OMERS Says No to Paramedics
In a vote held on June 5th, 2008 the OMERS Sponsor’s Corporation has refused to change the pension plan to allow paramedics retire early. The vote was split evenly with all of the Employer representatives voting against amending the plan to allow paramedics, like police and firefighters to negotiate normal retirement age 60 pensions.
Outside the meeting, about 50 paramedics had gathered to show their support on the issue. Paramedics from places like Peterborough and Ottawa and the Toronto area distributed pamphlets and talked to people about the issue.
“We’re very disappointed about the outcome, but we’re not finished the fight” says Jeff VanPelt, who attended the rally and a is CACO Board member. “We will be meeting with our partners over the next week to decide what to do next” he says.
Local 416 paramedics were upset that the City of Toronto representative on the Sponsor’s Corporation voted not to amend the plan, despite the fact that the City had made a commitment to support NRA 60 for paramedics. “This is unacceptable” says Jerry Dobson, a Toronto medic and CACO Board member.