INTRODUCTION
We trust that your new phase of life in retirement will be long and happy. Great improvements in pension standards have been accomplished over the years but the need is always there to safeguard and improve pensions and the general welfare of pensioners. We therefore cordially invite you to join around 4,000 of your Civil Service colleagues in the Northern Ireland Branch of the Civil Service Pensioners' Alliance (CSPA) which represents all grades and disciplines in the Service.
We first formed in 1953 as the Northern Ireland Civil Service Pensioners' Association. We were a relatively small and local organisation and eventually it became evident that we lacked the necessary negotiating strength to have any real impact on the subject of our pensions and related matters. Consequently, in 1980, we joined with our colleagues in the Civil Service Pensioners' Alliance. We are the Northern Ireland Branch of the Alliance which also has branches in Scotland and Malta. As a Branch we retain full autonomy whilst enjoying all the benefits that flow from membership of the national organisation.
The Branch AGM is held on an afternoon in April or May and all members are encouraged to attend and participate. The actual date of the AGM, its location and further information are normally published in the March edition of the 'Pensioner' magazine and issued along with your February civil service pension advice note. The main issues for the AGM are a review of the previous year, the election of officers and the Executive Committee and to take decisions on matters of policy for the year ahead.
The Branch is affiliated to and works closely with two umbrella pensioner organisations, The National Pensioners' Convention, representing pensioners UK wide and the Age Sector Platform, a local organisation representing the interests of local people
Further information on the Alliance and/or membership can be obtained from Tony Damoglou, Honorary Secretary of the Northern Ireland Branch, on 028 9261 0610 or Alastair Hunter, Membership Secretary/Treasurer, on 028 9042 4970.
