Procedure When Laid Off or Out of Work

We help eligible OE987 and OE987B members find work through our hiring hall. These members fill out a Skills Inventory form that we use to help match their skills and qualifications to a job order. 

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How do I let you know that I was just laid off?

Promptly after your lay-off, please contact the union office to advise us of your lay-off date so we can update your membership record and register your name on the Out-of-Work List.  Please note, do not rely on your employer to let us know that you were laid off - it is your responsibility to let us know.

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How do I make sure I have the best chance to be selected when a job order comes in?

Make sure the union has your most updated skills entered in our database.  OE987 keeps a ‘Skills Inventory’ for our members that qualify for the Out-of-Work List to help match their skills and qualifications to an employer.  Please make sure to notify the OE987 office of any updated skills and qualifications to keep your Skills Inventory up-to-date.

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What is the importance of updating my skills inventory?

When an employer contacts us to fill a vacancy, they have very specific requirements that must be met.  To fill that vacancy, we apply a filtering process to search the Out-of-Work list:

  • Search for members who have the needed piece of specific equipment listed.
  • Remove members ‘On Hold.’
  • Filter the list based on the number of years experience the employer requires.
  • Filter based on specific skills or courses the employer requires.

So you can see that not only must you contact our office as soon as you are unemployed requesting to be put on Out-of-Work list, but it is equally important to update any skills, experience, or courses since you were last on the Out-of-Work List.

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How does the Out-of-Work list help me?

The Out-of-Work list will help us identify that you are available for employment and will have a chance to be hired when job orders come in.  You must also check-in with the union hall every 30 days to remain active on the Out-of-Work list.

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How do I keep my union membership in good standing?

Union dues must be paid in full through to the end of the month so that we can confirm your registration on the Out-of-Work list.  Memberships not in good standing are removed from the Out-of-Work list and you lose your position on the list.

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When and how do I pay Out-of-Work dues?

Out-of-Work union dues are to be paid by the 1st (first) of every month during the lay-off period and are payable at the minimum monthly rate.  Dues can be paid in advance.  Payment options include:

  • Pre-authorized monthly payments from your credit card.
  • Mail in a cheque or money order.
  • Via VISA or MasterCard over the phone.
  • In person with a debit card, cash, or any of the above forms of payment.

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If you have any questions about your registration on the Out-of-Work list, please feel free to contact the union office.

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