Why do I pay dues?
The Cement Masons’ & Plasterers’ Union runs on member dues to benefit all members. These funds are used to support members in a wide variety of ways, including: negotiating for strong Agreements and enforcing your rights under these Agreements, organizing new members to improve bargaining strength, providing training and education for members, lobbying government for legislation to protect and expand workers’ rights on the job, keeping members informed through newsletters, Union publications and maintenance of our website, providing representation on WorkSafe, EI and CPP issues, and so on.
Union Fees
Initiation Fee
The initiation fee to join the Union is $275.
You can pay by any of the methods provided on the website.
Note: You won’t be charged this fee until you begin working.
Monthly Dues
Monthly Union Dues are $5.
If you are working, your monthly union dues will likely be deducted automatically from your pay and sent to the Union office, but please confirm with the office as some contractors (such as BCIB projects) do not have this option.
To prevent falling behind on your dues, please remember that your dues will not be deducted automatically if you are not working due to vacation, illness or you are between projects.
If you fall behind on your dues and owe at least $10, you will receive a Shortage Notice sent to your last known address. If you receive a Notice, please pay by any of the methods outlined on the website. If you don’t agree with a Notice, call the office at 604-585-9198.
It is important to note, if you do not pay dues owing that reach up to $30, you may face suspension and could lose all medical benefits.
Note: In the event that a Member in good standing passes away, all Members contribute $5 towards his or her funeral expenses. The Welfare Plan also contributes another $5 per Member. In such a case, the $5 will not come off your paycheque, but will be added to your balance.
Coverage & Out-of-Work Medical Self-Payments
If you are covered for medical/dental benefits under the Welfare Plan, your employer pays the insurance premiums at ~$2.55 per hour worked. To maintain coverage, you need 120 hours each month submitted by your employers.
If you work more than 120 hours in a month, the extra hours will be credited to your Hour Bank and can be used during months you don’t work full time.
We pay the insurance premiums every month around the 25th of the month.
If your Hour Bank is below 120 hours on the 25th of the month, you will receive a Shortage Notice requesting payment for the missing hours. Payment can be made via any of the methods provided on the website. It is important to note that if you do not pay, your benefits will be cut off.
If you have any concerns, call BilslandGriffith Benefit Administrators at 1-877-623-6368.
Payment Methods
Union Dues
You can mail a cheque or money order payable to O.P.C.M.I.A. Local 919 to:
OPCMIA Local 919
12309 Industrial Rd
Surrey, B.C.
V3V 3S4
Health and Welfare
You can mail a cheque or money order made payable to Cement Masons Welfare Trust to:
Cement Masons’ Pension & Welfare Plan
c/o Bilsland Griffith Benefit Administrators
Suite 1000 – 4445 Lougheed Highway
Burnaby, B.C. V5C 0E4
Reminders
- Please include your name with payment.
- Do not mail cash.
- A $45 fee will be charged on all bounced cheques to cover bank fees.
In-Person
You can pay any union bills by cash, cheque and/or money order at:
12309 Industrial Rd
Surrey, B.C. V3V 3S4
E-Transfer
You can also pay your bills by e-transfer. Please ensure you put your name in the Memo box so we know who the funds are for.
- Union Dues: Send e-transfer payment to [email protected]
- Health and Welfare: Send e-transfer payment to [email protected]