The Sheet Metal Workers Local 296 was originally chartered August 1, 1958 and covered the Regina and surrounding areas. Today Local 296 is actually comprised of 3 locals who merged together. Local 577 was chartered May 12, 1958 and covered the Saskatoon and surrounding areas and Local 95 was chartered March 28, 1966 and covered the Prince Albert and surrounding areas. Discussions of merging the three local unions under one banner started in May 1973. Local 95 and Local 577 were officially amalgamated with local 296 in November 1973.

Archie Dorn was the first Business Manager of Local 296. In the early years he was hired by a group of Building Trades Locals to oversee their Business. He often referred to himself as manager of the PIGS – Painters, Insulators, Glaziers and Sheet Metal Workers. In 1970 He was elected as full time Business Manager of Sheet Metal Workers’ local 296 a position he held until his retirement in 1988. Archie Dorn pioneered many of the Trust Funds that the members enjoy today including the Health & Welfare Trust Fund established 1970, the Pension Plan in 1973, the Educational Trust Fund in 1973, and the Welfare II (Benevolent) Fund in 1988.

Bert Ottenson was elected Business Manager of Local 296 in 1988 and remained in his position until 1993. Bert originally became the Financial Secretary/ Office manager of the Local in 1981. Upon Archie Dorn’s retirement Bert was elected to the position of Business Manager where he remained until he was hired by the Sheet Metal Workers’ International Association in 1993 as an International Representative where he worked until his retirement in 2009.

Garry Kot began working for Local 296 in 1988 as Financial Secretary/ Office Manager.  When Burt was appointed as International Representative in 1993 Garry was then appointed by the Executive as in-term Business Manager/ Financial Secretary and was then elected as Business Manager in 1994. Garry was hired as International Representative by the Sheet Metal Workers’ International Association in 2009.  Garry held his position with the Sheet Metal Workers International Association until his retirement in 2018.

Lorne Andersen was elected as the Financial Secretary / Office Manager in 2006. Following Garry Kot’s appointment as International Representative Lorne was then appointed by the executive board as in-term Business Manager/ Financial Secretary and was then elected as Business Manager in 2009. Lorne served as Local 296’s Business Manager until his retirement in 2018.

Mike Skrypnyk was elected as the Financial Secretary / Office Manager in 2009.  In 2018 following Lorne’s retirement Mike was elected as Business Manager / Financial Secretary and was recently reelected in 2021. Mike was then appointed to the position of International Representative by the International Association of Sheet Metal Air Rail and Transportation in October of 2022.

 Thomas (TJ) King began working for Local 296 as the training coordinator in 2014 and was elected Business Manager / Financial Secretary Treasurer following Mike Skrypnyk’ s appointment as international representative in 2022.