OPSEU 330

Dear Members of OPSEU Local 330

Be on the lookout in the Board courier for the Thank You note/poster from OPSEU recognizing all Educational Workers within our Education Sector. If you or someone has been missed receiving a note at your work location, can you please contact one of the executive below who sit on the Boards of Education and Cultural Institutions, Sector 3.

Be sure to "Like Us" on Facebook -- OPSEU Boards of Education and Cultural Institutions - Sector 3.

In Solidarity,

Donna Caissie, Member-at-Large
Sandra Cadeau, Treasurer
Sandy Barker, Secretary

Our benefit plan is set up for annual renewal, which means that components of our plan and the amount we pay may change every January. Great West Life looks at its costs and expenses compared to the amount that our members and the employer contribute through our payroll deductions and determine any adjustments that are needed to cover the plan. Unfortunately, the employer’s contributions, as per our Collective Agreement remain the same from year to year. Therefore, our members absorb any additional costs associated with any benefit premium increases. As this Friday is the first payroll period of the 2017 year, if you carry benefits you will notice an increase to your deductions.

Due to an increase in prescription use, an increase in specific medication costs and an increase in the number of members receiving Long Term Disability(LTD) funds, Great-West Life proposed a significant increase to our benefit plan. Thanks to the efforts of Diana, our benefits broker associate and through her knowledge and deal-making skills, the increase costs were negotiated down to 10.4% for 2017.

In light of the time it has taken to find out information regarding the Benefit Trust and due to the delay in implementation, the Benefit Committee and I have decided to advise our benefit broker to take our plan to market to see if there are more advantageous savings with other insurance companies. We will keep you posted as to our findings and any changes that may take place from either the Central Benefit Trust, or going to market.

We have attached the 2017 Benefit Chart which details the breakdown of increases for each Benefit category. It outlines if it is taken as a single person, or for a family.
Please also note that 10 month employees will have additional deductions in order to cover the costs for benefits for July and August.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call or email the office at opseu330@bellnet.ca or 705-739-7232

Kelly Martin
President

Hello Local 330 Members,

Where does the time go? I started drafting this email in 2016, and before I knew it, it was
2017! Unfortunately, I have been down and out with the horrible cold virus that is going around
since Christmas day. I want to wish each and every one of you, a fabulous 2017. I hope you
were able to put your feet up and enjoy the break. On behalf of Local 330’s Executive, I would
like to thank all of you for your support and patience over the past two years.

My apologies for the length of this update, but in order to present some understanding of all
aspects of current discussions, it needed to be detailed. Please read the entire email, as it
provides information and updates on important, outstanding issues for local 330. For those of
you who were in attendance at October’s General Membership meeting, some of the
information/update included, is information that was shared during the meeting. It’s important
to attend General Membership meetings as they are our way of sharing information in person
and provide an opportunity for members to ask questions and share comments on local issues
and concerns.

The Employment Insurance Guidelines for 10 month employees for the 2016-2017 school year are now available. If you need more information, or have further questions please contact a steward, or the office (opseu330@bellnet.ca, 705-739-7232),

Unfortunately due to the lack of response, we have had to cancel the Social Committees bus trip to the Matilda performance in Toronto. We are hoping it's due to the time of year and not the lack of interest, and look forward to planning another "social" event in the spring.

Thank you to those members that have already signed up and our apologies for having to cancel. I will be in contact with you in the next couple of days in regards to shredding or returning your payment.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact our local office at 705-739-7232 or email me at opseu330@bellnet.ca

Regards,
Kelly

OPSEU Local 330 Social Committee presents, a Bus Trip to the Matilda performance. You pay for your ticket and the local covers the rest! Come out and join us on our road trip, on December 1, to see Matilda. The performance is at the Ed Mirvish Theatre in Toronto.  Spaces will be reserved once we receive your information and payment for your ticket. Please see the attached flyer for full details.
** Please Note ** The photo on the flyer says the Cambridge Theatre, which is not correct. The show is at the Ed Mirvish Theatre, as stated above.  

Every year OPSEU 330 sponsors a number of bursaries to support post secondary education. The form to apply is located here. It is due in the office by Noon, November 30th.

If you have any questions, please contact the office, or the email address on the form.

Good Evening OPSEU Members:               

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone that gave up their evening last night to attend the General Membership Meeting. Several Local updates were shared throughout the meeting and a summary of highlights from the meeting will be forthcoming, for those who were unable to attend.

Our membership voted for and elected our Local Executive for 2017-2018, Local Bargaining team, and Regional Meeting delegates/alternates.

Congratulations and Welcome to your new Local 330 Executive, effective Jan 1, 2017.

A special thanks to our staff rep Alex, and Region 3 Executive Board Member Sara Labelle for conducting the elections.
In Solidarity,
Kelly Martin

OPSEU 330 is once again hosting an opportunity for members to meet one on one with a representative from OMERS to discuss your pension.  If you're thinking of retiring, or are interested in understanding your pension, see the attached flyer for more information and register for your spot. The “One to One” Sessions are being held on Nov 19, 2016 at our local office, at 80 Bradford St, Suite 104, Barrie, ON. Limited spaces available.

We have tried to schedule a group “Understanding Your Pension” and a benefits after retirement presentation, however OMERS is unable to give us dates until the New Year. Please watch for information in 2017!

This is a reminder that one week from tonight, October 24th, we will be having a General Membership Meeting at Eastview Secondary School in Barrie.
More information can be found on the flyer, and we are including the brochure of declared candidates.
More candidates can be nominated from the floor of the meeting to run for a position.
Meeting registration starts at 5:30 with pizza available!
We hope to see you all there!