IATSE_1stQrtr_2018_web

eserve levels were at 19.1 months in
the Active Plan and 9.2 months in the
Retiree Plan, through December 31, 2017.
The projected reserve levels are watched
closely in case adjustments are required to
preserve funding and benefits.
In addition to the financial highlights
of the MPIPHP, Vice President Miller and
the Trustees reported on several health
plan improvements that have occurred
during 2017, some of which have been
previously reported to the Board. Some
of these changes include an improved out
of network emergency benefit, telemedicine
through Live Health Online, the addition
of the Exer Urgent Care Network
and a member assistance program that
is available at no cost to MPI participants.
Another new service is the Smart
90 prescription drug program which is
offered as an alternative to Express Scripts
mail-order service. Beginning January
2018, the MPI Retirees were changed to
an Express Scripts Medicare Part D Prescription
drug program due primarily to
incentives and rebates that pharmaceutical
companies are required to provide
through Medicare that are not otherwise
available to the MPIPHP. The directors
of the MPI worked closely with Express
Scripts to create a plan that mirrors the
current non-Medicare prescription drug
plan as much as possible.
President Loeb reiterated the importance
of the pension and health plans
to over a hundred thousand active and
retired participants and their families.
The healthcare struggle in the U.S. continues
to place the burden of providing
quality healthcare and viable pensions on
the IATSE and the employers. He also indicated
that the protection of the benefit
plans will continue to be a priority in the
upcoming negotiations for a successor
Basic Agreement. Finally, President Loeb
thanked the Directors for their hard work.
NBC SPORTS NETWORK
In 2017, the International together
with Local 745 in Minnesota filed a National
Labor Relations Board (NLRB)
petition to represent broadcast employees
working on NBC Sports Network
(NBCSN) cable television broadcasts
of National Hockey League events at
the Xcel Energy Center arena in Saint
Paul, Minnesota. Immediately after the
NLRB filing, NABET-CWA filed a complaint
with the AFL-CIO, alleging that
the IA’s petition violated Article XX of
the AFL-CIO constitution. NABET-
CWA alleged that it had an existing collective
bargaining relationship covering
the work. This prompted the NLRB to
suspend the IA’s representation petition.
Over several weeks, an AFL-CIO mediator
worked with both unions to settle the
dispute but the mediation process did not
effectively resolve it. In August, the case
was scheduled for an arbitration hearing
before an AFL-CIO Article XX Impartial
Umpire. The Umpire ruled in the IA’s
favor, finding that it was not in violation
of Article XX. Shortly thereafter, NBCSN
and the IATSE negotiated an agreement
to conduct an NLRB-supervised election.
The IA prevailed in the election and is
currently in talks with the employer concerning
a first contract.
POLITICAL AFFAIRS –
CANADA
International Vice President and Director
of Canadian Affairs John Lewis,
International Vice President Damian Petti
and International Representative Krista
Hurdon reported to the General Executive
Board on IATSE political and legislative
affairs in Canada.
Positive Legislative Changes in Alberta
and Ontario
As previously reported in 2017, Alberta’s
New Democratic government passed
Bill 17: The Fair and Family-friendly
Workplaces Act. Bill 17 included major
improvements to the working conditions
of all workers, including a $15 per
hour minimum wage. The IATSE was
heavily involved in campaigning for these
changes in Alberta, led by the Alberta
Federation of Labour and championed by
Vice President Damian Petti and Canadian
Labour Congress Delegate and Alberta
Federation of Labour Secretary Treasurer
Siobhan Vipond.
In November, 2017, the Alberta Provincial
Government proposed Bill 30: An
Act to Protect the Health and Well-being
of Working Albertans following the additional
lobbying efforts of organized
labour and, in particular, the participation
of Vice President Petti, CLC Delegate
Vipond and IATSE Local 212 member
Gie Roberts on the working group struck
in connection with the Bill. Bill 30 proposes
to improve workplace health and
safety and provide fair compensation
and support to injured workers and their
families. The new bill will come into force
in June of 2018. Among many things, Bill
30 will:
n remove the maximum insurable earnings
cap so that injured workers will
receive benefits in line with their expected
annual earnings;
n require employers to continue providing
health benefit programs to
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