Important Information about benefits (PEBT and LTD)

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The following information is for K-12 members in response to the COVID -19 pandemic.

Public Education Benefits Trust (PEBT)

The attached pdf regarding the Public Education Benefits Trust (PEBT) includes the following information:

  • Who is eligible for Core Long Term Disability (LTD) benefits?
  • Who may not be eligible for LTD benefits?
  • Where can I get more information about my benefits?
  • What other supports are available?

( www.pebt.ca )

Pacific Blue Cross (PBC)

K-12 extended health and dental benefits are provided through Pacific Blue Cross (PBC). PBC created an info sheet on COVID-19 with responses to questions about disability coverage and how they are handling claims and benefits. (  https://www.pac.bluecross.ca/covid19/ )

Employment Insurance

Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefits are available to provide income replacement for those unable to work because of illness, injury, or quarantine. Quarantined Canadians can apply for EI sickness benefits and the typical requirement to provide a medical certificate is being waived. The one-week waiting period for EI sickness benefits will be waived for new claimants who are quarantined so they can be paid for the first week of their claim. Service Canada’s dedicated toll-free support number is 1-833-381-2725 and information is available here.

If you are eligible, visit the EI sickness benefits page to apply.

Information from CUPE National

This pdf has information from CUPE National on income assistance available to workers during the Coronavirus pandemic.

 

Important Information for K-12 Locals and Members

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Premier John Horgan announced yesterday that in-class instruction has been suspended indefinitely in all B.C. schools to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

CUPE, along with other stakeholders in education, have been involved in discussions with our provincial government around school closures and what that will look like for our members. We have also been in discussion with BCPSEA and tabled our urgency to find agreement on the continuation of wages and benefits for our members in K-12. We haven’t heard back from BCPSEA and we will notify you immediately when we do.

Please read this bulletin from K-12 Presidents Council President Warren Williams.

Read a letter to parents, guardians and staff from Minister Rob Fleming.

Here is an article from the Georgia Straight on school closures: https://www.straight.com/news/1373241/bc-says-k-12-students-stay-home-school-until-worst-coronavirus-has-passed

 

 

CUPE K-12 locals encouraged to nominate members for 2020 Premier’s Award for Excellence in Education

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BURNABY – The BC Ministry of Education announced today that nominations for the 2020 Premier’s Awards for Excellence in Education are now open.

K-12 Presidents Council President Warren Williams encourages CUPE Locals to nominate their members to recognize the excellent services support staff provide in schools throughout B.C.

“These awards are now more inclusive and provide an opportunity to highlight the dedication and commitment of all CUPE members in K-12,” said Williams, noting that the awards are an opportunity to show how all support staff play an important role in K-12. “It would be great to see nominees representing all the various services our members provide in K-12, and to have members nominated from all regions in the Province.”

A category for Outstanding Support – School Community, added last year, opens the awards to CUPE members who work as bus drivers, crossing guards, student supervisors, aboriginal cultural facilitators, custodians, maintenance/tradespeople, and clerical workers. Education assistants and Aboriginal support workers are eligible in the Outstanding Support – Teaching Assistant category.

Full details on categories and the nomination process are available online, along with nomination forms.

The Premier’s Awards for Excellence in Education celebrates the contributions of support staff, teachers, and administrators who make a difference in B.C. schools and who are “vital to the cultural, economic and social well-being of the province.” Nominations are open from January 13 – April 30, 2020. Finalists will be announced in May and winners will be announced at an award ceremony in Victoria in October.

Meet CUPE 379 member Wendel Williams from École Alpha Secondary School in Burnaby (SD 41), winner in the 2019 Outstanding Support – School Community category and finalists Jodi Guy, CUPE 723 member from École Phoenix Middle School in Campbell River (SD 72) and CUPE 523 member Dorothy Jones from A.L. Fortune Secondary School in North Okanagan-Shuswap (SD 83). 2019 finalists in the Outstanding Support – Teaching Assistants category are CUPE 947 member Elaine Bayles from Glanford Middle School in Victoria (SD 61) and CUPE 3523 member Marie Kielpinski from Mount Boucherie Secondary School in Central Okanagan (SD 23).