/2026

Tools down. Volume up. 🤘🎶

Everybody’s workin’ for the weekend — and nobody earns it quite like the men and women who spent the week building, welding, fabricating, installing, and getting the job DONE.

You worked for it.

Now go enjoy it. 👊

Happy Friday, Local 49!

08/11/2026

BIG PROJECTS ARE STACKING UP. WE NEED PEOPLE.

Local 49 just dropped a new MEMBER REFERRAL PROGRAM, and you are our best source.

You know who's out there. If you know a New Mexico-licensed journeyman who shows up, knows the trade, doesn't cut corners, and can handle the grit of the jobsite, let's get them signed up!

💰 Get Your Cut

Earn up to $1,000 for each qualifying referral that meets the program requirements.

⏳ Don't Sit on the Referral

The program runs through December 31, 2026, and the Local 49 drive is limited to the first 100 qualifying referrals.

You already know who belongs here. The former coworkers you respect. The good hands you trust. The people you would want beside you when the work gets tough.

Bring them to Local 49. Build the crew. Get rewarded.

Hit our website blog for program details, then use the link in the blog to send us your referral.
Link to blog ➡️ https://f.mtr.cool/gdbaqfpjis

Questions? Call us at (505) 266-5878.

Share this program with your Local 49 brothers and sisters. LFG!

Texas