The Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association (SMACNA) and the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers (SMART) have announced the creation of the SMART/SMACNA Maternity Program, which is a new paid maternity leave program that is available to areas through the Sheet Metal Industry Labor-Management Cooperation Fund (the Fund).
Program Benefits
The SMART/SMACNA Maternity Program provides up to $800 per week of paid maternity leave benefits (through adopting local health and welfare funds) to qualified workers for up to 6 months.
The benefits include up to six or eight weeks of post-delivery benefits and up to 18 or 20 weeks of pre-delivery benefits for members who are unable to work as a result of their pregnancy. The maximum benefit weekly benefit is 6 months (or 26 weeks).
How to Participate
Areas that would like to adopt the SMART/SMACNA Maternity Program must have their proposed plan amendments reviewed by the Fund. Once adopted, the SMART/SMACNA Maternity Program will reimburse local health and welfare funds for qualifying payments made to eligible employees under the program.
Areas that are interested in participating in the program should contact the SMACNA Labor Relations Department.
Bottom Line
SMACNA and SMART believe that the SMART/SMACNA Maternity Program represents an investment in growing and retaining our skilled workforce.
