United Brotherhood of Carpenters and
Joiners
Local 1598, Victoria, British Columbia
Telephone: 250-383-8116
|
United Brotherhood of Carpenters and
Joiners Telephone: 250-383-8116 |
YOU ASKED FOR IT AND NOW YOUR UNION IS DELIVERING!
We promised you an alternative to the failing Carpentry Workers Benefit and Pension plans (CWBP) when they stopped paying for your B.C. Medical and cut your pension by 35-45%.
We are proud to tell you that we have set up our own plan with Pacific Blue Cross to cover you for your Extended Benefits (prescriptions) Dental, Optical, Wage Indemnity, Life Insurance and best of all B.C. Medical is now included.
We have also set up a Group Retirement Savings Plan through VanCity Savings Credit Union administered by CUMIS Life. We set up the group retirement savings plan so ALL your pension contributions (as of December 8, 2004) will now go into your own personal RSP account. This will give you the ability to choose (on an individual basis) how you want that money invested in the group plan. Click on the CUMIS Quick Reference Guide for more information.
Local 1598 has entered into a "Letter of Understanding" with the Contractors to re-distribute the existing remittance package by redirecting monies for Union Funds to the Benefit Plan.
We have listened to members and provided the most necessary, core benefits in our Plan. We trust members will value our new Plan and we look forward to increasing and providing additional benefits when possible.
HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO MAKE SURE YOU WILL RECEIVE BASIC EXTENDED CARE/DENTAL COVERAGE AND TO START YOUR B.C. MEDICAL COVERAGE, AND TO REGISTER FOR THE RETIREMENT PLAN. |
Available in our office are the Pacific Blue Cross application; Change of Payer/Application forms for B.C. Medical and a CUMIS Retirement folder which includes an enrolment form and investment information. All of these forms MUST be completed, signed and returned back to our Local 1598 office to be eligible for coverage.
OUR NEW PLAN
Some things you need to know about the new plan:
Union membership is the first requirement for participation in the new Plan. If a member is suspended for non-payment of dues, coverage is terminated and the hour bank is eliminated.
Members will be eligible for coverage once they have completed all enrollment forms and have a minimum of 260 hours reported to the new plan. Once coverage commences you will need a minimum of 130 hours reported each month to maintain coverage.
NO BENEFITS WANTED — RE-DIRECT FUNDS TO RSP
If a member decides they do not need or want to have any benefit coverage they will be allowed to redirect the amount allocated by the Union for benefit coverage to their Group (CUMIS) RSP account. If a member chooses this option* they will be required to visit the Union office and complete a form to re-direct the employer contributions and to waive benefits.
* Note: A member who chooses to re-direct the Benefit Plan contributions into the Group RSP will be locked into that choice for a period of four years. Only as a result of a “life changing event” (e.g. marriage, separation, divorce, gains a dependant, death, birth, or spouse loses benefit coverage) will the member be permitted to join the Benefit Plan.
BENEFITS WANTED BUT MSP PROVIDED UNDER A SPOUSAL PLAN
If a member does not require MSP because they are covered under a spouses plan they must complete a waiver form so they are not taxed on the MSP benefit.
CARPENTERS LOCAL 1598 BENEFIT PLAN
HEALTH CARE BENEFITS — STANDARD COVERAGE (Effective April 1, 2005)
The Carpenters Local 1598 Benefit Plan is designed to provide the most necessary, core benefits for members and their families healthcare needs.
This text contains a brief outline of the benefits and features provided by the Plan:
B.C. MEDICAL AND SURGICAL COVERAGE — As provided by the Medical Service Plan of B.C.
EXTENDED HEALTH CARE — Includes a $200.00 eyeglass option as provided by Pacific Blue Cross. Some additional expenses are covered by Pharmacare. Members with expenses over the Pharmacare Plan limit should also claim on their spouse’s plan if available. Extended Health limit is $100,000.00 per person every two years, and there is a deductible of $100 per year. The Extended Health will continue on a reimbursement basis with claim forms available at the Union office or you can download forms at: http://www.pac.bluecross.ca/. Our Group Number is E901598 – your Social Insurance Number is your identity number.
PHYSIOTHERPISTS, CHIROPRACTORS & MASSAGE THERAPISTS — Total combined visits of 6 per year per person with a limit of $300.00 per year per person.
SHORT-TERM DISABILITY (WAGE INDEMNITY) — Provides a payment of $400.00 per week for 15 weeks when sick or unable to work because of a non-occupational disability. Benefits are paid from the fourth day of a disability due to a non-occupational illness and from the first day of disability due to a non-occupational injury. The Plan is coordinated with E.I. Medical Benefits which provide an additional 15 weeks for those who qualify.
DENTAL CARE — The Plan pays 80% of the cost of services provided under Part A which generally includes diagnostic, preventative and restorative services and the general day to day dentistry. The Plan pays 80% of the cost of dentures and 60% of the cost of other services provided under Part B which are the more expensive services such as crowns and bridges. The maximum amount that will be paid by the Plan for any one member or any registered dependent is $1,250.00 in any calendar year for Part A and B. Members will receive Blue Cross Dental Cards. The member presents the card to the dentist who will bill the Plan for his services — the member pays only their share to the dentist.
ORTHODONTIA — In addition the Plan pays 50% coverage of $2,500.00 lifetime maximum ($1,250.00 paid by the Plan).
LIFE INSURANCE — $40,000 under a group policy payable to the beneficiary designated by the member in the event of death while insured under the group policy. Members are covered to the age of 65.
THE HOUR BANK SYSTEM
The hour bank system is designed so the employer pays the negotiated hourly rate on behalf of each employee coming within the scope of the collective agreement. The hours are accumulated in the member's individual hour bank account to provide the health and welfare coverage when eligibility requirements are fulfilled. Regardless of which participating employer you are employed with, all your hours are sent to the Plan and are credited to your account.
ESTABLISHING COVERAGE UNDER THE PLAN
You must be a member of Local Union 1598. You must file completed enrollment cards with the Plan. A minimum of 260 hours must be reported and paid to the Plan on your behalf by a participating employer within a period of four consecutive months. Your coverage begins on the first day of the month following the month in which all of these requirements are fulfilled.
Once you have qualified, 130 hours are withdrawn each month from your hour bank to pay for coverage under the Plan. You may accumulate up to six months coverage (780 hours) which can be used during a period of reduced employment, illness or extended vacation.
Your coverage will continue for as long as your hour bank contains sufficient hours and provided you remain a member of the union.
SELF PAY REGULATIONS AND HOUR BANK SHORTAGES
If your hour bank drops below 130 hours, you will receive a shortage notice outlining the payment you must make to maintain coverage for one month. If you wish to maintain your coverage, you must make a self payment for the number of hours that you are short at the contribution rate stated on the notice. Payment must be received in the Union office by the 15th day of the current month.
THE ONLY WAY TO GUARANTEE CONTINUOUS COVERAGE IS TO PAY THE SHORTAGE BY THE DATE SPECIFIED ON THE NOTICE.
Sometimes shortages occur because your employer did not report your hours on time, your name was accidentally left off the report, or an error was made in the number of hours reported under an incorrect Social Insurance Number. You should keep your pay slips in the event that any errors do occur.
Also, remember there is a lag month. For example, the January hours your employer remits go towards March coverage. If you received a shortage notice in January requesting payment for February coverage, the shortage should be paid by the 15th of January.
TERMINATION OF COVERAGE
Your coverage is provided on a whole month basis and will terminate on the last day of the month if your hour bank falls below the 130 hours and you fail to make the required payment by the specified date on your shortage notice. Coverage automatically terminates if you cease to be a member of the Union.
If you fail to pay a shortage notice and your hour bank remains below 130 hours you will receive a termination notice.
In case of death, the member's dependents will continue to be covered for as long as there are sufficient hours in your hour bank.
ENROLMENT or CHANGE or CLAIM FORMS — are available at the Union office.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CALL OR WRITE:
CARPENTERS UNION LOCAL 1598
210-2750 QUADRA STREET
VICTORIA, B.C. V8T 4E8
PHONE: (250) 383-8116 FAX: (250) 383-1603
CONTACTS:
BUSINESS MANAGER: WAYNE COX BUSINESS REPRESENTATIVE: SHAN O'HARA SECRETARY: LAL O'CONNOR WEBSITE: http://www.victoriacarpenters.com EMAIL: loc1598@telus.net
FOR THOSE MEMBERS WHO STILL HAVE HOUR BANK COVERAGE WITH THE CARPENTRY WORKERS BENEFIT PLAN:
If you are unsure as to how many months you have left for coverage call the Plan at 1-877-411-2806.
Benefits include:
Members should contact our office at 250-383-8116 or call the Plan at their toll free number 1-877-411-2806 for specific benefit information. Dental Claim Forms, etc., are available at: http://www.cwbp.ca
Pension benefits are earned in the form of 350 hours = one unit of pension. A unit of pension equals $14.63 per month pension earned effective July 1, 2003. A member can earn up to five units of pension per year by employer contributions or by self-payment. Members are sent annual pension statements in October/November showing pension earned, etc. The plan year for pensions is July 1 - June 30 the next year. Members should contact our office with any questions about the Pension Plan.