If you are on an LOA or RBP please see the information below on prepayment for continuation of coverage and TOP-UPS. The arrangements for coverage must commence within 30 days of the originally awarded RBP or LOA.

LOA (Leave of Absence)
Prepayment of an LOA what does this mean?

It means that should you become injured or ill during your absence you will be eligible to apply for WIP at the termination of the LOA and will have created earnings for the absence that would be used in the calculation of benefits.

Prepayment of premiums is required for an absence from the payroll of 16 or more calendar days if you wish to continue your insurance coverage. If your LOA leave of absence of 16 or more calendar days precedes your vacation and you have not prepaid the premium for that leave of absence in accordance with the Continuation of Coverage During Absence from Work section, coverage will not be reinstated until you return to active work. No prepayment of premiums is required when you are absent from work due to vacation.

Example: LOA for August:

Scenario A – Prepayment for LOA
Member cannot return to work for August due to medical reasons, books-off in September without a return to work. Manion uses the three months prior to your disability as reported by Air Canada for the WIP calculation. June = 75 hours, July = 85 hours and August LOA month = 0 hours. In this member’s case they have prepaid for their LOA and continuation of coverage and there is an average of earnings calculated by Manion for the August LOA and it will be used in place of the 0 hours for the weekly indemnity calculation.

Scenario B – NO prepayment for LOA
Member cannot return to work for September due to medical reasons, book-offs without a return to work. This member is contractually ineligible for WIP, their premiums have not been paid for and have lapsed, therefore you have no coverage.

Scenario C – No prepayment for LOA member returns to work after LOA
Member returns to work/operation and becomes ill later in September after operating a flight, books off and applies for WIP. Earnings reported by Air Canada for the previous three months prior to the book-off are used June = 75 hours, July = 85 hours, and August LOA = 0 hours/dollars, which will be used for the weekly calculation.

You must prepay the required premium in full within 30 days of the commencement of the LOA to be eligible for benefit consideration immediately following the end of the LOA.

Please contact Manion Contact Center at 1-866-532-8999 for applicable rates. State you are an Air Canada flight attendant, and you wish to prepay for an LOA . A member has 30 days from the start of the LOA to prepay for continuation of coverage.

RBP Effective June 1, 2026, anyone who books off June 1, 2026 or later and has pre-paid for an RBP top-up will have their top-up utilized as part of the earnings calculation.

For example, if the member has pre-paid for RBP in June, July and August and books off September 3, 2026, Manion will use AC reported earnings for June, July, and August 2026 Block months + the top-up to do the weekly indemnity calculation.

A member has 30 days from the start of the original RBP to prepay for this top up. Manion contact centre is 1-866-532 8999. Members are to indicate they are an Air Canada flight attendant and that they wish to prepay for a REDUCED BLOCK and the months they are on RBP. Please leave your name, employee number and the date you called.

A reminder that should you be awarded an LOA or RBP in the subsequent month and you arranged for 1 month coverage the ONUS is on the member to advise Manion they wish to continue coverage and payments.

Example, if you were on an LOA or RBP and pre-paid, then are awarded another LOA or RBP in the month following the end of the original LOA or RBP you initially told us about, you must notify Manion immediately to continue pre-payment each time there is a change. You must do this even if there are multiple changes.

Any lapse in self-payment while you are on an LOA or RBP terminates your ability to self-pay for LOA or top-up of an RBP.

On Behalf of The Board of Trust,

Patricia Eberley
Administrative Consultant

NOTE:  All Policy Booklet information can be accessed on the Air Canada Component of CUPE web site www.accomponent.ca.

Manion, Wilkins & Associates
Plan Administration
626-21 Four Seasons Place
Etobicoke, Ontario
M9B 0A6

Switchboard: 416-234-5044
Toll Free Line:  1-800-663-7849
Fax: 416-234-0127
Contact Centre: 1-866-532-8999