Executive Councillor Report: Pensions and Seniors
BCNU’s 2023 convention featured a report from Michelle Sordal, the union's Executive Councillor for pensions and seniors care. She updated delegates about recent Municipal Pension Plan (MPP) design changes, provided details about BCNU's new pension education efforts, and informed them about her advocacy on behalf of seniors and members working in the long-term care sector.
She said the MPP’s recent approval of a 6.9 percent increase to the cost-of-living allowance was welcome in the current economic environment. “Inflation adjustments are great news for retirees, especially at a time of some of the highest inflation we’ve seen in decades,” she commented.
Sordal said BCNU’s pension workshops continue to be popular and reported that 95 percent of pension workshop participants surveyed said they would recommend them to other members. “I heartily encourage all members, and especially younger nurses, to attend the workshop,” she added.
For those unable to attend a workshop, Sordal recommended the union’s new online learning module “Pensions 101” and noted it has also received a positive response. “Many members say they wish they’d done it sooner,” she said.
As chair of BCNU’s Seniors Care Committee, she said the group continues to promote seniors’ health and well-being and for improvements to conditions in the long-term care sector where over 6,100 BCNU members work, many of whom are internationally educated nurses.
“The Seniors Care Committee is an ally to these members and is working to amplify their voices,” she said.