Thursday, January 22, 2026

As you probably know, the cost of health care continues to rise year after year. WECA California Commercial Apprentices receive major medical coverage, dental coverage, vision coverage, short term and long-term disability coverage, life insurance, and accidental death and dismemberment insurance, as well as an Employee Assistance Program.

In order to maintain the insurance benefit coverage provided to Apprentices, the WECA Health and Welfare Trustees have approved the following changes:

• Effective with the Commercial Apprentice Hours reported for hours worked in March 2026, the hourly health and welfare contribution will increase from $4.50 to $6.50.

In addition, the following changes will be made to the Commercial Apprentices’ hour bank account:

• The credited hour bank hours used to purchase one month’s health and welfare benefits will be increased to 140 hours.
• The new maximum Hour Bank reserve will be 560 hours (four month’s insurance premiums).
• These changes are effective with hours reported by your employer for January 2026, and for hours used to purchase March 2026 insurance benefits.

Please note that the hourly rate has not otherwise been changed since December 2010.

If you have questions regarding these changes, please contact the WECA office at 916-453-0112.