A& - The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, October 20, 2004

Retired workers sue

gov't over benefits _

By MARGARET SPEIRS -

FORMER... PROVINCIAL. fj - government: émployees ‘are -

suing the provincial govern”

-ment.over cutbacks.to their

medical services plan and | extended health. benefits. |

promised - “during: their. ca- “feers.

: ployees’:

pensioners,

‘More: ‘than. 150 ‘members, . of the association live:in the - northwest, says Norina King, .

vice-chair of. the’ northwest

branch. that ‘stretches ‘from Charlottes”. to -

the. Queen: Houston and north to ‘Adin, ‘She | said ©:

oss to-B.C. ‘public relirces.:

King. said the: provincial’ : goverment promised its. re-" ; _ tirees while they. wére' work-"

ing, that their’ benefits from” the. Public Service Pension - Plan would: continue: during.

their, retirement years:".

. However, recent ciaibacks ae eliminated: these benefits for ‘:

‘leaving hem to a ee ~ then: received an 80 per cent:

reti rees, pay.”

- . “When. a: pel sioner. “has to. pay that-out of his. own.” pocket, and their incomes - = _ are fixed, it becomes a. mat- :.° the. deductible, has. jumped.’ ter of whether they’have:a” _ better ‘quality: of life," she. said, “AS: YOU: age, “you “Te. _a little more. dependent on.

_ things like that.” an

She cites the examplec ofa , retiree going toa chiroprac-” - tic ‘or podiatrist visit, filling .- “necessary. prescriptions ‘and we

The. président of the: B. C. ‘Government. Retired - Em-: J Association, . Ed.

Bodner, brought: ‘the class. . - action Jawsuit”against ‘the - provincial: government ° on: @ behalf of its 2h 000 ‘fetired:

the lawsuit claims: damages i in the $100 .- - million ratige ~. this’ year "S

“NORMA KING Says | more than 150 retired: government - _ workers ‘in the: northwest: may ‘be affected by a new class ¢ action lawsuit. _MARGARET SPEIRS PHOTO - :

pe ‘aids.

That person. paid. thie $25 .

, deductible ‘and: the. remain-

medical treatment.” . “King. said with ciitbacks

“turned has been. seduced: ‘to 0 per cent.-

buying eyeglasses ‘or hear

ing ‘cast. would ‘come: from: the health ‘plan, ‘The retiree...

-to.$250, and the.amount re-~-

‘The: introduction: of Phar-"” = _ macare, delisted medications: ‘and removed’ physiotherapy, chiropractic and: podiatry...

visits, which a affects, all. retir- “ees. inB. C. Pood

> King said: when contiacts ts ; were -negotiated, public sec- ‘tor. wages: fell: behind their “Jprovincial ‘ counterparis “in |

return for. medical, benefits ~

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and job security. “That was. - i mee

kind of a thing you ‘accepted, - “return: on “the: balance | cof “that little bit of a lower wage — "tO “get those” benefits. It's -

“Kind of a trade-off and: now a ; iv s gone,” she said, : _ "| Now staff who have een an : thinking of ‘early: retirement: “may”.have. second thoughts °

if they. can’t count on their ‘thedical : benefits, lieves. : © The association inects: to- .

day: in Vancouver to plan its strategy | in the dispute. :

Bring all yout cold in this years Pumpkin

pumpkins will be: awarded. Entry fee $2.00/ pumpkin: -

The Pumpkin, Fling - will take place at ‘the Rod & Gun Club

of Rifle Range Road.

The Terrace Skeeria Valley -Rotary Club challenges one and -allto design and build catapult | «for reompatiion purposes. ©

pumpkins for ¢ cmmuniton

Fling’= Prizes for wining

located at.the'end - - “SS

_ Bring your special - - * pumpkin pie and enter’ for ‘Best Pie” prizel. 2 Slices will be sold for -§ $1.00 eaasa § fund ralser.

"INFLUENZA VACCINATIONS are FREE for: © People 65 years and older =~

_ ¢ Adults and children: with a chronic illness

~ - @ Children aged 6 to 23 months. a

" « Household:and regular child care:

= contacts of children aged i] to 23 months

Contact

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‘ DAY CLINICS .

a October. 18 2

if you' Te in an at-risk category, you can get your re oe flu shot: at. a local drop-in clinic: - ae

_ NORTH WEST. HEALTH UNIT in Auditorium) 9412 ‘Kalum Street

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