RMG NCR Chapter News - May 2018

RMG NCR CHAPTER NEWS  SPRING 2018

PRESIDENT'S REPORT

Greetings to all Members!

Our Chapter has had a very productive past year serving the RMG National Capital Region community.   Protecting the interests of PIPSC retired members, while maintaining our strong ties to sister organizations mandated to guard the rights of Canada's seniors, enhances the value of our service to PIPSC, our retirees and our  working members preparing for retirement.

 The Chapter held its 2017 AGM at the Mandarin Restaurant on West Hunt Club Road in Ottawa on October 18, 2018.   We also held the  Chapter  Executive Elections for three member-at-large positions, each for a  three year term.  I thank Gordon Bulmer NCR Acting Director  and Stacy McLaren NCR Branch Coordinator for conducting our elections with utmost professionalism and efficiency.  I also thank them for  recognizing that  our Chapter is a vital part of the Institute's National Capital Region, in equal partnership with all the NCR Branches.   I thank all candidates who ran for office, and congratulate  Mary Jane Kelleher, Nita Saville, and Zul Nanji who were elected.  I also thank departing Executive member Shirley Gillette for her dedication to serving our members with excellence.    

Over the past year we continued to expand our services on the training front in response to growing demand for a wide range of topics.   Our  Seminars for Seniors series,  launched  in the spring of 2017, was an instant success. I congratulate our dynamic  Retirement Seminars Committee, led by Mary Jane Kelleher (Chair), and composed of Allan Shusterman, Zul Nanji, and  Karen Parr.  A summary  of  seminars presented  in recent months is provided  further down in this newsletter.  I encourage all members to keep an eye on upcoming seminar announcements posted on the Chapter's website, and to continue providing  us with your comments and suggestions for future seminars.

Our  Retired Members  presence at the PIPSC AGM in November 2017 was strong, with over thirty spots filled by Retired Members who participated either as RMG, Regional, or Group delegates. 

The RMG AGM, as in the past, was held the day before the PIPSC AGM, providing an  ideal  networking opportunity for Retired Members from all parts of Canada, and  facilitating discussion of  impending AGM resolutions, and the latest developments affecting seniors.  Interestingly,  the PIPSC AGM this year was palpably devoid of  the usual  pushback on PIPSC Retired Members, a much welcome change from past years. 

This newsletter contains additional information about our many other activities including our active participation on the PIPSC 100th Anniversary Committee as it prepares for the fast approaching Institute celebrations in 2019-2020.  In closing, I remind members to keep atop of our news and developments by checking the PIPSC RMG national and chapter websites, as well as the RMG Facebook page, all excellent sources of information on issues of interest to our community. We also welcome your feedback to ensure that we are meeting your expectations  as a member of the RMG and the NCR Chapter. 

Sincerely,  Bill Giggie, RMG NCR Chapter President

RETIRED MEMBERS GUILD (RMG) NATIONAL ELECTIONS 2017

The Chapter Executive congratulates its Chapter  VP Terry Sing for his election to the RMG Executive this past fall.  Subsequently, Terry was elected by the new RMG Executive to serve as its national RMG President. Terry brings  his extensive experience serving members and networking with the many organizations that champion the challenges affecting our seniors nation-wide.

We extend our heartfelt appreciation to departing President Pat Kinnear for his outstanding leadership over the past three years and his many years of dedicated service as member of the RMG Executive.  Thankfully, Pat continues to be our keeper of the RMG Facebook page, ensuring that we are up to date  on issues of the day.  The Chapter also congratulates Don Burns (BC/Yukon) and Don Eldershaw (Atlantic) for their election to the  RMG National Executive and  Michael Forbes (GTA) who was appointed  to the RMG Executive following the passing of our dear colleague Michael Seiden in 2017.  Richard Rice (NCR) was re-appointed as executive Treasurer. The Chapter also thanks departing RMG Executive members Nita Saville (NCR) and Susan Ramsay (BC) for their invaluable contributions to the work of the RMG over the past three years.   Nita continues to serve on the Chapter Executive and just happens to be editor of this newsletter.

RMG AGM 2017

The RMG AGM, as in the past, was held the day before the 2017 PIPSC AGM, and provided an ideal opportunity for our NCR Retirees to network with some thirty plus PIPSC AGM Retiree delegates from all parts of Canada.  It also facilitated discussion of impending PIPSC AGM resolutions, and the latest developments affecting seniors. 

NCR CHAPTER SPRING GENERAL MEETING - MAY 2, 2018

The Chapter's Spring General Meeting, held on May 2, 2018 at the Mandarin Restaurant on West Hunt Club Road in Ottawa, was attended by some sixty Retired members, and two guest speakers, President Debi Daviau, and John Staric,  PIPSC Pension and Benefits Officer.  President Daviau addressed various topics including Bill C-27 and the Phoenix pay fiasco.  John Staric provided an update on pensions and benefits. The Spring meeting is held annually, and provides an opportunity for   delegates to network and be brought up to date on the Chapter's activities.  It is also an opportunity to meet  PIPSC Board members and  hear how PIPSC is tackling  issues of the day, including the stagnating but still ominous Bill C-27, and the rogue Phoenix pay fiasco, which might signal possible impact on seniors' pensions. 

CHAPTER SEMINAR COMMITTEE REPORT 

A 2017 questionnaire seeking member suggestions for training topics was very helpful  to the  Seminar Committee  which is planning to offer four seminars in 2018.   The first seminar of this year, entitled "Minimizing Taxes and Maximizing Benefits for Retired Folks" was held in the evening at the PIPSC National Office (250 Tremblay Road, Ottawa).   Attendees included Retired PIPSC members as well as soon to be Retired members and their spouses.  Evening sessions at the PIPSC office feature plenty of free parking and complimentary hot and cold beverages.   The presenters, Zul Nanji and Mary Jane Kelleher, spoke on various topics, including income tax deductions, strategies to minimize taxes on investments, and strategies to minimize estate taxes and fees. They also reviewed Retirees  entitlements to government programs such as the Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security.

The next seminar in the series, which drew strong demand,  was held on the evening of  April 23, 2018, at the PIPSC head office, and  entitled  "Protecting Yourself from Fraud".  The presentation, made by  a fraud specialist of the Ottawa Police Force,  was punctuated by Zul Nanji's vivid description of an actual scam.  This seminar proved very educational, and may be considered for a repeat presentation.

The Chapter's seminars have proven to be very popular, each averaging some sixty participants.  While providing educational benefits, the seminars also provide an opportunity for our Retired members to network and to learn about the benefits of becoming RMG members. Chapter members are urged to keep an eye on our website (ncr.rmg.seminars@gmail.com) for upcoming seminar details, and registration instructions.  Members who wish to offer comments and/or suggestions for future seminars are welcome to contact  the Seminar Committee by e-mail (ncr.rmg.seminars@gmail.com) or  the Committee Chair,  Mary Jane Kelleher, by phone at:  613-224-2692.

WE APPLAUD DEBRA DUNVILLE -  RMG VOLUNTEER EXTRAORDINAIRE

 

 On December 24, 1984, the Parliamentary Employment Staff Relations Act (PESRA) came into effect ending the legal ban on the unionization of parliamentary employees.  Through 1985 to 1999, Debra  was a member of the first House of Commons Procedural Clerks and Indexers Bargaining Unit  serving as Treasurer, Vice-President and ultimately President.   This was the Bargaining Unit that  negotiated the very first collective agreement with the Parliament of Canada.   

 In the early 1990s, the bargaining unit was involved in the release of a PWGSC report showing dangerous levels of  asbestos in the West Block that were  putting employees safety at risk.   As Chair of the ad-hoc committee comprising all  unions represented at the House of Commons, Debra led a news conference on the steps of Parliament and provided the report  to the press  and  to the committee that ran the House of Commons.  This led to the  creation of a House of Commons Joint Occupational Safety and Health Committee (JOSH) with the intent of implementing the “spirit” of Part IV of PESRA.  Debra  was elected by all  unions participating in the JOSH  to the position of  union Co-Chair of JOSH, serving in that role until January 1999.  While JOSH continues as  a cornerstone of union/management consultations, to this day,  Parliament is not legally bound to  abide by any federal, provincial, or municipal health and safety standards or laws. 

In 1995, the House of Commons, for the first time, downsized employees, eliminating  50% of the Indexer positions.  This action precluded  any Workforce Adjustment Policies and guidelines  in the federal workplace.  With determination,  Debra and her PIPSC group presented alternatives for employment for those declared surplus  and succeeded in providing all surplus employees with exciting and challenging job opportunities  in the House of Commons that were commiserate with their experience and qualifications.

Debra was elected to the PIPSC Board of Directors, serving from 1994-1998 as an NCR Director.  During this time, Debra was at the forefront of evolving  government/union relations during which many important issues were tackled, including  the following turning points in PIPSC history: 

-during the Liberal government downsizing of the Public Service in the mid-90s, and with everyone flying blind   in the absence of a Workforce Adjustment Policy, PIPSC set up a system, accepted by the government,  whereby PIPSC  members who were in positions that were being eliminated could trade with PIPSC members who wanted to leave government.  This turned into a win-win situation for PIPSC members.

-the reduction of the  PIPSC Board of Directors  from 25 to 15 members allowed for more efficient operation of the Board and a more business oriented organization.

-the establishment of a Regional Council for the National Capital Region, which gave NCR members a regional identity on par with all other PIPSC  regions.  Debra, elected as Chair of the NCR,  presided over the very first NCR Regional Council.  Soon after, an NCR Regional Office with dedicated NCR representatives and staff was created to handle all of the caseloads and work that pertained to  members, directors and organizations based in the National Capital Region.

- the federal government' s  introduction of the very  troublesome Universal Classification System (UCS) in the late 1990s,  which inevitably failed, led to the  amalgamation of some existing bargaining groups resulting in notably larger bargaining groups  which still exist today .

As a Retired Member, Debra continues to serve with distinction, most recently as a member of the  PIPSC 100^th Anniversary Committee reporting on its progress and helping to organize the Institute's upcoming  celebrations in  2019-2020. 

Debra, on behalf of the RMG community, the NCR Chapter proudly recognizes and applauds  your selfless outstanding contributions in service to PIPSC and for the good of all PIPSC members!

NATIONAL CAPITAL REGIONAL COUNCIL

The Chapter sent eleven delegates to the National Capital Region's Council held on April 20-21 this year.   In addition to the Chapter's 11 delegates, additional NCR PIPSC Retirees attended as NCR branch delegates.  The NCR Chapter proudly congratulates ex-Executive Member of the Chapter, Shirley Gillette, who was awarded a well deserved NCR Region Unsung Hero  Award

PIPSC 100TH ANNIVERSARY COMMITTEE

February 6, 2020 marks the Institute's 100th Anniversary.   Dedicated Committee members have been  working diligently on many fronts preparing for the fast approaching year of celebrations.  The Committee  includes Retired Members whose personal knowledge of the Institute’s history and varied skill sets are essential to the project.  Retired Member Lucienne Bahuaud is the Committee Chair, and PIPSC VP Steve Hindle serves as the PIPSC Board liaison.

This past November, during the PIPSC Annual General Meeting, Dr. Jason Russell, the researcher hired to document PIPSC historical material,  recorded his discussions with over twenty  "old timer" AGM delegates who were happy to share their PIPSC memories. 

More recently, in April, Committee member Debra Dunville prepared and submitted a very comprehensive progress report to the Institute's Board of Directors.  Her report testifies to the impressive breadth and depth of the Committee's work to ensure a grand year of Happy Birthday celebrations across the country!   

STOP BILL C-27

Bill C-27, a  rogue bill stagnating at the First Reading stage in Parliament, if passed , would  make  it easier for employers to convert existing employee Defined Benefit pension plans to Target Benefit plans. The long campaign against Bill C-27 continues, with the National Association of Federal Retirees (NAFR) taking the lead.  PIPSC, including the RMG and its Chapters, are active participants in the CLC national campaign marching in concert with many other seniors’ organizations across the country.  NCR Director Greg Scriver, in his posted message to PIPSC members this past February said, "It’s time to get this flawed piece of legislation off Parliament’s books once and for all.  He urged members to join the Institute’s ongoing campaign against C-27 by emailing their Member of Parliament, the Prime Minister, and the Minister of Finance to ensure the retirement security of all Canadians

THE PHOENIX DEBACLE

Top of the list of horrors is the ill-fated federal government Phoenix pay system which is forcing  our working members to endure  unimaginable financial hardship  with no end in sight. PIPSC continues to fight for members, keeping a focus on resolving pay issues, pushing the government to put in place a short terms solution, and asking for a long-term replacement solution.  While Phoenix has primarily hurt PIPSC working members, the Chapter wants to hear from  Retired members  who may be experiencing financial problems due to Phoenix and  to determine how the Institute can assist to address these problems.  For more information, members are urged to send an email to the Working Group on Phoenix, telling them to Nix Phoenix: action.pipsc.ca/phoenix

PROMOTING THE RMG

In 2017, Terry Sing was the author of a very successful information paper/pamphlet, entitled “What Have You Done for Me Lately …” .  This initiative has garnered favorable reviews, created a positive profile of the RMG,  and raised awareness that the contributions of RMG activists have benefited the PIPSC general membership.

On a parallel track, Richard Rice, RMG national executive member, has written a new information brochure for PIPSC Retirees and "Soon To Be" Retirees entitled “So You’re Retired … What Now? “.  It provides a condensed resume of key issues facing retirees, and aptly makes the case for continued union membership. The first version is currently being distributed to RMG chapters across the country. 

MAINTAINING YOUR RMG MEMBERSHIP IS EASY

Prior to the beginning of each Calendar year (usually October), the Institute notifies RMG members that their membership is up for renewal and provides the option of mail in or online payment .  Receipts are issued annually in February.   Any Chapter member who has not received this letter, and or requires additional  information, is asked to contact  PIPSC at membership@pipsc.ca or  Linda Martel, Manager, Membership and Administration at: lmartel@pipsc.ca or  613-228-6310

NCR CHAPTER EXECUTIVE 2017 - 2018

PRESIDENT Bill Giggie billgiggie@yahoo.com
VICE PRESIDENT Terry Sing t.sing@sympatico.ca
SECRETARY Mike Shore mshore1@rogers.com
TREASURER Allan Shusterman allan4416@gmail.com
MEMBERS-AT-LARGE
Nita Saville nsaville@pipsc.ca
Mary-Jane Kelleher mjkelleher@bell.net
Charlotte Young c.young@videotron.ca
Zul Nanji zulnanji@gmail.com
Cynthia (Cindy) Anderson canderso@pipsc.ca