By Graham LanktreeMetro Ottawa

Ontario Public Service Employees Union members protest outside Dalton McGuinty's constituency office on Friday, July 27. Cuts to pension plans would affect employees of the Ontario Public Service, LCBO, municipalities and community colleges.

Ontario public service workers picketing outside Premier Dalton McGuinty’s constituency office Friday had a simple message: hands off my pension.

“What we’re worried about is the government forcing change to our pensions,” said David Lundy, regional vice president of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union.

Public service unions began warning their members last week that Ontario wants to move public pension funds to 50/50 contributions in the next five years.

For public service plans such as the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan, the government currently puts in  $1.26 for every $1 given by employees.

“The government is $700 million in the hole,” said Benoit Dupuis, a professor at La Cite Collegiale whose pension is managed by the province. “We see this as an attack on our pensions so they can fix that. Our pensions are fully funded and well managed.”

“Why wouldn’t you bring working people up, rather than push them down?” Lundy said referring workers’ efforts to bounce back after the financial meltdown in 2008.

The province argues that half provincial spending goes to employees in the form of wages, benefits and pensions that come out of taxpayers pockets. The cuts proposed in the 2012 budget would help the government as it looks to eliminate the deficit by 2017-18.

“It will have a substantial impact with more and more baby boomers retiring,” said Lundy. “Seniors spend their money at small, local business. Everyone deserves to retire with dignity.”

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