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Political Advocacy Report
RTAM's Requests For Action
When Premier Pallister resigned and opened the door for new leadership it seemed like a great opportunity to once again place RTAM’s priorities, our wish list, in front of the government. In some respects, it is not a new list having been presented to Ministers of Education, Wishart, Goertzen and Cullen (and NDP Ministers before them).
On Nov. 3, 2021, the PA Committee reported that there had been no response to the request for a meeting with either leadership candidate for the PC Party. It is hoped that the new premier will take notice.
After discussion at the Board and Committee levels, the Political Advocacy Committee was tasked with the creation of the current Requests for Action (“Asks”). This resulted in the Five Asks and accompanying rationales, a letter of support from 2011 and RTAM’s position on Bill 64.
The list of five “Asks” are being printed in KIT for the information of our membership as to RTAM’s current priorities and actions. The other political Parties will be contacted once a meeting with the government has taken place. Some of these documented Requests for Action (Asks) go back to 2011.
Since 1989 RTAM has been a strong collective voice representing over 10,000 retired teachers in the following areas: • Pension support and political advocacy • Extended Health, Dental and Travel Insurance Plans • Social connections and activities
• Health and Welfare seminars and webinars
• Communications, website and quarterly magazine • Member of the Manitoba Seniors Coalition
• Student Awards and Indigenous Bursary programs
As the new Premier of Manitoba, would you consider supporting the following proposals of the Retired Teachers’ Association of Manitoba (RTAM)? 1. Recognize in legislation, the role of the Retired Teachers’ Association of Manitoba (RTAM) as the organization which speaks for and acts on behalf of all retired teachers in Manitoba? Rationale: In the beginning stage, retired teachers were aided in the creation of their organization by the Manitoba Teachers’ Society (MTS), to which all active teachers belong. Membership in RTAM was and remains voluntary. Today RTAM has over 10,000 members and continues to grow. The interests and pursuits of the MTS and RTAM are not identical and so it is time to recognize the growth and independence of the Retired Teachers’ organization. Currently, seven of ten provinces give legal recognition to their Retired Teacher organizations.
2. Create a seat for RTAM on the Teachers’
Retirement Allowances Fund (TRAF) Board.
Rationale: Currently, the TRAF Board is comprised of three persons and a Chair nominated by the Government and three persons nominated by the MTS. Most provinces in Canada provide some representation for retired teachers on their respective pension boards.
3. Agree to an action plan that will ensure a fair income adjustment in the face of growing inflation.
Rationale: The Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) has not kept up to the rise in inflation.
The value of the dollar earned has decreased dramatically since 2000. While the cost of all goods and services has increased the value of pension dollars has decreased, resulting in extreme economic hardship for elderly retired teachers, particularly so for those who retired in the 1970s. RTAM proposes to work with the
Government, MTS and TRAF to seek solutions to alleviate this hardship.
