New Glasgow members send politicians a message about pensions

CEIU members in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia are writing to the politicians in Ottawa with a clear message: hands off our pension plan. They put their case well, and you can join them.

Most of us have written to politicians at least once, and while the official response often gives little encouragement, the important point is that politicians do note the concerns of those who take the time to write to them. Writing letters is worth the effort.

New Glasgow Local President Michelle MacLean says that the idea of letter writing started in the same way as most others: “Talk began on breaks and lunch hours. Soon, our displeasure about what the government was planning went in a practical direction and we decided to get busy with the letters.”

One topic they wanted to address was the conservative media line that public service workers are “fat cats”, earning huge salaries and enjoying pensions that allow them to lead a privileged life-style. A number of their letters included messages like this:

After 35 years of service a lot of “fat cat pensions” will be less than $3,000 a month.  Does that sound like a huge amount of monthly income to you, for 35 years of service?  A large percentage of the workers are women, who will be trying to live off this pension.

“Everyone, politicians included, need to know the real story about our pensions. We’re not millionaires. We work like anyone else and we don’t retire with excessive pensions,” said MacLean.

“Our opponents try to argue that because some Canadians have little financial protection for their old age, public service workers should take a hit on their pensions” said National President Jeannette Meunier-McKay, “but the goal should be to raise everyone’s retirement income to a decent level. Attacking our pensions does nothing for those in need.”

Members across the country are urged to join those in New Glasgow by writing to politicians about our pension plan. The more voices saying “Hands off our pension plan!”- the better.