Section 701—Health Insurance
A. An employee who works a minimum of twenty (20) hours per week is eligible to be covered under the Agency group health insurance program. An employee is eligible to join this program during their first thirty (30) days of employment. If an employee elects not to join during this period, they may be eligible to join during the Agency’s annual open enrollment period; however, proof of insurability may be required.
B. The employee’s share of the health insurance premium will be deducted from their pay as authorized by a signed deduction form. The premium sharing shall be no more than 20%.
C. Regular Part Time Employees (20+ hours per week) hired into a benefit eligible position effective with the ratification of this contract (12/01/2005) will be entitled to a prorated share of the employer matching contribution towards health insurance premium (equal to their standard work hours divided by their standard work week x employer contribution).
D. Upon termination of employment, the Agency shall continue an individual’s policy until the end of the month in which termination occurs, if a corresponding deduction covering the full cost of such coverage has been made from the employee’s final paycheck. An employee may purchase continuation of coverage under COBRA.
E. Appendix C (see attached) effective 08/01/2011,
F. To be a dependent under the plan, you must meet the definition of Dependent under the Plan Document. This includes:
F. 1. Partner to a Civil Marriage:
F. 2. Partner to a Civil Union
F. 3. Current staff who had covered a domestic partner as of September 15, 2004.
G. In the event that, during the life of this Agreement, the premium equivalent for the Plan will increase by 15% or greater for any given Plan Year or if the Agency is required to procure employee health insurance through the Vermont Health Connect Exchange, or the Agency is required by State or Federal Law to significantly alter Plan benefits, the health care provisions of this Agreement will be re-opened for bargaining between the parties in accordance with legal requirements and procedures.
Section 702—Dental Insurance
A. An employee who works a minimum of twenty (20) hours per week shall be eligible for inclusion in the dental insurance plan. An employee is eligible to join this program during their first thirty (30) days of employment. If an employee elects not to join during this period, they may be eligible to join during the Agency’s annual open enrollment period; however, proof of insurability may be required.
B. The employee’s share of the dental insurance premium will be deducted from their pay as authorized by a signed deduction form. The Agency will pay the premium cost less $5.00 per pay period for its employees. The additional premium cost for two person and family coverage will be the exclusive responsibility of the employee. Agency regular part-time staff will receive a pro-rated share of the Agency paid premium as described in Section 701 C above.
C. Upon termination of employment, the Agency shall continue an individual’s policy until the end of the month in which termination occurs, if a corresponding deduction covering the full cost of such coverage has been made from the employee’s final paycheck. An employee may purchase continuation of coverage under COBRA.
D. The summary is attached hereto and incorporated herein as Appendix D. In addition to the current plan, an additional optional dental and children’s orthodontic plan with a maximum annual dental benefit of $1,500 and a maximum lifetime children’s orthodontic benefit of $1,500 shall be available during open enrollment for coverage effective as of January l, 2020. In addition, voluntary vision coverage as described in the Plan Document will be added as of January l, 2020 for covered employees, and be available during open enrollment for coverage effective January 1, 2020.
E. To be a dependent under the plan, you must meet the definition of Dependent under the Plan Document. This includes:
E. 1. Partner to a Civil Marriage:
E. 2. Partner to a Civil Union
E. 3. Current staff who had covered a domestic partner as of September 15, 2004
Section 703—Life Insurance
Each employee working at least twenty (20) hours per week shall be covered by a group life insurance policy provided at the Agency’s expense. Insurance benefits shall be equal to one (1) year’s salary.
Section 704—Malpractice Insurance and Worker’s Compensation Insurance Supplement
Agency employees who are injured and receiving statutory workers compensation insurance benefits as a result of an assault by an Agency client shall be entitled to have any such insurance payments supplemented for a period of sixty (60) calendar days so that the employee receives their regular net pay (taking into account the non-taxable insurance payment amount) for such sixty (60) day period.
Each employee shall be entitled to the benefits of an Agency professional liability policy with maximum coverage in the amount of at least one million dollars.
Section 705—Liability Insurance
The Agency carries insurance to protect itself against liability in the event of an injury to a client or other person through an accident on the Agency’s premises. Liability insurance is also carried to cover the occasions when Agency programs or transportation responsibilities by Agency employees or a representative occurs off the Agency’s premises. The Agency (not the employee) is covered in the event that the employee has an automobile accident while using their personal vehicle on Agency business. This plan is meant to supplement an employee’s personal automobile policy and not replace it. It is the responsibility of the employee, not the Agency, to ensure that the employee’s personal coverage is sufficient beyond the scope of the Agency provided coverage.
During this Agreement both sides agree to mutually open up negotiations on this section (related to insurance coverages) only after reviewing the umbrella policy. All other provisions of the collective bargaining agreement will remain in effect during any such re-opener.
The Agency will seek quotes via the Voluntary Benefits Committee for automobile insurance coverage. Any coverage that the Committee determines to be suitable (i.e. based upon a potential volume discount) to offer to staff will not be sponsored by the Agency.
Section 706—Extended Disability Insurance, Short & Long Term
All employees working at least twenty (20) hours per week shall be covered by the extended disability income program which shall provide benefits as follows: For Short Term Disability, 67% of salary to a maximum benefit level of $700 per week commencing the 15th day of total disability and extending for a maximum of 11 weeks. For Long Term Disability 60% of salary to a maximum benefit of $5000 per month, commencing after 180 days of continuous total disability. Employees may supplement their short and long term disability income with Combined Time Off provided they complete time sheets and submit them within the required time frames for payment.
Section 707—Retirement
Employees hired on or subsequent to February 1, 1986 shall be eligible for the current Agency retirement plan.
Such employees who complete one year of service with the Agency shall be eligible for the agency fixed contribution of 5% with a six-year vesting schedule as follows:
| Years of Vesting Service | % Vested—Fixed Contribution |
|---|---|
| 0 | 0% |
| 1 | 0% |
| 2 | 20% |
| 3 | 40% |
| 4 | 60% |
| 5 | 80% |
| 6 | 100% |
Additionally, such employees who complete one year of service with the Agency shall be eligible for the agency safe harbor matching contributions. The Agency safe harbor matching contribution will match 100% of the first 3% of the eligible participant’s compensation contributed to the plan, and 50% of the next 2% of the eligible participant’s compensation contributed to the Plan for a total maximum agency match of 4%. 18 years of age shall be the minimum age for eligibility.
Effective date of plan changes is subject to authorization by the Agency’s carrier, Fidelity, which is estimated to be approximately two months after the agreement is executed.
AFSCME Local #1674 