The Metal Trades Department is a trade department of the AFL-CIO. It was chartered in 1908 to coordinate negotiating, organizing and legislative efforts of affiliated metalworking and related crafts and trade unions. Twenty national and international unions with a total membership of over 5,000,000 are affiliated with the MTD today. More than 100,000 workers in private industry and federal establishments work under contracts negotiated by MTD Councils. Workers retain membership in their own trade unions.

About Mr. Ault (Bio and Photo)

Government

As a chartered Department of the AFL-CIO, the MTD operates under its own constitution and by-laws within the laws of the AFL-CIO.

Finances

MTD activities are financed by a monthly per capita tax paid by the international unions on that portion of their membership employed in the metal trades.

Conventions

The MTD convention is the supreme governing body. It meets every four years. Delegates representing international unions and MTD Councils review and develop programs, modernize the constitution, elect officers and fix policy for the MTD and its Concils.
Officers

The MTD is administered by a president assisted by a full-time staff. The President and ten vice presidents are elected from the affiliated international unions by convention for four-year terms. These eleven officers form the MTD Executive Council, which meets as needed to carry out convention programs and formulate and carry out department policies. Between full meetings of the Executive Council the president reports to a committee appointed by the Vice Presidents.

Jurisdiction

Disputes between affiliated unions are resolved through jurisdictional policy and precedures of the MTD.

President Ault

Jul 01, 2010

Prior to being elected as the Metal Trades Department’s President, Mr. Ault served for four years as a General Representative of the Department.  A former organizer with the International Union of Operating Engineers and a former business representative for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Ault is a career Labor Representative with more than 30 years experience. Mr. Ault served a four-year enlistment with the U.S. Navy, including a tour of duty in Vietnam (1968-69).  Mr. Ault went to work at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard in 1971; he was hired as an apprentice Inside Machinist.  Graduating as a journeyman Inside Machinist with honors four years later, Ault served in various union positions.  From 1980 to 1985, he served as president of the Tidewater Virginia Federal Employees Metal Trades Council and the Chairman of the Conference Committee at NNSY in Portsmouth, Virginia.  Ault served as Campaign Coordinator in the Metal Trades Department’s successful drive for union recognition at the Avondale Shipyard in New Orleans and was the Chief Negotiator for the historic first union contract at the yard. A native of Amity, Arkansas, Mr. Ault is married, the Father of four children and currently lives in Waldorf, Maryland. Download: Ault_lg.jpg