Local 285 was chartered as a local of the Sheet Metal Workers’ International Association (SMWIA) in 1957. The SMWIA serves to protect and raise the living standards of over 150,000 skilled men and women employed throughout Canada, the United States and Puerto Rico. Back in 1957, Local 285 was chartered as the first solely residential sheet metal local to govern what is now known as the GTA.

Our jurisdiction includes all residential sheet metal work, which includes high rise and low rise residential, gas fitting, production and fabrication shops. In 2001 SMWIA expanded our jurisdiction to include all residential sheet metal work throughout the province of Ontario. In 2002, Local 285 managed to organize the residential Gas Fitting sector. Local 285 gas fitters perform work for 100% of our signatory sheet metal contractors. When local 285 was chartered in 1957 we started with just 17 members and today have grown to over 75 signatory contractors and over 1300 members.