Q: How do I become a member of LiUNA Local 837?

You can begin your application process by applying online .

Q: How do I qualify for benefits?

Initial Eligibility Hours you work for contributing employers, for which contributions have been received, will be credited to your Hour Bank. You will become eligible for coverage on the first day of the second calendar month, after the accumulation of 360 credited hours in your Hour Bank. Continuation of Eligibility Once you are eligible, additional hours for which contributions have been received will be credited to your Hour Bank, and each month 120 hours will be deducted from your Hour Bank for insurance coverage. You may accumulate up to a maximum of 2880 credited hours which will provide you with 24 months of coverage after you stop working.

Question 1

What are the benefits of membership?

Accepted Answer

There are many benefits to joining LiUNA 837. These include workplace protections, collective-bargaining for worker rights and fair compensation, a pension plan, health and dental benefits, special discounts at local businesses and more. Learn more about the many benefits here.

Question 2

How do I become a member of LiUNA Local 837?

Accepted Answer

You can begin your application process by applying online.

Question 3

When can I use my prescription drug card?

Accepted Answer

Just present it to your Pharmacist and at your Dental office. Most will be able to send your claim in electronically. Other medical professionals may also be able to accept your card, so just ask before receiving treatment. Otherwise you will have to pay up front and file a claim manually to receive payment.

Question 4

How do I qualify for benefits?

Accepted Answer

Initial Eligibility

Hours you work for contributing employers, for which contributions have been received, will be credited to your Hour Bank. You will become eligible for coverage on the first day of the second calendar month, after the accumulation of 360 credited hours in your Hour Bank.

Continuation of Eligibility

Once you are eligible, additional hours for which contributions have been received will be credited to your Hour Bank, and each month 120 hours will be deducted from your Hour Bank for insurance coverage. You may accumulate up to a maximum of 2880 credited hours which will provide you with 24 months of coverage after you stop working.

Question 5

I am an active member, what benefits am I covered for?

Accepted Answer

Benefits are available for qualifying active members as outlined in the benefits booklet here.

Benefits are available for qualifying Industrial members as outlined in the benefits booklet here.

Question 6

I am a retired member, what benefits am I covered for now?

Accepted Answer

You are covered for prescription drugs, dental, vision & extended healthcare at 50%. A monthly benefit premium of $50 must be paid by the first of each month for coverage. Please see the retiree benefit breakdown booklet for further information.

Question 7

Can my dependents be added to my plan?

Accepted Answer

Once you are an active member in our plan, you can add your dependents that include: your legal spouse or a common-law spouse of a minimum of 12 months who’s information has been provided to the benefit office and kept on file for more than one year, your unmarried children, under the age of 21, who are dependent on you for support, your unmarried children age 21-24, who are registered as a fulltime student in post secondary education and functionally impaired children who are totally dependent on you for support.

Question 8

How long do I have to make a claim?

Accepted Answer

You have up to 18 months to make a claim for benefits provided you are an active member in our plan at the time of the claim, but no more than 6 months after the date your coverage terminates or the benefit is discontinued.

Question 9

How do I claim Health & Dental Expenses?

Accepted Answer

Claims can be submitted to Manulife Financial online or through the Manulife App.

Manual claims will need to be submitted using the Manulife Extended Health Care claim form and mailed to the address on the back of the form. Most dentists will submit claims electronically for you, otherwise they will provide you with a claim form.

Question 10

How long will my claim take to process?

Accepted Answer

Claims submitted through the Manulife site or app will be paid within 3-5 business days. If mailed in, it will take longer.

Question 11

What do I need to bring to apprentice training?

Accepted Answer

Participants must bring their own construction safety boots and hard hats.

Question 12

What would my schedule look like for the in-class portion of my training?

Accepted Answer

Classes usually run for six hours per day, five days a week, for 10 weeks (twice in apprenticeship).

Question 13

What education do I need to apply as an apprentice?

Accepted Answer

A minimum of grade 10 is required but grade 12 is preferred.

Question 14

Who ensures that apprentices learn when they are working on construction sites?

Accepted Answer

A full-time training director ensures that apprentices on the job site receive safe and effective training in all necessary skills under the supervision of experienced journeypersons. The sector-specific Local 837 business representatives also help in this regard.

Question 15

What are the qualifications of our apprenticeship instructors?

Accepted Answer

Our instructors have many years of experience as journeypersons in the construction industry. All instructors are government certified tradespersons and/or college or university graduates. Instructors are evaluated and receive training to improve teaching skills.

Question 16

What is unique about labour-management sponsored apprenticeship programs?

Accepted Answer

Apprentices are taking part in employee/employer-run programs. The contractor and the union invest in the apprenticeship program together, and the programs are free to apprentices.

Question 17

How many apprentices are trained annually?

Accepted Answer

Local 837 typically trains hundreds of Apprentices and Journeypersons each year.

Question 18

How does an apprentice benefit from participation in a labour-management sponsored apprenticeship program?

Accepted Answer

Labour-management programs provide benefits like pensions and health coverage through union membership. Apprentices are paid on an increasing wage scale, and do not pay for their education. The most important benefits, however, are the skills that an apprentice possesses upon completion of his or her apprenticeship. Apprentices receive hands-on training on the job, and technical and theoretical training in the classroom.

Question 19

How long does an apprenticeship program take?

Accepted Answer

Apprenticeship programs take two to three years to complete as long as the apprentice is steadily employed, successfully completes the in-school training period, and fills out his or her apprenticeship logbook completely.

Question 20

Who sponsors and pays for apprenticeship programs?

Accepted Answer

Apprentices are contracted to a Local Apprenticeship Committee consisting of both management and labour representatives. This committee makes recommendations on apprenticeship placement and requirements for fulfillment of the apprenticeship. Apprentices are also registered with the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development (formerly under the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities). The Ministry schedules in-school sessions and covers their cost. Eligible apprentices also receive employment insurance (EI) for the duration of their in-school training. In all trades, apprentices are expected to pay $400 for each in-school training period, however, the Training Trust Fund pays this fee on behalf of LIUNA Local 837 members!

Question 21

What do I do when I am ready to retire and apply for my pension?

Accepted Answer

You can apply for the LiUNA Pension Fund by logging into https://portal.lpfcec.org/member-ui/login and completing the online application. If you do not have your member log in information, contact the Pension office at 1-866-932-1100.

Question 22

I am a retired member, what benefits am I covered for now?

Accepted Answer

You are covered for prescription drugs, dental, vision & extended healthcare at 50%. A monthly benefit premium of $50 must be paid by the first of each month for coverage. Please see the retiree benefit breakdown booklet for further information.

Question 23

Is there any cost for members to take courses?

Accepted Answer

If you are a member of LiUNA 837, there is no cost to take any of our listed training courses.

Question 24

Where can I find more information about specific courses, and when they are being run?

Accepted Answer

Please refer to our course listings. When you find a course that you are interested in, click on it to see specific dates when the course is scheduled.

Question 25

What kinds of training courses are available?

Accepted Answer

LiUNA 837 offers a range of “soft skill” and “hard skill” courses to our members. Soft skill courses focus on things like workplace communication, organizing non-union companies, office admin skills, health and safety, etc. Our hard skill courses will help you gain competency in a range of construction disciplines including sewer and water main, high rise forming, road building, and house framing.

Question 26

What do I do when I am ready to retire and apply for my pension?

Accepted Answer

You can apply for the LiUNA Pension Fund by logging into https://portal.lpfcec.org/member-ui/login and completing the online application. If you do not have your member log in information, contact the Pension office at 1-866-932-1100.

Frequently asked questions

Membership

Health & Dental

Retirement

Pension

Apprenticeship

Training

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