RMA News January 2020
As I prepare this article it is very early January so I would like to begin by wishing everyone a very happy New Year even though we may be well into 2020 when you get to read this.
Colleagues, you are all aware by now, that a General Election is imminent, and while the vast majority of public servants have had their pensions restored, there are issues remaining to be resolved:- Will there ever be another FEMPI?; Will we ever have a right to negotiate on our pension entitlements?; Will the next Pay and Pensions Agreement retain ‘Parity’?. It is vitally important that YOU the retired members assist us in securing our demands. To that end, please visit your local TDs either individually or with colleagues, and impress upon them: 1) the necessity for ‘pension parity’ to be maintained, and 2) our right to be represented at pay/pension negotiations. RMATUI Area Representatives and RMATUI Branch Officers have been given a ‘Lobbying Document’ which may be used, and it can be downloaded from www.rmatui.ie. It might also be worth pointing out to your TDs that Public Service pensioners have had no pension increase since 2009, while according to the CSO (Central Statistics Office) average wages have increased by 8.8% since 2011, and wages in the Education sector have actually decreased, leaving pensioned members worse off by a whopping 10%.
In the last issue, I referred to our Autumn Break which was to Waterford where we were entertained nightly in Treacy’s Hotel, and our tour took us to the Hook Peninsula and Hook Lighthouse – the oldest functioning lighthouse in Europe (and in the World). Having lunched there, we also visited Tintern Abbey, which boasts beautiful walks and gardens. If you take a visit to our website www.rmatui.ie you will be able to view aspects of our break in Waterford thanks Alan Dodd for submitting photographs to the website
On March 24th, 25th and 26th we are heading to the South West for our spring break in the Rose Hotel Tralee Co Kerry.
The cost is €175.00 per person sharing, single room €210.00 (3 nights dinner, bed and breakfast).
Wednesday 25th – Depart Hotel at 10.00am. Tour may include Killorglin, Cahersiveen, Waterville and Derrynane. Cost: €25 approx.
Thursday 26th – Depart Hotel at 10.30am. Our trip will take us to Dingle, Ventry and Slea Head. Cost: €25 approx.
Check out www.therosehotel.com and book by February 24th 2020 quoting Block ID #2072200. For more details check our website by clicking here where you can download a reservation form for this break.
Members booking the Spring Break are asked to use the Booking Form available by clicking here and indicate on it whether they want to participate, or not, in the tours. The hotel will not record that information if you book by phone.
Members and in particular branch secretaries should note that as a result of motions passed at AGM 2018 March 1st is the deadline for the submission of amendments to the RMA constitution and for motions to AGM which will take place on May 13th in the Ardilaun Hotel Galway . If you have any amendments or motions please submit them to me at rmasec@tuimail.ie before that date March 1st.
Dan Keane, RMA Secretary.