The Retirees' Newsletter

The Retirees's Association ( Faculty, Librarian, Administrator), University of Windsor, Windsor, Canada

Vol IX, No. 2, April 1999

Spring General Meeting

Tuesday March 16, 1999- 2.30 p.m. Hoffman Auditorium, IONA College, University of Windsor

Stan Cunningham acted as Chair and Datta Pillay as Secretary.

1. Minutes of the October 27, 1998 Annual General Meeting

It was moved by Kumar Chatterjee and seconded by Joseph Quinn that the minutes be approved - Carried.

2. Remarks - Faculty Association (FA) Representative

Dr. Dan Britten Treasurer FA representing the President Dr. Gordon Drake, conveyed his regrets and extended the greetings of the Association. He began his comments by stating that in recent months the FA has heard some of the concerns and wishes of the Retirees Association (RA) and recommends setting up some mechanism to discuss problems and come to an understanding before a crisis situation arises.

However, he was blunt in stating that although the FA is willing to consider the Retirees' as part of them, the primary responsibility of their association is to the active faculty members, who are the ones that ratify a contract. He said the issues of retirees are secondary and in his own mind, he was struggling how far the FA should go to accommodate the retirees concerns. In response to a question if the FA would be more flexible in future contract negotiations, he said that the FA would like to have better understanding and willing to push for retirees' benefits without detriment to active faculty members.

3. Remarks - Vice President Academic - Prof Neil Gold

Please see page of the newsletter.

4-5. Mr. Jim Skinner, Human Resources and Ms Asae Cuthbert, Awards Officer were unable to attend the meeting due to prior commitments. and sent in their regrets.

6,7 - Business Arising from Minutes - Presidents Report

Stan Cunningham Chair, combined agenda items 6,7,9 & 10-the Business arising from Minutes, his Report, Grievance Update and Faculty Association Committee Update to provide a comprehensive overview.

-It was reported that the USER-ID fees for use of Email was eliminated and members were reimbursed and cheques received for amounts paid.

-The 1998 T-4 slips were issued for only eleven payments to compensate the 13 payments in 1997. This matter has been resolved to the satisfaction of all.

-A letter was written to the General Membership to join the Retirees Association and it has had some effect as we see some increase in membership.

- March 13 The Annual Social Dinner and Evening was a great success. 58 persons attended the event, the best so far in the history of the association

8. Treasurer's Report: Professor Phyllis Nolan

Paid Membership 129 @ $ 10.00 = $ 1,290.00

Expenses: Printing $ 336.13

Postage $ 116.84

Bursary $ 50.00

Miscellaneous $ 54.48

Total $ 557.45

Balance in Bank $ 951.67

This report covers the revenue and expenditures from October 1998 to March 1999. Full report will be presented at the Fall General Meeting in October 1999.

9. Group Grievance Update:

The progress on the Group Grievance was reported in the previous three Newsletters. Stan Cunningham tried to summarize and provide an overview on the subject. It was reported that out of $ 22.6 million pension surplus in 1998-2001 Contract, Retirees received 4.42 percent, which equals about $ 1 million to bring those members on Minimum Guarantee up. This disproportionate and unjust distribution of pension surplus was grieved by a group of eight retirees.

The group retained the services of a lawyer to advice on the legal and correct interpretation of the grievance, at a cost of $ 1,700 paid by them. First, the grievance was turned down by the Faculty Association Grievance Committee. The group was disappointed in the excessively legalistic view taken by the Grievance Committee.

Next, this decision was appealed to the Faculty Association Executive Committee, by making a personal representation. The Executive also turned down the grievance. The third stage and final appeal was made to the Faculty Association Council, which consists of about 30 members from across the university. However, at the hearing only 16 members were present, barely a quorum. The final vote rejecting the grievance was 7 to 6, which certainly indicates, that some Faculty Association members on the Council, feel the association has fiduciary responsibility to the Retirees.

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