Lisa Raymond, Author at AC Component

DAY OF MOURNING APRIL 28, 2020

Lisa Raymond on April 28, 2020

April 28th is the National Day of Mourning. It is a solemn day when we honour those lives that have been lost to work-related deaths and those lives that have been forever altered by workplace injuries. The Day of Mourning was first established in 1985 by the Canadian Labour Congress. Eight years later, in 1991, the Canadian Parliament passed the Workers Mourning Day Act making April 28 an official Day of Mourning. Today the Day of Mourning is observed in more than 100 countries around the world.

Every year, on this date, thousands of people gather at ceremonies across Canada to recognize the National Day of Mourning for workers who were killed or injured on the job. These ceremonies will look very different today as we all do our part to limit the spread of COVID-19 by continuing to practice physical distancing. This year, we will come together online from inside our homes in communities across the country. Find a virtual event near you by clicking on the link below:

https://canadianlabour.ca/events/day-of-mourning-ceremonies-2020/

You can also show your support on social media by using #dayofmourning.

The greatest way we can honour those lives that have been lost is by renewing our commitment to the promotion of healthy and safe workplaces and the prevention of future incidents.

Stay safe,

Your Component Leadership and Occupational Health and Safety Committee

Wage Indemnity Plan Contribution Holiday April Block Month

Lisa Raymond on April 27, 2020

Over the course of the last 2 weeks, your Trustees have been seeking clarity from the Employer, the Insurer, SSQ, Manion Wilkins our third-party Administrator, as well as Legal. We are sure you understand seeking clarification to ensure we provide you with clear answers takes some time as we enter this unchartered territory of COVID-19. The following is an outline of what we understand today as it relates to your WIP Program, Air Canada’s input and the Insurers’ policy regulations.

Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) will be retroactive to the first day of the April block commencing April 3rd, replacing Off Duty Status (ODS) or last flying day in case of an overlap. CEWS is in effect until June 6^th which is 12 weeks from when the government introduced the program on March 15^th. This change is advantageous as it provides another choice for members to receive income. Air Canada has indicated that this is a paid leave, therefore they will not be accepting book offs while a member is on CEWS.

In early April, the Board sought clarification from the Employer on how they would code members who were on a book off status prior to ODS but did not complete the 14-day elimination period before ODS was posted in their schedule. The Board received the Employers’ response on April 23, 2020 that indicated they will not change the code from ODS to Sick Insurance because the member had not completed the full elimination period of 14 days from the first flight missed (FFM) prior to the commencement of ODS. Nonetheless Manion will adjudicate the WIP application and should the medical substantiate your absence, WIP Benefits will be paid until such time as you are ready to return to work

For members who completed the full 14-day elimination period prior to ODS, the Employer will continue to code you as Sick Insurance so long as the date of disability can be confirmed and supported with medical documentation. Manion will adjudicate the claim based on the medical and the Employer will advise Manion of the employees’ status.

It is our understanding that while in receipt of WIP, some of the newly introduced government programs are not available in conjunction with the wage replacement program, however you will need to contact the governing bodies of these plans for confirmation. Manion Wilkins will continue to follow their process and will request information regarding any and all income replacement benefits the employee is receiving, to prevent overpayments.

To this end, The Board of Trust, after cautiously evaluating all options, has decided to give a Contribution Holiday to all members for the block month of April (April 3-May 4, 2020). Beyond this date any members wishing to continue to have coverage may do so as outlined in the Continuation of Coverage Bulletin that will follow.

NOTE: You must prepay the required premium in full within forty-five (45) days in order to be eligible for benefit consideration at the termination of the leave. Please be advised this can be done in monthly installments or in one lump sum.

On Behalf of the Board of Trustees we continue to work diligently and hope you and your loved ones stay well and safe.

Stephen Morash
Administrative Consultant

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

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

Online Mindfulness Session – April 29th

Lisa Raymond on April 27, 2020

We are pleased to offer to our members an online session on mindfulness, as a way of supporting you through these challenging times with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mindfulness is the ability to pay attention, on time, in the present moment, without judgment. This practice has many potential benefits, including reduced stress, greater sense of wellbeing, increased focus, and more harmonious relationships. One way to hone this skill is through meditation.

On Wednesday, April 29th, Brian Dean Williams and Roxanne Dault will be leading us in some mindfulness meditation practices, and you are warmly invited to join us.
12pm – 12:30pm (EDT) in English
12:45pm – 1:15pm (EDT) in French

The session will consist of a 15-20-minute practice together as well as 10-15 minutes of questions, inquiry, and resources. You will need to download and install ZOOM software if you haven’t yet. There is no need to have previous experience, just grab a cushion and chair, find a quiet space, and feel free to shut off your cell phone. If possible, please arrive a few minutes early, to allow us to start on time. We would love to see you there via video, if you prefer, you’re welcome to turn your video off for the session.

Brian is a registered clinical counsellor and mindfulness meditation teacher from Vancouver, BC. He has an active private practice and teaches retreats internationally. He has done in-person mindfulness training with our members on the west coast. www.briandeanwilliams.com.

Roxanne is a mindfulness meditation teacher from Montréal, QC, and is also trained in Somatic Experiencing®, a body-mind approach to resolve stress and trauma. She has spent years in silence both in Asia and in the West. She teaches meditation locally and internationally in diverse settings. www.roxannedault.com.

To register, please email Mary Keough at mindfulness@accomponent.ca. In your email please include your employee number and indicate whether you are registering for the English session OR the French session. If you do not indicate a language, you will be registered for the English session by default. If you have already registered please email mindfulness@accomponent.ca and confirm that you are still planning to attend.

We have a limit of 100 participants on a first-come, first serve basis. You will receive login information for the online session once you are registered.

Wishing you all the best,

Mary Keough
Chair, Component EAP Committee

Coronavirus Update 21

Lisa Raymond on April 24, 2020

As countries begin to adopt the wearing of masks as a general precautionary measure to control the spread of COVID-19, the Union wishes to remind its members of the following:

Certain countries may implement (with little notice) mandatory use of face coverings.
The standard advice for layovers remains that the safest thing is to remain at the hotel and order room service. However, the Union recognizes that this may not always be possible, depending on the destination, dietary needs etc.
As a precaution, please ensure to always have a mask on hand for use if it becomes necessary to leave the hotel – regardless of destination.
Members may wish to bring their own personal mask for use on layover, and the Union strongly encourages the continued respectful use of company-provided PPE.

In Solidarity,

Wesley Lesosky
President, Air Canada Component of CUPE

Notice: Referendum Vote

Lisa Raymond on April 24, 2020

As per section B.12.5 of the Air Canada Component of CUPE Bylaws, we are providing you with seven (7) days’ notice that a Referendum vote will be taking place. The Referendum vote will begin on Friday, May 1, 2020 at 9:00am (EDT), and will close on Sunday, May 10, 2020 at 4:00pm (EDT).

Referendum Question:
Due to the exceptional financial impact COVID-19 is having on our membership, do you agree with a temporary reduction in Union Dues to 0.5% of gross income for the April 2020 and May 2020 block months?
YES or NO

Voting Procedures:
Voting will open on Friday, May 1, 2020, at 9:00am (EDT), and will close on Sunday, May 10, 2020 at 4:00pm (EDT).

IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ CAREFULLY: You will receive a letter, by regular mail, directly from Simply Voting. This letter will contain a new Elector ID and Password, along with detailed instructions on how to vote online and by telephone. This same information will be e-mailed to you on the morning of the first day of voting.

You have the option of voting by web, or by phone, as per Component Bylaws. You will need your new Elector ID and Password to access the system.

Voting website: https://accomponent.simplyvoting.com

Once you have submitted your vote, the Simply Voting system will issue a printable electronic receipt. If you are voting by phone, you can only access your electronic receipt by logging into the Simply Voting system online.

If you are experiencing difficulties registering your vote please e-mail vote@accomponent.ca. Please provide us with your name, employee number, phone number, e-mail address, and postal code. We will respond as quickly as possible during business hours (weekdays 9:00am – 4:00pm EDT), however, please allow us 1 business day to respond.

In Solidarity,

Your Component Tabulating Committee

DAY OF MOURNING APRIL 28, 2020

Wage Indemnity Plan Contribution Holiday April Block Month

Online Mindfulness Session – April 29th

Coronavirus Update 21

Notice: Referendum Vote

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