Update on VON Canada Pension Plan Concerns

Dear member,

VON has recently circulated a new Booklet and Report to members of the VON Canada Pension Plan (referred to below as the “Pension Plan” or the “Plan”). As you may be aware, we have serious concerns about the way VON is administering and funding the Pension Plan and, in our view, some of the information contained in the Booklet and Report is inaccurate and misleading.

As a result, we are writing to provide more information about VON’s obligations in administering and contributing to the Pension Plan and an update on our fight to:

• Oppose a proposed amendment to the Pension Plan that we think is unfair to members,
• Hold VON to account for their alleged failure to comply with the funding provisions of the Plan, and
• Ensure that VON keeps its promise to improve retirement benefits, so that they’re adequate and fair to members.

For more detailed information on our position on these pension concerns, please read this letter.

It is important to note that the NSGEU is not working on these pension issues alone. We are part of a coalition of Unions representing VON employees in Ontario and Nova Scotia, including CUPE, NSGEU, NSNU, ONA, OPSEU/SEFPO and SEIU.

If you have questions or concerns about your pension fund, please contact Corinne Carey, NSGEU Pension & Benefits Officer, at ccarey@nsgeu.ca or 902-424-4063.