Changes to health Care Benefits

As a result of the recent negotiations, there have been some changes to our health care benefits. Firstly, we have been advised by our carrier (Greenshield) that all newly acquired benefits (i.e. physiotherapy, dental implants) will not come into effect until January 1, 2017.

For those transitioning from SWE to new hire; your new benefits will also come into effect January 1, 2017 with the exception of dental, vision and hearing. Those benefits will become effective October 1, 2017 as per the Supplemental Agreement covering the Health Care Insurance Program.

Please note that members who have dependents attending post-secondary school; your dependents may be eligible for the Dependent Tuition Application Program which allows for up to $1,300 per dependent per calendar year. There are also a number of bursaries available through our National Union. These bursary applications will be made available early in the new year. See your benefit reps. For further details.

We expect to have hard copy editions of the new Agreement on the Health Care Insurance Program early in the new year. We urge all our members with health care benefit concerns to contact us directly; either by phone, email or personally.

As we move into the holiday season, we wish all our members a very Merry Christmas and a healthy and prosperous New Year!

In solidarity,

Mark Roy & Lawrence Robson, Benefit & Alt. Benefit Rep.

905-641-6444
mark.roy@gm.com
lawrence.robson@gm.com