Sheet Metal Workers Local 36’s Ray Reasons elected as International union’s vice president

By SHERI GASSAWAY
Missouri Correspondent

Ray Reasons, president and business manager of Sheet Metal Workers Local 36, has been named the 11^th general vice president of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART).

Reasons took the oath of office at the 2023 SMART Leadership Conference held earlier this month in Washington D.C. He is replacing SMART 6^th General Vice President and Northwest Regional Council President Tim Carter, who retired after the conclusion of the conference’s first day.

‘TRADITION OF SUCCESS’
“Under his leadership, Local 36 has continued its tradition of success, and today he joins us on the dais,” Coleman said. “Congratulations, Ray – I look forward to working with you in the coming years.”

Local 36 has long been on the forefront of growth and innovation, and its members – along with the Missouri Labor Movement – played an important role beating back a recent attempt by state politicians to institute so-called “right to work.”

‘HUGE HONOR’
“It is a huge honor to be selected for this position,” Reasons said. “However without my membership, full-time staff and the elected officers of Local 36, this would not be a possibility for myself and the local. The support I receive daily moves Local 36 forward. This honor speaks volumes for the organization I am honored to represent.”

Shortly after the news broke, social media lit up with accolades from St. Louis.

Local 36 Financial Secretary/Treasurer Jeremy Snyder wrote: “Super proud of the boss man today. He was sworn in as a SMART international vice president. I have every confidence that he will excel as he helps lead our International with the same high standards and calm demeanor all of us at Local 36 have come to know.”

‘WELL DESERVED’
Local 36 Business Representative Ted Ramsdell wrote: “Local 36 President/Business Manager Ray Reasons was sworn in as 11th International Vice President. It’s a well-deserved position for him and great for Local 36 as well!”

Reasons joined Sheet Metal Workers Local 36 in 1994 and has since served in many positions including trustee of the local’s general account, recording secretary, executive board member, JATC trustee, business representative and president/business manager.

He comes from a long line of union family members. Most of his family were members of UAW Local 2250, his father and oldest brother retired from there along with his uncle who was a director in UAW Region 5. He also has a brother who is an IBEW electrician at Boeing.

ABOUT SMART
SMART is a 21st century Labor union serving, protecting and raising the living standards of women and men working in the sheet metal, shipyard, manufacturing/production and transportation industries throughout the United States and Canada. SMART is one of North America’s most dynamic and diverse unions with 203,000 members.