Member Assistance Program Up and Running

Written by Local 793 Staff

Local 793 members, their spouses and dependent children under 21 now have access to a Member Assistance Program (MAP) at no cost through Great West Life and Schepell.fgi. The program is a confidential support service that can help members find solutions to all kinds of challenges at any age and stage of life. Members can seek help for stress, depression, anxiety, anger, crisis situations or life transitions. Other services offered by the program include help for managing relationships and family, getting legal and financial advice, dealing with workplace challenges, tackling […]

Local 793 members, their spouses and dependent children under 21 now have access to a Member Assistance Program (MAP) at no cost through Great West Life and Schepell.fgi.
The program is a confidential support service that can help members find solutions to all kinds of challenges at any age and stage of life. Members can seek help for stress, depression, anxiety, anger, crisis situations or life transitions.
Other services offered by the program include help for managing relationships and family, getting legal and financial advice, dealing with workplace challenges, tackling addictions and improving nutrition.
Fees for the program have been paid in advance by Local 793.
To find out more about the services available under the MAP, call 1-800-387-4765 or visit the Schepell.fgi website at www.workhealthlife.com and click on the ‘My Services’ tab at the top of the page.
At the website, members can register by clicking on the ‘Register’ link at the top of the page, then search for ‘The Board of Trustees of the International Union of Operating Engineers.’
Once registered, members can instantly chat online with a counselor, book sessions, and access helpful articles and videos. An app can also be downloaded from the site for smartphones.
Following is a full list of the services provided by the MAP:

  • Short-term Professional Counseling provides support for personal and emotional issues. Members can choose from a variety of delivery methods to best suit their comfort level and lifestyle, including in-person, telephonic, e-counseling, online chat with a counselor, video, and text-based, self-paced.
  • Family Support Services connects you with a family support specialist for personalized assistance with family planning, parenting, childcare, eldercare, homecare support and more.
  • Legal Support Services provides consultation with professional lawyers to answer legal questions surrounding divorce, custody, adoption, real estate, debt, bankruptcy, landlord/tenant issues, and more.
  • Financial Support Services provides consultation with financial professionals to answer financial questions about budgeting, debt management, tax issues, and more.
  • Naturopathic Services provides consultation with naturopathic doctors on choices related to physiology, diet, lifestyle, and well-being, including illness prevention strategies.
  • Nutritional Services offer consultation with registered dieticians on any nutritional matter or concern.
  • Health Coaching by registered nurses provides information and advice, co-ordination and support and coaching on any health risk or concern.
  • Fitness Coach Connects is a personalized and interactive program designed to improve the physical health of union members through education, behaviour change and fitness.
  • Specialized Counseling and Online Programs to assist with career challenges, managing stress, tobacco cessation, enhancing relationships, separation and divorce, and financial planning.

Changes Announced to Executive Board

Written by Local 793 Staff

Local 793 business manager Mike Gallagher has announced a number of changes to the executive of the union. The changes were prompted by the resignation of financial secretary John W. Anderson who is leaving to take up a new position and challenge as an administrator at Global Benefits. A meeting of the union officers was held Jan. 3 to appoint a replacement. In accordance with Article XXIV, Subdivision 1, Section F of the union’s Constitution and Article VII of Local 793’s bylaws, the officers voted unanimously to appoint Rick Kerr […]

Local 793 business manager Mike Gallagher has announced a number of changes to the executive of the union.
The changes were prompted by the resignation of financial secretary John W. Anderson who is leaving to take up a new position and challenge as an administrator at Global Benefits.
A meeting of the union officers was held Jan. 3 to appoint a replacement.
In accordance with Article XXIV, Subdivision 1, Section F of the union’s Constitution and Article VII of Local 793’s bylaws, the officers voted unanimously to appoint Rick Kerr as financial secretary. He had been vice-president.

The officers also voted to:

  • Appoint Joe Dowdall as vice-president. He had been recording-corresponding secretary.
  • Appoint Brian Alexander as recording-corresponding secretary. He had been an executive board member.
  • Appoint David Turple as an executive board member.

Following is the executive of the union:

Business Manager
- Mike Gallagher

President
- Joe Redshaw

Vice President
- Joe Dowdall

Treasurer
- Alex Law

Financial Secretary
- Rick Kerr

Recording-Corresponding Secretary
- Brian Alexander

Executive Board
- Dave Turple, Bill Boyle, Joel Collens, Ron Hillis, Bob McQueen, Robert Turpin

Auditors
- Steve Deady, Robbie Hierons, John Monti

Trustees
- Andre Chenier, Jonathan Sprung, Robert Taddei

Guard
- Shane McComb

Conductor
- Brad Sisler

 

Photos Sought for Commemorative Publication

Written by Local 793 Staff

2014 is the 95th anniversary year of Local 793. To mark the occasion, the union will be producing a special commemorative publication later this year. We are looking for photos from the past that we can print in the publication. We are also looking for recollections or stories that members might have about the union that we can use as part of the narrative. If you have any material that could be included in the publication, please send it to Director of Communications Grant Cameron via email at gcameron@iuoelocal793.org. You […]

2014 is the 95th anniversary year of Local 793.
To mark the occasion, the union will be producing a special commemorative publication later this year.
We are looking for photos from the past that we can print in the publication. We are also looking for recollections or stories that members might have about the union that we can use as part of the narrative.
If you have any material that could be included in the publication, please send it to Director of Communications Grant Cameron via email at gcameron@iuoelocal793.org.
You can also send the information by mail to: Grant Cameron
Director of Communications,
IUOE Local 793, 2245 Speers Rd., Oakville, Ont., L6L 6X8

Benefit Improvements Announced

Written by Local 793 Staff

Local 793 business manager Mike Gallagher has announced a number of new improvements to the union’s Life & Health Benefits Plan. “We are always striving to provide the best coverage possible for our members,” he said. “I am therefore pleased to announce these changes on behalf of the Life and Health Benefits Plan trustees.” The improvements went into effect on or before Jan. 1, 2014: For active and retired members: Coverage will now be provided for specific eye exams that are necessary for certain medical conditions. Coverage for orthotics will […]

Local 793 business manager Mike Gallagher has announced a number of new improvements to the union’s Life & Health Benefits Plan.
“We are always striving to provide the best coverage possible for our members,” he said. “I am therefore pleased to announce these changes on behalf of the Life and Health Benefits Plan trustees.”
The improvements went into effect on or before Jan. 1, 2014:
For active and retired members:

  • Coverage will now be provided for specific eye exams that are necessary for certain medical conditions.
  • Coverage for orthotics will be increased to a maximum of $300 per year from $200 per year.
  • Coverage for travel-out-of-province insurance will be increased to a maximum of $150 per year from $100 per year.
  • Coverage for prescription sunglasses will now be provided for up to a maximum of $400 every 24 months. This is included as part of the regular vision care package.
  • Coverage for services from a registered physiotherapist will be covered for up to $1,500 per calendar year for both active and retired members. Previously, the plan covered reasonable and customary charges for retired members.
  • 100 per cent of lab fees will be covered. Previously, the plan covered 100 per cent of the lab fees for active members and 50 per cent of the fees for retired members.
  • Coverage for hearing aids will be raised to $1,000 every five years from $800.
  • Coverage for vision care was raised to $400 every 24 months. Previously, it was $275 for active members and $250 for retirees.
  • Additional life insurance for union members will be increased to $2,000 from $1,000.
  • Erectile dysfunction drugs will now be covered for conditions due to a medical disability.
  • The dental fee guide will be changed to the 2013 ODA fee guide effective Jan. 1, 2014.
  • A Members Assistance Program to provide counseling assistance for active or retired members has started. The program is through Great West Life and Schepell.fgi. The MAP is a confidential and voluntary support service that can help members find solutions to all kinds of challenges at any age and stage of life. The MAP offers assistance for stress, depression, anxiety, anger, crisis situations and life transitions. It also offers help for managing relationships and family, finding child and elder care resources, getting legal and financial advice, dealing with workplace challenges, tackling addictions and improving nutrition. To find out more about the services available under the MAP, call 1-800-387-4765 or visit the Schepell.fgi website at www.workhealthlife.com and click on the ‘My Services’ tab at the top of the page.

For active members:

  • Life insurance has been raised to $125,000 from $100,000.
  • Coverage for laser eye surgery will be increased to a lifetime maximum of $1,000 from $800.
  • Coverage for massage therapy will be increased to a maximum of $800 per year from $500 per year.
  • Coverage for a psychologist will be increased to $800 per year from $500.
  • Coverage for orthodontic services for individuals under age 21 has been raised to a lifetime maximum of $3,500 from $2,500.
  • When an active member exceeds the lifetime maximum of $150,000 per person the amount restored each year will increase to $20,000 from the prior amount of only $1,000.

The short-term disability payments will increase to $514 per week for claims after Jan. 1, 2014. The previous amount was $501 a week.
For retired members:

  • Life insurance has been raised to $25,000 from $20,000.
  • Coverage for chiropractor, osteopath, naturopath and podiatrist will have a combined maximum of $200 per year.
  • Coverage for a psychologist, acupuncturist and masseur will have separate maximums of $200 per year. The previous limit was $100 per year.

For more information, call Local 793’s pension and benefits office at 905-469-9299 or (toll free) 1-877-793-4863.

Improvements Made to Union’s Group Legal Plan

Written by Local 793 Staff

Local 793 business manager Mike Gallagher has announced a number of new improvements to the union’s Group Legal Plan for both active and retired members. The improvements are the second wave of enhancements this year to benefits for Local 793 members. Earlier, improvements were announced to the Life and Health Benefits Plan. “The officers, executive board and I are always looking at ways to provide better services to our members across the province,” Gallagher said. “The changes to our legal plan will complement the enhancements that were made to the […]

Local 793 business manager Mike Gallagher has announced a number of new improvements to the union’s Group Legal Plan for both active and retired members.
The improvements are the second wave of enhancements this year to benefits for Local 793 members.
Earlier, improvements were announced to the Life and Health Benefits Plan.

“The officers, executive board and I are always looking at ways to provide better services to our members across the province,” Gallagher said. “The changes to our legal plan will complement the enhancements that were made to the life and health benefits plan.”

The changes to the legal plan took effect Jan. 1. Coverage has been increased as follows:

  • E1 – Simple Will Member has been increased to $300 from $100.
  • E2 – Simple Will Spouse has been increased to $300 from $100.
  • E3 – Revised Will Member has been increased to $150 from $75.
  • E4 – Revised Will Spouse has been increased to $150 from $75.
  • M1 – Highway Traffic Act has been increased to $400 from $300.