ETV: Maternity Benefit Plan - Pacific Northwest
Channel: ElectricTV
Date: 2020-09-01

Women in the Trades often weigh the decision to start a family with a stable career. But the NECA/IBEW Powering America Team in the Pacific Northwest has created an incredible new program that addresses this issue for their members during pregnancy, and after delivery.

The Maternity Benefit Plan includes six months of paid maternity leave, spaced out with 13 weeks of PTO before the expected due date, and 13 weeks after. In addition to paid leave, Female NECA/IBEW Electricians and Technicians receive $800 a week in addition to FMLA benefits. The trust also pays health insurance premiums, which means free health insurance coverage for expecting mothers and the entire family in the trades. 

The Benefits Package has been received well among members who have started a family while continuing to work. Elizabeth Williams, a NECA/IBEW Apprentice located in Portland, speaks about her experience being a mother and an apprentice; “If I would have gone back to work after six weeks, I would have been missing out on quite a bit. Being able to care for him this long and really get to know him and myself as a mother has been amazing.” And it’s not just women who feel passionate about this Benefits package. Garth Bachman, Business Manager of the IBEW Local 48, took this benefit proposal personally. “My wife had four miscarriages. So [knowing] how delicate pregnancy is, I completely understand.”

For any woman, who's considering a career in the electrical industry and doesn't want to compromise starting a family, there's steps in place to make sure that you're safe while you're on the job site. And then when you're ready to stop working, you'll be supported during your birth.

Watch now on ETV