Breaking through: study urges SMACNA, union work harder to attract women, minorities to industry.(Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association)(Meeting the Workforce Needs of the Unionized Sheet Metal Industry) From: Snips | Date: June 1, 2007| Author: McConnell, Michael | COPYRIGHT 2007 BNP Media. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan.  All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group.Copyright information

The 1979 newspaper ad for sheet metal apprentices said women and minorities were "encouraged to apply." Not knowing much about sheet metal workers except that many made good money, that was enough to attract Beth Szillagyi. But when the Springfield, III., resident went to the union hall, the business agent had other ideas.

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"He did everything he could to try and talk me out of it," Szillagyi said. "Nobody could believe that there were women who woul...