New no-cost life insurance benefit for AWA members

Confirming the new coverage for AWA members (from left to right):  Daryl Barnett, AIL-NILCO; Al Wall, AIL-NILCO; UFCW Canada National President Hanley; Winston Gordon, President, UFCW Canada Local 1993

In addition to the many benefits of Agriculture Workers Alliance (AWA) membership, AWA members are now also automatically covered, at no cost, by a new Accidental Death and Dismemberment Plan. As of September 6, 2011, a $2,500 benefit will be paid to the family of an AWA member who accidentally dies while contracted to work in Canada.

"Agriculture workers do some of the hardest and most dangerous work there is," says Wayne Hanley, the national president of UFCW Canada and the AWA."Tragically each season, there are workers who die while in Canada. The new insurance program cannot soften the pain, but is meant to supply some immediate protection to families who have suddenly lost a breadwinner."

The insurance program is offered through the American and National Income Life insurance companies (AILNILCO). "We are proud to be working with the AWA and UFCW Canada in offering this coverage to AWA members," says Daryl Barnett, the director of labour relations for AILNILCO. "It's a plan that offers unique protection, and AWA members are automatically covered without having to apply."

More than 10,000 domestic and migrant agricultural workers are members of the AWA. The AWA's ten agricultural worker support centres ten centres across Canada offer a number of support, training, and advocacy services at no cost to its members.