Proudly Representing Sheet Metal Workers Since 1888
Sheet Metal
Comprehensive guide to sheet metal fabrication, techniques, materials, and industry standards
Job Description
Primarily, sheet metal workers fabricate and install ductwork for air handling systems. This can include spiral seam pipe air-conditioning and ventilation systems, shielded rooms to keep out sound or magnetism, ducting for computer rooms where humidity and temperature control are essential, and sometimes plastic, as well as other other materials. In addition to ductwork, sheet metal workers fabricate and install coping and flashing, filing cabinets and desks, kitchen equipment, metal roofs, siding, rain gutters, downspouts, skylights, customized precision equipment, and many other products made from metal sheets. The process of sheet metal work involves shearing, forming, fabricating, welding, soldering and assembling a host of items made from galvanized iron, steel, copper, nickel alloy, stainless steel, aluminum and sometimes plastic. The work takes place on industrial, commercial and institutional construction sites, industrial plants, and in the electrical power systems sector of the construction industry.
To work as a sheet metal worker in Ontario, you must:
A) hold a certificate of qualification in the sheet metal trade; or
B) be a registered apprentice sheet metal worker
If an individual wishes to train in order to become qualified as a sheet metal worker in Ontario, they must:
- Education – Have completed grade 10, preferred grade 12.
- Employment – Enter into an agreement with a suitable employer.
- Registration – Register with the province
- Training Hours – Complete 9000 hours of work experience, including 24 weeks of technical training.
- Final Testing – Successfully complete all required examinations.
- Fees – Pay all prescribed fees.
Apprentices
Below are the requirements to become a sheet metal apprentice.
- Have completed grade 10 (grade 12 preferred).
- Make an appointment to do an aptitude test at the Union office.
- Complete application paperwork.
- Briefly talk to an organizer.
- Be placed on a list to be invited to a two-day orientation.
- Attend the orientation.
- Seek out an employer, with the union’s assistance.
- Pay first union dues and initiation fee, collect dispatch slip.
- Follow all guidelines as set by the Local Joint Apprenticeship Committee (LJAC).
- Register with the province through the LJAC.
- Complete 9000 hours of work experience, including 24 weeks of technical training (day school) as well as Local 30 night school.
- Successfully complete all required examinations.
- Pay all prescribed fees.
Dues
Summary
It is every member’s obligation to pay their monthly dues on time to maintain good standing membership. It is a good idea to pay your dues in advance in order to be eligible for the most benefits that are available by virtue of union membership. Currently, monthly dues are $50.00 per month for active members.
How To Pay
Dues may be paid in the following ways:
- Paid in person at the Union office with Cash, Visa, MasterCard, Debit or Cheque
- There is a $1.00 per transaction fee for using Debit and a 2.5% charge for using credit cards)
- Via Mail to the Union office by cheque or money order, there is a box outside
- Via Telephone to the Union office with Visa or MasterCard
- The 2.5% charge will apply
- Debit over the phone
- Via Direct Withdrawal from your bank account
- Contact the Union office for forms and information about the Direct Withdrawal Plan
Additional Information
Any post-dated cheques will be held and deposited as dated.
An income tax receipt will be issued by the local union for monthly dues. Hourly dues deductions will be reported by your employer on the T-4 slip issued to you for tax purposes.
Forms
Offline Forms
Please make sure to download the form. (It may not save your filled information if you open it in a browser).
Follow this link to download a program to open the PDF if you do not already have one: https://get.adobe.com/reader/
Online Member Information Forms
Benefits
Summary
Local 30 members are entitled to welfare and pension benefits based on contributions remitted by employers to Local 30’s benefit plans.
Employers are required to make such contributions for each hour worked by Local 30 members.
Employers must remit these contributions by the 20th day of the month that directly follows the month in which work is performed. For example, contributions for hours worked in January will be due by February 20th.
A Local 30 member will become eligible for welfare benefits only after he or she has worked a total of 224 hours. As remittance runs one month behind you can expect to be eligible to participate in the plan in the beginning of the following month once you have reached the 224 hours.
Members may contact the benefit plan administrator to determine if contributions have been received and to confirm coverage.
A Local 30 member will have pension contributions remitted on his or her behalf beginning with the 3rd year of apprenticeship in the sheet metal trade. The benefit plan administrator mails out a pension statement to members bi-annually, listing the number of hours reported by employers.
Members are advised to review these statements carefully to ensure that they accurately reflect total hours worked. For more detailed information on the plans please visit the website www.LU30plan.com or contact the Benefit Office at (905) 946-9700 or 1-800-263-3564.
Holidays and Option Days
Training
Local 30 offers a variety of courses on an ongoing basis. Courses will proceed provided that there is significant registration. The following courses are open to members who work under the Provincial Sheet Metal Collective Agreement.
Apprentices will not be accepted for any course that interferes with night school attendance. Deposits are required for each course and will be returned upon successful completion or proof of 85% attendance.
If you require further information on the courses outlined below, or to register contact Derek MacLachlan (416) 299-7260 Ext: 225 to have your name placed on a waiting list.
Pre Certificate of Qualification
Training Criteria/Objective: This course is a review of subjects covered in apprenticeship trade school. The course has successfully prepared apprentices to write and attain the Sheet Metal Worker license. Apprentices are especially encouraged to take this course.
To achieve a Sheet Metal Worker license apprentices must attain a 70% mark on the Ministry of Labour Certificate of Qualification exam.
Health & Safety
This course will give participants confidence to discuss and know safety issues at their workplace. Local 30 has been a leader in promoting health & safety training in the construction industry. A key component of a pleasant & productive work place must include safety training. HS1 Level I Training Criteria/Objective.
This course will instruct on:
Current Ontario Safety Regulations
WHIMIS Regulations and WHIMIS label
Designated substances
Personal Protective Equipment
HS2 Level 2 LAW Training Criteria/Objective
This course will instruct will advise participants of your rights under current legislation. The participants will learn the best practices in documenting safety concerns.
HS2 Level 2 COMMITTEES Training Criteria/Objective Participants will learn the structure and function of safety committees. The legal requirement of employers when committees are required.
First Aid
This course will train workers on proper procedures in case of a medical emergency. The course is open to all sheet metal members and is highly recommended given the nature of our industry. Stewards and Health & Safety Representatives appointed by the union are especially urged to take this course. Topics include:
- Emergency scene management, wounds & bleeding, shock, levels of consciousness, burns and poisons
- Recognition of heart attack and stroke
- Adult and child CPR, choking and resuscitation procedures
- Bone and joint injuries
- Head, neck and spinal injuries
- Eye, ear and nose injuries
- Heat and cold emergencies
- Medical conditions: Diabetes, allergic reactions, asthma and seizures
Gas
This is an entry level Gas Technician certificate course. It can be taken by following these steps:
- The member must find a training facility that offers the G3 Course and register for the course.
- Once registered, contact the Union hall and request a G3 Attendance Record, which must be signed by the instructor for each class.
- Forward a copy of the receipt of tuition fee paid in full the Local 30 Education Committee. Members will be reimbursed 30% of the tuition upon proof of the fee being paid. An additional 30% of the tuition will be reimbursed half- way through the course with proof of 85% attendance ( submit signed attendance record). The final 40% will be reimbursed upon successful completion or proof of 85% attendance for the entire course.
Stewards Training
A steward is a sheet metal worker who assists in resolving minor collective agreement disputes on a job site or in a shop. This course will give you the tools to be an effective steward.
Duration: One Saturday Starting: Pending interest Minimum of 8 participants.
Lunch provided. Location: Local 30 Union Hall.
My Union
Want to find out more about your Union? This course offers open discussion as well as video presentations and guest speakers. Participants will have the opportunity to share their stories and experiences about the value of their union. The course is designed to respond to the political and media attacks on our labour movement. To understand where we are going, we must first know where we have been, and the mistakes we have made. Together we can change the conversation. It is time to celebrate the achievements we have made and the contributions of unions and their members to our society.
Duration: 4 hours Dinner provided. Starting: Pending interest Minimum of 8 participants.
Location: Local 30 Union Hall.
Note: This course may also be available in the Barrie, Oshawa, Newmarket and Mississauga areas pending interest and registration.