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With the change from Toronto Dominion to Canada Trust, the account is now a
commercial one and the statements are received later than before. The number of
members is down from last year at 140. The report was moved and seconded. Carried.
7. President's report-Alan Metcalfe
Alan thanked the WURA Executive and mentioned his report which is printed in the
newsletter. The retirees' dinner was magnificent, with 320 people attending. Gifts were
presented to Datta Pillay, Stan Cunningham and Bob Chandler for their service to the
retirees. Ray Hermiston has agreed to be the new webmaster. Alan said that the real
problem for the retirees is that there is no real power, only moral persuasion. Dr. Paul,
Brian Brown and Jim Butler have been concerned. He saw a little change with the
couple category now in the health plan and the Trust Fund which is the first
breakthrough. There is a communication problem with only 50% of the retirees on email.
He is trying to get a full list of retirees and communication will be the considered at the
next Executive Committee meeting. Members will be informed by email as the Trust
Fund progresses.
8. Committee Reports:
A. Pension and Benefits - John Meyer
The Comparative Analysis of Individual Health Benefit Plans For & From WURA was presented. A vote was held on the three recommendations:
No. 1 - Keep current "luxury" plan but get more contractual subsidies in next collective agreement comparable to many other universities. Carried.
No. 2- Continue to explore the feasibility of an academic retiree's national or provincial plan that would provide lower premiums. Carried.
No. 3- Continue the feasibility study of the 10 Green-Shield-University health benefit plans with an objective of a potential for unification of plans and thereby increasing volume and lowering premiums. Carried. (The reality is, however, that Human Resources is depleted and there has been no replacement for J. Skinner in over one year. The flow of information is retarded)
J. Meyer is putting together a handbook for retirees. He was thanked for his enormous
work on the comparison.
B. Report on Retirees involvement in the University - Don Briggs
The report was distributed. It is not known how much interest there is in involvement.
There were 15 responses to the October 1999 questionnaire. Datta Pillay suggested
that the President and Vice-President-Academic be asked where they need help - that it
be their initiative instead of the retirees.
C. Report on Associate Membership - Jerry Malone
A background report was prepared last summer followed by the distributed report . An
Associate Membership subcategory was discussed for those nearing retirement to gain
some insights and also benefit WUFA and WURA. The report was moved, seconded
and carried. It was agreed that it is important to sensitize members of the Faculty
Association as most faculty are unaware of what retirement means. A column in each
newsletter was suggested. There was consensus that something needs to be done and
the constitutional issue be taken into account.
D. Bursary Fund Report - Wilf Innerd
Three bursaries were awarded at $1,000 each and thank-you letters were received.
E. D7 Committee Report - Alan Metcalfe
The real problems were taken to the D7 Committee and next year solutions are
expected. A report will be submitted by July 1st and retirees will receive it by e-mail.
9. CAERA (Canadian Association of Emeriti and Retired Academics)
A one day conference will be held in Toronto May 31. Alan Metcalfe will represent
WURA.
10. Other Business
As mentioned previously, the major topic will be communication at the next executive
meeting of WURA. This will include distributing information on the Pension Plan, the on
-going survey of retirees benefits and a column in the WUFA Newsletter. WUFA will be
asked for a mailed copy of the Newsletter. The dates have been set for the next three
years for the retirees dinner and retirees will be informed early in the Fall.
11. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 3:40.
Inside this issue
Page 1. President's Report
Page 2. Campus News
Page 3. Campus News
Page 4. Association News
Page 5. Association News
Page 6. Association News
Page 7. Association News
Page 8. Association News
Page 9. Association News
Page 10. Association News
Page 11. Membership News
Page 12. Editorial News