Labor-Management in Action: A Year of Partnership that Promotes the Industry
Wednesday, February 18 | 9:15 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
Strong labor-management partnerships don’t happen by accident—they’re built through consistent communication, shared goals, and a commitment to working together year-round. This session offers a practical, real-world look at how one area puts those principles into action through a labor-management best practices calendar designed to support growth, visibility, and cooperation throughout the year. Attendees will come away with fresh ideas and inspiration for strengthening their own labor-management partnerships through structured, year-round engagement.
Speakers:
Moderator:
Clark Ellis
Continuum Advisory Services
As Principal and Founding Member of Continuum Advisory Group, Clark Ellis provides consulting services to facility owners, engineering, and construction service providers, building trades unions, trade associations, home builders, real estate developers, manufacturers of building products, tools, and equipment, channel participants, and installing contractors. He has served these clients in North and South America, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
Clark has contributed his expertise to projects involving enterprise strategy, planning, leadership, market research, training and development, business process improvement, and technology deployment. These projects have spanned construction vertical markets such as industrial, oil and gas, infrastructure, general building, utility, as well as single-family and multifamily residential.
In addition to these specific responsibilities, Clark’s research priorities are focused on the application of new technology throughout the design, engineering, and construction value chain, the development of the new processes and collaborative business relationships necessary for the industry to leverage these transformative technologies, and the development of industrialized construction.
Jeremy Hallman
Executive Director, SMACNA BC
With nearly 30 years in the sheet metal industry, Jeremy Hallman brings a full 360-degree perspective to his role as Chapter Executive of SMACNA-BC. He began his career in July 1995 as a pre-apprentice, became a journeyperson in 2000, and quickly moved into project leadership with a strong focus on industrial work.
In 2007, Jeremy transitioned into the office, helping his company adopt and refine software for estimating, detailing, and digital fabrication, before moving into project management. That mix of field experience, technology implementation, and project delivery now informs his work supporting contractors across British Columbia and strengthening labor-management partnerships through SMACNA-BC.
Outside of work, Jeremy enjoys time on the lake with his wife and their two teenage sons, especially when they can get out wakesurfing together.
Steve Davis
Business Manager, SMART Local 280
Steve Davis is the current Business Manager and Financial Secretary-Treasurer of the Sheet Metal Workers’ International Association SMART Local Union No. 280, which represents Sheet Metal Workers, Production, Testing and Balancing and Roofers in British Columbia, Mainland and Yukon Territory in Canada. He has held this position since election in July of 2024, after serving as the local’s organizer for four years starting in March of 2020. As the local organizer, Davis focused heavily on recruitment and retention. During his four-year tenure, the local’s membership grew by approximately 35%, the number of apprentices doubled, and female membership tripled. He was actively engaged with high schools, job fairs, and indigenous groups to promote the trade and signed about 20 new collective agreements in this time. As Business Manager/FST, he is focused on continuing recruitment efforts, supporting members, and advocating for the sheet metal trade.
Steve Davis began his career in late 1997, working in architectural sheet metal for his parents’ Union company. He completed his apprenticeship and spent the next two decades working at one of the locals’ largest contractors. In the years at this company, he was a shop foreman, lead trainer, OFA Level 2 attendant, Company COR auditor and Safety officer. He worked on small project estimating, project coordinating and purchasing. His involvement in the Union grew throughout his career; he began attending meetings early in his apprenticeship. In 2012, he was elected to Local 280’s Executive board, where he served three consecutive terms. Serving one term as the Vice President. He also was appointed 4 different occasions to the negotiations committee and these past negotiations sat as the chair. Davis was elected by membership and currently sits as a trustee for the Sheet Metal workers training board, Health Benefits and Pension plan. Steve is continually looking for ways to grow the local, share the message and contribute to the future of the trade.