IN THESE UNSETTLED TIMES in the British Columbia forest industry and related industries, it is not uncommon for our members to find that their employment within the industry is lost, or that peri- ABOUT YOUR COVERAGE BY GERRY SMITH ods of long lay-offs have resulted in the loss of their group benefits for individuals. Early retirements, either voluntary or not, and sev- erance have resulted in many more IWA Canada members leaving our group benefits plans and losing their group life insurance. This can become a major concern for our senior people. Group life insurance coverage continues while receiving Weekly Indemnity or Workers Compensation Board (WCB) benefits, while on Long Term Disability (LTD) benefits and for the duration of the layoff coverage period. Group Life Insurance cov- erage ends on the same day that Weekly Indemnity coverage, WCB coverage, LTD coverage or the layoff coverage ends. Proof of total disability may provide group life insurance coverage to age 65. (Proof is required — Contact your Health and Welfare Plan office for more information). The Life Insurance conversion period covers the 31 days immediately following the termination of the group life insurance coverage. If you were to die dur- ing this 31 day period benefits would be paid to your beneficiary. During the conversion period you may convert all or any part of your group life insurance to an individ- ual policy without medical proof of insurability. The premium for the coverage will depend on your age and on the type of policy that you choose. Insurance companies will require that the conver- sion be completed and the premium is paid during the 31 days — which requires some planning ahead of time to ensure that all the details have been complet- ed within the period. This is an important option to those members with chronic or life threatening disabilities such as dia- betes, respiratory illness, or heart disease. These con- ditions normally cause a person to be classed as med- ically uninsurable and the conversion of the group life If leaving industry consider conversion option coverage may be the only opportunity to obtain addi- tional security for the family — albeit at higher premi- um rates based upon age and options required. Ifyou are looking at retirement or any other reason that your group benefits are coming to an end, you should make your decision in regard to life insurance conversion well ahead of the date of termination of your employment. It’s something to think about now. A letter to Pacific Blue Cross Administration Services (P.O. Box 24715 Sub. F Vancouver, B.C. V5N 518) requesting information about the conversion option will provide you with a form called the “Notice of Conversion Rights” and information on the nearest insurance agent representing Canada Life to contact. These important steps, taken ahead of time, will afford you the opportunity to go over the various options without the added pressure of an impending deadline for completion. So the message of this story is simple: If you are leaving the industry, the 30 day life insurance conver- sion option may be your only option to obtain person- al life insurance. Gerry Smith is the IWA’s Benefits Appeals Representative IWA members participate in labour schools province, Canada and around the world. THIS YEAR DESPITE the downtum in the IWA’s membership, with the serious economic situation facing the forest industry economy, there was a good tumout at the Canadian Labour Con- gress Winter School in Harrison, British Columbia. However the Congress’ Fastem Canada Winter School sched- uled for the end of February, in Port Elgin, Ontario, was cancelled due to the strike of CLC staff members. From January 19-23, delegates from B.C. locals and Saskatchewan participated in a leadership course (IWA Leadership for Action) at the Harrison Hot Springs Hotel. A total of 17 participated. During the following week there was an Instructor Training course at Harrison, with 9 local union students present. In Port Elgin, at the CAW Family Education Centre, there was to be a PHOTOS BY NORMAN GARCIA = Atthe Harrison Instructor Training Course were. I. to r., Local 1-85’s Crystal Doucette, Local 1-417’s Santokh Attwal, and Local 1-424’s Bonnie Armstrong. He said that now he can go back to his plant and explain the connection between the history of the social move- ments and the history of the labour movement. The 27 year-old Lee says that unions have to focus more on tailoring their messages to youth and encourage younger workers to speak up. During the week of January 26-30, The Allied Worker dropped in on an Instructor Training course in Harrison, where Sister Brenda Wagg instructed nine participants from British Columbia. The course is based heavily in adult education techniques, includes develop- ing instructors’ abilities to identify lean- ing needs, understanding the elements of a learning program, identifiying the best use of techniques and teaching aids robust turnout of more than 75 IWA members, enrolled in courses on Instructor Training and IWA Leadership for Action, once again showing a firm commitment to educating the member- ship. Locals 1000, 500, 700 and 2995 had registered delegates. A Job Steward course instructed in French for participants from Local 2995 had to be cancelled as well, due to the strike. “We hoped to see more participants this year but we are encouraged, nonetheless, by the turnouts and the F level of participation. YoedaCosta The CLC staff strike has been an unfortu- ‘occurance which had a major effect,” IWA national third vice onl Joe officer responsible for union’s nt of Education. “There had been British Columbia due to the IWA in November and December. Some still have not been called back to work and locals are dealing with the tough economic times.” Brother da Costa notes that in Ontario there has been a real emphasis put on instructor training as the IWA is becom- ing a more diverse union, based on gen- der and ethnicity. “We have a definate need to train the membership, especially new members, on the role of the union in the workplace and society. A lot of our new members haven't been exposed to unions before and we believe education is the best way to strengthen the union and pull workers together.” The Allied Worker had a chance to drop in on classes in Harrison. In the TWA Leadership for Action course, which 7 includes instruc- tion on leadership styles, organizing and servicing mod- els building activism, strategic planning, _plan- ning a campaign and building the local union, the participation level Cole Becker was high among students. Cole Becker, from IWA Local 1-184’s Weyerhaeuser Big River, Saskatchewan operation, said the education experience gave him a chance to see how other members operate. He has worked at the plant for the last nine years and has recently become active on the plant com- mittee. He said that the course was “excellent” and that he became more aware of how important it is for union representa- tives to became bet- ter public speakers. Duncan, B.C. Local 1-80 member Hunter Lee, from at the South Isle Reman operation HunterLee in Chemainus, who sits on both grievance and safety committees, said the course was a “confidence builder.” and provided him with information on the vital connection between the fights for workplace justice and the struggle for justice for other workers, across the and practicing instruction skills. Delegates from B.C. Coast and Interior locals were present. Between November 24-29 of last year, 18 IWA Local 1-207 members from Alberta attended the Alberta Federation of Labour’s Winter School in the scenic community of Jasper. The delegates attended a week-long IWA Leadership for Action course, co- instructed by local union financial secre- tary Dean Lott and Local 2171’s Brenda Wagg (see photos pages twenty-two and twenty-three). Each Local 1-207 operation sent a par- ticipant while larger operations sent two. The local has negotiated education funds in all but two collective agreements in Alberta, collecting up to three cents per member per hour. Brother Lott, who took instructor train- ing in Harrison in 1999, said the Jasper course was enthusiastically attended. “Our people got to know each other and learn more about themselves and how to step forward as leaders,” said Lott. “Our local has the potential to be even a stronger one because of these members.” MARCH 2006 THE ALLIED WORKER | 24