March 2024 Newsletter
March 2024 Newsletter
YHM/YKF, T2200, Time Between Calls, GIDIP Health Spending Account, Minimum Wage.
BUS SERVICE to/from YYZ and YHM & YKF
The Bargaining Committee recently engaged in discussions with the company concerning the introduction of a bus service set to commence on May 1, 2024. Operated by Landline under an AC flight number, passengers will receive E-TKT coupons and boarding passes with the added convenience of advance seat selection. These “flights'' are being offered via the RES offices or through the AC website. Notably, the buses will be decked out with Air Canada mainline logos and colors.
However, progress in these discussions stalled, prompting us to file a policy grievance. Our aim is to advocate for the inclusion of crucial scope work at both YHM and YKF airports. This scope work encompasses check-in/acceptance, bag tags, DOC checks, seat selections, issuance of boarding passes, disruptions, and boarding verification for the flight segment.
It's worth noting that both YHM and YKF have historically had mainline City Ticket Offices (CTO) for decades, reinforcing their significance within the Toronto base. Currently, the base is comprised of CJM, YTO-RES, and YYZ-ARPT; however has also included CTOs in Hamilton, Kitchener/Waterloo, St. Catharines, and three separate locations in Toronto (ex. Royal York hotel, 4900 Young, 200 Wellington St.) in the past.
Stay tuned for further updates as we continue our efforts.
AC press release:
T2200 for Work from Home Members
As stipulated in the newly bargained LOU34 – Telework language, the company has agreed to provide a T2200 annually for tax purposes. However, despite this agreement, the company has indicated unwillingness to issue these forms for the 2023 tax year. In response, the bargaining committee has taken action by filing a policy grievance.
Please stay tuned for further updates regarding this matter.
For reference, you can access the LOU34 – Telework language.
https://www.unifor2002.org/resources/UNF/PDF/22-11-01_Unifor-AC-AE_LOU34-Work-at-home_Final.pdf
Seven Seconds between calls sometimes down to five seconds
There has been an occasional decrease in the gap between calls, sometimes reaching as low as five seconds, instead of the standard seven seconds. It's important to note that this issue isn't isolated to YTO-RES but is occurring across all three contact centers. During the latest Monitoring & Measuring meeting held earlier this month, this concern was addressed. The company has assured us that this deviation from the standard protocol is not intentional. Consequently, they have initiated an IT investigation to identify and rectify the underlying cause.
GIDIP and your Health Spending Account:
The GIDIP Board of Trustees have published a new bulletin to provide Clarification of Coverage on the Health Spending Account. This is $300 for FT and $150 for PT members.
What You Should Know:
Effective Date: August 1, 2023. You will be able to submit receipts for expenses incurred from August 1, 2023, through to July 31, 2024. Claims must be received in the office of the Plan Administrator by 12:00 noon (EST) July 31, 2024. Any unclaimed credit amounts at the end of July 31, 2024, are forfeited.
Amount Available to You:
Full-time Members: $300.00
Part-Time Members: $150.00
Who is Eligible:
• Active Members contributing GIDIP premiums on August 1, 2023.
• Disabled Members in receipt of GIDIP benefits.
• Active Members aged 65 plus and Retirement Phase In.
You can also submit claims for your dependents (spouse, common-law spouse, and children) including parents and grandparents who are considered dependents under the Income Tax Act).
Any questions please contact your regional GIDIP Trustee. In the Central Region that is Terry@unifor2002.org
For all other regions please click here:
https://www.unifor2002.org/Services-Departments/GIDIP
March GIDIP Bulletin can be found here:
https://www.unifor2002.org/resources/UNF/PDF/2024/2024_GIDIP_March_Issue_300_English.pdf
Original GIDIP Health Spending account Bulletin from July 2023:
https://www.unifor2002.org/resources/UNF/PDF/2023/Issue-2013-July-2023-English-Final.pdf
Claim Form:
https://www.unifor2002.org/resources/UNF/PDF/2023/GIDIP-Health-claim-form_EN-2023.pdf
GIDIP MAX Benefit Level Increase:
Due to the recent EI legislation change effective January 1, 2024, the EI maximum benefit level has increased from $650 to $668. To provide a plan equal to or better than EI, the ShortTerm Disability maximum benefit level has been increased to $690 weekly from the current $650 for new claims starting January 1, 2024. There will be no change to the current contribution level.
Full GIDIP bulletin:
https://www.unifor2002.org/resources/UNF/PDF/2024/24-03-28_2024-GIDIP-DISA-issue-3003-March.pdf
Federal Minimum Wage Increase
Effective April 1, 2024, the federal minimum wage is scheduled to rise to $17.30. If you are presently on Step 1 of the B pay scale, your wage will automatically increase from $17.14 to $17.30. It's important to note that this adjustment solely impacts Step 1 of the pay scale; no other steps will be affected.
Should you have any inquiries, please contact your District Chair.
when i was an active employee 65 yrs. and up.i was no longer eligible for GIDIP.they stopped deductions from my pay cheque.
there was a CTO at 130 Bloor st. w. on street level in the old res building.