Take Control of Your Benefits – Health & Welfare Benefits Bargaining
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM PST Maritime Labour Centre 111 Victoria Drive Vancouver, BC V5L 4C4
Throughout the course, we focus on practical strategies to protect benefits from erosion over time and ensure members have the tools to maintain, and continually improve, their plans. The ultimate goal of our program is simple: to empower your team to negotiate on equal footing with employers.
This course gives bargaining committees and union leaders the knowledge and tools they need to negotiate from a position of strength. We help bargaining teams identify weaknesses in current plans and spot opportunities for improvement. After taking this course, you will understand what information you must obtain from Employers before bargaining begins and how to verify the accuracy of the data provided.
We cover how health and welfare benefits are structured, what drives costs, and how to navigate Employer cost cutting strategies. Additionally, you will know how to respond effectively to employer proposals, cost increases, and changes in carriers or coverage. You’ll also learn about funding methods (including trusts), laws affecting benefit coverage, privacy considerations, and common benefit plan pitfalls to avoid.
** Participants are encouraged to bring a copy of their benefits booklet and the Collective Agreement associated with that plan, if available.**
In Person at the Maritime Labour Centre
Facilitators: Jordan Grundy and Mike Porteous
Jordan is a member of the United Steelworkers Local 1-1937. He has worked with Unions across Canada, assisting with benefit disputes, benefits bargaining, and managing plans for the past seven years. Analyzing collective agreements, benefit plans, proposals, and reports – he can lend a helping hand. Jordan also has extensive experience working with Employee Life and Health Trusts (ELHTs). He has a major sweet tooth and is an avid fan of the Vancouver Canucks.
Mike is a member of the United Food & Commercial Workers Local 1518. He brings extensive experience in business and accounting with a focus on trusts and pensions. Previously, he served as Owner and CEO of both a telecommunications company and an information technology company. He also founded and operated an insurance brokerage before merging with WE Consulting & Benefits. Mike has been a licensed advisor and insurance nominee for more than eighteen years, working across all aspects of trusteed, insured, and self-insured benefit plans.