U.S. Steel Latest Development – Oct 21, 2015

October 21, 2015

Status of the Transition Fund and Emergency Access to Assistance Due to the Suspension of Post-Retirement Benefit Coverage

The Province announced that it will provide a total of $3 million to establish a Transition Fund available over the next six months to assist USSC retirees and eligible beneficiaries to transition from the post-retirement health benefit coverage formerly available from US Steel Canada.

In addition, representatives of the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-term Care (MOHLTC) are working with representatives of the union and salaried pensioners to hold information sessions that are intended to assist pensioners under age 65 to apply for the Trillium Drug Program. MOHLTC representatives will also be able to answer questions about the Ontario Drug Benefit Program for those over age 65 and any special applications that may be required for coverage by either provincial drug program for certain medications. Several sessions have already been organized with the USW.  For the time and location of further sessions, please check the websites of your USW Local or of Koskie Minsky LLP at https://kmlaw.ca/cases/usscrepcounsel/.

The criteria for eligibility for funding from the Transition Fund, and the process to access the Transition Fund have not yet been determined. Further information about the Transition Fund and the process to access it will be provided as it becomes available.

In the interim, while the eligibility criteria and process are being determined, if you have an urgent and serious need for a benefit formerly provided through the post-retirement benefit program of USSC that you cannot otherwise obtain:

For pensioners who were members of the USW, call your Union Local at:

1. Local 1005:
   Tony McLaughlin
   (905)547-1417 ext. 4
   mclaughlin@uswa1005.ca 

   Ron Wells
   (905)547-1417 ext. 3
   ron.wells@uswa1005.ca

2. Local 8782:
   Terry Barnard
   519-587-2000 ext. 225
   wsib@uswa8782.com
3. Mark Talbot
   519-587-2000 ext. 301
   vp@uswa8782.com

For pensioners who were not members of the USW, call Koskie Minsky your court appointed Representative Counsel at 1-866-777-6341 or email: usscrepcounsel@kmlaw.ca.

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