Page 10 The Retirees' Newsletter
The Retirees's Association ( Faculty, Librarian, Administrator), University of Windsor, Windsor, Ont. Canada
Vol X1 , No. 2, June 2003
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ASSOCIATION NEWS & EDITORIAL PAGE |
| The Association The Retirees' Association (Faculty,Librarian, Administrator -WURA) at Windsor was formed in 1990, to give a unified voice to retirees; to provide a bridge for communication with the University; to encourage social contact among the retirees; and to open a few doors through which retirees could continue to contribute to the University of Windsor. Thus the Association is meant to fill what could otherwise be a void in the lives of retirees - possible isolation from the University and from their former colleagues; and possible lack of understanding of vital pension and health issues that affect them directly. There are only two meetings of the full membership per year: in the spring and the fall. An informal social committee arranges several other events per year - dinners, plays, picnics, and so on -all of which are paid for by those who take part. The Association encourages smaller special interest groups to form as occasion and their interests warrant. Because of extreme economy of operation, dues have been kept at the level of $20 per year. This includes four issues of The Retirees' Newsletter . Officers of the Association are: President: Alan Metcalfe Vice-President: John Meyer Secretary: Jane Black Treasurer& Membership : Norman King Elected Members of the Executive Committee: ; Wilfrid Innerd, Jerry Malone; Gordon Olafson, Kenneth Pryke Editor Newsletter: Datta Pillay Ex Officio Members: Immediate Past President: Stan Cunningham Founding President: Norm Shklov Committee Chairs: Social Committee: Gordon Olafson Bursary Fund Committee: Wilfrid Innerd Pension & Benefits: John Meyer WEB Master: Ray Hermiston The Association's Address is: Faculty, Librarian, Administrator Retirees' Association (WURA) University of Windsor Post Office, Windsor, ON. N9B 3P4 Email: pillay@uwindsor.ca Home Page: http://www.uwindsor.ca/newsstnd uwflra/index.html Newsletteronline:http://www.uwindsor.ca/newsstnd/ uwflra/news.htm |
Editorial
Letter to President Ross Paul from WURA
His Response
In the March issue 49 of the Retirees' Newsletter, the entire text of the letter written to President Ross Paul was published. The concluding para listed six items of concern and interest to all retirees. At the Spring General Meeting, on April 16, 2003, Dr. Ross Paul made a special effort to relate to that letter and the concerns therein. Subsequently, a special meeting was arranged by him to review the contents of our letter, on May 5, 2003 in his office. Representing the University were Dr. Ross Paul, Vice President Eric Harbottle and Director of Human Resources Ms Rita LaCivita. The WURA representatives were Drs. Alan Metcalfe, Stan Cunningham and Datta Pillay.
The meeting was very cordial and the University representatives were very sympathetic and genuinely interested in alleviating the frustrations of the retirees and pledged to find ways to do it. At the end of the meeting, Dr Paul agreed to put in writing the University's position on the six points.
On May 29, 2003, he forwarded a memo to the three WURA representatives confirming the position of the University, as agreed at the meeting of May 5, 2003. I must say, in my 40 years at the University, this is the first time a University President has laid out in writing, his intentions to address the retirees' concerns. The memo is very promising, and addresses all the issues raised by WURA representatives, and additionally, the University has taken an initiative on our behalf, which is very encouraging.
The WURA representatives also met the Faculty Association representatives, Prof. Brian Brown, President, Drs. Dan Britten and Gordon Drake, on May 9, 2003. The tone of the meeting did not match the sympathetic approach of the administration that we experienced on May 5, 2003. However, your WURA representatives made a strong case on the six points on your behalf, in spite of, the less than conducive environment. Although, we impressed upon the WUFA representatives, that we expect a written response, to date we have not heard from them. In the meantime, Dr. Ross Paul has forwarded a copy of his May 29, 2003 memo addressed to the retirees to the WUFA President Brian Brown.
Needless to say that we are eagerly awaiting WUFA response.
Datta Pillay