Health and Welfare Benefits applies to full-time nurses only)
HEALTH AND WELFARE 36.01 Health and welfare benefits shall be as contained in Appendix "A" of this Agreement and shall form part of this Agreement.
HEALTH AND INSURANCE BENEFITS 22.01 All health and insurance benefit premium costs paid by the Employer shall prorate in accordance with the proration formula under Article 22.12 of this Agreement. Same sex spouse is eligible to be a dependent for insured benefits.
Health Care Benefits A. Each regular, full-time employee may elect coverage for himself and his eligible dependents* under one of the following health insurance plans: 1. Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan Flexible Blue 3 with Flexible Blue Rx Prescription Drug Coverage with a Health Savings Account (hereinafter collectively referred to as the “H.S.A Plan”). The Employer shall pay for the illustrated premium cost of this coverage and make an annual contribution to each participating employee’s Health Savings Account in the amount of $500 for those selecting single coverage and $1,000 for those selecting Employee & Spouse, Employee Child(ren) or Family coverage, or the maximum annual amount the Employer is permitted to pay under Section 3 of the Publicly Funded Health Insurance Contribution Act, Public Act 152 of the Michigan Public Acts of 2011, whichever results in the lesser Employer contribution to the cost of such plan. Employees may, at their option, make additional contributions through bi-weekly pre-tax payroll deduction as permitted by applicable law. 2. Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan Community Blue PPO Option 3 Revised Plan with Blue Preferred Rx Prescription Drug Coverage with a 50% co-pay ($5 floor and a $50 ceiling). Employees shall pay the difference between the illustrated premium cost of this coverage and the amount of the Employer’s total contribution towards the cost of coverage under the H.S.A. Plan as described in Section 1 (a) (1), for the same level of benefit (i.e. single, employee/spouse, employee/child(ren) and family), or pay the difference between the total cost of such coverage and the maximum annual amount the Employer is permitted to pay under Section 3 of the Publicly Funded Health Insurance Contribution Act, Public Act 152 of the Michigan Public Acts of 2011, whichever results in the greater employee contribution. 3. Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan Community Blue PPO Option 6 Revised Plan with Blue Preferred Rx Prescription Drug Coverage with a 50% co-pay ($5 floor and a $50 ceiling). Employees shall pay the difference between the illustrated premium cost of this coverage and the amount of the Employer’s total contribution towards the cost of coverage under the H.S.A. Plan as described in Section 1 (a) (1), for the same level of benefit (i.e. single, employee/spouse, employee/child(ren) and family), or pay the difference between the total cost of such coverage and the maximum annual amount the Employer is permitted to pay under Section 3 of the Publicly Funded Health Insurance Contribution Act, Public Act 152 of the Michigan Public Acts of 2011, whichever results in the greater employee contribution. (a) All coverage under any of the foregoing plans shall be subject to such terms, conditions, exclusions, limitations, deductibles, co-payments premium cost-sharing, and other provisions of the plans. Coverage shall commence on the employee’s ninetieth (90th) day of continuous employment. The employee’s contribution to the cost of such coverage shall be payable on a bi-weekly basis through automatic payroll deduction. (b) To qualify for health care benefits as above described each employee must individually enroll and make proper application for such benefits at the Human Resources Department upon the commencement of his regular employment with the Employer. (c) Except as otherwise provided under the Family and Medical Leave Act, when on an authorized unpaid leave of absence of more than two weeks, the employee will be responsible for paying all his benefit costs for the period he is not on the active payroll. Proper application and arrangements for the payment of such continued benefits must be made at the Human Resources Department prior to the commencement of the leave. If such application and arrangements are not made as herein described, the employee's health care benefits shall automatically terminate upon the effective date of the unpaid leave of absence. (d) Except as otherwise provided under this Agreement and/or under COBRA, an employee's health care benefits shall terminate on the date the employee goes on a leave of absence for more than two weeks, terminates, retires or is laid off. Upon return from a leave of absence or layoff, an employee's health care benefits coverage shall be reinstated commencing with the employee's return. (e) An employee who is on layoff or leave of absence for more than two weeks or who terminates may elect under COBRA to continue the coverage herein provided at his own expense. (f) The Employer reserves the right to change a carrier(s), a plan(s), and/or the manner in which it provides the above benefits, provided that the benefits and conditions are equal to or better than the benefits and conditions outlined above. (g) To be eligible for health care benefits as provided above, an employee must document all coverage available to him under his spouse's medical plan and cooperate in the coordination of coverage to limit the Employer's expense. If an employee’s spouse or eligible dependent children work for an employer who provides medical coverage, they are required to elect medical coverage with their employer, so long as the spouse’s or monthly contribution to the premium does not exceed 20% of the total premium cost of said coverage. The Monroe County Plan shall provide secondary coverage. (h) Each employee is responsible for notifying the Human Resources Department of any change in his status, which might affect his insurance coverage or benefits, such as, marriage, divorce, births, adoptions, deaths, etc.
Health & Welfare Benefits Executive shall be eligible to participate in all health and welfare benefits provided generally to other employees of the Company.
Extended Health Care Benefits The City will provide for all employees by contract through an insurer selected by the City an Extended Health Care Plan which will provide extended health care benefits. The City shall pay one hundred per cent (100%) of the premiums, which will include any premiums payable under The Health Insurance Act, R.S.O. 1990, as amended.
Health Insurance Benefits To the extent provided by the federal COBRA law or, if applicable, state insurance laws, and by the Company’s current group health insurance policies, Executive will be eligible to continue Executive’s group health insurance benefits at Executive’s own expense. If Executive timely elects continued coverage under COBRA, the Company shall pay Executive’s COBRA premiums, and any applicable Company COBRA premiums, necessary to continue Executive’s then-current coverage for a period of 12 months after the date of Executive’s termination of employment; provided, however, that any such payments will cease if Executive voluntarily enrolls in a health insurance plan offered by another employer or entity during the period in which the Company is paying such premiums. Executive agrees to immediately notify the Company in writing of any such enrollment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company determines, in its sole discretion, that it cannot provide the foregoing benefit without potentially incurring financial costs or penalties under applicable law (including, without limitation, Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act), the Company shall in lieu thereof provide to Executive a taxable monthly amount to continue his group health insurance coverage in effect on the date of separation from service (which amount shall be based on the premium for the first month of COBRA coverage), which payments shall be made regardless of whether Executive elects COBRA continuation coverage and shall commence in the month following the month in which Executive incurs a separation from service and shall end on the earlier of (x) the date on which Executive voluntarily enrolls in a health insurance plan offered by another employer or entity during the period in which the Company is paying such amounts and (y) 12 months after the date of Executive’s separation from service.
Health Benefits For the eighteen (18) month period following the Termination Date, provided that Executive is eligible for, and timely elects COBRA continuation coverage, the Company will pay on Executive’s behalf, the monthly cost of COBRA continuation coverage under the Company’s group health plan for Executive and, where applicable, her spouse and dependents, at the level in effect as of the Termination Date, adjusted for any increase in such level paid by the Company for active employees, less the employee portion of the applicable premiums that Executive would have paid had she remained employed during the such eighteen (18) month period (the COBRA continuation coverage period shall run concurrently with the eighteen (18) month period that COBRA premium payments are made on Executive’s behalf under this subsection 1(a)(ii)). The reimbursements described herein shall be paid in monthly installments, commencing on the sixtieth (60th) day following the Termination Date, provided that the first such installment payment shall include any unpaid reimbursements that would have been made during the first sixty (60) days following the Termination Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company’s payment of the monthly COBRA premiums in accordance with this subsection 1(a)(ii) shall cease immediately upon the earlier of: (A) the end of the eighteen (18) month period following the Termination Date, or (B) the date that Executive is eligible for comparable coverage with a subsequent employer. Executive agrees to notify the Company in writing immediately if subsequent employment is accepted prior to the end of the eighteen (18) month period following the Termination Date and Executive agrees to repay to the Company any COBRA premium amount paid on Executive’s behalf during such period for any period of employment during which group health coverage is available through a subsequent employer. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company reserves the right to restructure the foregoing COBRA premium payment arrangement in any manner necessary or appropriate to avoid fines, penalties or negative tax consequences to the Company or Executive (including, without limitation, to avoid any penalty imposed for violation of the nondiscrimination requirements under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act or the guidance issued thereunder), as determined by the Company in its sole and absolute discretion.
HEALTH & WELFARE 16:1 The parties signatory hereto shall enter into a Health and Welfare Plan for which there is a Trust Agreement, known as the Line Construction Benefit Fund, for the purpose of providing insurance benefits for eligible employees and/or their dependents. Effective the first of the month following the signature date of this Agreement, the Employer shall pay to the Line Construction Benefit Fund the sum of $6.50 for each hour worked. Hours worked shall be deemed to include straight-time hours worked, overtime hours worked, and report time not worked. Remittance shall be forwarded to the place designated by the parties hereto on or before the fifteenth (15th) day of each month for each hour worked in weekly payroll periods ending during the preceding month, together with a monthly payroll report on a form to be furnished to the Employer. It is understood and intended by the parties to this Agreement that the purpose of this clause is to establish an Employer financed Health and Welfare Trust and that contributions thereto shall not be deemed to be wages to which any employee shall have any right other than the right to have such contributions paid over to the Trust fund in accordance herewith. Failure of an individual Employer to make all payments provided for, including liquidated damages for late payments, within the time specified, shall be a breach of this Agreement and will further require action by the Trustees as set forth in the Trust Agreement. Any increase in the required contributions set forth above will be paid equally (50% by the Employer and 50% by the Employee). The amount paid by the Employee will come from their NEAP contribution. 16:2 HRA: Effective the first of the month following the signature date of this Agreement, the Employer also agrees to pay into the Line Construction Benefit Fund $1.00 per hour through the term of this Agreement. HRA is calculated on all hours worked for all working classifications covered by this Agreement. These contributions shall be used to provide Health Reimbursements Accounts(s) under the Line Construction Benefit Fund Plan of Benefits.
HEALTH AND SAFETY 7A01 The parties to this Collective Agreement endorse the importance of a safe and secure environment, in which nurses must work. The parties will work together in recognizing and resolving Occupational Health and Safety issues. 7A02 In accordance with the Workplace Safety and Health Act, the Employer agrees to make reasonable and proper provisions for the maintenance of a high standard of health and safety in the workplace and will provide safety and personal protective equipment where required and install safety devices where necessary. 7A03 The Workplace Safety and Health Committee shall cooperate with Union representation for the purpose of ensuring health and safety in the workplace and the identification of health and safety hazards. On an annual basis the Workplace Safety and Health Committee will be provided with and will review the Critical Incident Stress Response policy, security/response plans and all other applicable policies and regulations. The Employer will make available where it exists, support through the Critical Incident Stress Response (CISR) team, or where there is no CISR team, appropriate Critical Incident support, to a nurse affected by a Critical Incident, an incident or circumstances that are deemed by the nurse to be outside the normal experience of their duties/workplace, and/or upon request of the nurse, or the manager on behalf of the nurse. Where the Employer, does not currently maintain a CISR team, they shall provide the Union with the specifics of how nurses are provided support similar to that provided by CISR teams, and through what programs and/or services. Where maintenance of CISR teams is no longer reasonably possible the Employer shall provide the Union as much notice as possible and the parties shall meet to discuss what options are to be implemented to continue provision of similar support to nurses. The Employer will communicate to members the option to activate CISR as well as provide information as to the nature of the support provided by the CISR teams. The parties agree that there shall be a dedicated mental health support unit (over and above EAP), funded by PCOC, and established exclusively for nurses in the bargaining unit. The parties agree to establish a committee within sixty (60) days of ratification of this agreement to establish the scope, duties and terms of reference of the mental health support unit. 7A04 The Employer and the Union agree that no form of abuse, harassment or bullying of nurses will be condoned in the workplace. Both parties will work together in recognizing, facilitating the reporting of alleged abuse and resolving such problems as they arise. There shall be zero tolerance of abuse, harassment or bullying. Any nurse who believes a situation may become or has become abusive, harassing or bullying shall report this to the immediate supervisor. The Employer shall notify the Union ninety-six (96) hours after the receipt of the report. Every reasonable effort will be made to rectify the abusive situation to the mutual satisfaction of the parties. Any workplace injury or harmful exposure suffered by a nurse shall be reported to the Union no later than ninety-six (96) hours after the report/notification is made to the Employer. Such report to the Union will include the name of the affected nurse, if the nurse agrees, and a brief description as to the mechanism of injury/exposure. In regards to respectful workplace; there shall be a policy supporting a Respectful Workplace which shall be provided to the Union, and shall be reviewed annually by the Workplace Health and Safety Committee. Such policy shall address the issue of communication strategies, which will include signage. The Employer’s Respectful Workplace policy shall include a commitment to conclude the investigation as quickly as is reasonably possible. Where a respectful workplace complaint is filed by a nurse, the Employer shall notify the Union of such complaint no later than ten (10) business days following receipt of the complaint. Where the Union has concerns regarding the impartiality of an Employer conducted Respectful Workplace Investigation, the Union shall have the right to request the investigation be conducted by an individual from outside the work site. The Employer shall give all due reasonable consideration to such request. If a Respectful Workplace Investigation is conducted, a report of findings, or a summary of the report will be shared by the Employer with the complainant and respondent nurse(s). Where a summary is provided, rather than the full report the Union may request and the Employer shall provide the rationale for the provision of a summary rather than the full report. The complainant and respondent may share the report/summary with the Union if they wish. 7A05 At the request of a nurse, the Employer shall provide, at no cost to the nurse, vaccination(s) and/or immunization(s) for occupational illness(es) in accordance with the Canadian Immunization Guide from the Laboratory Centre for Disease for Health Canada. All reasonable efforts should be made to provide immunization(s) to the nurse during their regularly scheduled work hours. 7A06 Rehabilitation and Return to Work Program - The Employer agrees to actively participate and facilitate the rehabilitation and return to work of ill, injured or disabled nurses even when they are not covered under the D & R, WCB or MPI programs. For clarity, where a nurse is waiting for a decision from D & R, WCB, or MPI and has been medically cleared to return to work, the Employer will pay for all return to work hours. It is understood that the nurse will reimburse the Employer once their claim is accepted. Any such nurse will be supernumerary in nature when reasonably possible. The Union shall be notified by the Employer if there is a request for a Rehabilitation and Return to Work Program for a nurse. The Employer shall include the Union in the initial meeting with the nurse to review the provisions of the program to ensure that the work designated is within their restrictions and limitations. If required, the Employer shall schedule subsequent (progress) review(s) with the Union and the nurse and may proceed without the Union’s involvement subject to the Union’s concurrence. Where appropriate, by agreement between the Employer and the Union, job postings may be waived.