Question 1) Will CL have what is commonly refer to a "cross-over" between my health carrier UHC and Medicare?

Answer: Yes, CL does have existing "cross-over" with present employee, but CL will abide by what Qwest had in affect with my health carrier---in other words no "cross-over" with Medicare. She also said that will one of the items to be negotiated in the up-coming contract in October 2012!

Webmaster followup note: (As I understand Qwest did NOT pay the fee of $500,000 for cross-over coverage with Medicare. Meaning Medicare does not notify CL for Qwest legacy retrirees when it receives a  claim. When a claim is sent to medicare and after they pay...  another claim has to be submitted to your POP  Ins. carrier by your provider AFTER Medicare has paid its share..) MEDICARE CROSSOVER PROCESS FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS  Your opinion on this may very.

Question 2) Will the ERRP funds that Qwest requested in 2010 but didn't receive until about mid-part of 2011, sitting in a "trust" account at a bank, is that part of how to use these funds is what CL is "seeking guidance" from HHS?

Answer: YES.

Question 3) If and when the ERRP funds are finally released---will they be used for non-medicare eligible retirees only and not medicare eligible?

Answer: The ERRP funds will be used for non-medicare eligible retirees only!!!

1) Qwest did receive in mid 2011 over 23 million from ERRP funds from 2010 and those funds are being held in a bank drawing interest---whether these are going be used or how they are used is being discussed by CL & CWA---probably this is one of the items that CL is "seeking guidance"???

2) Reed suggested for the CWA retirees to contact their Congressional members to inform them of the problem with CL inability to acquire the funds from ERRP and to seek info on the status of CL approval from HHS for 2012---also why CL hasn't applied the ERRP funds Qwest received from 2010 that are sitting in a bank account drawing interest!

2) CL hasn't receive approval from HHS for ERRP funds as yet, but I said if AT&T has see adjustments---why hasn't CL---no real solid answer yet by CWA!

3) I asked about a comparison what CL retirees are suppose to pay in 2012 and what former Qwest retirees will pay is being sought by CWA---no info as right now!

4) When does CWA expect an answer on CL on adjustments of premiums---not until probably March or April 2012!!!

5) CWA is still seeking clarification of  transparency on CL accounts on premiums to be paid in 2012!

6) If there is premiums adjusted for 2012 retirees will receive credit--but no clarification of what type of credit as yet!

I (the AZ retiree) did make a remark about the bonuses that the CL executives were going to receive after the merger---that was announced in an article dated August 31, 2010---and I felt there wasn't any transparency with this! I felt that if CL was going to apply for ERRP funds for retirees health insurance premiums than CL receiving large bonuses was like a bail out all over again by CL!

If it is determined that the rates were figured incorrectly, we would expect that any over charging of the premiums that might have occurred would be adjusted. You cannot change the selection that was made during open enrollment.

ERRP money was requested by Qwest and CenturyLink to help offset the cost of retiree health care for pre-Medicare retirees. Qwest got the money but hasn’t spent it yet. CenturyLink is waiting to receive the money. CWA has requested information on ERRP in their Request for Information to the company.

Sean Morrow and Carla Floyd can help with any specific issues related to health care coverage.

Retiree participation in bargaining is very important especially when it comes to health care. It is in our best interest that active and retired members are active in mobilization.

Steve asked why other insurance companies do not share information with each other so they can coordinate benefits. There is no coordination because UHC wanted $500,000 to coordinate benefits with Medicare. 

There was a question about Long Term Disability payments and how they are paid. It seems that there is a 30-day waiting period for receipt of the first payment. Sean Morrow will verify this and send out and R-letter.

CenturyLink Mobilization Training- Training for CenturyLink Mobilization will take place in Denver in January, 2012. This training will be for 13 state mobilization coordinators and 3 retiree coordinators. AT&T Legacy is also bargaining in 2012. Judy Fries is working with Shari Wojtowicz who will provide information on mobilization and bargaining for AT&T to the RMC. Peggy Dewey reminded everyone to talk with coalition partners about bargaining and our issues so we can get their support.

Organizing drive   goal to increase membership in each chapter by 3%. The chapters that meet the goal will receive a gift card. 

COPE drive- goal to get two new COPE Cards signed and into Washington DC.

District 7 Meeting will be in Denver March 11-14th. Looking at having Lew Ellingson talk about COPE and Jana Smith-Carr discuss chapter officer responsibilities and job, training and forms. Brenda will attach information about the District 7 meeting to the minutes.

Lucent Retirees Organization-much like the US West Retirees. 

Happy Holidays!  Thanks for the great work you do. Looking forward to a very successful 2012.  Solidarity forever!
Judy Fries 

Good news for retiree's!! Retiree healthcare premiums have dramatically DECREASED for 2012. To get the exact amount for your 2012 premium please call HRONE Stop at 1-877-722-0020. Also, please don't forget about Healthcare Open Enrollment going on now. Happy Retirement!! 

NOW it looks like this is AT&T.  Wonder if they applied the reimbursement ERRP funds? (80% of the costs from $15,000 to $90,000).

Now we know companies don't HAVE to offer health care for retirees... 
I'm sure AT&T is not reducing premiums out of the goodness of their heart.

I had received this reply from Marina Pearson on Nov, 21 2011 

My understanding when taking over the Qwest benefit plans is that the caps and how premiums have been calculated each year had been something Qwest had been sharing with retirees. CenturyLink has always provided similar information during the annual information with our retirees. So when we started getting so many emails from retirees it was a bit of a surprise to me. 
So, going forward we will make sure there is transparency as to what is going on with rates and benefits. 
If you have any questions or concerns going forward, please let me know.
Marina

So I sent Marina a follow up question... on Dec. 1, 2011

Marina Pearson,
I have a follow up question on the Early Retiree Reinsurance Program.
This question is about CenturyLinks own non medicare retirees and how the ERRP funds were applied to their premiums. Did the ERRP funds have an effect on their premiums for 2011 and 2012?
Reimbursement claims were retroactive to July 2010 as I understand it.
How were their premiums figured and what is the amount they are paying for a POP In Network plan compared to Qwest legacy non medicare retirees?
Sincerely,
Ron Bunge

I have not received a reply to my email as of yet... Not sure if CL is working to define their response or have decided transparency was not all it was cracked up to be. We shall see.

A question to her might be "Exactly what kind of guidance are they seaking from the Health & Human Services (HHS) department before the company is able to apply the funds since CenturyLink was already approved. Qwest had been receiving backdated funds since June 2010.
I told him... 
Also remembr the union has CLs records and is studying them. Per Reed Roberts "CWA has exercised our options under the contract to demand that they open their health care books so that our actuary can see if any of their explanations hold water."
This fight is not over yet by a long shot. 
Stay tuned...

Notice: See the Early Retiree Reinsurance Program statement at the end of the letter. Looks like premiums were not based on the projected ERRP cost savings.  ERRP funds should be applied at a later date to reduce premiums per their letter.  The ERRP provides reimbursement to the company for all claims (including drugs) of non medicare retirees of (80% of the costs from $15,000 to $90,000). ERRP was reimbursing medical claims backdated all the way to June 1, 2010.
Just might be that asking the right questions to the company and the union might pay off.

Do you think the company would have on their own put out the below letter if they hadn't been pressed on this issue.  Also notice the 2013 premium estimates. Stay tuned! 
See my orig. letter to Glen Post CEO of CenturyLink (after the reply letter) that I think got them along with others to address our issues.

Mr. Bunge,
Mr. Glen Post forwarded to me your email regarding your health care premiums.  Attached is a letter that is being mailed to you and other retirees this week that I hope answers your questions.
However, if you still have questions after reviewing the letter please feel free to contact me.
Marina Pearson
VP, Compensation & Benefits
CenturyLink

Read closely... lots of information inclosed. 
 

I am a legacy Qwest non medicare retiree and recently received my 2012 PPO health insurance enrollment packet. My premium raised over 230% for 2012. I am writing to request why such a huge increase due to the fact that CenturyLink has been approved to receive government funds from the Early Retiree Reinsurance Program.

The Affordable Care Act created a new program called the Early Retiree Reinsurance Program to help address this challenge that employers and older employees are facing.  The ERRP provides $5 billion in financial assistance to employers to help them maintain coverage for early retirees age 55 and older who are not yet eligible for Medicare.

Businesses, other employers, will receive reimbursement for medical claims for early retirees and their spouses, surviving spouses, and dependents. Savings can be used to reduce employer health care costs, provide premium relief to workers and families, or both. Applicants who are approved into the program receive reinsurance for the claims of high-cost retirees and their families (80 percent of the costs from $15,000 to $90,000).

CenturyLink has been approved by the Early Retiree Reinsurance Program (ERRP). Both Qwest and CenturyLink were approved. See this official http://www.healthcare.gov site to confirm.

SO what does this mean.... The premiums for early retirees should be going down not up 200 - 300%.   CL is required to make a contribution of $6250 for a non medicare and another $6250 for spouse and $2,070 for dependent child. CL is being reimbursed 80% above $15,000 up to $90,000 for each retiree, spouse and dependent. 

This reimbursement was retroactive to June 2010.  With this plan in place how can CenturyLink justify a huge increase in premiums. The whole intent of this law was to reduce premiums for non medicare retirees.

I find it hard to believe CenturyLink can justify increased premiums when you are participating in a plan that is reducing your costs. 

I look forward to hearing that after reconsideration you have realized you made an error and will be releasing new premium figures.

Sincerely,

Ron Bunge
webmaster www.cwa7102.org

Cc:
 Board of Directors Chairman and Lead Outside Director 
 Karen Pucket EVP COO
 James Butler Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer
 Stacy Goff EVP General Council and Secretary
 Stewart Ewing Jr. EVP Chief Financil officer and Assistant Secretary
 David Cole  Senior Vice President  Controller and Operations Support
CenturyLink Integrity Line 
Reed Roberts Assistant to the Vice President CWA District 7
The Honorable Tom Harkin Chairman U.S. Senate Committee on Health Eduction Labor & Pensions

How much they received in ERRP and where it was spent is part of our
Request For Information filed as part of the possible dispute regarding
these premiums. 
Under the Affordable Care Act, there is no notice requirement to the
unions when an employer receives ERRP funds. Nor is there any obligation
under the law to negotiate over their use.

We understand the ERRP. All of our staff were trained on the ACA in
July 2010 and it's potential impact on bargaining not only at Qwest, but
all of our other employers as well. 

The reinsurance issue was one of the things we pushed with Qwest from
the beginning. 

CenturyLink, like Qwest, is self-insured. Blue Cross and the other
Administrators handle and/or process the claims that are then paid by
the company based on the provisions of the negotiated Plan(s).

What portion of the costs are borne by the company and what portion is
borne by the active employees and retirees is determined in bargaining.

Actual costs vary depending on which pool? you look at. For
example, pre-Medicare eligible represented retirees are in a different
pool? than the Medicare eligible retirees. Then there is the
pool? of the pre-1991/ERO retirees which are separate from
everything else. Then there is the active represented employee
pool? and the non-represented pool?.

The actual costs for each pool?, minus the negotiated employer
contributions, are then used to determine the premiums for the following
year.

Historically, for the past 20 years, the contractual Health and
Wellness Advisory Committee goes over the previous year’s costs as
part of the pre-enrollment review process to ensure there are no
disputes. 

In short, until CenturyLink came into the picture, we had complete
transparency.

This review for 2012 Open Enrollment was to have begun at the HWAC
September 2011 meeting in Vancouver, WA. During that meeting, it became
apparent that CenturyLink was unaware of and unprepared to meet their
contractual obligations regarding this process. Despite repeated
commitments toward transparency, no information was provided including
the rates they ultimately published for 2012 open enrollment.

Retiree healthcare is subject to 2 provisions of the current contract:
Addendum 10 - Benefits and the Retiree Healthcare Letter of Agreement
(attached).

Addendum 10 addresses General Plan Matters and Benefit Plan Grievance
and Arbitration and describes the process to be used in the issue of
disputes. Since it is subject to the grievance and arbitration
procedure, the Letter of Agreement RE: Permissible Mobilization
Activities Over Grievable Issues applies.

We can mobilize over bargaining issues, the court order prohibits us
from mobilizing over issues subject to the grievance and arbitration
procedure.

The Retiree Healthcare Letter of Agreement is what determines
healthcare and who pays for what for those who retire(d) on or after
January 1, 1991. Without this letter, CenturyLink would have kicked our
Medicare eligible retirees to the curb at the same time they kicked the
non-represented retirees to the curb.

While CenturyLink has no legal obligation to bargain for the already
retired, the Retiree Healthcare Letter of Agreement addresses Retiree
Healthcare on a going- forward basis and ties it to the negotiated Plan
for active represented employees.

Our dispute is “that no change shall be made without the consent of
the Union in the Plans which would reduce or diminish the benefits or
privileges thereunder for the employees within the bargaining unit.?

Any claim that the duty to give notice or to offer to bargain has
been violated, or that a change in the Plans has resulted in such
benefits or privileges being diminished or reduced, may be taken up as a
grievance and, if necessary, submitted to arbitration, in accordance
with Article 16 of this Agreement.  In any such case, the terms of any
proposed change in the Plans shall not be subject to arbitration, and
any decision or action of the Company shall be controlling, unless shown
to have been arbitrary or in bad faith, and only the question of bad
faith or arbitrary action shall be subject to the grievance procedure or
arbitration.� (Section A10.4)

As outlined in Addendum 10, CWA has challenged these actions as changes
which "reduce or diminish" the negotiated benefits through actions CWA
regards as "arbitrary and in bad faith".

Until we've actually reviewed all the data with our actuary, none of us
can actually understand, let alone explain, where these current rates
came from or what they're based on.

The contribution caps were part of the 1989 contract. That drew the
line between the pre-1991 retirees (and 1982 ERO) and those who
retired on or after January 1, 1991. Aside from the premiums, the Plans
offered to the active employees and retirees are the same. The
difference is the premium. 

What the active employees pay is determined in bargaining. What the
retirees pay is subject to the contribution caps. 

Since 1989, the amount of money above the caps for retiree healthcare
had been paid for out of the excess pension plan assets. By law, you can
do this as long as the pension plan is above 125% of its liabilities.
Under the Nacchio administration, the Pension Plan dropped to about 101%
meaning that in 2005, with no excess pension funds, the moneys formerly
paid for retiree life insurance was dropped to a flat $10,000 and the
future savings from those funds was used to pay the premiums through the
term of the 2005 contract.

In 2008, we ran out of other options and the caps came into place.

For those non-Medicare eligible retirees, the employer is responsible
for the first $6,250 per employee, another $6,250 for their spouse and
$2,070 if they have dependent children. Retirees are responsible for
those costs above the caps.

Having said that, the new owners did not choose to give CWA access to
their numbers, data, assumptions and calculations before announcing the
2012 rates, which we understand have doubled and tripled in many cases.
Since these rates impact over 37,000 retirees and not having been given
any cogent explanation as to how this came to be, CWA has exercised our
options under the contract to demand that they open their health care
books so that our actuary can see if any of their explanations hold
water.

Businesses, other employers, and unions that are accepted into the program will receive reimbursement for medical claims for early retirees and their spouses, surviving spouses, and dependents.Savings can be used to reduce employer health care costs, provide premium relief to workers and families, or both. Applicants who are approved into the program receive reinsurance for the claims of high-cost retirees and their families (80 percent of the costs from $15,000 to $90,000).

CenturyLinkhas been approved by theEarly Retiree Reinsurance Program (ERRP) Both Qwest and CenturyLink were approved. See this official http://www.healthcare.gov site to confirm.

SO what does this mean.... The premiums for early retirees should be going down not up 200 - 300%.  The grape vine sez one plan in NM did go down 150%. CL is required to make a contribution of $6250 for a non medicare and another $6250 for spouse and $2,070 for dependent child. The new premium in a PPO plan for one non medicare and spouse is about $7000. Do the numbers $12500 CL and $7000 retiree premium = $19500.  Companies according to (ERRP) gets reimbursed 80% above $15,000 up to $90,000 for each retiree, spouse and dependent. 
Is Your Head Spinning Yet In Outrage. 
Reduced costs for CL would mean more money for current employees and medicare retirees health care needs. 
Links to the hhs.gov site.
http://www.hhs.gov/ociio/regulations/errp/index.html 
A and link to fact sheet about it. 
http://www.healthreform.gov/newsroom/early_retiree_reinsurance_program.html 

Update: Web site with all the regulations http://www.errp.gov/index.shtml

As your web editor back in September of 2010 I sent emails to Qwest Health Benefits Coordinators and union officials asking if Qwest and the union was working the issue. Was told nothing yet, but would let me know... no later replies. Now we get the premium notices for 2012 and I'm at it again asking questions... because... 
I'm Mad as Hell and Want Answers!
Ron Bunge web editor

May 2001 - Qwest stock began a sharp decline, falling from $38 to below $2 by August 2002
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Nacchio
Supported by
http://telecomsfilledwithcheese.com/2010/03/13/the-top-10-worst-ceo%E2%80%99s-in-the-telecom-industry/ 

2001 - Qwest paid Chief Executive Joseph Nacchio $27.3million, excluding options, more than six times his compensation in 2000.
http://articles.latimes.com/2002/apr/10/business/fi-qwest10

June 2002 - Nacchio resigned from Qwest amid insider trading rumors

June 2002 - Richard Notebaert is appointed Qwest Chairman and CEO

2003- Qwest Communications International Inc. paid Chief Executive Richard Notebaert $4.66 million in 2003, his first full year on the job.
http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1528800.html 

Another place says he received $9.6 million
http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2004/May/02/bz/bz04a.html 

May 6, 2004 - Former Qwest CEO Joe Nacchio, accused of cooking the company's books and running the company into the ground, is still being paid $125,000 a month in consulting fees, notes "Broadbandits" author Om Malik. The company apparently paid Nacchio a $15 million severance package on his way out, continues to pony up consulting fees, and will provide him with 10 years worth of free long-distance and phone service as apparent thanks for a job well done.
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Crime-Does-Pay-43454

 4Q 2004 & 4Q 2005 - Qwest to Pay $250 Million in Fraud Probe
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A53148-2004Oct21.html 

2004 - I couldn't find an annual salary for Notebaert

2005 - Qwest paid Notebaert $5.45 million (salary, bonus and compensation) Additionally, Qwest granted him 1 million restricted shares for 2005, versus none for 2004. All the shares will vest on Dec. 31 of this year if Notebaert is still employed with Qwest by then, said the Denver-based multimedia communications company.
Qwest also granted Notebaert options for 2 million shares
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4188/is_20060403/ai_n16203722/

2006 - Richard Notebaert received a 2006 compensation package valued by the company at $22,705,903 including salary and other payments, according to a regulatory filing on Thursday.
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/money/11453743/detail.html 

August 2007 - Notebaert retires

2007 - Former CEO Richard Notebaert received $16.8 million compensation, including $8.0 million in severance pay. 

2007 - Qwest Pays $45M to Settle with Calstrs. Pension fund CEO maintains that by filing suit in California state court, Calstrs was able to recover approximately 30 times what it would have received if it had joined in a federal class action. Qwest Communications has agreed to pay $45 million, and former chief executive officer Joseph Nacchio, $1.5 million, to settle a lawsuit by the California State Teachers' Retirement System (Calstrs).
read more at http://cfo.com/article.cfm/8649784?f=related

August 2007 - Edward Mueller appointed Qwest Chairman and CEO

2007- 2008 - Qwest stock losses about 50% of its value and Mueller insists the market strategy of partnering with DirecTV and Verizon, instead of re-branding or building Qwests own in house cable and wireless services, is solid
http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/may2008/tc2008056_181767.htm 

2008 - CEO Ed Mueller was paid $11.4 million
http://blogs.denverpost.com/coverthespread/2010/03/qwest-ceo-mueller-paid-12-1-million-in-2009/728/ 

2009 - Even though Qwest posted a 39 percent drop in net profit and a 9 percent drop in revenue in 2009, chief executive Ed Mueller enjoyed a bump in pay, receiving total compensation of $12.1 million for the year, according to the companys proxy statement.
http://blogs.denverpost.com/coverthespread/2010/03/qwest-ceo-mueller-paid-12-1-million-in-2009/728/ 

2010 - Qwest CEO, in stock awards, salary and bonuses, is paid $13.4 million while Qwest pays no taxes for 2010 and actually receives a $14 million tax benefit because of previous losses and accounting provisions 
http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_18792980
And
http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/morning_call/2011/08/qwest-ceos-pay-topped-its-tax-bill.html 

2011 - In 2010, Century Link CEO, Glen F. Post III, received $14,576,448 in total compensation.
http://www.aflcio.org/corporatewatch/paywatch/ceou/database.cfm?tkr=CTL&pg=1 

April 14, 2011 - United Healthcare and Qwest CEOs are first and second highest paid CEOs in America. Coincidence?
http://www.forbes.com/lists/2011/12/ceo-compensation-11_land.html

Compiled by Jeffery McCollum, former CWA7102 VP

All the details and explanation will be in the letter so I will not go into detail at this time.  Just another reason as CWA retirees we need to organize and grow our chapters, we need to mobilize our members and we need to be ready for anything from this company.

But for now as retirees we need to be focusing on growing our retiree chapters and fighting this employer.  I can not do it alone and you can not do it alone.  That is why we are forming CWA Retiree Chapters across the 14 states of District 7 to keep our retirees informed with the actual facts from CWA.  We want all CWA retirees to belong and support District 7 retirees.  Get the facts right from CWA.  Many of your retiree chapters are having meetings this month and will be discussing this more as we get more information so check with them for the date and time. 

Next year will be an important time for active members and retirees.  Not only are states trying to strip us of our bargaining rights, but companies out East like Verizon East are trying to take away everything we bargained for over the last 50 years.
In Unity, Judy Fries  President, Retired Members Council
D-7
319-365-3719
judyfries1@msn.com

AFL-CIO, CLC                                                                                      303-770-2822  FAX: 303-793-7927
                                           Q-234
R-003

November 7, 2011

To:                  All Locals Representing Legacy Qwest Employees
                        All Retiree Chapters Representing Legacy Qwest Retirees

From:              Reed Roberts, Assistant to the Vice President
                        Brenda Roberts, Administrative Director
                        Jay Boyle, CWA Representative 

Subject:           2012 Qwest Retiree Premiums

We first became aware of the doubling and in some cases, tripling of retiree premiums for 2012 healthcare when retirees who had been sent the Medicare eligibility letter had rates printed in the letters. Up to and after this point, CenturyLink maintained that they did not have the premiums set as yet.

As we all recall, the contribution caps were a provision of a Letter of Agreement which came into place as part of the 1989 contract. That understanding drew a line between the pre-1991 retirees (and 1982 ERO's) and those who retired on or after January 1, 1991. Those who retired prior to 1991 as well as those who retired under the Enhanced Retirement Offer (ERO) would retain retiree healthcare but would not be subject to the contribution caps meaning they would never pay a premium for healthcare. Those who retired on January 1, 1991 or after would be responsible for those costs above the caps.

Otherwise, aside from the premiums, the Plans offered to the active employees and retirees are the same, the difference only being the premiums paid. 

What the active employees pay is determined in bargaining. What the retirees pay is subject to the contribution caps.

Since 1989, the amount of money above the caps for retiree healthcare had been paid for out of the excess pension plan assets. By law, you can do this as long as the pension plan is above 125% of its liabilities. Under the Nacchio administration, the Pension Plan dropped to about 101% meaning that in 2005, with no excess pension funds, the moneys formerly paid for retiree life insurance was dropped to a flat $10,000 and the future savings from those funds was used to pay the premiums through the term of the 2005 contract.

In 2008, we ran out of other options and the caps came into place.

For the non-Medicare eligible retirees, an increase in the caps was negotiated raising the employer contributions from $4.960 to $6,250 per retiree and another $6,250 for their spouse. The capped rate of $2,070 for dependent child(ren) remained the same. 

For Medicare eligible retirees, the employer is responsible for the first $2,570 per retiree and another $2,570 for their spouse. 

 Having said that, CenturyLink did give us upfront access to their numbers, data, assumptions and calculations before announcing the 2012 rates, which we understand have doubled and tripled in many cases. Since these rates impact over 37,000 retirees and since we have not been given any cogent explanation as to how this came to be, we have exercised our options under the contract to demand that they open their health care books so that our actuary can see if any of their explanations hold water. 

We will keep you posted.

rr/vk opeiu5 afl-cio
C:         District 7 RMC
Staff

7102 Retiree Chapter News
We had a wonderful meeting last night. (Oct. 10, 2011)  I’m sorry it ran longer than normal, but everyone seemed to have questions they wanted answers for.  It was great to have Jim Perkey attend and answer so many questions about healthcare that he is so passionate and knowledgeable about.  He is a real asset to Local 7102 retirees.

Midge Slater was also there to tell us about the Iowa Alliance for Retired Americans and the fight we all need to be involved in on Social Security and Medicare issues.

Thanks to Ron Bunge for offering to post our meetings and notices on the 7102 website and sending out the email blasts.

We created a committee of 8-10 retirees who will meet within the month to set up the by laws and rules that our CWA Retiree Chapter will be administered under.  The committee will decide when and where to have meetings and at what frequency (monthly, quarterly) and set forth a slate of retirees that want to be elected officers to represent this chapter.  If you are interested in helping on the committee email me and I will let you know when the next meeting will be.  At that time we will be looking for a temporary chair to be the contact for 7102 retirees and continue to move this chapter forward.  The committee will also look over the membership list, if you did not receive a letter from me or this email from me you are probably not on the list or we have an incorrect address for you.  I did receive 150 letters back because of bad addresses.  We are trying to get everything updated so as we get closer to bargaining we can keep you better informed. 

Please talk this up with your friends and make sure they are aware that 7102 has a CWA Retiree Chapter working to help keep retirees informed.  If you retired as a CWA union member This Is The Retiree Chapter For You, get your facts directly from CWA.

In 2012 we have bargaining coming up with AT&T, AVAYA, DEX and CenturyLink.  Looking at what is happening with Verizon East our fight is on.  Verizon union members went back to work with a Return To Work Agreement and the company agreed to come back to the table with a “different approach”, but still more than 100 concessionary items  on the table.  Verizon management wanted to set the union back 50 years by taking away almost everything we bargained for.  We are going to need ALL CWA union retirees to join with us.  This is a fight we can’t afford to lose.  If you are not a Life Time member of CWA retirees go to  www.CWARetirees.org and pay the $25 one-time fee, $15 of that money stays here in District 7 to help organize and mobilize our retirees.  If you are not sure if you are a Life Time member email or call me and I can check our membership list.

In Solidarity,      Our fight has started, we have done this before, we can do it again!..   We can’t be fired.    MOBILIZE      MOBILIZE      MOBILIZE
Judy Fries
319-365-3719
Judyfries1@msn.com

What Retirees Should Watch for in 2011 
Barbara J. Easterling is president of the Alliance for Retired Americans. She was previously the secretary-treasurer of the Communications Workers of America. For more information, visit  www.retiredamericans.org  or call 1-800-333-7212.
I believe there are two issues retirees should pay attention to in 2011. First, Social Security. Last year it celebrated 75 years of keeping seniors out of poverty, but some in Congress see it differently. John Boehner, the new House Speaker, wants us to raise the retirement age to 70. The new Budget Committee chair, Rep. Paul Ryan, wants to cut benefits and turn a privatized system over to Wall Street. Rep. Michele Bachmann, the tea party leader, says Social Security is a “tremendous fraud” and thinks we should “wean” current workers away from it. Even though Social Security has not added a penny to our budget deficit, many on Capitol Hill want to balance the budget on the backs of seniors.
Second, we must protect Medicare. The 2010 health care reform law will help 46 million seniors better afford to see a doctor and fill a prescription. Despite that, there will be a number of efforts in Congress to repeal the new law. Please urge your elected officials to not raise prescription drug costs, take away free preventive screenings for life-threatening diseases or stop a plan to help families with the costs of long-term care. In my opinion, not enough people know how health reform helps them, and this lack of awareness fuels the repeal movement. If we want to keep these new benefits, we must do more to educate our friends and neighbors.
Seniors are increasingly the target of scare tactics and misinformation about these issues, and many retirees tell me how confused they are. In 2011, the Alliance for Retired Americans will do everything we can to help seniors separate fact from fiction.