The Retirees' Newsletter Page 7 The Retirees's Association ( Faculty, Librarian, Administrator), University of Windsor, Windsor, Canada
Vol XI I, No. 3, September 2002
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The range is from $500 to $100,000 (This is not a slip it is $100,000).
For details see: http://www.mcmaster.ca/MUFA/pensurplus.html
1. Retirees do have rights and Administrations and Associations that ignore these rights could face legal action. Of course, this requires MONEY.
2. It is important to understand federal and provincial laws as
they apply to pensions. This should be a priority.
Benefits
This is the area we really need to share information. There are tremendous differences across the country with respect to benefits. In fact, I found it difficult to get a hold on what is happening across the country. John Meyer's summary is totally unique and interest in acquiring it was evidenced in several requests for it. The need for a national data bank is an urgent necessity. We MUST have it before the next round of negotiations.
Interestingly even though I asked I could get no concrete information
on WHO pays for the benefits. The following things came out of this
session.
1. Critical importance of federal legislation.
2. Need for a bank of information.
3. Must work with other retiree groups.
4. ALWAYS read the fine print.
5. Counseling for retirees on money issues.
6. Pre-retirement forums.
7. The difficulty of understanding the brochures on benefits.
Best Practices (Basically about retirees continuing interaction with the
academic community).
Very simply we are ahead of most of the other universities. Most
are simply ignored. We may think we are not well thought of but,
in fact, in comparison we are in a good situation. What did come
out are the following.
1. Often involvement in the university is on a personal and ad hoc basis, done for the individual.
2. We have better representation on committees although U of T appears to have more involvement at the decision making level than we do.
3. All feel that their knowledge and expertise is not utilized by the university.
4. Problem of mandatory retirement.
Conclusion
There is a general consensus in the universities represented at the conference that retirees are not treated very well anywhere. In fact, it appears that we have one of the BETTER situations - that is extremely depressing since we also think we do not have an ideal situation. I now believe that we must develop a national organization to collect and disseminate information. If knowledge is power then we need to create a strong base of knowledge. Thus I am recommending to you that we join CURAC.
(Modified by Datta Pillay - Editor, Newsletter)
In Memoriam
Peter Wallace Halford Alumnus and retired professor
of French Language and Literature, passed away on
September 11, 2002 following a long battle with cancer. He
was married to Rosemary Halford, research associate with
the Humanities Research Group.
His friend and colleague Dr. Adrian van den Hoven, notes
that Dr. Halford was an excellent teacher, and was awarded
the OCUFA Teaching Award in 1982. He also served many
years counseling students.
Proud of both his French and Irish heritage, Dr. Halford first
came to the University of Windsor as a student and
graduated with a BA and MA and then became a lecturer in
1966. He joined the faculty in 1971. He earned his PhD in
1988 in France.
His PhD thesis became a book, documenting and celebrating
the form of French spoken in Southwestern Ontario that has
kept true to the ancient French.
For many of his students, Dr. Halford was inspirational and a friend. Marcel Beneteau was one. He was an auto worker and part time student who became a full-time student after studying with Dr. Halford. After graduating, Marcel went to Laval to complete his graduate studies, which has involved documenting and recording the French folk songs of this area. He now teaches at Laurentian University.
Peter is survived by his wife, four children and three grand
children.
Leo Francis Miernicke passed away on September 11, 2002 peacefully, at his home in St. Clair Beach. He is survived by his wife Mary Jane and two sons and seven grandchildren.
Leo was the former Director of the Computer Centre, at the
University of Windsor. During his retirement he pursued his
love of art and graduated with a B.F.A degree in Visual Arts.
Leo was a member of Beach Grove Gold and Country Club
and the Southport Sailing Club. Funeral services were held
on Saturday September 14 and cremation followed.
Anthony Blackbourn a former colleague who left the
University to become President of Nipissing University in
North Bay, Ontario passed away in April 2002. Tony(as he
was known) was a member of the Geography Department in
Windsor, served as its Head and also a former President of
the Faculty Association. He served for 8 years as President
of Nippissing University before he retired. He is survived by
his wife Senta and three daughters..
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