SMART's Nigro announces retirement plans

Joseph Nigro, general president of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers (SMART), will retire effective April 30 to focus on his health, the union announced.

The SMART General Executive Council has named General Secretary-Treasurer Joseph Sellers Jr. to fill the position of general president, and Chief of Staff Richard McClees to fill in as general secretary-treasurer.

Nigro, who is recovering from a series of recent surgeries, has served as general president since July 2011. He announced his decision to retire in a recent letter to union leaders in the United States and Canada.

"I have committed my heart and mind to accomplishing the goals we have set, but my health has taken me in a direction I did not anticipate," Nigro wrote. "Unfortunately, I have been unable to recover to a level I expect of myself as your general president – the level of effort the members deserve."

He expressed his gratitude to union members for their support.

"I have every confidence we have collectively built a team of international and local union leaders who can get the job done for the membership," he said.