pwu-administrator

Welcome to Spring. I am sure that all of us who stayed in Canada for most of the winter, will agree that we have had a real old fashion winter. I am not eager to plow any more snow for a while. Also in the past year, we’ve seen uncertainty, division, and moments that made us question where things are heading. It’s easy to focus on what’s “broken” so in times like these, remember to help one another, check on neighbours and take care of yourselves and your loved ones.

Many RWC members will remember 1985 and many more will remember hearing about the events around the 1985 Ontario Hydro strikes. These strikes, one a wildcat and the other a legal strike occurred in April and May of 1985. That period in our union’s history saw a very strained Labour Relations environment.

Greetings to all our RWC members and a special welcome to our new members. Our Executive conducted six membership meetings across the province this year. It was very nice to meet our members face to face. See the article on membership meetings for more information. However, it goes without saying that we are facing tumultuous and challenging times. As many of you are aware, we have faced several issues this year regarding pension concerns, issues with extended health benefits. T1 income tax issues, communications etc. One of the main concerns has been the ongoing difficulties contacting company staff to address concerns for our RWC members. Many of our employers have decided to contract out some, or all of pension services, benefit administration etc. We’ve experienced challenges reaching a live representative, with messages being left but not returned. We are working alongside the PWU to attempt to resolve these issues.

Greetings to all our RWC members and a special welcome to our new 2025 members. It goes without saying that we are facing tumultuous and challenging times. Most of our snowbird members have returned home from the warm climates. To them, welcome home. To those of you who stayed home, welcome to spring. In April, the RWC conducted very successful membership meetings in North Bay and Timmins, and then in Sudbury on May 1st. Meetings are currently being scheduled in October for Sarnia, London and Niagara Falls. A bulletin will be sent out indicating all dates, details and registration information.

Allow me to introduce myself, I am Rick Prudil, and I have been elected as President of the Retired Workers’ Chapter and this is my first opportunity to address our RWC membership. I was employed by OPG as a Control Maintainer/Technician for 35 years, starting at Lennox GS for 4 years and then moving to Nanticoke GS. I was active in the PWU for virtually all those years. This activity culminated in being elected to the PWU Sector 2 Vice President position. Immediately after my retirement in 2011, I was elected as the RWC Vice President for Sector 2. I look forward to being your RWC President. I hope that all our readers are safe and healthy. Many of you will be either in warmer climates or planning to be on your way soon. For those staying home, we encourage you to enjoy our winter living and activities

Most of our snowbird members have returned home, welcome back. To those of you who stayed home, welcome to spring. We extend a warm welcome to new RWC members. A reminder to all members who will be travelling - I encourage you to obtain and maintain travel insurance and be sure to understand your coverage and exclusions. The RWC will be conducting membership meetings again this year in the late spring and early fall. A list of this year’s planned meetings is included in the newsletter. Dates and locations of our meetings are posted on our website. You will receive a bulletin this month with information on registering for the meetings.

Many of you will be planning winter trips to warmer locations at this time, perhaps some of you have already departed for these locations. Hopefully, any RWC member who will be travelling out of country/province this winter will make themselves fully aware of ALL the terms and conditions of their insurance coverage. If in any doubt whatsoever, please contact your Insurance carrier PRIOR to departure. I wish you all safe travels, whether they be within Ontario, Canada, or Internationally

To all those that have spent the winter in warm climates, welcome home. To those of you that stayed home, welcome to spring. A welcome to new RWC members. At this time of year, many of our members will be planning trips at home and abroad. As we now know we are in a new era of travel, especially if your plans include travel via airlines. We have included an article in this edition, of our newsletter, which will provide you with some information on travel insurance. I hope this information will be helpful to you.

It’s that time of year again, some of you will already be in warmer parts of the world or are planning to be in the coming weeks or months. For those staying closer to home, we encourage you to enjoy our Canadian winter living and activities as much as you can. Regardless of where you are wintering, and what you will be doing, I hope that all RWC members stay safe and healthy.

Welcome to Spring 2022, I hope that all our readers are safe and healthy. Welcome back to Canada to those who were able to spend the winter in warmer climates. For those that stayed home hopefully, you enjoyed the winter.