retention Archives - SMART Union

In late September, SMART announced a brand-new maternity leave benefit fund — part of our union’s wholesale commitment to supporting, welcoming and retaining women and new mothers in the sheet metal industry.

The benefit fund, jointly funded with SMACNA as part of the Sheet Metal Industry Labor-Management Cooperation Fund, is designed as a reimbursement for local unions participating in health and welfare funds. During pregnancy, the fund will reimburse up to $800 per week beginning in the second trimester; after pregnancy, the benefit will reimburse up to $800 per week for six weeks (with two additional weeks — eight total — available for Cesarean deliveries). In total, the benefit provides for a combined reimbursement of 26 weeks.

“We believe this will empower SMART tradeswomen, so they no longer feel that they need to choose between having children and having a career in our industry,” said SMART General President Michael Coleman. “I’m proud of everyone involved for their tireless work on this important initiative, which will help bring more sisters into our union and our trade.”

“We all realize this is an important commitment to make to the industry, so we’re happy to partner with SMART to try to make the world a little bit better,” added SMACNA CEO Aaron Hilger during a webinar announcing the benefit fund in late September.

Along with childcare, pregnancy and childbirth are regularly cited by women in the building trades as major obstacles — both when starting their careers, and for staying in the trade. Local 265 (Carol Stream, Ill.) journeyperson Danielle Wilson, the first recipient of a maternity leave program at her local union, believes the new International maternity leave benefit fund will help strengthen and grow SMART for years to come.

“I think it’s going to be a huge selling point,” Wilson said. “We’re so well paid and our benefits are amazing, and our retirement’s so good, but the U.S. is one of only a handful [of countries] … that don’t have maternity leave.”

“To know that this is a profession that has maternity leave, I think it’s going to be a huge, huge point on bringing more women in,” she added. “To know that our unions are looking out for us by saying, ‘hey, not only do you have this great pay, these great benefits in retirement, but if you decide to have a family, we have your back for that, too.’”

The maternity leave benefit fund launched January 1, 2025. For more information, please contact SMART Director of Special Projects Louise Medina.

This is a critical moment in the movement for equality, equity and justice in both of our countries, and SMART has taken steps to lead the way. When we welcome and support members from communities that are currently underrepresented in our membership, our union only becomes stronger.

The Recruitment and Retention Council was formed to create an action plan for locals to recruit, retain and include diverse groups in our organization. The council also looks to champion workplace equality within our industries and to promote respect, inclusion and safe, non-hostile work environments at all levels within SMART.

The council aims to facilitate members coming together as one organization, have these necessary conversations and collectively work on these important issues. The first meeting, featuring attendees from dozens of locals across North America, looked to introduce members to each other, with SMART General President Joseph Sellers, Jr. joining leaders from across the union in kicking off proceedings by addressing its immediate goals. The council is working to create an action plan for locals to recruit, retain and include diverse groups within the organization, while ensuring these new members feel welcome. In meeting this goal, the council aims to ensure workplace equality by promoting respect, inclusion and safe, nonhostile work environments at all levels within SMART.

Louise Medina, a SM Local 265 (DuPage County, Ill.) member who chairs the council, remarked that, “this meeting was only a first step in a long road ahead. I look forward to taking a look at how we recruit and how we will help shape the future for our union brothers and sisters.”