BC FORUM Members in Action!

BC FORUM member Val Mc Williams sent a letter to the Editor in response to the article published in the Vancouver Sun on October 8, 2009, "Judge tosses out suit over retirees' benefits"

Dear Editor:

There is little left to be said about this ruling except "Why am I not surprised?" Employees and ex-employees these days have little expectation of respect or recompense for their years of service to this Province.

The plight of pensioners whose benefits were summarily removed by the Campbell Government during the draconian cutbacks in their first term, has been well stated in many letters and articles over the years. At the time the class action suit was initiated it was pointed out, repeatedly, that during these employees' working lives, pension deductions were compulsory, were not negotiable, and in years when there were only very small (or no) pay increases, reassurances that pension benefits on retirement were inviolate was the carrot on the stick to bring bargaining to a quick conclusion.

Now roughly 27,000 retirees who asked only for restoration of these promised benefits, have once again been denied relief which could provide a modicum of comfort in their senior years. They should not be reduced to begging for benefits which are due to them. What was asked for in this class action was fair - simply a restoration of the benefits promised them.

"Permissive phraseology" in the legislation? "Discretionary nature" of the benefits? Whatever happened to "inviolate"?

Yours sincerely,

Val McWilliams