As you may know, in May of 2016, the BCGEU was made aware that some members were being denied coverage for some medications as of April 1, 2016. The medications that were denied were not covered under the collective agreement. The Union then learned that RainCity had been providing "supplementary drug coverage" via Pacific Blue Cross, and that during the transition to the Health Benefits Trust (HBT), that supplementary coverage had been interrupted. The BCGEU was not previously aware that the supplementary plan existed until the coverage was denied and we were contacted by the employer.

Since then, the Union has been trying to work with the Employer to have that coverage reinstated. Unfortunately, that has not occurred.

In the months since then, RainCity has repeatedly advised the Union that they have not made a decision on whether to continue to provide the benefits, while RainCity employees continue to pay fees out of pocket for drugs previously covered. The BCGEU has given your employer every opportunity to continue to offer supplementary drug coverage after the transition to HBT, and ensured that any impediments were eliminated. As the Employer continues to be unresponsive to this issue, the Union has filed a grievance on behalf of all members at RainCity and we will advise you of any progress on this matter.

In solidarity,

Megan McKinney

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Local 467/MoveUp