In response to several unit motions that were recently submitted, the IBEW Local 1245 Executive Board began looking into options for accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance for Local 1245 members. The Executive Board subsequently asked Business Manager Tom Dalzell and the union staff to investigate terms and pricing for an AD&D membership benefit.
As they reviewed the available AD&D insurance options and respective pricing, the staff discovered that Local 1245 could also enhance the current death benefit at no additional cost to the Union or its members.
The Local 1245 Executive Board unanimously approved the following benefit enhancements to IBEW 1245 members:
- Active Member (less than age 70) AD&D of $25,000
- This policy includes $10,000 Seatbelt & Airbag benefit, as well as Travel Guard® 24/7 service designed to help travelers with travel emergencies.
- Member Term Life Death Benefit of $2,500 (increased from the current $1,000)
- Spouse Term Life Death Benefit of $500
- Retirees (and active members age 70 or over) Term Life Death Benefit of $1,000
- Key standard Industry exclusions include war; act of war (included terrorist attacks); suicide, airborne death if not a fare-paying passenger on a commercial flight; death related to use of drugs, alcohol or other intoxicants.
There will be no increase in union dues for these added benefits.
These improvements require amending the union’s bylaws, and must be approved by members. Per Article XVI, Sec. 2.(a) of the IBEW Local 1245 Bylaws, the following bylaw amendments are subject to membership approval:
- New IBEW Local 1245 By Law: Article X, Sec. 10: Union Paid $25,000.00 Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance to be effective January, 2017. Benefit covers members 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (exclusions apply and to be discussed at August, 2016 Unit meetings).
- Enhanced IBEW Local 1245 By Law: Article X, Sec. 9 member death benefit, increasing Union paid death benefit from $1,000.00 to $2,500.00 to be effective January, 2017 (member spousal death benefit to remain at $500.00).
Local 1245 Representatives will give a summary of the new AD&D and enhanced death benefit at regularly scheduled Unit meetings in the month of August. Local Unit Chairpersons will conduct a secret ballot vote to approve or reject the enhanced benefits at Unit meetings in September. (For units that meet on alternating months, both your explanation and secret ballot vote will be held in the same meeting, September or August, respectively).
If approved by members, enrollment in the AD&D insurance program will begin this fall, and the policies will go into effect in January 2017. Members will need to input their own beneficiary information by logging on to a website or calling in to the policy provider. Specifics on exactly how to enroll and designate beneficiaries will be provided following membership approval of the new policy.
Additionally, IBEW 1245 has also negotiated an affordable new voluntary, member-paid benefits package that will be available to all members. This program is guaranteed issue, which means members will not be asked any medical questions or excluded due to any pre-existing or ongoing health conditions.
- Short Term Disability: This benefit provides immediate paycheck protection for members by paying 25% of gross income if a member were to become injured or sick off the job. Benefits are paid on the 8th day of disability and pay up to 12 months. This plan pays in addition to any other sources of income such as employer-provided sick pay, state disability and/or long term disability.
- 24 Hour Accident Plan: This benefit provides payments directly to members for accidents on or off the job and pays in addition to member’s major medical plan. Very generous benefits are paid for fractures, dislocations, hospital stays, medical imaging, lacerations, and emergency room visits, and includes additional AD&D benefits. Family coverage options are available.
- Critical Illness Plan: This benefit provides lump sum payments directly to members for such illnesses as cancer, heart attack, stroke and renal failure. Members can purchase policies up to $20,000 for themselves, and up to $10,000 for their spouses. This benefit pays in addition to member’s major medical plan.
More information on these new benefits will be forthcoming this fall.