October 11, 2024
As part of the process to establish a Provincial OSSTF benefit plan, OSSTF commissioned a comprehensive study of benefit plan design and usage of all OSSTF/FEESO bargaining units in the elementary and secondary school sector. Included in the study, was a survey of members that revealed members overwhelmingly saw benefits as a valuable part of compensation, and that they were willing to accept gives and takes to ensure meaningful coverage. The OSSTF Provincial Executive then formed a member advisory workgroup to investigate a common Provincial Benefit Plan design. On the workgroup were many local OSSTF District leaders with experience in benefit plan design and associated costs, who brought with them the knowledge
of what types of benefit coverage their members valued most. To design a common benefit plan, the workgroup basically had to look at every aspect of the various school Board and Local owned benefit plans and come up with a common plan that was comprehensive, affordable and best met the needs of members and their families. The long-term sustainability of the plans was one of the major factors that needed to be given priority. Different types of coverage within a plan have different associated costs which are influenced by several things such as member utilization, level of coverage, member demographics etc. For example, the plan cost of providing basic life insurance for someone given that they are not likely to make a claim is significantly less than the cost of providing coverage for frequently claimed expenses such as prescription drugs. Overall, the workgroup looked at what was the best coverage versus cost and developed an overall comprehensive plan for all members.
At the June 3, 2016 OSSTF Provincial Council meeting, Provincial Councillors who are the elected local leaders representing members in each OSSTF district, voted on and approved the OSSTF Provincial Benefit Plan design for a province-wide benefits program for school board employed members. Currently, information about the plan is provided to the OSSTF ELHT Advisory Workgroup and subsequent recommendations are taken into consideration by the OSSTF ELHT Board. The OSSTF ELHT Board also has a Funding and Plan Design Modelling and Compliance Committee which meets approximately 3-4 times a year to look at current plan costs, funding and to review plan design.
The information in this document is provided by OSSTF Benefits for general information only. OSSTF Benefits endeavours to have all information current and accurate. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, or suitability of the information included. All information is subject to change without notice.
The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by OSSTF Benefits and while we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. All information on this website is subject to change without notice.