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Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers expansion into the mid-Atlantic region was an opportunity for Local 19 to forge a new partnership and demonstrate our superior skills and quality craftsmanship. Raising Cane’s team needed to ensure their new locations reflected the brand’s commitment to quality, and Local 19 proposed a collaboration that would benefit the company, workers, and the community Raising Cane’s serves. 

 

A Proposal of Partnership

Recognizing Raising Cane’s dedication to excellence, Sheet Metal Workers’ Local 19 understood that the company needed a partner who could deliver precision craftsmanship, on time and on budget. Local 19 reached out directly to Raising Cane’s, suggesting a collaboration that would align with their core values. Our proposal wasn’t just about the construction of the new and future locations—it was about a lasting partnership, focused on providing unparalleled expertise in specialty metalwork, efficient project delivery, and strengthening the communities Raising Cane’s calls home.

Members Jesse Watson and Mike Wick played a pivotal role in supporting Organizers Mike Dougherty and Brian Heino, working under the guidance of Assistant Business Manager/Business Agent Luke Gordon to help forge the partnership.

 

The Tour of South Jersey Metals

To showcase their capabilities, Local 19 invited Raising Cane’s representatives to tour South Jersey Metals, one of our signatory specialty metal shops. Upon arrival, the team was greeted by skilled union workers eager to demonstrate their craft. From custom stainless steel kitchen equipment to intricate architectural metalwork, the shop showcased the possibilities available through local union labor.

Raising Cane’s team witnessed firsthand the meticulous attention to detail that Local 19 members bring to their work. They saw the fabrication of sleek countertops, durable hoods, and signage that could seamlessly fit the brand’s aesthetic. The highlight of the visit was a demonstration of how South Jersey Metals could create bespoke features tailored to Raising Cane’s unique design specifications.

 

Benefits of Local Labor

As the visit concluded, Local 19 leaders shared how partnering with union labor extends far beyond the job site. By using skilled, local workers, Raising Cane’s could ensure:

1. Unmatched Quality: Union members undergo extensive training through apprenticeship programs, such as the one offered by Local 19, ensuring the highest standards of craftsmanship.
2. Timely Project Delivery: With a workforce of over 4,300 members, Local 19 could meet tight deadlines without compromising quality.
3. Cost-Effective Solutions: Through direct hire agreements Raising Cane’s could save money while providing family-sustaining wages for local workers. 
4. Community Impact: By hiring locally, Raising Cane’s would inject money into the local economy, support union families, and foster goodwill in the communities they serve.

 

The Ripple Effect on Communities

By employing local labor, Raising Cane’s would help create stable, well-paying jobs that support families and drive economic growth. Union members, in turn, contribute to the community by spending their earnings locally, volunteering, and advocating for workers’ rights. This cycle of investment and reinvestment strengthens neighborhoods, ensuring that businesses like Raising Cane’s thrive alongside the communities they serve.

 

A Future Built Together

Impressed by Local 19’s craftsmanship and commitment, Raising Cane’s began exploring opportunities to collaborate on their projects in Glassboro and Blackwood, New Jersey. Local 19 members at WF Smith, Restaurant Ventilation Design (RVD), and South Jersey Metals played a key role in delivering high-quality HVAC, kitchen equipment, and signage installation, fabrication, and special metalwork. Across both sites, that partnership generated roughly 1,600 work hours for our members and provided an excellent opportunity to showcase that skilled labor is key to success for an end-user like Raising Cane’s. By investing in local union labor, Raising Cane’s ensures top-tier quality while strengthening community ties, creating restaurants that residents will be proud to patronize for years to come.

The Raising Cane’s in Glassboro is now open to customers, and the Blackwood restaurant is on track to open in February. We encourage our members, families, and friends to patronize these establishments! 

In the end, the story of Local 19 Sheet Metal Workers and Raising Cane’s is one of shared values and mutual benefit: a celebration of quality, community, and the power of local labor to build a brighter future for everyone involved.

In Suitland, Maryland, the SMART Local 100 headquarters recently hosted the 2024 Mid-Atlantic Apprentice Competition, drawing participants from across the region. Among them were apprentices from Local 19, representing Philadelphia and Central Pennsylvania.

The competition, held annually, provides a platform for apprentices to demonstrate their skills in sheet metal work. Challenges ranged from ductwork installations to welding tasks, testing participants’ knowledge and precision under pressure.

 

Representing Local 19 Were: 

2nd year Esteban Lopez-Silva (Local 19 Philadelphia)

3rd year Evan Menkevich (Local 19 Philadelphia)

4th year Kevin Bachowski (Local 19 Philadelphia)

 

2nd year Chase Allen (Local 19 Central PA)

3rd year Savion Terry (Local 19 Central PA)

4th year Georg Hoefer (Local 19 Central PA)

 

Despite the competitive atmosphere, camaraderie among participants was palpable. Seasoned professionals and mentors provided guidance and support, emphasizing the industry’s commitment to nurturing talent. Networking opportunities allowed apprentices to connect with industry leaders and explore new technologies, enriching their experience beyond the competition.

At the awards ceremony, apprentices from Local 19 received recognition for their hard work and dedication, highlighting their contribution to the industry’s legacy of excellence.

 

2nd Year Apprentice Chase Allen placed second in the second-year competition. 

2nd Year Apprentice Esteban Lopez-Silva placed third in the second-year competition. 

4th Year Apprentice Georg Hoefer placed second in the fourth-year competition. 

 

Local 19 Central Pennsylvania took first place in the Group Competition for the 5th time in the last 6 years bringing home the trophy to Local 19.  

 

The 2024 Mid-Atlantic Apprentice Competition showcased the resilience and expertise of sheet metal workers, reaffirming their pivotal role in shaping the future of the trade.

It is comforting to know that whenever a member needs a helping hand, Local 19 is always ready to answer the call.

So, it comes as no surprise that when two of your retired brothers needed ramps built at their homes, the third-year class of apprentices jumped right in.

The eight apprentices – James H. Costello, Michael F. Gresko, Jason Halczak, Shawn M. Lyle, Mark Maguire, Brandon T. Mau, Alex Meredith, and Gerald N. Smith III – constructed ramps at the residences of William Auge and Henry Hilt. Both relied on wheelchairs to get around, and the ramps would enable them to maintain the freedom to come and go as they pleased.

To get the ball rolling, Training Coordinator Donnie Smith traveled to both sites to take measurements so a proposal could be made to the executive board for approval.

Once the executive board approved the projects, the apprentices, under the direction of instructors Ron Deichert and Robert McFadden, went to work, starting with Auge’s home in Blackwood, NJ in April.

Both installations took one day and this project turned out to be the simpler of the two. It required building a wood deck over the steps, flush with the front doorway of the ranch-style house, and connected to the pre-manufactured ramp that ran over the existing walkway to the driveway.

Sadly, Mr. Auge passed away two months after it was built, but the ramp will still benefit his wife, Rosemary, who is experiencing her own mobility issues.

 “She has some hip issues,” said Smith who said Rosemary was very inspirational in advocating for William initially. “Doctors have told her she would probably need a ramp because she is not going to be able to make it up and down the steps.”

The second project, Hilt’s home in Mickleton, NJ, was a little more complicated. Since it was a split level they couldn’t use the front of the house so they built the ramp off the rear deck. First, they had to install a small ramp from the sliding glass doors down onto the existing deck. Then they installed a longer ramp along the back of the house. At the end of the house, they added another shorter ramp to connect to the driveway.

“The second one was more involved,” Smith said. “We had to install one set of ramps out onto the deck and another from the deck down onto the driveway. We had to put pavers down to support the ramp along the path to get to the driveway.”

Smith credited Jim Hampton, a retiree and close friend of Hilt’s, with advocating on his behalf. Smith also wanted to acknowledge President/Business Manager Bryan Bush and Assistant Business Manager/Business Agent Luke Gordon for their whole-hearted support of the projects as well as Guardian Nurses Healthcare Advocates who reached out in support.

After spending 31 years as a journeyman with Local 19, and the last 20-plus years working as a balancer for Flood & Sterling, a testing firm located in New Cumberland PA, Don Farr is an apprentice again.

He’s still working with metal but as a maker of knives, what’s known as a bladesmith, and he is working toward journeyman status with the American Bladesmith Society. 

That he was able to speak with Shear Facts about his retirement pastime is a testament to the adage that timing is everything. 

It was an ordinary April Saturday evening in Mt. Joy, PA but Farr wasn’t feeling well. He went into the house, sat down, and started sweating profusely. His wife, Jane, a registered nurse who spent 13 years on the heart team at Lancaster General Hospital, wasn’t sure what was happening. Was it a heart attack? He had no chest pain. She called 9-1-1.

This is when timing became vital. The first responders arrived within minutes. The closest hospital, Penn State Health Lancaster Medical Center, had only recently opened, but it was just 15 minutes away and the EMTs were in constant contact with emergency room personnel while they were en route.

Farr was hooked up to an EKG machine and it was determined he was having a heart attack. Since it was early on a Saturday, the ER was quiet and the team was waiting when the ambulance arrived. But then Farr went into cardiac arrest. He was fortunate it didn’t happen in the yard or in the house or in the ambulance but in a relatively quiet ER. Doctors worked nine minutes to restart his heart, then he was transferred to a cardiac catheterization laboratory where doctors located an artery that was 100% occluded, or blocked, and inserted a stint.

Dr. Patrick Fitzsimmons, an interventional cardiologist who was on duty and treated Farr that night, commented in an article published in Lancaster Physician magazine that the rapid response of all involved and the experience of the cardiac catheterization lab team was instrumental in saving Farr’s life.

“Timing is everything,” admitted Farr, who acknowledged the care he received, and is continuing to receive, is first-rate. “I can’t say enough about the care I received. The first time I went back for a checkup, I had my heart tested, and I had 75% function. Three months later it was 100%.”

Farr is also back working at his craft as a bladesmith. He said one reason he got into it was after spending over two decades working as a balancer, being on the go all the time traveling up and down the East Coast from Puerto Rico to the Canadian border, he knew he needed something to occupy his time. Sitting around wasn’t an option.

“Why a bladesmith? It’s metal, I’ve been around it for 31 years,” said Farr who started his career as a welder. “Then I watched a TV show, Forged in Fire, and I said, ‘I got to try that.’”

Farr retired from Flood & Sterling at age 62 1⁄2, but it was in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic and his first taste of inactivity wasn’t appealing. That was when an opportunity at Millersville University presented itself, where he could serve as a consultant in building automation and system controls. This turned out to be fortuitous.

“You have to have good equipment to forge good knives,” he said, as he pointed to an anvil, noting he spent three years searching before finding the right one. “I said to my wife, ‘How about I go back to work so I can buy the right equipment.’ She said that was a good idea.”

Retired once again with a workshop in the yard behind his house that has everything he needs, he makes all types of knives for customers using stainless and high-carbon steel, and either maple, walnut, beech, or white oak wood for the handle while he works toward ABS journeyman status.  

 “I am three-quarters of the way through,” he said. “For the last test, I had to cut a free-hanging rope three times, then chop a two-by-four, first in one direction and then the other. That was to demonstrate the ability to cut. Then to demonstrate edge retention, I had to shave some hair off my arm.”

Farr hopes he’ll be ready for the last test when he submits five blades to the judges at a show in Atlanta in June. 

“They have to be perfect,” he said. “Fortunately, they hooked me up with two guys that are actually journeymen in Hershey. I lucked out finding two guys who are close by to work with. It’s nice to be able to go over there to bounce some ideas off of them and learn from them. When I have my five blades ready, I’ll take them to my buddies and they’ll tell me if they’re good enough. I’ll wait until I get the go-ahead from them.”

Farr says he spends four or five hours a day, five-to-six days a week in his shop. It keeps him busy.

“For me, it’s a challenge,” he said. “I’m not going to make a living from it. For me it’s enjoyable. It’s occupying my time and I’m having fun. If I make a couple of bucks, fine.”

Sheet metal fabrication is a vital industry that bridges creativity, precision, and practicality. Georg Hoefer, a Local 19 fourth-year apprentice, has had the unique opportunity to work in both Germany and the United States, offering a fascinating perspective on the key differences and similarities between these two countries’ approaches to this craft.

Advanced Automation vs. Attention to Detail

One of the most noticeable differences Georg experienced was the level of automation in sheet metal shops in Germany compared to the U.S. In Germany, he worked in a modernized shop where machines were highly automated, even featuring a robot to load and unload materials. This level of automation streamlined processes and improved efficiency, allowing for the fabrication of a wide range of materials. Notably, Georg and his colleagues had to work with a variety of grades of steel, aluminum, and stainless steel, catering to specific customer requirements. This need for diverse materials in Germany fostered a culture of accuracy and precision to ensure the quality of the final product.

Metric vs. Imperial Systems

Another stark difference was the use of the metric system in Germany, which Georg found to be more accurate and easier to work with compared to the imperial system used in the U.S. The metric system’s consistency and simplicity made measurements and conversions more seamless. However, Georg found that his experience with fractions from middle school education helped him adapt to the U.S. system.

Safety and Standards

Georg observed similar safety rules in both countries, with an emphasis on the employer’s responsibility for the safety of the workplace. However, in Germany, the Berufsgenossenschaft (employer’s liability insurance) played a significant role in enforcing safety standards and providing compensation for work-related accidents.

When it comes to quality assurance and standards, Georg noted that Germany’s sheet metal industry demands higher levels of accuracy due to specialized applications. The use of ISO standards and precise measurements ensures a consistent quality level that meets customers’ stringent requirements.

Materials and Techniques

Georg pointed out the difference in materials used between the two countries, with the U.S. relying more on galvanized sheets and Germany working extensively with black iron, stainless steel, and aluminum. Georg’s experience with fabricating aircraft parts in Germany required him to work with a wider variety of materials, each with specific properties tailored for their application. 

Basic machinery like press brakes, power rolls, and power shears are the same in both countries.  Welding techniques and equipment are the same as well.  

In terms of fabrication techniques, Georg found laser cutting to be more efficient than plasma cutting but acknowledged that laser cutters were costlier. CNC press brakes, he explained, were crucial for achieving high accuracy and efficiency, especially when dealing with repetitive patterns in sheet metal. Georg’s experience in Germany with specialized machinery, such as a fully automated laser plant with robotic material handling, allowed for greater versatility in manufacturing.

Quality Control and Communication

Quality control played a significant role in both countries, with Georg’s German experience involving meticulous documentation and measurement. This attention to detail ensured customer satisfaction and the production of accurate components. Communication and collaboration within the workplace were essential to rectify mistakes and prevent future errors, regardless of whether Georg was working as a quality inspector or fabricating parts himself.

Although Georg’s experiences in Germany were in the sheet metal industry, differences in the type of manufacturing are evident.  The overall skill set from both countries requires sheet metal workers to pay attention to detail and have pride in their work.  

“Making the move to the United States from Germany was a big leap, but one that was worth it. While I miss my loved ones back home in Germany, I am so thankful to my Local 19 brothers and sisters who have helped me feel at home in America as I continue to grow my skills here,” said Georg.

Georg Hoefer’s journey in the sheet metal industry provides a captivating insight into the nuances and distinctions between the two countries’ approaches to the craft. From advanced automation and material variety in Germany to a focus on safety standards and quality assurance, the sheet metal world evolves in unique ways across different cultures. Local 19 has been proud to welcome Georg into our union family. Georg’s experiences underline the importance of both precision and adaptability, showcasing the shared passion for craftsmanship that transcends borders.

When Robert Warko began his career in the trades 63 years ago, he never could have imagined where his path would take him.

He started as a roofer for a company, Luppold, that did institutional and commercial work, and would, over a few years, add sheet metal, plumbing, mechanical divisions, and a seven-person service department.

“They owned five different companies but they kept each company separate,” Warko said. “I would do roofing, then sheet metal. They moved me around for a while but I stayed with it. In the 70’s they made me an officer with the roofing division.”

It was toward the end of the 1980s that circumstances led the company to put it up for sale. Warko saw an opportunity.

“The company was for sale and I asked them if they were interested in selling it to me,” Warko said. “They said absolutely we would be interested in selling to you. I left that meeting thinking, ‘What the hell, I’ll do it’. At the time, I barely had two nickels to rub together. But I went to the bank, they gave me a loan and I bought the roofing company. There were also four or five people from the sheet metal company who came to work with me.

“We were a small company. We had a small fabrication shop, and we started to grow. Then, DMI, a mechanical contractor in the area, went bankrupt overnight. That left a lot of people looking for work. We brought those people on board and started a mechanical division.”

Warko built the main location at 18 Morgan Drive in Reading, which houses a 40,000-square-foot shop, in 1992, four years after buying the company. Today, The Warko Group, which has a second location in Allentown, is one of the most respected names in the construction industry, servicing commercial, industrial, institutional, medical, educational, and multi-family housing customers with its contracting services in roofing, architectural sheet metal, HVAC, ductwork, mechanical, process piping, plumbing, plant maintenance, and HVAC service. 

“We always stayed in the Reading area and Berks County and some of the counties around Philadelphia,” said Warko whose company is not only a Local 19 signatory contractor but is also a union signatory for the roofing, plumbing, and pipefitters trades as well. “We’ve branched out to the Lehigh Valley. It’s changing on a daily basis.”

The Warko Group’s list of projects, both completed and ongoing, is vast and varied. One of its more recent, high-profile jobs is the Wind Creek Casino in Bethlehem.

“We started out doing roofing and siding,” said Vice President Matt Mountz. “Right near the time the job was finishing up, another contractor filed for bankruptcy, and they just said get Warko to finish it. So, we finished the HVAC and sheet metal work. “

Warko is also currently involved in the Pennsylvania Turnpike’s conversion to an Open Road Tolling (ORT) system, a new clubhouse at the Jeffersonville Golf Club, and a new bus terminal in Lackawanna County. 

“We are working on the (utility) buildings on the turnpike installing aluminum panels and metal roofs,” said Matt Mountz, Vice President. “Jeffersonville Golf Club is building a new clubhouse and we’re doing all the stainless and metal work. At the COLTS (County of Lackawanna Transit) transportation authority, they’re building a huge bus terminal. We’re doing a lot of siding work. We’re also doing a lot of work with Targets, and a lot of other architectural work.  

“For UGI, we’ve installed all the wall panels at their new corporate headquarters. We’re also doing a lot of school jobs. At Maple Point we’re installing columns and panels; at Indian Valley, all composite wall panels; and at Parkland, all panels and siding. Some of the panels we are fabricating. Some are manufactured. Most of the cutting is done in the field. It is a variety of situations, depending on the scenario.”

Jerry Kuhns, Vice President of the Mechanical Division, added to the list of projects with several he oversees. At B. Braun Medical Inc., a major medical manufacturer located in Bethlehem, they are installing kitchen and cafeteria equipment, a job requiring expansion and architectural work. They also do a lot of work for the Lehigh Valley Health Network and are one of three HVAC contractors on the PPL bid list. Currently, they are working on bids for the Penn and the Wilson School District.

“We have a good reputation. It’s what we strive for,” Warko said. “People know us by the work we have done over the years. Every job we do, we do it right. (That philosophy) seems to work out pretty well for us.”

 

 

 

Everyone knows Local 19 will always rally around a worthy cause, whether it be for a brother or sister in need of a helping hand or a community with a project that falls into the Local’s wheelhouse.

You’re also probably well aware of the camaraderie that exists between Local 19 and other trade unions that share the same philosophy and are proud of the results when your Local joins another union in some charitable endeavor. It leaves every member with a good feeling.

So, it should come as no surprise that when Ken Hayes, Vice Chairman of the Warminster Board of Supervisors, reached out for help to Local 19 Business Agent Jim Keenan, we were all in. Hayes, who retired from IUPAT District Council 21 in 2002, approached Keenan about some basketball backboards that had been vandalized at the township’s community park.

“(Parks and Recreation Director) Jessica Fox called me last year, sometime in the summer, and mentioned that some of the backboards had been vandalized,” Hayes explained. “So, I called Jimmy Keenan, and Jessica and I met him over at the Community Park.”

What they found were five backboards lying on the ground damaged beyond repair. The fiberglass backboards were part of the Bankshot Basketball Court, which is described on the Friends of Warminster Parks webpage as a place where players weave their way through “a course of angled, curved, and non-conventionally configured brightly colored backboards, banking shots off the Bankboards™ and through the rims”. Players play alongside one another, not against each other, and it is designed for participants of all ages and abilities including those with disabilities.

“Ken called me up and told me we have five backboards that are damaged,” Keenan said. “They were originally made of fiberglass but were damaged from kids hanging on the rims. He asked me if there was anything I could do. I went up and looked at them and said, ‘Absolutely we could do something.’ I took the damaged backboards down to our training center.”

The apprentices at the training center fabricated replacement backboards using the old ones as a template, constructing them in metal to replace the fiberglass. Hayes, meanwhile, had already talked to his friends at DC 21 about jumping in after Local 19 had made the new backboards, and they were transported up to northeast Philadelphia to be painted.

The new backboards were installed in September with a short ceremony where the township acknowledged the work of the two unions working together.

There you have it. Another example of how Local 19 is always willing to lend a helping hand.