Political Advocacy Report On Meeting With MTS

John Sushelnitsky, Chair, Political Advocacy

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 November 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. A further request will be made once she is known. 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” is being printed in KIT to inform our membership about 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 10,000 retired teachers in the following areas: • Pension support and political advocacy. • Social connections and activities. • Group and Travel Insurance Plans • Communications. • Health and Welfare

If you become Premier of Manitoba, would you agree to consider enacting 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, as did Mr. McFayden, leader of the Progressive Conservative Party in 2011. Rationale: In the beginning stage, retired teachers were aided in the creation of their organization by the Manitoba Teachers’ Society (MTS), a union to which all teachers belonged. Membership in RTAM was and remains voluntary. Today RTAM has 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).

Rationale: Currently, TRAF has three persons nominated by the Government and three persons nominated by MTS. RTAM, ironically, is not permitted to nominate a person even though it is the economic welfare of retired teachers that is being decided. Recognizing RTAM as the official voice of retired teachers allows the Government to create a seat for the 10,000 retired teachers. n