An Historical Review of the Newfoundland amp Labrador Public Sector Pensioners Association 19892019 The Beginning May of 1989 Carl Smith and Bert Hillyard meet in supermarket and the idea of an association to represent retired public service workers is suggested ID: 935067
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Slide1
Our Journey Through Time:An Historical Review of the Newfoundland & Labrador Public Sector Pensioners’ Association
1989-2019
Slide2The Beginning……………May of 1989, Carl Smith and Bert Hillyard meet in supermarket and the idea of an association to represent retired public service workers is suggested.October 16, 1989, group of nine pensioners hold initial meeting at NL Manager’s Association office.
Original nine were: James Moore, Robert Chafe, Robert Rex, Eric Rowe, Robert Learning,
Murley
Bursey, Bert Hillyard, Ernest Shute, and Carl Smith.
Name chosen was Newfoundland Public Service Pensioners’ Association, fee was set at $0.50 per pay period.
Second meeting held December 11, 1989, Douglas Whitten added to original group.
Third and final planning meeting held January 19, 1990. Members met with Finance Deputy Minister and ADM who supported the idea of the Association.
Slide3Getting Started……………Founding General Membership Meeting held February 23, 1990. 174 pensioners registered. Election of first Board of Directors. Don Johnson elected first President. Presentation of Constitution. Primary purpose is to advocate for improved pension benefits.
1990- 1991: Since Founding Meeting, membership increased to 2,500. Toll free number established when Government discontinues sending out our membership application in the pension cheques.
Maureen Hogan, first secretary/accountant/office assistant.
The first general letter to the membership was April 1990. “Newsletter” first appeared across the membership message in October 1990.
Slide4Building the Foundation……………1992, Recognition of Associate Members for spouses of Active Members who wish to become paying members of NPSPA. The establishment of Area Representatives, 9 in place as contacts and liaison between the Board and members.1992 considered to be a very frustrating year in getting the Government to recognize the need for pension increase without impact on the pension fund.
1991 -1992: Establishment of a Public Relations/Membership Committee to advise and make recommendations to the Board on improving communications with members and general public, and increasing membership.
1992 -1993: Membership Cards were issued and mailed out to all members of NPSPA.
1994: The Association was incorporated under the terms and conditions of The Corporations Act of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, as a non-profit organization, on December 29, 1994.
Slide5Extending Our Reach……………The Board decided to have the Executive Committee meet, once a year, in a different region of the Province, in an effort to reach out to the membership and achieve a better sense of the needs of its membership.February 1, 1994, NPSPA published its first official newsletter.
May 30, 1994, Hon. Tom Murphy on behalf of the Premier suggests there may be an action by Government not to contribute their share to the pension fund. Government refuses to provide a listing of current pensioners (still does). Discussion begins on the need for an additional part-time office person. Life certificate benefit reduced from $10,000 to $5,000.
1994, membership now at 3,000. Successful in having Government agree to a single once a year mailout of our membership application cards.
Slide6Ups & Downs……………1995 - 1996: New Committee struck by Executive Board to examine the establishment of Branches and/or Regionals and the implications with respect to guidelines and/or constitutional changes for the Association. Pension Indexing is still a major item of discussion with Government. Decision to seek professional help for strategies in this regard. Pensions Action Committee established.
Government no longer able to send out membership applications after computer services contracted out.
February 1996: The Association was successful in securing a seat on Government’s Pensions Investment Committee.
May 1996, Government advises there will be no consideration of indexing until Government addresses the unfunded liability of $1.1 B to avoid the Fund being depleted by 2019. There will no co-mingling of the PSPP and the TPP.
Slide7Being Heard……………1996, membership now at 3,400. April 1996, Association presents brief to Government requesting pension indexing.May 1996, Board discontinued Regional Representatives as the Association now had a toll free line and was regularly publishing newsletters for the membership.
In 1997, NPSPA first started talking about working in collaboration with NAPE and CUPE for better action on pensions. Ad hoc alliances formed with the intention of improving the financial situation of all pensioners.
1997 - 1998: NPSPA involved in a pre-budget demonstration at Confederation Building with other organizations, i.e. NAPE, CUPE, Allied Health Care Workers.
Slide8Being Visible……………April – June 1998: The Special Projects Committee was successful in having Government erect a memorial on the grounds of Confederation Building, to honor deceased Public Service Workers. Cost to Association: $5,000; Government and Grand Concourse/Johnson Foundation: $23,179.
April 30, 1998, membership now at 3,670. Government still doing a once a year mail-out.
May 12, 1998, initial meeting in Grand Falls to explore establishing a Branch or Chapter.
May 25, 1998, very frustrating year. Unable to undertake a strategy to increase membership due to inability to hire a management/consulting firm (no interest); Government opposed to any pension increases; Association frustrated by not being able to exert influence.
November 1998, meetings with Government to investigate various indexing options.
Slide9Working Together……………November 20, 1998, first meeting between NPSPA, NAPE, and CUPE held (Coalition).June 24, 1999, Founding Meeting of Central Branch.November 4 & November 30, 1999, initial meetings to establish a Western Branch
1999, membership now at 5,000.
1999, 10
th
Anniversary, BBQ and dance held.
During 1998 - 1999: Premier and Finance Minister gave assurances to NPSPA that legislation would be changed to allow Public Service Pensioners to receive Canada Pension Plan as early as age 60, without penalty until reaching age 65.
Slide10Some Successes…………...A May 29, 2000, report indicates the first ad hoc Coalition was formed, named Provincial Public Service Pensions Coalition. Included NAPE, CUPE, IBEW, Nurses’ Union, Allied Health Professionals, and Government Managers’ Association.Beginning in October 2002: Introduction of limited indexing of pensions of 60% of the change in the national cost of living up to a maximum of 1.2% for pensioners and survivors who have reached 65, to help seniors keep up with increases in the cost of living.
May 29, 2000, Position of Past President created, Branches created.
Slide11Membership Changes & Coalition………….January 1, 2002: Integration of Public Service Pension Plan and the Canada Pension Plan. October 8, 2002, Association examines opening up of membership in NPSPA to members of other Pension Plans to include: Retired Teachers’ Plan members, Uniformed Services Plan members and MHA’s Pension Plan members.
2001 - 2002: Website established. Actively pursued a range of discounts and partnerships that will make additional financial benefits available to members.
October 2, 2002, Coalition dissolved over issues of joint trusteeship of pension plan.
Slide12Joint Trusteeship & Advocacy……….November 29, 2002, first pre-Christmas dinner and dance.2002 -2003: Many concerns still being voiced by NPSPA over Government’s “Joint Trusteeship”, the main one being that the Association must have “a voice and a vote” at the Table, not just Unions and Government.
2002, general meetings held in other locations of province.
2003 - 2004: NPSPA recognized as the “umbrella group” advocating to Government on behalf of Public Sector Pensioners. We were invited to participate in the Public Consultations sponsored by the Department of Health and Community Services.
Slide13“Service” to “Sector”…………...January 2003, PSPP to be placed under joint trusteeship. Association in strong opposition to not having a voice on the Board of Trustees. Proposal goes dormant due to downturn in the market.March 2003, Western Branch established.
October 18, 2003, motion approved to accept all persons in receipt of any provincial government sponsored pension plan into active, full membership of NPSPA. Constitution subsequently amended (October 19, 2004) from Public
Service
Pensioners’ Association to Public
Sector
Pensioners’ Association.
Slide14Big Changes……………Late 2003, Operation Pension Indexing took place to counteract the threat that Government intended to discontinue its contribution to annual pension indexing, with the current partial indexing to be cut in half. Action was successful in that Minister of Finance advised reduction in pension indexing would not be raised again.
2004 - 2005: Position paper presented to Government on pension improvements which included a one-time adjustment to pensions to allow current retirees to gain a little ground on the erosion of their pensions due to the increased cost of living.
2005 – 2006: Big year of “CHANGE” for the Association: Attempt to re-establish a Pensioners’ Coalition, presenting a united front to press Government on pension-related issues, limited success.
By 2007, Central Branch is no longer functioning.
Slide15Gearing Up……………2006 – 2007: Coalition only continued for one year.2008, enlisting of major Corporate Sponsor – R.C. Anthony Insurance. During 2009, new position of Executive Director, hired by the Board and accountable to the Board through the President. Improvement of all NLPSPA communications activities both physical (telephone system, computer equipment…) and practical (office communications network, production of newsletter, redesign existing website…).
2008 – 2009: Increase in membership fees from $1.00 per month or $12.00 per year to $1.00 per pay period or $24.00 per year.
Slide16Setting the Stage……………March 2008, Coalition reformed to collectively exert influence to reduce the injustices to public service pensioners over the years; 8 participating groups.2008-2011, first Strategic Pan
March 5, 2009: Town Hall Meeting held at
Elim
Tabernacle involving a panel of Dr. Wade Locke, Lana Payne, Bob Langdon, and Ralph Morris, moderated by Dr. Myrle
Vokey
discussed all aspects of public sector pensions.
September 20, 2009, NPSPA changed to NLPSPA.
In 2009, Association designs with help from Anthony Insurance, a new recruitment brochure and launches HUGS project (Help, Understanding, Guidance, and Support) for Seniors.
Slide17Taking Stock……………2009 – 2010: The Association and Coalition repositioned approach on pension issues to one of a Public Awareness Campaign, to include research, communications strategies, and a series of meetings in various, strategically important parts of the Province. Pension Action Advisory Committee of NLPSPA also activated with the main thrust to arrange and coordinate a series of public pensioners’ meetings
2010 -2011: Continuing work on repositioning of approach on pensions issues as Coalition becomes The Newfoundland and Labrador Coalition of Pensioners, Retirees and Seniors.
January 2011, Association submitted a policy paper to Government during the pre-budget consultations.
Slide18Need for Change……………September 18-November 16, 2011, period of flux for Board due to interruption with audited financial statements, staff changes, and office reorganization due to irregular bookkeeping and office operating procedures. November 16, 2011, Alison Coffin presents her report “Implications of Past Governments’ Actions on the Present State of the Pooled Pension Fund” to the AGM.
Cheryl Myers, hired on August 23, 2012 as Administrative Assistant, remains our sole employee, with contracted bookkeeping services.
During 2011, data base updated, website redesigned, Facebook account established, membership form redesigned, public pensioner meetings held across the province, and a provincial election strategy developed.
Slide19Reorganization………......July 15, 2011, membership now at 6,400.September 19, 2011, Rally at Confederation Building (part of Convention).2011- 2012: approval of renovations to NLPSPA office space; participated in Pre-Budget Consultations.
July 3, 2012, new contemporary logo approved for Association.
2012-2015, 2
nd
Strategic Plan.
First Charter for Coalition drafted November 19, 2012, approved February 1, 2013, revised March 2018, approved April 4, 2018.
Slide20Repositioning……………2012 – 2013: Pensioners come under unnecessary attack from public corporations and the business community, blaming the government deficit on pensioners. 2012 Annual General Meeting and Convention held in Gander. New category of membership “reciprocal members” approved.
2012 Central Branch reopened in Gander.
June 23, 2013, Government begins discussions on resolving the unfunded pension plan liability.
April 7, 2014, the Newfoundland and Labrador Coalition of Pensioners, Retirees and Seniors is officially re-launched at a Press Conference. The “Coalition” consists of fourteen member organizations.
2014 – 2015: The complete version of the Alison Coffin Report is available on our webpage. “Coffin Report” concludes pensioners were “victimized” by government for many years.
Slide21Pension Plan Reform……………In 2014, the Public Service Pension Plan Reform Agreement and the Joint Sponsorship Agreement were reached. The objectives of the agreement were to ensure the sustainable defined benefit pension plan, to provide a sufficient pool of funds to pay a reasonable pension to public employees and achieve 100% funding over 30 years. The agreement provided for joint trusteeship for the Public Service Pension Plan (the Plan), with the employer and employees sharing responsibility for the Plan.
The Agreements provided for the creation of a not for profit corporation to act as trustee and administrator of the Plan and a Sponsorship Body, representing stakeholders, to provide oversight to the corporation and the Plan. The Association represents public sector pensioners on both the Board and the Sponsorship Body. Doug Laing is the Association’s appointee to the Board of Directors of Provident 10. He serves on the Corporation’s Investment and the Audit and Finance Committees. Ralph Morris is the Association’s appointee to the Sponsorship Body, effective March 31, 2015.
Slide22Provident 10…………….February 23, 2016, NLPSPA entered a new 5 year contract with Anthony Insurance. The Public Service Pension Plan Reform Agreement and the Joint Sponsorship Agreement reached in 2014. The objectives of the agreement were to ensure the sustainable defined benefit pension plan, to provide a sufficient pool of funds to pay a reasonable pension to public employees and achieve 100% funding over 30 years. The agreement provided for joint trusteeship for the Public Service Pension Plan (the Plan), with the employer and employees sharing responsibility for the Plan.
The Association represents public sector pensioners on both the Board and the Sponsorship Body. Doug Laing is the Association’s appointee to the Board of Directors of Provident 10. He serves on the Corporation’s Investment and the Audit and Finance Committees. Ralph Morris is the Association’s appointee to the Sponsorship Body.
In 2016, a new brand and identity was created by the Pension Corporation with a goal of being best in class in providing service to pensioners and active members of the Plan, operating under the name “Provident 10”.
Slide23Closer to Today…………….March 2016, Board undertakes a directed membership development strategy.2016 – 2017: NLPSPA launches its scholarship program. 2015 – 2016: Great West Life becomes new provider of Group Insurance.
October 1, 2015 and November 9, 2015, NLPSPA and Coalition sponsor two debates, per the provincial and federal elections.
2016-2019, 3
rd
Strategic Plan.
2017, Dr. Suzanne Brake was appointed as first Seniors’ Advocate of NL.
Slide24Today……………During 2019, a strategic planning consultant was engaged and a renewed four year Strategic Plan was developed.
Meeting held with executive officials from Anthony Insurance (Intact Insurance) to reconfirm our contractual arrangement, given the many changes happening lately in the insurance business;
We planned and delivered on sixteen town hall meetings in Port aux Basques, Stephenville, Corner Brook, Deer Lake, Springdale, Grand Falls-Windsor, Lewisporte, Gander,
Bonavista
,
Clarenville
, Carbonear, Placentia, Paradise, St. John’s, Mount Pearl, and Holyrood during April-May, in advance of the provincial election.
Western Branch dissolved.
Slide25More Today……………Wreath laid at the National Day of Mourning.Board professional development day on Board Governance with an outside facilitator. As a result of this session, we have since redeveloped and expanded our Confidentiality Agreement and approved a Code of Conduct and a Conflict of Interest Policy.
Efforts to secure additional membership discount benefits continued.
Established a restricted fund to ensure funding to manage legal actions, fund media campaigns, sustain the Association long term, support scholarship and educational support programs, and fund specifically targeted membership recruitment and retention strategies.
Slide26Now……………In advance of the federal election, a federal all party forum sponsored by NLPSPA and supported by the Coalition was held on September 25, 2019. Our relationship with Provident 10 continues to be strong due to the participation of Doug Laing and Ralph Morris on the Sponsorship Board and the Management Committee; and
We participated in the release and dissemination of the Report from the Seniors Advocate which has given validation to all the issues our Association has been raising for many years.
Slide27With Thanks……………To our Founding Members for their vision and foresight in setting the stage for where NLPSPA is today.To those who have offered themselves forward over the years and now to provide leadership in building our Association and who have “fought the good fight” for justice, fairness, and equality for all public sector pensioners in our Province.
To those Associations who stand with NLPSPA in a united, powerful, and credible front to ensure a healthy and secure retirement for aging persons.
To Government who at times has been a strong opponent to our issues, but who at other times has taken our strong positioning and turned it into positive action. And,
To the NLPSPA membership for your continuing support of our directed actions on your behalf……………………
Slide28Thank You!I trust you have enjoyed this short journey through time.Please enjoy Convention 2019:
Making Choices: The Power of You