About
Local 397.
Skilled, since 1910.
Sheet Metal Workers & Roofers Local 397 is the sheet metal and roofing local for Thunder Bay & Northwestern Ontario, affiliated with SMART — the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers. We train, dispatch and represent the journeypersons and apprentices behind the region’s commercial, institutional and industrial builds.
01 · Mission
What we stand for.
“In this age of organized effort, it is essential that those engaged at our trade must likewise organize in order to establish and maintain desirable working conditions and thus provide for themselves and their families that measure of comfort, happiness and security to which every good citizen is entitled in return for his or her labour from a deep sense of pride in our trade, to give a fair day’s work for a fair day’s pay.”
- 01Grow our membership with the most highly skilled sheet metal and roofing workers in Northwestern Ontario.
- 02Secure desirable working conditions and opportunities for personal growth, comfort and security.
- 03Promote pride in our trade and the work our members do.
- 04Champion workplace safety on every job.
- 05Deliver the best value to our contractors — a fair day's work for a fair day's pay.
02 · History
From 1910 to today.
1910
Organized in the Lakehead
Tinsmiths and sheet metal workers are organized in Port Arthur, listed among the trades in the 1910 Trades & Labor Congress souvenir — the earliest record of the organized craft at the Lakehead.
1946
Local 397 chartered
On June 7, 1946, sheet metal workers at the Day Company of Canada plant in Fort William voted to join the Sheet Metal Workers' International Association. The International granted the charter on June 25, 1946, and Representative Leon Reliford installed it at the Trades & Labour Hall on Finlayson Street on July 11, 1946, before sixteen founding members — with Victor Blasino as first President and John Fraleigh as Secretary-Treasurer.
1970
Thunder Bay amalgamation
Port Arthur and Fort William amalgamate to form the City of Thunder Bay. Local 397 carries through the merger, continuing to represent the trade across the new city and Northwestern Ontario.
2011
SMART forms
The Sheet Metal Workers' International Association merges with the United Transportation Union to form SMART — the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers.
Local 397 was built on a craft organized at the Lakehead since 1910, with roots in tinsmithing and cornice work. The local carried the trade through the 1970 amalgamation of Port Arthur and Fort William into Thunder Bay, and continues that lineage as a SMART affiliate today.
- Tin, Sheet Iron & Cornice Workers1888
- Amalgamated Sheet Metal Workers1896
- Sheet Metal Workers' International (SMWIA)1924
- SMART (UTU merger)2011
- Hosted the 51st Ontario Apprenticeship Competition2024
From the archive
The original 1946 papers behind the charter — John Fraleigh’s sworn affidavit recording the founding meetings, and the Sheet Metal Workers’ International Association charter itself.
Affidavit of John Fraleigh
Sworn August 16, 1946 — the founding record: organized June 7 at the Day Company of Canada plant in Fort William, charter installed July 11 before sixteen members.
SMWIA Charter — Local 397
Granted June 25, 1946 by the Sheet Metal Workers’ International Association, signed under seal by the General President and General Secretary.
03 · Executive
Elected by members.
The executive board is elected by the membership and accountable to the members at every regular meeting. They set local policy and steward the local’s finances, representing both the sheet metal and roofing divisions across Thunder Bay & Northwestern Ontario.
Daniel “Dan” Krupa
Business Manager · Financial Secretary-Treasurer
Peter Vandenbroeke
President
Sean Davis
Vice President
Pat Slivinski
Conductor
Jamie Stroud
Warden
Kevin Caratti
Executive Board
Dan Clapp
Executive Board
Jamie Sovereign
Executive Board
Eric Tallon
Executive Board
Vic Augrus
Auditing Trustee
Fortunat Futia
Auditing Trustee
Gerald Bibeau
Auditing Trustee
Elected 2024 · confirm current officers with the hall
Welfare Committee
Looking after members.
The Welfare Committee oversees the local’s member welfare and benefit matters on behalf of the membership.
Daniel Krupa
Peter Vandenbroeke
Vic Augruso
Kevin Caratti
Sean Davis
Bob Slater
Pat Slivinski
Eric Tallon
04 · Staff
Who picks up.
Daniel “Dan” Krupa
manager@smw397.caBusiness Manager / Financial Secretary-Treasurer
Kevin Stadey
safety397@tbaytel.netSafety & Training Coordinator
Craig Taylor
sheetmetal397@tbaytel.netSMART International Representative
The Union Hall
sheetmetal397@tbaytel.netGeneral enquiries · dispatch
05 · The work
Where our members work.
Local 397 dispatches members to signatory contractors on builds across Thunder Bay & Northwestern Ontario, under the provincial agreement bargained through the OSMWRC.
- 01HVAC — commercial, institutional & industrial
- 02Industrial & resource facilities (mining, pulp & paper)
- 03Architectural sheet metal & cladding
- 04Ventilation & duct fabrication
- 05Flat & built-up roofing
- 06Service & shop fabrication