IUPAT DC 6 BM Sherwood Retires
Jim Sherwood (middle), holds up a retirement gift bestowed upon him by Glaziers Local 181. Sherwood, a member of Glaziers Local 181, spent 12 years as the IUPAT DC 6 Business Manager/Secretary-Treasurer and retired on April 1. Standing next to him are Jim Black (left), Interim DC 6 BM/ST and Carl Bartolone (right), President of Local 181
On April 1, Jim Sherwood retired as Business Manager/Secretary-Treasurer of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 6.
The next evening, Jim Black, who was serving as DC 6 Director of Service and Business Representative for Glaziers Local 181, was voted interim BM/ST to fill the remainder of Sherwood’s term, which ends on June 13.
When he became a Local 181 apprentice in 1985, Sherwood became a third-generation member of the Local. After completing his apprenticeship, he spent time in the field and then transitioned to the training side, where he served as Glazing Apprentice Coordinator/Instructor for 10 years.
In 2005, he became a second-generation Business Representative/Organizer. He would later serve as DC 6 Political Director.
In 2014, Sherwood followed in his father’s footsteps to be elected DC 6 Business Manager/Secretary-Treasurer.
Now, he will get the opportunity to focus on the next phase of his life.
“Jim Sherwood dedicated 40 years of his life to the union, including the past 12 years as the Business Manager of District Council 6,” said Black. “He worked tirelessly to put this Council in a position to be successful. Under his tenure, we increased membership, and the Council’s finances are strong.”
“Jim Sherwood built DC 6 into a solid, financially strong and respected Council,” added Nichole McCarthy, IUPAT DC 6 Director of Administration and Communications. “He shouldered the workload of three terms as BM/ST, and what he established allowed this Council to seamlessly progress after this transition.”
McCarthy believes Black can bring a new edge to DC 6 and help take the Council into the digital age.
“He can help us get the tools to keep members informed in real time, create stronger communication and build real connections with members,” she said. “It’s about restoring solidarity, moving forward to ‘Be the Union We Say We Are.’”
Black credited Sherwood with helping him learn how to be a Business Representative, as multiple facets will be helpful in his new role.
“I learned financial knowledge, how systems operate, how to negotiate contracts and our obligations as an officer,” he said. “He also taught me the importance of building off relationships that matter.”
Black said he is excited for the opportunity and understands and embraces the challenges ahead.
“I have been active within the union for the past 28 years,” he said. “I love working for the members and I feel there is no better way to give back to the membership than by being BM/ST.”
Black, who completed the 4-year glazier apprenticeship, has been a member of the Glaziers Local 181 for 28 years. During that time, he served the Local in multiple Executive Board positions, including Warden, Vice President and President. He is continuing in his roles as Local 181 Business Representative and the Local 181 Delegate to DC 6.
One of his biggest goals as interim BM/ST is to modernize how DC 6 operates.
“One of our main goals is to allow members to be able to pay their union dues electronically,” Black said. “We are going to an app-based system which will give the members all their pertinent information at the touch of their fingertips.
“We are also setting the contractors up to be able to pay electronically as well. It’s a huge benefit for all members,” he added.
Black stressed his commitment to the members is to lead with transparency, accountability and a strong focus on protecting their interests, wages and working conditions.
“I will work hard to ensure your voices are heard and that our council remains strong and united moving forward,” he said. “We will continue to build on our strengths and face any challenges ahead – united as one.”
On June 13, DC 6 members in good standing will be eligible to vote for IUPAT DC 6 Business Manager and 11 Business Representatives at one of nine polling locations.
Members will have the opportunity to vote for either John Kintyhtt or Black for BM/ST.
Jim Sherwood [Above, left] retired as Business Manager/Secretary-Treasurer of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 6. Jim Black [Above, right], who was serving as DC 6 Director of Service and Business Representative for Glaziers Local 181, was voted interim BM/ST to fill the remainder of Sherwood’s term, which ends on June 13.