Meet Thelma-Louise Fernandes

About Tee Lo

I'm Thelma-Louise Fernandes, better known as Tee Lo, a proud Local 28 sheet metal worker, educator and candidate for Business Agent.

I entered our apprenticeship in 2016 and earned my journeyperson credentials in 2020. My experience includes sheet metal fabrication, HVAC installation, welding, and serving as a shop steward and deputy foreman. Those responsibilities taught me the importance of knowing our agreement, communicating clearly and standing up for the people working beside me.

Our membership elected me to the Executive Board twice. I also served as the founding Vice President of Local 28's Women's Committee and as a senior mentor in SMART's Women's Mentorship Program, helping tradeswomen navigate workplace challenges.

I hold a bachelor's degree from Queens College in History and Sociology, with a minor in Secondary Education. I've continued my education through SMART's Effective Communications, production and shop steward training, along with labor leadership education at Cornell.

Through teaching, mentoring, legislative advocacy and organizing union events, I've worked to support our members and help new workers find their way into union careers.

Why I'm Running

I'm running because I know what it means to wait for union work while bills and family responsibilities continue. That experience has strengthened my determination to help create more opportunities for our members.

As Business Agent, I would work with our organizing team and fellow representatives to organize shops, bring more contractors under union agreements and pursue opportunities that put Local 28 members to work.

I would make enforcing our Collective Bargaining Agreement a daily priority: protecting wages and working conditions, supporting our stewards and following through when members raise concerns.

Members also deserve clear answers about their union, their benefits and the decisions affecting their livelihoods. I want to be a representative who listens, returns calls, explains the next steps and stays involved until an issue is addressed.

My goal is to turn the experience I've gained into practical, dependable service for our membership.

Why You Should Vote for Me

I bring experience, preparation and an independent voice to this position.

• I've represented members. My Executive Board and shop steward experience includes reviewing grievances, addressing workplace concerns and communicating with management.
• I help members understand their rights and benefits. I've assisted members with questions about our Constitution, Collective Bargaining Agreement, SUB Plan, Annuity and SASMI.
• I build relationships that create opportunities. I've helped prepare students for union careers across several trades, including Local 28, and helped coordinate visits with our own training center.
• I invest in the skills this job requires. My trade experience, teaching background and continued union training have strengthened my ability to communicate, document concerns and work through problems.
• I will exercise independent judgment. I will ask questions, examine the facts and speak up for the membership, including when the conversation is difficult.

My Network

I've built an extensive network within Local 28, throughout SMART, across the building trades and in our communities. Those relationships have grown through working alongside members, building friendships, volunteering and staying involved.

Through Tradeswomen Build Nations, the NYC Tradeswomen Meet Up and SMART's Women's Mentorship Program, I've connected with tradeswomen across the country, including plumbers, electricians and workers from many other trades. Organizing events and supporting one another has also helped me build relationships with their union representatives and elected leaders.

My continued education has expanded those connections. In SMART training classes, I've sat side by side with organizers, business representatives and other elected union officials, exchanging experiences and learning how different locals approach organizing, member representation and workplace challenges.

Through community involvement and legislative advocacy, I've also developed connections with Assembly offices, City Council offices and county committee members. My teaching and workforce development experience has connected me with instructors, training administrators and people helping workers enter union careers.

As Business Agent, I would put these relationships to work for Local 28. That means sharing information across trades, connecting members with resources, strengthening organizing efforts and pursuing opportunities for union employment.

I understand that relationships require trust, communication and follow-through. I've already invested in building that foundation, and I'm ready to bring it to the work of representing our membership.

I'm asking for your vote because I'm prepared to do the work, stay accountable and represent every member fairly.

Vote Thelma-Louise "Tee Lo" Fernandes for Local 28 Business Agent.

Vote 1A on Saturday, November 14, 2026