Metal Trades Department

06/03/2026

We need more union members in office across the country. Congratulations to Sam Forstag on winning his primary, now on to the election in November.

The former Vice President of NFFE Local 60 will face Aaron Flint in November.

06/03/2026

🚨 Registration is now OPEN! 🚨

The countdown to the 72nd Metal Trades Department Convention is officially underway.

Join labor leaders, Metal Trades Council representatives, activists, and union members from across the United States and Canada as we gather in Las Vegas, October 19-22, 2026, for four days of solidarity, strategy, and action.

✅ Register today
✅ Reserve your spot
✅ Start making your plans

After all, what happens in Vegas doesn't stay in Vegas when it's about building a stronger labor movement.

Register now: convention.metaltrades.org

05/30/2026

The Metal Trades Department, AFL-CIO, is proud to announce the appointment of Alana Schaeffer as the Department’s newest Federal Representative, effective June 1, 2026.
“Alana brings with her a wealth of experience, a strong voice for working people, and a proven record of leadership,” says Metal Trades Department President Dale M. Troll. “Her warmth, depth of knowledge, and dedication to the labor movement will make her an invaluable asset to the Department and to our affiliated unions and councils.”

Metal Trades Department, AFL-CIO Welcomes Alana Schaeffer as Federal Representative May 30, 2026 | Uncategorized | 0 comments The Metal Trades Department, AFL-CIO, is proud to announce the appointment of Alana Schaeffer as the Department’s newest Federal Representative effective June 1, 2026. Scha...

05/30/2026

Another day, another example of why the Trump Administration's reckless Jones Act waiver policy must end.

A Chinese-flagged tanker operated by a subsidiary of state-owned COSCO recently transported asphalt from Louisiana to Connecticut under a so-called "national security" Jones Act waiver. The vessel's parent company has appeared on U.S. Department of Defense lists of Chinese military-linked companies, raising serious questions about how this shipment advances America's national security.

The Jones Act exists to protect American jobs, American shipyards, American mariners, and America's military readiness. Every waiver sends cargo, revenue, and work away from U.S.-flag vessels and into the hands of foreign competitors.

If hauling asphalt between two U.S. ports qualifies as a "national security" emergency, then the Administration has stretched the waiver authority beyond recognition. American workers deserve better than policies that put foreign shipping interests ahead of U.S. maritime labor.

Read more: https://gcaptain.com/chinese-cosco-tanker-delivers-asphalt-to-connecticut-under-jones-act-waiver/

The debate over the Trump administration’s emergency Jones Act waiver intensified this week after the American Maritime Partnership (AMP) highlighted the arrival of a Chinese-owned tanker carrying asphalt from Louisiana...

05/22/2026

This Memorial Day, we honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. Their courage, dedication, and love of country secured the freedoms we enjoy today and must never be forgotten.

05/19/2026

Great news for workers' rights!

Appeals Court Upholds Ruling Requiring VA to Honor Contract with AFGE

A federal appeals court has upheld a lower judge’s ruling requiring that the VA continue to honor a national contract with the AFGE union, another rejection of the department’s repeated moves to repudiate that contract.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit rejected the Trump administration’s request to stay an injunction, in one of many cases pending against agency actions to cancel contracts under a pair of 2025 executive orders citing national security considerations for revoking the union representation rights of the majority of federal employees. Continues, link in comments 👇👇👇

05/17/2026

Yesterday was Armed Forces Day, and while we may be a day late, our gratitude is right on time.

The Metal Trades Department, AFL-CIO proudly thanks the brave men and women who serve our country in every branch of the armed forces. Your sacrifice, dedication, and commitment to protecting our nation do not go unnoticed.

We are especially proud of the many union members, veterans, reservists, and military families who make up our Metal Trades family. Thank you for your service to this country and to our communities. 🇺🇸

05/15/2026

Virginia’s workers deserve the freedom to stand together and negotiate for fair wages, safe working conditions, and dignity on the job.

The Metal Trades Department, AFL-CIO strongly condemns Governor Abigail Spanberger’s veto of collective bargaining legislation that would have expanded worker rights across the Commonwealth.

Read President Dale M. Troll’s full statement below.

05/13/2026

The New Hampshire and Maine Congressional delegations are calling for the FLRA to provide an explanation for its refusal to comply with recent court orders and process an ULP charge filed by the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Metal Trades Council on behalf of its members. In their bipartisan, bicameral letter, the lawmakers note that FLRA cites President Trump’s Executive Order limiting the collective bargaining rights of federal employees as its reason for inaction despite a court order halting implementation of the policy.

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Susan Collins (R-ME) are leading the New...