Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Starting Dates at WEG or in Pension Plan Disputes

For members who are disputing their start date with Woodbine and/or their start date in the company pension plans:

The company needs verifiable proof of both dates for any dates that are in dispute.

For proof of years of consecutive service, this would be for the number of years used in the calculation for the amount of money you will receive.

If you disagree with the date they have on record, a paper trail of your T4s for the time period in dispute would be the best proof, although not the only proof. It would be difficult for each member to have retained this paper trail. The Canadian Revenue Agency only would be able to supply T4 information going back to 1986.

For the service years that would be used in calculating the amount of money that would be allowed to be transferred into ones RRSP, similar proof would be required. When employees joined a pension plan, when the plan was initiated or when they were transferred to a new plan, there is the possibility that credit calculations for prior years of service was done at that time. This credit would be a subtraction from the amount of years prior to the 1989 calculation.

I have been informed by Woodbine that they are checking into this as thoroughly as possible to uncover any of the disputed dates.

The union is following this closely and we are working to find a solution to these disputed dates. Any positive solutions to providing the needed proof from anyone is more than welcome.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

VRSP Forms are Now Available

Voluntary Resignation with Severance Payment (VRSP) forms are now available.

Please contact Veena to obtain forms.

If you have any questions about your VRSP please call Bob Ciprick at
1-647-367-2264.

Friday, February 10, 2012

New WAPs Should Be Ready Sunday

The WAPs should be ready this Sunday for reducing your WAPs as per the following Letter of Understanding:

Letter of Understanding Re: Trial for Reduced Off-Season Days of the Week Prioritization


Notwithstanding the Days of the Week requirement listed in Article 15 (a)(ii), the parties agree that during the period beginning the second Sunday following the date of ratification up to and including March 31, 2012, the following will apply:

     “Days of the Week
Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday 
A Seniority List employee must prioritize a minimum of four (4) Days of the Week. If he chooses to prioritize only four (4) Days of the Week, he will not be allocated available work on more than four (4) days in a given week.  If he chooses to prioritize only five (5) Days of the Week, he will not be allocated available work on more than five (5) days in a given week.  If he chooses to prioritize six (6) or seven (7) Days of the Week, he will not be allocated available work on more than five (5) days in a given week, unless he has indicated his preference to be scheduled for six (6) days.” 

If a Seniority List employee elected to prioritize less than six (6) Days of the Week during the period outlined above, he must submit a new WAPS, effective for the schedule which includes April 1, 2012, to reflect the requirement outlined in Article 15 (a)(ii).  If a Seniority List employee does not submit a new WAPS at that time, then all of his preferences will be defaulted to his WAPS that was in effect for the last full week of the 2011 calendar year.

The Employer will assess the results of this trial and discuss such results with the Union at a Labour Management meeting prior to the next off-season period.  If the Employer determines that there was no detrimental impact of such trial and the requirements for the next off-season period have not changed materially, the Employer may elect to renew this trial for that period, beginning the last Sunday of the Thoroughbred season to March 31, 2013.  This trial may be renewed, following this process, for each year of the Collective Agreement.  

Ratified Final Settlement


Thursday, February 09, 2012

Considering - "Voluntary Resignation with Severance Payment" options ?

For any Seniority List employees thinking about the "Voluntary Resignation with Severance Payment" option as per the new Collective Agreement please review the following:

SEVERANCE PACKAGES  - An explanation of rules for rolling severances into your RRSP and the tax implications.

SunLife Conversion, SunLife Conversion Rates and Manulife Conversion - Information about continuing life and medical coverages after resignation.

Each individual should seek out other insurance carriers, benefit providers, and independent financial advice to determine the best way of handling their particular situation regarding severance, pension,their RRSP and medical insurance.

Wednesday, February 08, 2012

Negotiations Update - Agreement Ratified

The membership has voted 86% in favour of accepting the Memorandum of Understanding. 
More details to follow.

Saturday, February 04, 2012

Negotiations Update

 WE HAVE A TENTATIVE AGREEMENT

Contract details at the ratification meeting on Tuesday February 7th, 2012

Wednesday, February 01, 2012

Notice of Meeting(s)

There will be two sessions

DATE:    Tuesday, February 7th, 2012

TIME:    Day session 1:30 pm
            Night session 7:00 pm

PLACE:  CAW LOCAL 252 OFFICE

            1343 Matheson Blvd., East
            Mississauga, ON L4W 1R1 

            (West of Dixie on Matheson)
            905-629-0186

Meeting Agenda:

  • This meeting will EITHER be a ratification vote or an update on our negotiations. If it is ratification, voting will take place during both sessions.
Your attendance is important