RMA News Oct. 2022

 

As I write this at the beginning of October, I am looking forward to joining with RMA colleagues and friends for our Autumn break later in the month in Kilkenny. The Spring break in 2023 will be in May and will be held in conjunction with the RMA AGM, I will have further details on this in our next edition of RMA News.

The RMA Management Committee held its September meeting in the Kilford Arms Kilkenny. Much frustration was expressed by members on the continuing delaying in the payment of pensions increase arrears due to teachers who retired from ETBs. The meeting decided to utilise the staff representatives on ETBs to raise this issue at ETB meetings with a view to getting it resolved. Some retired teachers have arrears due from October 1st 2020 and all ETB retirees have arrears due from October 1st 2021. It should be emphasised that some ETBs have submitted the necessary calculations and the retirees are now getting the benefit.  RMATUI has no issue with ETBI who have attempted to progress this matter.  However, WE CONDEMN ABSOLUTELY THE APPARENT INEPTITUDE AND INTRANGIGENCE OF SEVERAL ETBs FOR THE INORDINATE DELAY AND HARDCHIP IMPOSED ON OUR MEMBERS/SPOUSES.  

The recent accepted extension to Building Momentum which will see the following pay increases:

3% backdated to 2nd February 2022

2% from 1st March 2023 and 1.5% from 1st October 2023.

Additionally, a 1% increase is payable from 1st October 2022 under the original Building Momentum Agreement.

 All these increases will be passed on to retired teachers as the link between retired persons and their serving officer within the public service has been maintained till the end of 2023.

 

The link between pay and pension is only guaranteed until the end of 2023. Any change to this link will impact negatively on the future value of public service pensions. To effectively defend and promote our interests we need as many retired colleagues in our membership as possible.

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 is now 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. It is expected back in the Dail before Christmas.

By now all RMA members have received their TUI Diary. But remember, if you don’t pay your subscription, don’t expect to be on the mailing list in future. We encourage members whose pensions are paid by PSSC (retirees from VECs/ETBs/ITs) to complete the ‘consent’ form available on here and send it to our Treasurer, or any Officer of the RMA. In competing that form, you need your payroll number. This is also the payment reference on your bank statement opposite your Pension Credit Transfer and of course it’s on any pension slip you have on file.

Following two years of inactivity most RMA branches are now back up and running and we wish them all the best in their activities, but continue to keep safe.

Dan Keane, RMA Secretary