The Air Canada Board of Trustees has created an option to allow members on the DSP, Leave portion of the plan to pay extra contributions to increase their WIP benefit rate if they are unable to return to full duties at the end of the DSP due to an unforeseen disability.
Please review the information provided below and if you have further questions reach out to:
Patricia Eberley
1-877-411-3552 extension 258
416-798-3399 extension 258
eberleywip@accomponent.ca
Due to the timing of this new option members who commenced the DSP leave effective July 1, 2025 will be given until August 30, 2025 to call Manion Contact Center at 1-866-532-8999 for applicable rates and payment. Please identify yourself as an Air Canada flight attendant and indicate that you wish to apply for the DSP leave, top up.
DEFERRED SALARY PROGRAM
For Members who are participating in the Deferred Salary Program (DSP) and wish to pay extra contributions to increase their WIP benefit rate if they are unable to return to full duties at the end of the DSP due to an unforeseen disability:
- Please contact Manion Contact Center at 1-866-532-8999 for applicable rates.
- This must be done within 30 days of the commencement of the DSP leave.
- Please carefully read the DSP Package available from HR for complete details of how DSP works and under what circumstances DSP may be interrupted and contributions refunded.
Members participating in the DSP have the option to top-up their Wage Indemnity Plan (WIP) insurable earnings during the DSP leave based on the average of the CUPE DSP Contribution Earnings deduction during the 3 months immediately preceding their DSP leave.
Your DSP pre-pay will be calculated based on the average CUPE DSP Contribution Earnings deduction during the 3 months immediately preceding your DSP leave. For example:
April CUPE DSP Contribution Earnings deduction – $1,500
May CUPE DSP Contribution Earnings deduction – $1,450
June CUPE DSP Contribution Earnings deduction – $1,550
For the 3 months, April, May and June, your 3-month average CUPE DSP Contribution Earnings deduction would be equal to $1,500. Your contribution calculation would therefore be $1,500 multiplied by the Member contribution rate at the time of your DSP calculation, plus the employer’s cost, as well as applicable taxes.
Once you begin your scheduled DSP leave and payout period, in the event you become disabled, your WIP benefit will only take effect following the end of your scheduled DSP. Your WIP benefit will be calculated based on your earnings during the last 3 months of your scheduled DSP leave as reported by Air Canada. If you elected to pre-pay for a DSP top-up through to the end of your scheduled DSP, Manion will calculate your WIP benefit to include the top-up as per the example above.
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