OMERS Reminder
OMERS is one of the most important benefits we have. It represents years of hard work and the promise of a secure retirement. It’s not just another benefit—it’s deferred wages that our members have earned and Unions negotiated.
Our pensions exist because workers fought for them. They were strengthened because unions defended them. And if we want to protect them going forward, we must stay engaged and organized.
Right now, the governance and member representation within OMERS is facing serious challenges. Legislative changes have created new opportunities for government interference and have weakened the balance that once existed.
For decades, OMERS operated under a model where both employers and workers had a meaningful role in decision-making. That balance helped protect the interests of the very members who fund the pension.
What we’re seeing now is a shift away from that model. The move from a Sponsors Corporation to a Sponsors Council, along with expanded government powers, creates a situation where decisions affecting our pensions could be made with less input from the workers who pay into the plan.
That should concern all of us.
CUPE Ontario launched the “We Pay, We Want a Say” campaign to push back and ensure workers continue to have a strong voice in how our pension is governed. But a campaign only works if that message reaches every member.
Shout out to locals that are doing very well – 27, 5555,4156,7575,1734 and 4154
We have 57,000 members but only 7,000 have signed the petition.
We need a lot more because the numbers do matter.
This is where you come in.
We need you to share information, circulate e-actions, and encourage members to get involved. That means talking about OMERS at meetings, distributing materials, and taking the time to explain why this matters.
Because if members don’t speak up, decisions will be made without them.
This campaign is about making sure that the people who pay into OMERS—the workers—continue to have a real voice.
So, I encourage every CUPE member: support the campaign, share the materials and e-actions with your coworkers, and help ensure our voices are heard.
Because when it comes to our pensions, the message is simple:
We pay into OMERS—and we deserve a say in how it’s run.
English: https://cupe.on.ca/we-pay-we-want-a-say/
Français : https://cupe.on.ca/fr/on-paie-on-decide/