November Newspaper
Benefits Article - Armindo deMedeiros
The past month has been a very busy time at your Union Hall as your Executive works diligently to put out many fires. Your Executive has been putting in many long hours to clear up some of the misunderstandings related to past bargaining. Mainly, I’m speaking of meal vouchers, vacations and 1-day sick leave benefits when hospitalized.
For me, taking over as the Benefits Coordinator has been a real challenge. There is a lot to learn and comes with a big learning curve. Sometimes I wondered if I’d ever get the hang of it or is it too late to teach an old dog new tricks. At times, I wished I was back in the Melting Plant pouring jumbos.
This month, I’d like to touch on some of the interesting cases that keep popping up. When you are injured on the job, why don’t people report it to First Aid? Many employees usually brush off little incidents, aches or pains and then a week later, when it was still a problem, they would go and report it. This practice causes a great deal of grief in the end. From what I’m finding out, these late claims are generally denied by the WCB and in the end, you end up fighting them through numerous and lengthy appeals.
I know the Company likes to have a low first aid report number, but too bad! It is your right to report these incidents, after all, it is your body and ultimately you will be the one who suffers loss. WCB benefits are paid by the Company through the WCB and I’m beginning to think that the WCB’s mandate is to deny all claims if there is a slight doubt to the injury. I urge our members that no matter how slight the injury seems at the time, report it to First Aid immediately, not to your supervisor because sometimes they too forget what was reported to them.
Another misconception is the filing for Basic Sick Leave (WI). When you get sick and go off on sick leave, see your doctor immediately and file the necessary forms as soon as possible. Do not wait a week or so to file your forms as this could cause you some problems.
Our CBA, under Add. "E" - Basic Sick Leave states you have 5 working days to file for sick leave, but why wait to the last minute. We have been successful in a few cases to argue this point and get benefits for some members after the 5 days, but as usual, it turns out to be a big hassle for everyone. File right away and save yourself some grief.
Sick leave forms are available at the Union Hall and I’ll be more than willing to help you fill them out. On the question of the one day sick leave that we bargained, you would have to have a surgical procedure in the hospital or clinic and be unable to return to work later in the day in order to qualify for pay.
On a nicer note. Dennis Barker, an employee for 32 years is retiring out of the Melting Plant. It was a pleasure working with Dennis and he will be missed (I’m sure someone will claim his chair instantly.) Happy Retirement! Way to go Dennis – all the best!.
Retirements for 2005!
On behalf of the membership and Executive of Local 480, our Best Wishes for a long, healthy retirement!
Alan (Taffy) Lloyd Jan. 2nd
Chuck Radtke "
Rick Lewis Jan. 13
Eric Sampson Jan. 15
Eugenio Piasentin Jan. 16
Mirio Bronca Jan. 20
Jimmy McIntyre Jan. 28
George Neigel Feb. 1
Larry Hill Feb. 28
Harvey Bruggencate Mar. 1
Ken Doucette Mar. 4
Dave Pistak Mar 22
Karl Steck Mar. 30
Doug Stuckless Apr. 1
Graham Parkes May 28
Terry Watson "
Ron Walker "
Miguel Sosa May 31
Bob Johnson "
Allan Gallamore "
Bob Freeman "
Terry Hopkins June 1
Vern Nault "
Robert McBride "
Robert Vliet "
Jim Peters "
Ken Kozlowski July 19
Wally Caron "
Ron Hanson "
Edward Sallis "
Stan Harding Aug. 1
Richard Wilmot Sept. 1
Eric Harry Oct. 8
Dennis Barker Oct. 25
Glen Moore Oct 27
Dave Orlando Nov. 2
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