RH Jones re: Proposed COLA cuts

From RH Jones, January 18, 2011
Subject: The surrender of ORTA's Ann Hanning and ORTA board.

To our retired education union leaders, STRS retired board members, and fellow retired teachers:

ORTA’s Director, Ann Hanning, who works for and is paid by the ORTA board stated: “So we are asking for no further reduction from the 2% COLA for everyone’s benefit.”

Retired teachers, it is not for your benefit, or mine, that we accept a 1% COLA cut. Personally, I can ill afford it; and, have already this past year 2010 experienced the hit of approximately the $700 cut in the income from my 12 “take-home” checks.

Ann’s statement seems to pass on to the membership that the COLA cut is a “done deal”; that, it is not. Since a COLA cut has not legally, nor legislatively, been addressed yet, I think it is time for a “pep talk” by this old soldier and classroom teacher: me. So here it is:

Being the voice in the wilderness. As we go into battle, our best defense is a steady offense. When you notice an injustice, speak up, and take action, always using respect for your opponents. Be the one to speak out on the injustices. Be a help to retirees, not a hindrance.

To positively change the situation around for us, often it only takes one person: you. And, all the while, fear not; it’s human to fear trouble. Above all suppress your fears, and get moving forward. Never surrender. If knocked down always pick yourself up, and continue the fight on today, and live to fight on for another day.

As Martin Luther King said: “We shall overcome.” And, my fellow retired teachers, we shall.

That’s my opinion,

RHJones, retired ORTA member, SummitCRTA Legislative CMTE, and one of the proud “founding fathers” of the CORE