On February 18, OPSEU members were shocked to learn that the Wynne Liberals will force members of the OPSEU Pension Trust to pay more for extended health benefits when they retire. This includes OPSEU members working for the LCBO. The government did not consult with OPSEU and no negotiations of any kind took place. This is a direct slap in the face of those who have dedicated their lives to working for the LCBO.

The Premier needs to hear directly from you.

Please copy the text below and e-mail to premier@ontario.ca Include your job title and the number of years you’ve worked for the LCBO in order to make your message more personal and powerful. Copy your e-mail to your MPP. Contact information can be found by clicking on the Members (MPPs) link at ontla.on.ca.

Dear Premier:

Your government’s changes to retiree benefits for members of the OPSEU Pension Trust are a direct attack on the health and standard of living of me and my family.

I work as a [insert job title] at the LCBO. I have worked at the LCBO for [insert number] years.

Forcing retirees to pay more for benefits will hurt pension plan members with a lower retirement income. The average OPSEU Pension Trust pension is $20,005. Combined with a typical Canada Pension Plan payout of about $7,000, the average OPT retiree earns about $27,000 a year before deductions. An extra health premium of $1,500 a year is equal to a 5.5 per cent pay cut for a family.

In contrast, a public sector manager with a pension of (say) $75,000 a year including CPP, $1,500 is equal to just 2 per cent of annual pension income. The greater the retirement income, the less these changes hurt.

As far as I am concerned, your government's changes to retiree benefits are a violation of my employment contract. Retiree benefits are a vital part of my income and well-being.

Further, it is outrageous that you did not consult with my union and that no negotiations of any kind took place.

Your attack on my hard-earned retirement benefits has everything to do with politics. You have caved in to pressure from the Ontario PC Party which has long called for deep cuts to the wages and benefits of public employees.

I plan to vote in the next election. I won't be voting Liberal unless this decision is rescinded immediately.

Yours sincerely,

[Your Name]