OPSEU Local 560

Introduction:
Sun Life is the carrier for our Benefit Plans (including the Extended Health, Dental, Vision, and Hearing Care). Should you be denied coverage for any of the claims you submit, you should appeal the decision through Sun Life's appeal process and through the Joint Insurance Committee (JIC). However, before appealing, please consult with the union office for advice on other means to reverse the decision. Often, it is simply a matter of providing more thorough/exact  feedback about your claim.

You can access detailed information on your claims records at the Plan Member Services page of the Sun Life web site.

News Release

The committee is composed of four management representatives appointed by the colleges and four from OPSEU, elected at the biennial OPSEU CAAT-A Divisional meeting.

One of the important functions of this committee is to review the unresolved claims of members. If you feel
that your claim for medical reimbursement, LTD, or some other benefit has been unjustly refused, please
forward it to this committee.

The four OPSEU CAAT-A members of the JIC are Harry Plummer (the chair), Paddy Musson, Janice Priest, and Norm Rosenitch. They (and your Local 560 officers) can answer your questions about various aspects of our insurance plan and advise you on matters such as applying for LTD or appealing denials of your claims for medical, dental or other benefits.

If you have exhausted all other sources of information, another very helpful individual is Shirley McVittie, a
Benefits Officer at OPSEU head office (416 443-8888). She can answer your questions and assist you in
applications and appeals.

News Release - September, 2006

A Funding Policy for the CAAT Pension Plan

On September 27, 2006, the Sponsors' Committee of the CAAT Pension Plan approved a Funding Policy that will help to address the current deficit situation and should increase the stability of the Plan's funding in the future.

The Policy, recommended to the Sponsors' Committee by the Board of Trustees and its Funding Task Force, contains 10 points that will reduce the current deficit and provide a framework for dealing with future surpluses and deficits.

Point 1 of the Policy increases contribution rates by 1% on each of January 1, 2008, 2009 and 2010, for a total increase of 3% . This will apply equally to both Plan Member and College contributions.

Point 2 of the Policy states that the Plan will not be guaranteeing indexation increases annually, starting with the granting of indexation for service earned after December 31, 2007 . Indexation for service earned after that date may be granted each year on an ad hoc basis – if it is affordable, meaning that the Plan is 100% funded according to the previous year's actuarial valuation.

It's important to keep in mind that pensions currently in payment, or those that start before January 1, 2008, will not be affected either by this change in the granting of indexation payments or by the change in contribution rates.

The remaining points in the Policy lay out the procedures that the Plan will follow in eliminating future deficits and making the best use of future surpluses. The key priorities for uses of surplus include making ad hoc indexation payments and “catching up” for missed years of such payments, and reducing contribution rates.

Note that this information will appear on the Plan's website on Wednesday, October 11, and that more detailed explanations will be sent to all Plan Members and Pensioners within the next month.