Our History
The PEBT is an Employee Life and Health Trust that delivers employee benefits to 26,000 K-12 support staff in 59 school districts in British Columbia. For more information on the PEBT or to learn more about your extended health and dental benefits please visit their website – http://www.pebt.ca
The PEBT Origin Story
To read the PEBT’s origin story, click the link – PEBT Origin Story
Trust History and Milestones
Some of the major events in the history of the PEBT include:
1990’s
CUPE, BCPSEA, and the Province of British Columbia commenced discussions to conclude a Public Sector Accord on K – 12 support staff issues. The discussions addressed the establishment of a jointly trusteed health and welfare trust.
2000
Bill-7 (the Public Education Support Staff Collective Bargaining Assistance Act) included an $11.8 million commitment from the Province of British Columbia to provide long-term disability (LTD) benefits to support staff members.
2002
28 June – Trust Agreement between CUPE and BCPSEA signed.
The province provided an interest-free advance of $3 million for the establishment of a joint early intervention service that was fully repaid by the PEBT by the end of 2008.
3 July – First meeting of initial PEBT Board of Trustees.
2003
1 March – Introduction of LTD benefits to support staff members included in Bill-7.
2004
1 August – Initial enrolment commenced for Other Benefits (life insurance, accident insurance, health care and dental care). PEBT facilitated the provision of these Other Benefits to the districts/members.
2005
1 July – The Core LTD benefit, initially set at 50% of monthly earnings, was increased to 60% of monthly earnings.
2006
Spring – Participation in the PEBT was expanded through collective bargaining to include additional school districts and union locals representing approximately 8,000 support staff members.
1 November – Core LTD benefits were implemented for the additional support staff members.
2007
1 January – Initial enrolment commenced for Other Benefits (life insurance, accident insurance, health care and dental care) for the additional support staff members.
1,2 March – The PEBT held a province wide conference attended by 200 representatives of school districts, union locals and staff representatives, BCPSEA staff, and government.
2008
28, 29 February – The PEBT sponsored a second province wide conference, focusing on the Core LTD Program. Dr. Martin Collis was the guest speaker on “Workplace Wellness” and the conference was attended by 220 people.
2010
27, 28 October – The PEBT sponsored a province wide Health & Wellness conference. Featured guest speakers were Dr. Art Histor and Olympian Brian Price.
2013
26, 27 November – The PEBT sponsored a province wide conference, focusing on Mental Health in the Workplace. Guest speakers included David Granirer, Stand up for Mental Health; Rebecca Marino, Former Professional Tennis Player; and Dr. Susan Biali, Wellness Expert/Life Coach.
April – The Core LTD Benefit was increased to 66.67% of monthly earnings.
2016
July – The Core LTD Benefit was increased to 70% of monthly earnings.
2021
1 July – Effective July 1, 2021, all active Core LTD claimants who have been receiving LTD benefits for less than two years will be eligible to have premium contributions for their existing extended health and dental coverage paid for by the Core LTD program. This coverage continues until the Member is no longer eligible for LTD benefits or until they have received LTD benefits for two years.
Please note this does not supersede any current requirements or obligations of school districts under the Collective Agreement.