Update —> Union Notice #22-086
Friday, August 19, 2022
Subject: City of Toronto Benefits Verification – Update
Further to Union Notice 22-078, your Association has received a legal opinion regarding the City’s “Benefits Enrollment Letter” sent to our Active and Retired Members asking for personal information regarding dependents. Following our council’s advice, we issued a letter to the City highlighting several concerns. We asked for the correspondence to be retracted, or we would advise our Members to refuse to participate in the unlawful exercise.
Subsequently, both parties have agreed to an expedited arbitration process to have the issue heard promptly. But, again, we understand the critical impact of this on our Active and Retired Member’s human rights and the financial and logistic implications. Furthermore, an exercise of this nature would be more appropriately raised during contract negotiations.
We advise all Active and Retired Members NOT to provide the requested information until the arbitrator adjudicates this matter properly.
In Solidarity,
Kevin McCarthy
President
Toronto Professional Fire Fighters’ Association
I.A.F.F. Local 3888
Original Post
Please be aware that the City of Toronto is undertaking a family benefit plan verification exercise this fall. It’s been said that some retirees have received a letter requesting help to ensure that all family members listed under their benefits plan are still eligible for coverage.
For your information please find below the letter from the City outlining what information they may need and the response from Toronto Fire Fighters Association.
3888-Benefits-VerificationReply02Aug2022 COT-Benefits-Verification-02Aug2022