BC Travel Reimbursement Policy

LiUNA Local 1611 has launched the BC Travel Reimbursement Incentive Program (BC TRIP), which allows members who reside in British Columbia to travel to our Training PLUS facility in Surrey for training and have the majority of costs covered. 

• Courses covered must be taken at our Surrey training facility. Courses elsewhere in the province are not eligible.

• Members must reside in B.C. and be members in good standing at the time of the training.

• Members must reside outside of the local catchment area. The local catchment area is the U.S. border to the south, North Vancouver to the northwest, and Hope to the East.

• All costs are to be initially paid by the member. Costs will then be submitted to Training PLUS for reimbursement.

• For members who want to renew their tickets, we will only reimburse your travel if it is within the six-month period PRIOR to expiry.

• Members will be covered to a maximum of 10 days of training per annum. Members may take additional training at their own cost.

• Members must successfully complete all courses attended.

Our Course Catalogue is constantly expanding. As of January 2024, courses covered as a part of this program are:

1. Aerial Lift Platform

2. Asphalt Laydown Program

3. Blueprint Reading

4. Concrete (All levels)

5.  Confined Space Entrant

6. Foreman Training

7. Forklift

8. Gas Testing

9. Hoisting & Rigging

10. Oxyfuel Cutting

11. Skid Steer Loader

12. Spark Watch

13. Surveying (All levels)

14. Telehandler

15. Utility Pipelaying

16. CCW Upgrade Refresher Course

We will try to schedule courses in “chunks” to make it easier for people who live outside of the catchment area to travel to Surrey for consecutive courses. This isn’t always possible, but we will strive to make this happen as much as possible. Not all courses will be covered as a part of this program.

• Our entire online platform (WHMIS, Wildlife Awareness, Asbestos Awareness, etc.)

• Any course that can also be delivered in a virtual format (Ground Disturbance Level 2, Confined Space Entry/Monitor, Fall Protection, Rigging Basics)

• Any TCP-related training (2-day TCP, TCP Requalification, Lane Closure Technician)

Members will pay for all initial costs and then submit the receipts for reimbursement. The following costs will be reimbursed through BC TRIP.

Mileage: Mileage from the members’ BC place of residence to Training PLUS as well as their return will be calculated using Google Maps. The address used for residency will be what the member has on their Local 1611 Member file. The mileage rate will be $0.68/km. 

Accommodation: A hotel/AirBnB costs up to $200/night. This includes all taxes and fees. We will need an itemized breakdown on the receipt as we will not cover any incidental costs.

Per Diem: A rate of $150/day to cover food and other related costs will be issued.

Duration: The number of days used to cover accommodation and per diem will be the number of days of training +1. For example, if a member attended four consecutive days of training, they will be covered for five nights of accommodation and five days of per diem. 

Ferries: We will cover the cost of one regular vehicle, one reservation fee, and one passenger return.

You must submit:

1. The BC TRIP Application Form

2. Copies of all itemized receipts (accommodation and ferries)

Your completed BC TRIP Application Form and copies of your itemized receipts must be sent to BCTRIP@liuna1611.org within 30 days of the completion of the attended courses. This is non-negotiable and any applications received after the 30 days will not be accepted. Every application must be approved at a regular Board meeting. Please send applications once the courses are finished. 

We recommend that you book your hotel accommodation with the Ramada Hotel as they offer a preferred rate. The Ramada Hotel is located at 19225 Highway 10 (Surrey/Langley border). If you are booking at the Ramada, follow the instructions in the next section. Call the hotel at 604-576-8388 to make your reservation and indicate you are booking through the CSW Training Society. Reservations will be eligible for the corresponding discount based on the number of nights booked/used within each period of stay.

In addition to the specially discounted rate, you will receive:

• Complimentary breakfast buffet

• Complimentary wifi

• Complimentary use of the fitness facility, indoor pool and hot tub

• Complimentary parking 

• 10% discount at Moonlight Restaurant located adjacent to hotel

Email Training PLUS Administrator Tom Miller for additional information.