Chairperson Vincent Higgins, Caroline Kelly and I attended the A.G.M. in August. The meeting was addressed by Jim Higgins, I.N.T.O. President, Noel Ward, Deputy Gen. Sec. INTO and the fraternal delegates of R.S.T.A. and T.U.I. The addresses all centered on the recent attacks on Pensions – this attack is an international phenomena with strikes and protests in Ireland, France, Greece and the US against the changes introduced by the respective governments. Private pensions schemes have failed that is why there is now an attack on Public Servant pensions. If we are to maintain parity we need intergenerational solidarity to fight against the changes in 2011.
Our serving teachers have had a 30% deduction in salary before taxation. The loss in salary to two serving teachers is in the region of 20,000 euro a year. It is the contributions of our serving teachers that pay for our pensions but unfortunately that money going into the government coffers has been used to bail out the Banks.
A great debt of gratitude is due to our serving teachers and that is why all of the R.T.A. branches voted at their AGMs 2010 -
“That the principle of parity of pensions and allowances be fully preserved in all future negotiations and that this Association supports the I.N.T.O. in its efforts to achieve better pension conditions for its members”
A special word of thanks was conveyed at the meeting by Denis Desmond to representatives of I.N.T.O. for their determination in protecting the safety of our pensions during their negotiations on the Croke Park Deal - our present pensions are guaranteed under this agreement until 2014 but then we could be called upon to “take the pain for future gain” as Denis said. Bogaimid ar aghaidh le chéile ar son múinteorirí uilig na tire”.
R.T.A.I are moving into their new offices side by side with I.N.T.O offices at 35 Parnell Square. A motion “ that the rate of subscription be fixed at 1.25euro per week (2.50 euro per fortnightly pension paycheque) from October 2010” was passed. This increase will help towards rent, furnishings as well as the purchase of new computers, printer, phone system etc.
A motion was also passed introducing a new rule to the constitution: Rule 9: The N.E.C. or National Secretary with its authority, shall have power to appoint such and so many persons as may be considered necessary to carry out the work of the Association, and shall have power to make such arrangements as to duties of such employees as may be considered advisable for the efficient management of the office. The rates of remuneration for such employees shall be fixed by the N.E.C. subject to approval of N.A.G.M.”
It was agreed that a special committee comprising of 3 members of the N.E.C. and three ordinary members who were elected at the AG.M. would examine the rules and the constitution and that these proposals would be put to an E.G.M. before March 2012. Branches were invited to submit proposals for changes to the Rules.
Membership will reach 8,000 by 2012. 94% of retired teachers join the organization, the majority of teachers retire on reaching 40 and an increasing number retire from 55 upwards.
Other Matters
Just in case you think that Denis and his staff have a cushy job I thought I should list for you the other matters dealt by them – Meetings with I.N.T.O, Political Lobbing, Nursing Homes Schemes, E.U. Regulations, Medical Cards, National Agreements, Benchmarking. Parity, Social Welfare Entitlements, Teaching Council, Substitution/Resource work by retired teachers. But the main trust has been the government cutbacks, new and increased levies and of course the abolition of the automatic right to medical cards for those over 70 years. N.E.C. maintain constant contact with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, they continue to be vigilant on the whole area of Public Service Pensions as there is no doubt that the Government through the McCarthy Report and through what promises to be several extremely difficult budgets to come will target any cutbacks they can. Retired teachers have so far avoided the extreme measures inflicted on serving teachers but the Mc Carthy Report singles out our group for special mention in the area of extra contributions to what is considered to be first class pensions schemes by the yard stick of private pensions. The coming years will demand much from us as an association. It seems that the Croke Park revised deal will give us some breathing space until 2014 but we can’t let our guard down.
This was a very fruitful and interesting A.G.M.
Mary Kyne