The Massachusetts Building Trades Council recently announced the benefits available to union members for COVID-19 exposures and positive cases. We highly encourage you to utilize these benefits if exposed to keep our worksites and communities safe.

For more information about workplace safety, mandates, resources, and best practices, watch Dr. Margaret Bourdeaux of Harvard Medical School’s Construction Stops COVID presentation, recently shared from the Boston Building Trades Council (MetroBTC). The brief video is a valuable resource for our industry. 

 

FOR MEMBERS WHO TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID-19: 

Members infected with COVID-19 should apply for Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML) using this form. 

Under PFML, currently, the maximum weekly benefit members will receive is $743.89. However, this amount will rise to $1,084 as of January 1st, 2022. For more information on Paid Family Medical Leave, click here. 

Members who will be out of work to care for a family member with COVID-19 should apply for Paid Family Leave (PFL) using this form.

 

When you begin your paid family or medical leave, there is a waiting period of seven (7) calendar days and an unpaid processing period.

 

Members who use PFML/PFL may return to work by the time they receive their benefit, but they will still ensure that any time off is paid after the processing period. This timeline provides an overview of the processing period, which can take up to a month.

Members are entitled to 40 hours of Temporary Emergency Paid Sick Leave during the PFML/PFL 7-day waiting period or short-term leaves from exposures, sickness, or quarantine. Members should apply with this form and submit it to their contractor or employer. This funding should cover the 7-day waiting period or for a week of quarantine. 

 

Members are also allowed to use their Standard Paid Sick Time (40 hours) but are encouraged to use Temporary Emergency Paid Sick Leave first, if possible. For more information on Temporary Emergency Paid Sick Leave, click here.