Retiree Matters

Retiree Matters is a monthly column written by members of the Congress of Union Retirees of Canada (CURC) that explores issues relevant to retirees, senior citizens, their families and their communities.

Columnists

Aug 11, 2014

Then and now: Shining a light on labour struggles

Retiree Matters

Pat Kerwin

While the horrors of 19th-century coal mining are behind us, today we face similar challenges and examples of labour struggles. And we face the same voices telling us we can't improve things.

Columnists

May 12, 2014

What do the Harper Conservatives have against seniors?

Retiree Matters

Pat Kerwin

You would think that they would love us as a group -- not for our grey hair, but for our votes. In elections Conservative parties usually gain the plurality of votes from seniors.

Columnists

Apr 14, 2014

Sweat and tears made Chilean Habitat experience very special

Retiree Matters

Tony Cote

Over the years I had been involved in numerous one-day volunteer projects but I knew that there was something beyond that, especially since my retirement left me the time to get involved.

Columnists

Mar 10, 2014

How safe is your pension?

Retiree Matters

Pat Kerwin

Many retirees have found out that the pension they earned over decades of contributions to plans turned out to be less secure than they had assumed.

Columnists

Feb 10, 2014

The importance of unions: Founding the Congress of Union Retirees of Canada

Retiree Matters

Angus Ricker

As labour organizations go, the Congress of Union Retirees of Canada (CURC) is still fairly new, having celebrated its 20th anniversary convention in Ottawa in 2013.

Columnists

Dec 20, 2013

A letter carrier's lament: We all lose if postal services are cut

Retiree Matters

Bob McGarry

It should not be this way and it was not supposed to be this way. I know what this service means to people as I was a letter carrier for more than 35 years.

Columnists

Dec 9, 2013

The importance of unions: Lessons from the auto industry

Retiree Matters

Angus Ricker

Lance Livingstone well remembers the Canadian Auto Workers slogan "30 and out" -- referring to a contract provision that allows autoworkers with 30 years service to retire with a full pension.

Columnists

Nov 12, 2013

The importance of unions: Retired hospital workers on the role of unions in their lives

Retiree Matters

Angus Ricker

At the recent Convention of the Congress of Union Retirees of Canada, we wanted to find out from delegates what their union had meant to them.

Columnists

Sep 9, 2013

Labour Day 2013: Remembering the past and building for the future

Retiree Matters

Pat Kerwin

For retirees this year, Labour Day was a time to reflect on what they achieved together, achievements now under attack at every turn.

Columnists

Jul 8, 2013

Senate scandal: Partisan politics trumps everything else

Retiree Matters

Gerry Jones

"If those who make the law do not observe it, who will?" That question was posted by a judge in sentencing a provincial politician in Saskatchewan in 1995.

Retiree Matters

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