Committee Reports Pensions

Pension coMMittee rePort

anne Monk, chair

civil servants get a 2/3rds cola

The July 1, 2011 cost of living adjustment (COLA) for retired civil servants was 1.57%. That is 2/3rds of the 2.35% increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

In contrast, the July 1, 2011 COLA for retired teachers was 0.98%, well short of a maximum 2/3rds CPI COLA. Rather, it is 41.7% of the 2.35% increase in the Consumer Price Index. The COLA for civil servants is 60% more than that for retired teachers.

The Government has supported a $145 million transfer to the civil servants’ COLA account to sustain funding a 2/3rds CPI COLA, but has supported only minimal funding measures to support COLA improvement for retired teachers. The results show in the differing level of COLAs granted.

Why are retired teachers being treated so differently? Similar significant funding support or a substantive funding plan is needed for the TRAF COLA account. It’s our turn for more significant funding measures to improve our COLAs.

Wellness seMinar

Barbara Mcdole

The Wellness Seminar sponsored by RTAM entitled "Stay in the Game" was held on April 20, 2011, at McMaster House. The event, as usual, was very well attended by eager seniors, endeavoring to learn as much as possible to enhance their "leisure years!"

Organizations representing services for seniors were available throughout the day with handouts relating to Financial Planning, Income and Benefits from Government Programs, Managing and Protecting Assets, Planning for Loss of Independence, Future Housing Needs, Having a Will and Funeral Plans, Financial Abuse and Frauds and Scams.

Three sessions were offered. The first was entitled "Communication in the New Social Network" presented by Richard Denesiuk from Creative Retirement Manitoba. For those of us who are technically challenged, Richard held us in awe of the ever developing, phenomenal communication resources that are out there. Wikipedia, iPhone, Skype, internet, smart phones, Facebook, texting, web cam, world wide web and Google maps were just a few of the topics he touched on, leaving quite a number of us in utter amazement!

The second session "Keeping an Aging Body Working Like a Youunger One" was led by Candace Swick, a fitness expert from the Rady Centre. Candace led us through some low impact workouts that can be done pretty well anywhere and without a lot of equipment. Marching/ walking on the spot, exercising on the spot and sitting exercises are all cardiop friendly. Upper body resistence training with stretch tubing targets chest muscles, biceps, shoulder blades and triceps. Balance and range of motion were also topics demonstrated. As Candace pointed out, being active in all your daily events is body friendly!

Sharon Tod, who is a lawyer with Inkster Christie Hughes LLB.,spoke to "Preventing Financial Abuse," for our third session. It is paramount that everyone, especially people who are aging, have a trustworthy power of attorney, and an updated will that leaves no room for misinterpretation. Sharon gave examples of family situations that have turned into horror shows because people neglected to get their affairs in order! YIKES!

As usual, Peggy arranged for a great, nutritious morning break and a delicious catered luncheon!

If you have any suggestions for future Wellness Seminars, please contact Peggy Prendergast at her e-mail address: ppeggy@mts.net

a “funny” thing haPPened at the legislature John sushelnitsky, Public relations

RTAM President Benoit asked retired teachers to come to the Leg on May 31, 2011, to witness the passage of a private member’s bill. Conservative education critic Cliff Cullen had put forward a bill for second reading that would give RTAM naming rights to a member on the TRAF Board. Currently, RTAM is consulted by the Government as to who might be a suitable representative but the Government retains the legal naming right and the retired teacher is a Government appointee. The bill would change all that. Quite an exciting possibility, really!

Once the bill passed second reading it would go to committee for further discussion and modification, if necessary, and then back to the Leg for third and final reading and then it becomes law with the the Lt. Gov.’s signature. The twenty-some retired teachers who filled the elevator or walked up the three flights of stairs to the Visitors’ Gallery were filled with hopeful anticipation as RTAM was about to move forward in its quest for official recognition by the major players in the “pension game.”

Among some of the attendees, there was a belief that the bill was a “slam dunk,” to use a basketball term for a sure thing. What did the Government have to lose? It was a win-win situation if the Government simply formalized what it actually was doing. To our astonishment, the next hour was anything but a slam dunk. What should have taken five minutes stretched out to an hour as Government Members took the opportunity to review all that the Government has done for the teaching profession and Opposition Members pointed out the red herrings that were being put forward. Towards the end, the Speaker, who acts like a referee in such contests, ruled that while all Members have the right to speak on all bills, and it was his job to protect the rights of minorities, the time for private members’ bills had run out! He then asked if Members would allow for extra time. Hearing a “no” amongst a chorus of “yeses” he ruled the time had expired and the Leg had to move on to other matters. Strange on all fronts!

Back in the Conservative caucus room with Mr. Cullen , we RTAM neophytes learned that this was not the first time this bill has been discussed. It has suffered the same fate each time! Because there was an indication that some Members still wished to speak on the bill it could be back next week for a further discussion, we were told. Although this was not a bill that would cost the Government money, it was explained, it would reduce the Government’s naming power and that must be the crux of the matter. All three political parties paid homage to the retired teachers who had been so important to their education, but no forward movement happened at the Leg. Like a dog chasing its tail, the Members played the circle game. And we retired teachers witnessed the fruits of our labour dally and dawdle.

rtaM Pre-retireMent seMinars

John sushelnitsky, Membership & chapters chair

Anne Monk, Gordon Campbell, Irene Wallis, Pat Bowslaugh, Richard Benoit.

In the “olden days,” RTAM representatives were invited to MTS pre-retirement seminars and could distribute RTAM materials to interested teachers. This practice changed a couple of years ago when the MTS dis-invited RTAM to their events. Consequently, the RTAM Board, through its Membership Committee and Ad Hoc committees, designed a series of brochures and a power point presentation to inform current teachers of what to expect when they cross the “river of retirement."

On April 23, 2011, the Membership Committee held its first seminar in Winnipeg. Presentations on the overall theme of retirement were made by President Richard Benoit, Pension chair Anne Monk and Benefits chair Pat Bowslaugh. The presentations were followed by a question and answer session. The evaluations were very positive and included comments such as the following: “People thought of questions that I hadn’t thought of.”

“It clarified information and adds to what was presented.”

“Well done! Thank you for doing this for us.”

A second seminar was held in Brandon the following Saturday, April 30, 2011. Presentations were made by Ray Sitter, Brian Paterson and Pat Bowslaugh. John Solomon hosted the event on behalf of RTAM. Among the evaluations were comments such as: “Teachers should be encouraged to attend before retiring (2-3years)."

“I enjoy hearing the stories of what other retired teachers have done.”

“It’s such a new phase of our lives. Thankfully RTAM is providing info, resources, plans that I hadn’t realized were available or that I may need. Thanks so much!”

Contact with current teachers was made through the Superintendents' oganization and RTAM sincerely appreciates that co-operation.

traVel seMinar

A large group of RTAM members gathered at McMaster House on May 4 to participate in the annual seminar organized by the RTAM Travel Committee. We had some treats in store. Maureen Barchyn and her sister Jean Robson had prepared a well-organized power point presentation on their volunteer vacation on the Hawaiian Island of Kauai. They arranged, through Habitat for Humanity Canada, to work on two Habitat builds as well as in the Habitat Store. They gave us some background on the organization and the opportunties it offers to volunteers on their builds throughout the world. If you follow Revenue Canada's rules, you can claim some of your expenses as a charitable donation. They spoke about learning new skills, living in close proximity with others, the beauty of the island and, of course, the feeling of satisfaction that comes from meeting challenges and helping others. The finale was a video, created by some of the build participants, accessed via a link to You Tube. Jean and Maureen's enthusiastic presentation received many positive comments on the evaluation forms, for example, "Great work ladies." The second treat of the seminar was the very important health break. The committee provided muffins, cinnamon buns and fruit along with beverages. There was a buzz of conversation as people visited with each other and chatted with Jean and Maureen. This gave the committee an opportunity to set up the second presentation.

Our third treat was delivered by RTAM board member Bill Taylor from Brandon and formerly Thompson who had just returned from his tour called the Mongolian Express. He had us laughing with him as he described his struggle with technology to prepare his presentation for the workshop. He met the group in Beijing and showed us "the only open space in China, Tiananmen Square." We travelled with him through Mongolia where he showed us monuments to Genghis Khan and the most luxurious yurts, smallest horses and other hardy animals set in a treeless plain with a mountainous backdrop. The bunks in the sleeping quarters on the Siberian Express caused Bill to fondly remember Via Rail's private bedrooms. He got know his tour companions very well. They made several stops in Russia and the tour ended in the magnificent city of St. Petersburg. He provided us with handouts and enough information so we could begin planning our own trips. Bill entertained us with energy, enthusiasm and humour. Throughout his presentation there was a great deal of laughter and many positive comments were written on the evaluation forms. Four lucky attendees won prizes in our draw. Two of the prizes were donated by Bill.

Maureen recksiedler, former chair

MANITOBA NORMAL SCHOOL Class of 1953-1954 will be celebrating our 58th year reunion on Saturday, September 22, 2012 in Brandon, Manitoba at the UKRAINIAN READING ASSOCIATION HALL located at 1005 Assiniboine Avenue For information contact Marg Cullen: mcullen@wcgwave.ca or 204-727-8833 Information and registration forms will be sent in September to all classmates whose addresses are known. If you do not receive yours, or you changed your mailing address, e-mail or phone number contact Matt Kawchuk: mrmatt1@mts.net or phone 204-728-8432. Please register before June 30, 2012. ATTENTION WINNIPEG SCHOOL DIVISION RETIREES

The Winnipeg School Division is pleased again to offer to its retirees and their adult family members discounted fitness passes with the City of Winnipeg recreational facilities. Enrolment will be from June 13 to September 20, 2011 inclusive, with the fitness passes being effective October 1, 2011. Further information will be available online after June 1, 2011 at http://www.wsd1.org/humanresources/wellness.htm

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