Withdrawn benefit
I received a surprise when I was sent a letter from my union, the Public Service Association of NSW, telling me that retired associate members like me are no longer entitled to benefits accruing from membership of their provident fund because I had reached 70.
"Provident fund" is a euphemism for "funeral expenses".
I have been a member of this union for more than 40 years; the annual subscription is $36.
When I contacted the association, I told them in no uncertain terms that one of the advantages of PSA membership was its payment of members' funeral expenses, yet this benefit is unilaterally withdrawn as a member gets older and closer to death.
The association's spokeswoman confirmed these details. In answer to my query whether she got many complaints about this, she replied in the affirmative.
I'm not surprised that union membership in Australia is at its lowest level in many years.
Goodbye PSA.
Paul Hunt, Engadine
