RTAM-PC meeting at the Legislature

RTaM-PC meeting at the legislature october 10, 2014

John Sushelnitsky

RTAM representatives met with Wayne Ewasko, the PC Education critic and members of the PC party, to discuss issues affecting retired teachers. Wayne Hughes, RTAM President, led the RTAM presentation and began by responding to the PC request for feedback on their Blueprint for Policy Change. Our President pointed out that the Blueprint did not mention retired teachers in particular or senior citizens in general. He stressed that seniors were a growing demographic and should be taken seriously.

Peggy Prendergast provided a two page write-up of her personal feedback to the Policy Blueprint as one example of a senior’s perspective. Peggy also emphasized the need for better communication of the services already available. RTAM has sponsored a number of workshops around the province, together with other organizations, to fill this need.

There was a brief summary of the history of events leading up to Bill 45, together with a chart summarizing the past six years. There was a chart detailing the declining purchasing power for retired teachers. Looking to the future, there was concern about what will happen to any surplus accumulated in the Restricted Surplus Reserve Fund established by that Bill. One of the handouts was a letter from former PC leader Hugh McFadyen outlining the PC party’s past support for a number of RTAM concerns such as the cost of living adjustments, TRAF representation and Pension Task Force. The question was posed as to the current position of the PC party.

The PC members were very interested in our Volunteer Survey and would like to receive more information on the details. The economic value of the volunteer work was mentioned as well as the widespread involvement of retired teachers in their communities. The final RTAM challenge was to find long term solutions for the teachers’ pension plan. The government should take a leadership role in bringing the government, active teachers and including retired teachers together with the plan administrator (TRAF). In addition to Ewasko, the PCs in attendance were MLAs Ian Wishart, Cliff Cullen, Heather Stefanson; Policy Analyst Stephanie Dudok and Communications Officer Mike Brown. Representing RTAM were Wayne Hughes, Marvin Krawec, Peggy Prendergast and John Sushelnitsky.