Gaining Ground April 2014

Long Service Awards
The following awards were presented during the GMM of March, 2014
60 Year (Glass Plaque) Alex Murray
50 Year (Watch) Luciano Burtini John Kleine
Cecil Gritchin
Peter Lydnuik
Fred Hahn
Marvin McMartin
Mike Hebert
40 Year (pin) Rory Atchison John Hubert Tony Pedersen
Joseph Bayer Faim Kaljanac Charles Piddocke
Kenneth Berry Alfred McIntyre Alexander Ritchie
Mario Cisotto William McLeod Richard Spaidal
John Davison
Larry Marshall
30 Year (Pin) Joe Backus
20 Year (Pin) Frank Carr David Spindler
Jason Marshall John White
10 Year (Pin) Robyn Bishop James Opper
Jaspal Gill
Dustin Vanstrepen
Harold Haynes John Williams
Pacific Blue Cross
Services Update
Pamela Mills, Account Manager,
Group Client Development from Pacific
Blue Cross (PBC) spoke to the members
about notable changes being made to their
online systems to better serve members.
• From January, a maximum $10
dispensing fee applies, and an 8%
manufacturers fee. A useful resource
to find the best prices on drugs is
www.pharmacycompass
• From March 2014, access to Special
Authority drugs is restricted pending
PharmaCare approval. The approval
application is made by your doctor,
and the decision letter must be sent to
PBC regardless of the decision.
District Highlights
• Completion of the South Fraser Perimeter Road in December 2013, a
project which provided many hours of work for members
• Agreement reached with Lavalin on the Evergreen Line Project
• Westshore Coal Terminal Expansion stakeholders are working closely
with Local 115 to help with the engagement of public concerns
• Pipeline projects still look set to place a strain on future labour supply,
despite ongoing training and recruitment efforts by many companies,
institutions, and organizations
• The recent Victoria Point Hope Marine/Ralmax Group land swap deal
was an encouraging show of government support for local workers
• Strong relations are being nurtured with BC Hydro to support PLA
negotiations once the projects gets the green light
• First Nations training and partnerships are needed to support growing
work opportunities and resource skill shortages in Northern BC. IUOE
Local 115’s Northern Training Strategy is a proactive initiative to stay
ahead of the large demand curve predicted for the coming decade
• Pacific Blue Cross continues to improve and upgrade their services
and systems, to the satisfaction of members
• The IUOE Local 115 Benefit and Pension Plan is in good shape
• We must not forget that not just B.C. is enjoying large projects - the
growth and skill demand is happening in many other provinces too
• Never forget Labour heroes such as Jack Munroe, for whom a memorial
service was held in January. We need more “Jacks” to stay strong
• Don’t forget about the IUOE Local 115 Training Association’s annual
Open House & Heavy Equipment Rodeo on June 21, 2014!
• New PBC member cards now show
the Policy, ID, and the main member’s
name, with dependent names
removed (old cards will still work).
The new cards will be issued soon, and
are also available to download/print
from CARESnet at www.caresnet.ca
• “ACES” is PBC’s new online member
service portal. The new platform
allows members to better view and
administer their account details and
claims, look up and confirm drug
information and coverage details,
subscribe to newsletters and alerts,
and many other valuable features.
• “Blue Advantage” is a Point-of-Sale
national savings and member benefits
program IUOE members now
have access to. To learn more go to
www.blueadvantage.ca
Please visit www.iuoe115.com for the latest news, events, and picture galleries from our meetings and events.
Gaining Ground | The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 115
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April 2014