TO:

ALL LOCAL UNION MEMBERS, PRESIDENTS, FINANCIAL SECRETARIES AND OFFICE STAFF

FROM:

MICHAEL J. FORDE, EST

PETER THOMASSEN, PRESIDENT

DENIS R. SHEIL, VICE PRESIDENT

RE:

UBC CONSTITUTION SECTION 50 REDUCED DUES

DATE:

MAY 29, 2007

        In advance of the upcoming issue of The Carpenters magazine, for your information and advice is a copy of an article that will appear concerning reduced Local Union dues for members not working at the trade and who either have (a) at least 30 years of service and have reached age 65, or (b) have been awarded a social security disability pension.

       This is a reminder that the District Council's ULTRA user enters the member's Section 50 dues code change after receiving a request from the Local Union and necessary documentation from the member. In accordance with the UBC's General Secretary's quarterly newsletters, the UBC will automatically adjust any per capita tax charges, but the Local is responsible for revering all member's overpayments and to refund to all the member all credits.

       The District Council has heard concerns that members are not aware of these important dues programs. Local Union are asked to inform your members about the availability of these reduced dues programs at Local meetings and any communications media you usually use to communicate with your membership.

    Please review the UBC Constitution for the full language of the description of these benefits.

REDUCED DUES FOR SENIOR AND DISABLE CARPENTERS

       All members should be aware of the reduced dues entitlements provides by the UBC Constitution.

       Section 50A of the Constitution provides that members who are no longer working t the trade, who are age 65 or older, and who have at least 30 years' continuous membership, are entitled to reduced dues of six dollars ($6.00) per month.

       Section 50B of the Constitution provides that if a member who is no longer working at the trade is receiving a social security disability pension, Canada Pension Plan or Quebec Pension Plan Disability Pension, the member qualifies to pay reduced dues of six ($6.00) dollars per month. The effective date for beginning reduced dues under this section is the date the member was granted the disability pension, but not earlier than December 2000.

       A member receiving a qualifying disability pension is not automatically changed to 50B Disabled dues. You must apply to your Local Union for this reduced dues status. If a member brings in a disability pension award today that was granted in the past, the member would be changed to 50B Disabled retroactive to the date of the pension award and issued a refund for the adjusted dues. If the qualifying pension award was made before December 2000 that date would be entered as the effective date of the dues adjustment. Adjustments can also be made for dues paid in advance.

Please contact your Local Union if you have any questions about these programs.