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On Tuesday, a federal district court extended a temporary restraining order against the implementation of a United Transportation Union (UTU)/Sheet Metal Workers International Association (SMWIA) merger until early May. The order was scheduled to be lifted on Feb. 13.

The UTU and SMWIA had planned to merge Jan. 1 and form the Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers Union (SMART).

The court will hold a hearing April 25 per a motion filed by former UTU International President Paul Thompson and others to intervene as party defendants. The court previously ruled that UTU members weren't given a SMART constitution and other pertinent information before they voted to approve the merger last year.

A group of UTU members late last year filed a lawsuit to block the merger, claiming union members weren't aware of conflicts between the UTU's and SMART's constitutions.

A number of UTU officers have urged UTU International President Mike Futhey and SMWIA General President Mike Sullivan to follow the federal court's order and settle on the text of a SMART constitution. UTU members then would be provided a copy and vote on ratifying the new constitution.

"It is my feeling that the memberships of both the UTU and the SMWIA are best served by having a proper constitution prepared and presented to members for a vote," said Futhey in a prepared statement.