NEP's Union Strong Stories from the Front Lines: SMART Local 27

SMART Local 27 wasn't about to let a major construction project bypass union workers without a response.

On March 24th, 2026, union leadership and members arrived early at the East Windsor Village Shopping Center in New Jersey, where a new Sprouts Farmers Market was under development. Their mission: make it clear that when developers choose non-union labor over local, skilled tradespeople, it's the entire community that pays the price—in lost wages, weakened safety standards, and jobs that could have gone to their neighbors.

Why Local 27 Took Action:

When developers skip union contractors, they're not just ignoring fair labor standards—they're:

• Denying good-paying jobs to local workers
• Undermining the skilled craftsmanship union members provide
• Weakening the community standards everyone deserves

"We will always advocate for projects that support local workers and uphold the standards our communities deserve," said President and Business Manager Christopher George.

How NEP Services Helped Local 27 Dominate the Digital Conversation

SMART Local 27 knew that being on-site mattered—but so did making sure the community saw their stand. That's where NEP Services came in.

We captured the action as it happened:

• Members peacefully demonstrating with banners and signage
• Passing drivers showing their support
• President George explaining why fair labor standards matter
• The collective strength of workers standing together

We turned that morning picket into compelling video content for social media, ensuring their message reached beyond the job site to engage members, inform the public, and put pressure where it counts.

When your union fights, NEP Services makes sure everyone knows about it.

Build Your Digital Power. Control the Online Narrative.

Learn more at: https://www.nepservices.com/advocacy/digital-advocacy

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Jules Fiorito is a Digital Content and Social Media Strategist at NEP Services, where she works closely with executive leadership to develop and execute impactful social media and content strategies. With an MBA background and experience in marketing through internships and volunteer work, Jules brings a strong blend of creativity, strategy, and analytics to her role. She specializes in building brand awareness through compelling storytelling, engaging video content, and data-driven insights, while staying ahead of emerging trends and evolving audience behavior in today’s fast-paced digital landscape.