The MyUnionPlan@Work formerly know as (TWU-USW Employee Life and Health Trust) was established by the Telecommunication Workers Union (TWU) United Steelworkers Local Union 1944 to provide group benefit coverage for USW1944 members. The Plan provides members with Life Insurance, Survivor Income Benefits and a Short Term Disability (regular employees only) benefit that tops up the Company Sick and LTD benefit plans. The following questions and answers are intended to provide you with general information about the Plan and does not establish any legal rights. For additional information about the benefits, the amount of coverage etc., please review the MyUnionPlan@Work booklet that applies to your province of residence. Booklets can be found on the Plan’s website at www.twplans.com
The USW1944 office informs the TWPlans office of all new hires. MyUnionPlan@Work will send these new employees an application to enroll in the plan. The Employees have 60 days to complete and return the application to the TWPlans office to become a Member of the Plan. There is no medical evidence required during the 60-day period. If the application is not returned within 60 days the employee is deemed to have declined coverage and medical evidence of insurability will be required should the employee decide to join the Plan at a later date
Regular employees contribute 1.5% of gross earnings and temporary employees contribute 1.2% of gross earnings. The Plan is funded by Member Contributions and the benefits are tax-free.
Contributions can only be made by payroll deduction. MyUnionPlan@Work will notify the Company to start deductions after the enrolment form is received. Members will see a deduction called “ELH” on their bi-weekly pay stub from the Company.
The benefits provided are Life Insurance, Family Income Security Benefit (Survivor Income Benefits) and Weekly Indemnity (STD) for regular employees. These benefits are provided in addition to the Company benefits. The Life Insurance benefit is a lump sum based on a Member’s annual earnings. The Family Income Security Benefit (Survivor Income Benefit) is a monthly benefit based on the Member’s annual earnings and is payable to a spouse for their lifetime or a non-spouse for a maximum period of 10 years. The Weekly Indemnity (STD) benefit provides a top up to the Company Sick and Long Term Disability benefits for a maximum period of 24 months from the date of disability.
Under the Company Sick Benefits, the number of sick days the employee is entitled to and the amount of benefit they will receive are both dependent on the employees’ length of service. Company Sick days apply to incidental sick time as well as Short Term illnesses or injuries. Company Sick Leave may be payable up to 6 months from the Date of Disability. If you are in receipt of Company Sick benefits and the amount of days that you are entitled to runs out, or your payment reduces to less than 100% then you will be entitled to a Weekly Indemnity (STD) benefit from the MyUnionPlan@Work up to 100% net pay. If you continue to be disabled after the 6 month period, you will be required to apply for Company LTD benefits. The MyUnionPlan@Work will pay you a top up while you are in receipt of Company LTD up to 100% net pay. If your LTD claim is denied you may still be entitled to a Weekly Indemnity (STD) benefit from the MyUnionPlan@Work upon review of acceptable medical evidence.
The employer does not notify MyUnionPlan@Work when an employee becomes disabled from working. If you have been off work due to sickness or injury and your benefits with your employer have either reduced or ceased, you must contact the TWPlans office directly to request a Weekly Indemnity (STD) application.
The amount of the Weekly Indemnity (STD) benefit will depend on what other income you are receiving. Please refer to the Disability Part section of the MyUnionPlan@Work booklet for more information on the benefit amounts payable.
All members are required to complete a Beneficiary Designation form when they join the Plan. The death benefit will be paid in accordance with the information you provide on the beneficiary designation form. You can change your designation(s) at any time by completing a new form.
You can contact the TWPlans office at 604-430-3300 or toll-free at 1-877-430-3302 or send an email to general@twplans.com. The office is located at #303-4603 Kingsway, Burnaby, B.C. V5H 4M4.