SMART, TOOTRiS announce groundbreaking initiative to deliver childcare benefits to United States members

SMART is the first building trades union to offer nationwide childcare benefits, setting a historic precedent for working families.

On January 16, 2025, SMART announced a transformative partnership with TOOTRiS, the nation’s leading provider of on-demand childcare services, to offer childcare benefits to members across the United States. This pioneering collaboration establishes SMART as the first building trades union in the country to adopt wrap-around childcare benefits for its members, with the benefit activating February 1, 2025, for participating sheet metal local unions.

“This partnership sets a new standard for addressing the real-life challenges faced by working families,” said SMART General President Michael Coleman. “We are proud to be the first building trades union in the country to provide access to childcare programs nationwide, ensuring that our members — especially apprentices and young families — have the support they need to thrive in their careers and at home.”

Childcare: key to building our nation

Infrastructure investments and a resurgence in domestic manufacturing have driven huge workforce demands in the United States in recent years. Along with ensuring indoor air quality in schools, hospitals and other buildings, SMART members have been at the forefront of many large infrastructure projects, including the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) modernization, the Dallas-Fort Worth Terminal Expansion, semiconductor fabrication projects by Micron, TSMC, Intel and others, and many more.

The need for skilled workers continues to rise as projects break ground. However, childcare is frequently cited as one of the most significant barriers to both entering and staying in the building trades, with unpredictable schedules and mobile jobs making ordinary services less accessible. Additionally, childcare costs have surged over 50% in the past decade, and the shortage of providers has made securing care even more difficult. Apprentices and younger members, who are often in the early stages of building their careers and salaries, are particularly vulnerable.

SMART Local 16 (Portland, Ore.) member and Organizer Korri Bus detailed the impact of the childcare crisis on workers in the construction industry during Tradeswomen Build Nations 2023. Bus spoke from personal experience: Despite her love of her craft and dedication to her union, she had to step away from her sheet metal career due to the challenges she faced finding adequate, affordable and accessible childcare.

“Together, let’s build a future where no parent in the trades has to choose between professional commitments and parental responsibilities,” Bus urged TWBN attendees at the time.

Now, through its partnership with TOOTRiS, SMART is poised to do just that. With the newly announced childcare benefit, U.S. members in participating locals gain access to over 200,000 licensed childcare providers nationwide via TOOTRiS’s state-of-the-art platform, including programs offering non-traditional hours, drop-in care and 24/7 availability. TOOTRiS technology — accessible via the TOOTRiS app or online — allows parents to search, compare and enroll in care based on real-time availability tailored to their needs.

Growing our union

SMART’s new childcare benefit aims squarely to strengthen participation in the sheet metal trade, particularly among women and young families.

“TOOTRiS is proud to partner with SMART to tackle the childcare crisis head-on,” said Alessandra Lezama, TOOTRiS CEO and member of the ReadyNation CEO Task Force on Early Childhood. “Parents in the trade industry are the backbone of progress. By providing real-time access to quality childcare solutions, TOOTRiS will empower parents to thrive in their careers while ensuring their children — the future of our economy and country — have the foundation they need to succeed. Together, we’re building stronger families, industries and communities.”

“This partnership addresses a critical gap for families in the trades, enabling parents — especially women — to succeed in careers that were once out of reach due to a lack of childcare,” added Allison Grealis, Women in Manufacturing Association President and Founder). “This is a step forward for support and inclusion in the workforce.”

SMART hosted a webinar with representatives from TOOTRiS and local unions throughout the United States on Wednesday, January 15. Information on the benefit, member resources and more will continue to be shared.