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THINK ABOUT IT
Fourth in a
series of newsletters by former Local 150 Financial Secretary Ray Connors
RETIRED MEMBERS
Everyone agrees that what Local 150 is today is, in a
large part, because of our retirees, right? Well, not quite.
Bill Dugan is making an effort to convince our retirees
that he has always respected and admired our senior members. The
fact is that until they became alarmed by Joe Ward’s decision to run
for office, he and the members of his slate did not show much
concern for our retirees.
When I was Financial Secretary I became aware of
several disturbing issues concerning our retirees. The most chilling
of these is the discussions I heard within the current
administration about taking away the retirees’ right to vote. Now, I
understand that they have denied this fact. If so, then I am telling
you that they are lying to you.
Why would they want to do this, you may ask. What would
it accomplish for them? It would be an ugly attempt to control the
expenses of Local 150’s health care costs by giving the UEP the
ability to raise, at will, the cost of health and welfare coverage
for retirees, without worrying about losing any future votes. Are we
to believe that this shows respect and admiration for those members
who have given so many years to our local?
Additionally, until Joe Ward announced that he would
run for President-Business Manager, Bill Dugan refused to support
retirees’ clubs for members in districts other than Dist. 1. At the
request of several members from Indiana, I approached Bill Dugan
about forming a club in Indiana, or, for that matter, any other
district that might want one. His response to me was, “If they want
to have a retirees’ club, let them come to Countryside.” Sure, Bill,
let’s force our seniors (many of whom don’t drive) to travel for
hours to come to Countryside. So, I had to go back and tell our
members that Bill Dugan would not support a retirees’ club outside
of Countryside.
And have you ever wondered what happened to the 25-year parties that
we used to have each year for each district? Well, Bill Dugan just
didn’t want to be bothered with having to attend them! When he made
the announcement to the officers that we would no longer be hosting
these parties, and I asked him why, he told me that they cost too
much money. Come on, with all the money coming into Local 150, and
the shocking ways this administration is spending all this money,
Bill Dugan says a party each year to honor our long-time members is
too costly? He should hang his head in shame!
But fellow retirees, just hang in there. Just by challenging Bill
Dugan, Joe Ward has forced this administration to honor your
requests for your district clubs. And there is more to come. Joe
Ward’s platform includes help for financing these district clubs,
with each club free to use this help as it sees fit for the needs of
its own club.
Additionally, as I have already reported, Joe’s plans
include raising the life insurance benefits for retirees to the same
level as that of active members, with these benefits being tax-free
for all members, both retired and active.
Retirement issues don't just effect those who are now
retired. Each of us, no matter what our age, dream of that day
when we can "drag up" and enjoy the years for which we have worked
so hard. These years should be free from worry about losing
our benefits or being treated as second class members by our local's
administration.
THINK
ABOUT IT.
Think about it
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