Wheatland & Adjacent Districts Emergency Medical Services Association Collective Agreement 2018-2023

Article 34: Employee Benefit Plans

1. The Employer shall continue the following group plans for all eligible Employees where such plans are currently in effect or shall implement the following group plans where enrollments and other requirements of the insurer has been met.
   
   Prepaid Health Benefits
   1. The Employer shall provide the following group plans to eligible employees:
      1. Wheatland EMS Benefit Plan.
   2. The Wheatland EMS Benefit Plan includes:
      1. Group Insurance – two (2) times annual earnings, maximum coverage is $350,000,
      2. Accidental Death and Dismemberments – two (2) times annual earnings, maximum coverage is $350,000.
      3. Dependent Life Insurance
         
                     Spouse                         $10,000
                     Dependent Children    $  5,000
          
         1. (A)  Short Term Disability (weekly indemnity) – income replacement for a period of up to thirteen (13) weeks in the event that a prolonged illness or injury prevents an Employee from working, provided at seventy percent (70%) of weekly pre-disability earnings.  
         2. (B)
      4. Extended Health Benefits – Reimbursed at one hundred percent (100%).
      5. Dental Care – Reimbursed at one hundred percent (100%) for Basic and Diagnostic Services, reimbursed at fifty percent (50%) for Major Restorative and Orthodontics.  Maximum of one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500) per insured per calendar year with the exception of orthodontics for which there is a lifetime maximum of two thousand dollars ($2,000).
2. Where the benefits specified in Article 34.01 are provided through insurance obtained by the Employer, the administration of such plans shall be subject to and governed by the terms and conditions of the applicable benefits policies or contracts.
3. 1. Premiums shall be cost shared by the Employer and Employees as follows:
      1. The Employer shall pay premiums for Extended Health Care, Dental and Vision.
      2. The Employees shall pay premiums for Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability and Life Insurance.
      3. On April 1st each year the Employer will pay seventy-five (75%) percent of a benefits eligible employee’s previous year’s Life Insurance premiums into a Registered Retirement Savings Plan to off-set the cost of the Life Insurance Premiums.
   2. When an Employee is in receipt of STD the Employer agrees to pay one hundred percent (100%) of health benefits premiums.
4. An Employee shall cease to earn sick leave and vacation credits while on STD or LTD.
5. The Employer shall distribute to all Employees brochures and other relevant information concerning the above plans upon hiring, or at the specific request of the Union, and when there are changes to the plan.    
6. 1. Such coverage shall be provided to:
      1. a regular full time Employee
      2. regular Employees scheduled to work a minimum of 0.5 F.T.E. averaged over one (1) complete cycle of the shift schedule.
      3. a Temporary Employee who is hired to work for a 0.5 F.T.E. or greater for a position of six (6) months duration or longer.
   2. Temporary Employees hired for a position of less than six (6) months duration, and casual Employees, are not eligible to participate in the Employee Benefits Plan.  However, such individuals covered by the Collective Agreement who were enrolled for such benefits on the day prior to the commencement date of this Collective Agreement shall not have benefits discontinued solely due to the application of this provision. 
7. 1. The Employer shall provide one (1) copy of each of the plans to the Union.
   2. The Employer shall advise, as applicable, the Union of all premium rate changes pursuant to Article 34.