For more information and interviews:
Raman Job, MTS Public Relations Facilitator
Phone:  888-7961, ext. 221; Cell: 299-6409

For immediate release
June 3, 2008

MTS expects government to pass necessary legislation

The majority of members of the teachers’ pension plan have voted in favour of making changes to their plan, according to the results of a May 26th plebiscite. Fifty-two per cent of plan members voted yes to the ballot question: “Do you support the implementation of the recommendations contained in the Sale Report?”

“A majority of active and retired teachers sent the Manitoba government a clear message that they want the pension issue resolved once and for all.  This has been a difficult process, but we need to move forward. We expect the provincial government to immediately make the necessary changes to The Teachers’ Pensions Act in order to implement the recommendations contained in the Sale Report,” said Pat Isaak, President of The Manitoba Teachers’ Society. “We’ve said all along that the report is a fair and balanced approach. Obviously, members of the plan agree. Speedy implementation of these changes will double the COLA for retired teachers this year without active teachers having to pay more. And our pension will be protected for the future.”

A plebiscite of 25,282 members of the Teachers’ Retirement Allowances Fund (TRAF), which includes all active and retired teachers, was held to determine support for the implementation of the recommendations contained in a report of the teachers’ pension plan cost of living allowance (COLA). The report, released in December 2007, was written by former cabinet minister Tim Sale.

The results of the plebiscite are as follows:

52%	Yes	(5848)
48%	No	(5351)
	Spoiled	(72)

1. 11,271 plan ballots were cast.
2. Rate of return was 44%.
3. Both active and retired teachers were sent the same ballot.

“We are urging the Minister of Education, Peter Bjornson, to immediately introduce a bill in the House amending The Teachers’ Pensions Act so that it can be proclaimed into law before the Legislature breaks for the summer,” said Isaak. “That way, retired teachers could see an increase in their cost of living adjustment this summer.”

There are approximately 15,000 active and 11,000 retired teachers in Manitoba. Background on the plebiscite can be found at mbteach.org.