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“We have very serious expectations that the review is going to find that the plans are in fact sustainable."
Fredericton (23 Septewmber 2011) – The executive director of New Brunswick's largest public-sector union believes the government’s recently announced review of public sector pension plans will help bolster the cause of government employees whose pensions are often under scrutiny.
“We have very serious expectations that the review is going to find that the plans are in fact sustainable," Tom Mann, executive of the New Brunswick Union (NBU/NUPGE) told the Telegraph-Journal newspaper earlier this week
"There's a lot of apprehension that exists in the minds of New Brunswickers on both sides of this debate and I speak for the members of our organization, we're anxious for the process to begin."
Mann said his union welcomes the review, which was ordered by Finance Minister Blaine Higgs last week. Actuary and former member of Parliament Paul McCrossan, lawyer Susan Rowland and economics professor Pierre-Marcel Desjardins will review the public service plans. The same three-member task force is already reviewing private-sector pension plans in New Brunswick.
The finance minister has said that the task force will perform its examination of the current system with an eye to ensuring plans are affordable, sustainable and have secure benefits.
Mann suggested the review may spark broader interest from workers who are not members of defined-benefit pension plans. "The point of discussion with respect to having retirement security for all should be based on why seven out of ten New Brunswickers do not have pensions."
"The reasonable person would understand the significance of having all New Brunswickers with a reasonable pension regime. By way of comparison, unfortunately, 72 percent of New Brunswickers do not have a workplace pension plan. That truly is not the fault of those who do.”
"All citizens have the right to a quality, dignified lifestyle in retirement," Mann said.
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