Over the years, SMART has fought to win competitive wages and benefits for union workers across the U.S. and Canada. From representation to retirement benefits and career development that ensures the future takes you as far as your ambition takes you, SMART not only covers every type of benefit available; in some cases, it has been the first to pioneer their use. Below is a listing and a summary of just a few of the myriad benefits available to you as a member of SMART.
Sheet Metal Benefits
Employment Benefits
The National Stabilization Agreement of the Sheet Metal Industry Trust Fund, commonly referred to as SASMI, is unique to SMART. The trust fund was originally designed to assist sheet metal workers during periods of unemployment or underemployment — and that’s still the case — but over the years, it has expanded to include even more benefits for members, with no equal in the union or nonunion side of the sheet metal industry.
If you are out of work, or if you work less than the average number of hours in your local union and are receiving state unemployment compensation benefits, SASMI benefits can help by supplementing your pay. This benefit is available if you are ready to work, are seeking suitable employment in the sheet metal industry, and are receiving or are eligible to receive, state unemployment compensation.
If you are working fewer hours — less than the average number of hours in your local union — but you are not receiving state unemployment compensation benefits because you are ill, injured or temporarily disabled, SASMI benefits can help by supplementing your pay.
If you are an active member in good standing and have been referred through the International Job Bank, you may be eligible for a travel benefit through SASMI. This benefit can pay you up to $1,125 if you need to travel for work because you are unemployed or threatened with unemployment in your home local union.
If you have at least five years of future service credit with a minimum of one hour of paid contributions after January 1, 2010 and you were eligible when you die, your beneficiary may be eligible for a death benefit.
When a lack of hours threatens your health insurance coverage, SASMI will make payments to your local union health plan on your behalf to continue coverage for you and your family. Note that SASMI does not pay to establish eligibility.
Although most members know SASMI for its assistance during their careers, SASMI is also “there for you later” — as in, during your retirement. The SASMI benefits you may be eligible to receive in retirement depend on when you worked in the industry and when you retired. These include a severance benefit, based on your past and future service, as well as a Health Care Reimbursement Account (HCRA) and a service based HCRA.
If you are unable to work because you are pregnant or recently had a baby, you may be eligible to receive a weekly SASMI Maternity Benefit for up to 12 weeks per pregnancy. The benefit is 60% of your average hourly wage multiplied by your regular work hours.
The maternity benefit can begin as early as four weeks before your expected delivery date. In certain circumstances, you may be eligible for the benefit to begin earlier, if your inability to work is certified by a licensed physician or midwife who is providing for your care during your pregnancy.
Detect and treat health problems before they become serious by making preventive care exams and screenings an annual priority.
SASMI’s Annual Physical Benefit encourages you and your family to stay on top of your preventive care. Members can receive $200 per calendar year for their own physical exam, and $100 for covered family members (up to a maximum of $600 total per family, per calendar year) just for getting a routine checkup. If you need to miss work to get your exam or if you have out-of-pocket incidental expenses, this benefit can help replace any income you’ve lost.
While health plans cover many preventive care services at 100% under the Affordable Care Act, there may be additional costs associated with a routine physical (like certain tests and screenings as well as mileage and time away from work) that may not be covered. That’s when the Annual Physical Benefit may come in handy.
In times of extraordinary circumstances, such as floods, hurricanes and other natural disasters, the SASMI Board of Trustees has authorized “Benevolent Relief” to aid SASMI participants. Recently the trustees authorized payments for participants who were unemployed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In times of extraordinary circumstances, such as floods, hurricanes and other natural disasters, the SASMI Board of Trustees has authorized “Benevolent Relief” to aid SASMI participants. Recently the Trustees authorized payments for participants who were unemployed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
If you are unable to work because you are pregnant or recently had a baby, you may be eligible to receive a weekly SASMI Maternity Benefit for up to 12 weeks per pregnancy. The benefit is 60% of your average hourly wage multiplied by your regular work hours.
For example, if your hourly wage is $30, 60% would be $18. If your regular work week hours are 40 (as defined in your collective bargaining agreement), your weekly benefit would be $720 (18 x 40).
The maternity benefit can begin as early as four weeks before your expected delivery date. In certain circumstances, you may be eligible for the benefit to begin earlier, if your inability to work is certified by a licensed physician or midwife who is providing for your care during your pregnancy.
The time you’re receiving maternity benefits will be considered working 60% of a regular work week for the purposes of determining your eligibility for Supplemental Unemployment or Underemployment benefits.
To apply for maternity benefits, log into the member portal here. You must file your application no later than 12 weeks after the birth of your child/end of the pregnancy to claim benefits.
Detect and treat health problems before they become serious by making preventive care exams and screenings an annual priority.
SASMI’s Annual Physical Benefit encourages you and your family to stay on top of your preventive care. Members can receive $200 per calendar year for their own physical exam, and $100 for covered family members (up to a maximum of $600 total per family, per calendar year), just for getting a routine checkup. If you need to miss work to get your exam or if you have out-of-pocket incidental expenses, this benefit can help replace any income you’ve lost.
Protecting Your Retirement
SMART sheet metal workers have access to defined benefit and defined contribution plans. The Sheet Metal Workers’ National Pension Fund is the largest defined benefit pension fund, with members contributing and receiving benefits from across the United States.
The Sheet Metal Workers’ National Pension Fund is a multi-employer, defined benefit pension plan. The plan exists to provide union members with a continuing source of funds during their retirement years.
A multi-employer pension plan operates when a group of employers pool their funds together to provide a pension benefit for its participants.
A defined benefit plan is a plan which provides union members with a specific monthly benefit after having met vesting requirements associated with the plan. Funding for the pension plan comes entirely from employer contributions, negotiated under a collective bargaining agreement, and investment earnings on its funds.
The funds are governed by a board of trustees equally divided between union and employer representatives.
A fund administrator who oversees the daily operations of the fund reports to the board of trustees. Professional investment managers are hired to manage the assets of the fund, in accordance with the rules and guidelines set by the fund’s board of trustees.
Your pension is calculated based upon the contributions made by your employer to the fund and the years of service you accrue as a member of SMART. You do not receive a pension benefit until after you have retired and have achieved vested status – meaning you have earned the non-forfeitable right to a pension at normal retirement age. The board of trustees, staff and professionals manage the plan with the singular goal of providing the maximum possible benefit to members who have devoted their careers to the sheet metal industry.
Transportation Benefits
TD members are among the best-paid employees in organized labor, and on many properties the union protects seniority rights, meaning that the longer a member works, the better his or her choice of jobs and working locations and protection against layoffs.
TD members are all covered by contracts that specify job responsibilities, working conditions and pay on their properties. The contracts are legally enforceable through established grievance procedures.
Federal law governs the hours of service for rail workers, who cannot be forced to work more than 12 hours a day, and mandates time off for meals and rest. Bus, airline and other members’ hours are also governed by federal regulations.
TD members have comprehensive health and dental insurance plans, as well as unemployment and sickness benefits to protect them in case of layoff or prolonged illness. Depending on their labor agreements, bus and other transportation members also enjoy many of these benefits.
This plan, abbreviated as DIPP, provides payment for a specific amount and period of time to an employee suspended, dismissed or removed from service by a carrier for alleged violation of rules or operating procedures, provided that such violations do not come within the list of exceptions not covered by the program. Members in the plan choose the level of benefits wanted at low monthly assessments. The term of benefits, from 200 to 365 days, depends on how long a member has been enrolled in the program.
The Voluntary Short-Term Disability (VSTD) plan, self-funded by SMART and administered by Southern Benefits Administrators, Inc., provides a basic “safety net” of coverage for members and is designed to work in combination with state-mandated disability programs.
Specific coverage varies for rail and bus members. The monthly cost of coverage is collected through payroll deduction.
New SMART TD members will be enrolled automatically unless they choose to opt out of the plan by submitting a waiver form to the SMART TD office.
Additional plan documents and information are available in the Member Portal.
If you have any questions regarding the program,
Call: 1-844-880-1071
Email: support@smart-vstd.com
Website: https://www.smart-vstd.com
Contact information flyer
Voluntary Long-term Disability (VLTD) insurance helps TD members who live in the United States protect their income if an accident or illness puts a sudden stop to a member’s ability to work and helps to ensure that bills will be covered and families will be provided for in the event of an accident or illness.
SMART Transportation Division members now have the chance to get up to five times the prior guaranteed coverage in the union’s VLTD plan. Beginning March 1, 2023, Sun Life Financial took over administration of the VLTD Plan and provides the 24-hour coverage plan participants enjoy with up to $5,000 of guaranteed approved tax-free coverage. Only U.S. residents are eligible to participate in the VLTD program.
For plan inquiries or to enroll:
Call: 224-770-5328
Email: info@smart-vltd.com
Website: www.smart-vltd.com
Members are represented on a local, state and national basis by leaders experienced in negotiation and thoroughly familiar with all aspects of labor law, contracts, work rules and national labor trends. On Capitol Hill and in state capitals throughout the nation, the TD National Legislative Department functions not only through its elected officers but also through member participation in the SMART TD Political Action Committee (TD PAC), a voluntary political action group that works on behalf of transportation labor interests at the local, state and federal levels.
Retired members, spouses or their widows/widowers are eligible to enroll in the SMART TD Alumni Association, a program of benefits including continued receipt of the SMART Transportation Division News and other perks for a low-cost annual dues payment.
Become a SMART Member
Take the next step on your journey towards a rewarding career. Learn how you can become a SMART member.
Member Voices
Hear about the union directly from SMART members themselves.
Longtime Amtrak conductor Carol Jones — who is also a local chairperson with SMART TD Local 1361 out of New Haven, Conn. — shares her story of coming up in the transportation industry and working as a pioneering woman in the passenger rail sector.
