🧰Tools Beyond the Trade—Part 1: Demystifying UA Local 787 Benefits
Welcome to Part 1 of our Tools Beyond the Trade (TBTT) series. In this first post, we’re unfolding the map to explore the winding world of benefits, claims, and insurance. It can seem like confusing from the outside — but don’t worry, this series is your guide through it.
A Member’s Guide to Pension, Benefits, and Insurance
After covering the UA National Wellness Program (MyMAP) in our previous blog, we turned to the even larger topic of insurance, pension, and benefits. We’ve broken this topic down into a series of smaller blogs so it’s easier to find what matters most to you.
Each post in this series gives you practical, focused guidance on specific topics, helping you navigate the system with clarity and confidence. In Part 1 of our multi-part series we’re identifying the major entities that help manage your member benefits.
Whether you’re just starting your apprenticeship or planning for retirement, this series is here to help guide you through the twists and turns of the system.
Benefits, pensions, and insurance claims can look straightforward on paper, but in real life, they can feel like navigating a maze.
The fact is, you work hard for the benefits you have, and accessing them should be easy.
We’ve heard your concerns, and we’ve put together a guide to clear the confusion.
In this blog series, you’ll learn:
Who is responsible for different parts of your UA Local 787 Benefits — McAteer, GreenShield, Manulife, UA Canada, and others.
What your UA Local 787 Benefits cover, and how to access them.
Common problems (Why are wait times so long? When do benefits actually start?).
Your pension and retirement planning questions — answered.
Tips, best practices, and a glossary of plain-language terms.
Let’s get into the basics — a clear and concise breakdown of the major entities involved in your pension, benefits, and insurance.
Who Does What:
Meet the Key Players in UA Local 787 Benefits
The dense details are on their way, but first let’s identify who’s responsible for what.
UA Local 787 – Your union. Funds your benefits and oversees the pension plan.
McAteer (EBPS) – A third-party company that manages administration of benefits and pensions. They handle claims, eligibility, and the MemberXG portal.
MemberXG – Your secure online portal to view benefits and pension details, check contributions, and download resources like benefit booklets or forms.
GreenShield+ – Leveraged only as a technology platform; Members use the app or card like a debit card, but UA Local 787 funds and provides the coverage — claims never go through GreenShield.
Manulife – Provides Life Insurance and the Group Retirement Savings Plan (RSP), managed by the UA Local 787 Board of Trustees.
UA Canada’s National Wellness Program – Offers wraparound supports beyond healthcare, including online tools and resources for stress management, parenting, relationships, work/life balance, career development, and more. Accessible through the Telus Health One platform. See our previous blog in the series.
🧰 Don’t miss our Downloadable Wallet-Sized Reference Guide
Remember: You’ve worked hard for your benefits — Understanding who does what is the first step in making the most of them.
Don’t forget to download today’s downloadable resources — a Wallet Sized Reference Guide — to keep a quick reference on hand, and Platform and Account infographic to help know what platform and account helps with which need.
And check back here for Part 2 where we’ll break down what your benefits actually cover.