home

Welcome

*** Announcement from the Trustees ***

Introduction of the Harmonised Sales Tax (HST)

Currently goods and services in BC are subject to the G.S.T (Federal) of 5% and P.S.T (Provincial) of 7%. From July 1, 2010 these taxes will be combined into one tax of 12% - the Harmonised Sales Tax or H.S.T.

There are many services provided to your pension and benefit Plans that will become more expensive from July 1 2010. For example, the Plans currently pay GST on the fees charged by Investment Managers, Custodians and Administrators but no PST. As of July 1, 2010, HST will be payable on these same services meaning that the tax paid on these fees will increase from 5% to 12%. No additional service or benefit is provided to the Plans in return for this increased tax.

The Trustees have been advised that campaigns are under way to lobby against the introduction of this increased tax. The Multi-Employer Benefit Plan Council of Canada has made a submission to the Ontario Government lobbying for pension plans to be excluded from the H.S.T in that Province. A submission to the British Columbian Government is also anticipated.

If you would like further information regarding efforts being made to stop the application of this new tax, you can go to http://www.fighthst.com/.

***

The Trustees of the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators & Allied Workers, Local No. 118 Health and Wellness Trust Fund are pleased to announce some improvements they have made to the benefit plan, effective May 1, 2010.

Effective May 1, 2010, the weekly maximum for the Short Term Disability benefit for Industrial and Institutional Members will be increased from $423 per week to $457 per week. Please note: this change will only apply to Short Term Disability Claims which are incurred on or after May 1, 2010.

The Plan will now reimburse Members $25 for the cost charged by an attending physician to complete the initial WI claim application and $75 for completion of the initial LTD application.

If you have any questions about your benefits or coverage, please feel free to contact our Administrator, at D.A. Townley & Associates Ltd. (604) 299-7482, toll free: 1-800-663-1356, or see the Plan's web site http://www.hfbenefits.org/.

The Trustees

***

The Trustees of the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators & Allied Workers, Local No. 118 Health and Wellness Trust Fund are pleased to announce some improvements they have made to the benefit plan, effective January 1, 2007.

Under the Extended Health Care benefit, Paramedical Practitioners (Acupuncturist, Chiropractor, Naturopath, Podiatrist and Speech Language Pathologist) will be reimbursed up to a new annual maximum of $400 per person per practitioner category.  Appliances and tray fees are excluded.  Massage Practitioners and Physiotherapy services will now have an unlimited maximum.

Effective January 1, 2007, the weekly maximum for the Short Term Disability benefit, for Industrial and Institutional Members, will be increased from $380 per week to $423 per week.  Please note: this change will only apply to Short Term Disability Claims which are incurred on or after January 1, 2007.

If you have any questions about your benefits or coverage, please feel free to contact our Administrator, at D.A. Townley & Associates Ltd. (604) 299-7482.
 

***

Welcome to the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators & Allied Workers, Local No. 118 Health and Wellness Trust Fund and Heat and Frost Local Union 118 Pension Plan.

What are Heat and Frost Insulators?
The primary work of the trade involves the application of various insulating materials to hot and cold surfaces. Heat and Frost Insulators cover exposed surfaces of pipes, steam generators, ducts, process vats and related equipment using a variety of insulating materials to reduce loss or absorption of heat, prevent moisture condensation and deaden sound. Insulation work is generally associated with larger industrial or commercial projects such as power plants, chemical plants, nuclear power houses, heavy manufacturing or processing installations including refrigeration. Smaller commercial work includes plumbing, heating and air conditioning insulation on such buildings as schools, churches, apartments, shopping centres, hospitals and "tunnel" or "ditch" work. In BC the 300 active members of Local 118 of the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators & Allied Workers work around the province at refineries, pulp mills, gas plants, ice rinks, hospitals, commercial outlets and, also on boats and high rises.

A Health and Wellness Plan and a Pension Plan have been arranged by the respective Board of Trustees and administered by D.A. Townley & Associates Ltd.

This web site is designed to provide fast and easy access to information for eligible Members of the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators & Allied Workers, Local No. 118 Health and Wellness Trust Fund and the Heat and Frost Local Union 118 Pension Plan. The site provides the ability to:

• Access online versions of the Health and Wellness Plan booklet and Pension Plan booklet
• Print out all necessary Health and Wellness Benefit and Pension Plan forms. (You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer, as all forms are posted in PDF format.)
• View frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding your Plans.
• Find contact information to have any additional questions answered.