RMA News August 2022
I hope everyone had a pleasant summer.
We held our AGM in the Harbour Hotel Galway on May 18th 2022 after an absence of two years and it was very successful with almost 50 RMA members present.
A number of amendments to our Constitution were passed which make it more coherent and have since been approved by the TUI Executive Committee. The revised Constitution is also downloadable from the RMA website.
Resolutions were passed dealing with TUI support re. pensions and Building Momentum, Pensioners’/Retired Workers’ Rights Bill and communication with members.
Guests at our AGM included the Retired Secondary Teachers Association. TUI was represented by Liz Farrell Vice-President (at the time} and Seamus Lahart, Assistant General Secretary. President Martin Marjoram and Michael Gillespie, General Secretary had planned to be with us for the entire day but had to attend a meeting in Dublin in the morning but they did join us in the afternoon and evening.
Martin Hoye was re-elected RMA chairperson and Mary Lane Heneghan was elected Social and Cultural Officer and join Treasurer Tim O’Meara, Membership Officer Michael McNulty, Website/IT Officer Mark Jordan and Secretary Dan Keane to form an officer board to work on behalf of RMA members over the coming year.
A number of members of long standing on the RMA management committee stepped down at our AGM and I want to take this opportunity to thank them on your behalf for all they contributed to the RMA over a number of years.
Thanks to Risteard O Craoibhin, Moya Corry, Paddy Healy and Peter Murphy.
To their replacements Mary Lane Heneghan, Mick Daly, Tom Fennell and Daithi Mac An Aircinn I say welcome on board and I look forward to working with you.
The contact details for the new members as well as the existing members of the management committee can be found on our website www.rmatui.ie/about
Pensioners’/Retired Workers’ Rights Bill
The Bill tabled by Deputy Brid Smith a year ago has been deemed to have passed its second stage. However, before it can be considered at Committee Stage, it must pass examination by the ‘Scrutiny’ committee. This should now be taking place. It is worth noting, that there were no objections to it at the Second Stage, but Government and others may bring forward amendments to it at Committee stage.
Building Momentum
The impasse continues for our ETB retirees despite our best efforts. Correspondence which issued in late June indicated that overdue restoration of Allowances to post- 2012 retirees may not be finalised until year-end (Dec 2022). That, in turn, is delaying payment of the 1% due under Building Momentum from October 2021 (and the second 1% due from October 2022). As far as we can establish, the root cause is the failure by many ETBs to make the necessary calculations and to return them to the PSSC for payment. The PSSC has no role in doing the calculations.
Autumn Break
We will be having our Autumn break in The Kilford Arms, John Street, Kilkenny on October 18th, 19th and 20th.
Whether you are a ‘regular’ or a first timer, you are welcome to join us in Kilkenny for what should be an enjoyable and relaxing Break.
The three-night package includes Dinner each evening and the use of all the Hotel’s facilities
The cost per person sharing is €225 inclusive, and €285 for a single.
We will visit Kilkenny City’s highlights (and the Medieval Mile) one day and go on tour the other.
Booking.
Please contact the hotel directly to book. You can do so by phone: 056 7761018, or by email to: info@kilfordarms.ie
Please book by September 21st as rooms may not be held after that. The hotel is within walking distance from the Train Station and there are detailed directions on the hotel’s website: www.kilfordarms.ie
Check your membership renewal notice pack or the website for other details.
Reminder to Retired VEC/ETB/IT members. Have you returned your completed DAS authorisation form If not please consider doing so today.
Finally, can I remind you that membership renewal forms are available on the website as are a host of other items e.g, Security Fund refund forms, the Constitution, contact details for Management Committee members and Branches? That address again is www.rmatui.ie
Dan Keane, RMA Secretary