District 6 Strike Assistance and Benefit Funds

Message from USW District 6 Director Kevon Stewart

Steelworkers members of District 6,

Collective bargaining is one of the most important services that our union and bargaining committees provide for our members. Our members deserve the very best collective agreements that can be negotiated. To do that, we need real power at the bargaining table and that is what the District 6 Strike Assistance and Benefit Funds help us achieve.

These funds support our members who go on strike to insist on their priorities being met. These funds allow us to fight back against unreasonable employer demands.

In both good and challenging economic times, our solidarity helps us win. That’s why we came together in District 6 to start the Strike Assistance and Benefit Funds, to further support our members on strike or lockout.

The District 6 Strike Assistance and Benefit Funds were announced in 2004, and in 2005, the fund began supplementing the strike pay for members of participating locals, when forced to walk the picket line. Our union has a reputation of taking on the hard fights. Employers know that we don’t back down, that we stick together, and that we last one day longer.

These funds are a success story. They were established to build our union’s power – so employers would know that the USW has the resources to support our members on strike or lockout.

Since the District 6 Strike Assistance and Benefit Funds were set up, 80% of USW locals have signed on. As the funds have grown, so has the amount paid out. And any new locals welcomed into USW District 6 are automatically signed up.

Like many of you, I have walked the line and I know what a long strike does to our communities and families. We should all take pride in coming together collectively to build another level of support for striking or locked-out Steelworkers and their families. It’s one more way we all ensure that we leave no one behind!

Please join with the thousands of other Steelworkers who are part of this program and together we will continue to last One Day Longer!

In solidarity,

Kevon Stewart
Director, USW District 6

District 6 Strike Benefit Fund

The following benefits are available to striking or locked out members and their families.

A. Member Life Insurance ($20,000)

For those members covered by the funds, we provide $20,000 in life insurance for the member from day one of the strike or lockout until it ends. The benefit will be paid to the beneficiary named by you. You may change your beneficiary whenever you like (subject to any legal restrictions) by giving written notice to the plan administrators.

B. Prescription drug coverage (member and dependents)

Benefits begin for eligible members and their dependents on the 15^th day of a legal strike or lockout. You will receive 100% coverage to a family maximum of $1,000.

Covered expenses:

• all drugs which by law or convention require a physician’s or dentist’s prescription
• insulin supplies (i.e., needles, syringes and diagnostic tests), but excludes swabs and rubbing alcohol
• all injectables including serums, vaccines and injectable vitamins
• extemporaneous compounds prepared by a pharmacist

Exclusions (members and dependents)

Any drug or medication which may be purchased without a prescription. This further excludes over-the-counter (OTC) products whether prescribed or not.

C. Emergency dental coverage (member and dependents)

Benefits begin for eligible members and their dependents on the 15^th day of a legal strike or lockout.

Covered expenses:

Coverage includes dentistry for emergency care for the temporary relief of pain as outlined in the Provincial Dental Association Fee Guide in the province of your residence.

All dental coverage under our plan will be provided by one of the four terrific dental offices our union has built. If you live over 75 km away from the closest Steelworkers Dental Office you may attend the dentist of your choice for the emergency dental coverage provided by our plan.

Eligibilty

To be eligible for benefits:

• All other benefits must be exhausted
• Your bargaining unit must be on a legal strike or lockout
• You must be a member of the local union
• You must participate in strike duties
• The plan must have received your enrolment card.

Your eligible dependents include your:

a. Spouse, or alternatively a common-law spouse, including same-sex partner.

b. Any unmarried child under 19 years of age who is not employed and is living with an eligible parent.

c. Any unmarried child under 21 years of age if he or she is a full-time student at a university or similar institution.

Health-care benefits will continue beyond the date an unmarried child attains the limiting age for insurance (21), provided proof is submitted to the plan that such child is incapable of self-sustaining employment by reason of mental or physical disability.

Benefit enrolment

It is essential that you complete and submit your Enrolment Card, otherwise no claims can be paid, nor can you visit the Steelworkers Dental Office. The card also names the beneficiary to whom your life insurance would be paid. Enrolment Cards can be obtained from your local or from your USW Regional Office.

The Enrolment Card must be submitted to:

District 6 Strike Benefit Fund
c/o W.A. Health
149 Main Street East, Hamilton ON L8N 1G4
Tel: 289-768-3621
Fax: 289-768-3620
Email: admin@wahealth.ca

Termination of coverage

Your coverage under the Strike Benefit Fund will stop the earlier of the end of the legal strike or lockout for which this coverage is provided or at the one-year anniversary of the strike.

How to file claims

All claims are to be sent to the plan and should clearly indicate the following:

a. The plan’s name: District 6 Strike Benefit Fund

b. Your name, address and social insurance number

c. If your claim is for a dependent, the dependent’s first name, age and relationship to you.

Dental claims

If you and your family have your dentistry performed at the Steelworkers Dental Office there are no claim forms to submit.

Steelworkers Dental Offices

“Your union is here for you and your family. Should you have the need, our District 6 Strike Assistance and Benefit Funds will help to reduce your family’s financial burden while on a strike or locked out.”

Kevon Stewart
District 6 Director