"We brought together an excellent group of union activists for this committee. We are lucky to have them," James Clancy, NUPGE national president

Ottawa (9 Feb. 2011) Members of the National Union Action Retirees' Concerns (NUARC) Committee met in Ottawa on Friday, January 28, 2011 to develop priorities for the upcoming year.

High on the agenda was the on-going campaign to expand the Canada Pension Plan and to improve the Old Age Security and Guaranteed Income Security benefits as well as address concerns regarding long-term care services. "While the Conservative government continues to dole out tax cuts to wealthy corporations, our seniors are struggling to live above the poverty line," said James Clancy. "Corporate tax cuts reduce the revenue the government has to fund needed programs and services. We need to fight this agenda."

NUARC members endorsed NUPGE's All Together Now campaign, which was launched in June 2010 at its tri-annual convention in Vancouver. While NUPGE Champions for Change campaign across the country making presentations on the value of public services, public service workers and the need for tax fairness in Canada, NUARC committee members will be calling on retirees to get more involved in promoting the issues that impact retired workers.

NUARC members signing the All Together Now equality pledge (From left to right) Fred Upshaw (OPSEU/NUPGE), Peter Olfert (MGEU/NUPGE), Lawrence Johnson (BCGEU/NUPGE) and Ed Faulknor (OPSEU/NUPGE) Regrets: Louise Yarrow (HSAA/NUPGE), Ralph Morris (NAPE/NUPGE)

"We brought together an excellent group of union activists for this committee. They have fought hard battles throughout the years; they are carrying their experience forward into retirement. We are lucky to have them," said James Clancy after the meeting.

"It was a great meeting to meet face-to-face and discuss our common issues. We are building an organization to give voice to retired workers from across the country. The committee is just getting started and there's much work to be done! It is an exciting time," said Lawrence Johnson, retired member of the British Columbia General Employees Union (BCGEU/NUGPE).

NUPGE

The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE