IUE-CWA Retired Members Chapter (RMC)—81359
Fellow Retiree:
Congratulations on your retirement, and welcome to the ranks of GE/Momentive Retirees. The Waterford Plant opened in 1947. Some of us were at GE long enough to remember the first group of retirees that began in the middle to late 60’s and early ‘70’s. The second generation of retirees began in the late 90’s. The next generation to hit the retiree ranks would be around 2020 or so. Of course, there are retirees that fall before and after these 25-30 year gaps. Right now, there are approximately 390-400 GE/Momentive Retirees; of that number about 135 are Momentive Retirees. Also, there is a generation that fell into both categories…they are both GE & Momentive Retirees (the 2nd generation retirees); many of those Retirees knew the original pioneers of the GE Waterford business. We have a rich Union heritage, which we all are proud of, and of which we hope, will last for generations to come.
You are receiving this letter as part of the acknowledgement of your retirement from GE/Momentive. This letter is being presented to you by IUE-CWA Local 81359, along with a CWA Retiree Council Pamphlet. Local 81359 has agreed to pay your onetime, lifetime fee--$25.00 to the CWA Retiree Council. This automatically qualifies you to be a Member of the IUE-CWA Retired Members Chapter (RMC)—81359 of Waterford, NY. This is a time of great change, a challenging time, as far as Pensions & Healthcare; we are all concerned about the most recent direction and trends that Corporations/ Companies are taking. We certainly hope you will join our Local RMC Chapter, and add your voice and support to the many Retiree issues and concerns. The IUE-CWA RMC-81359 will be collecting $25.00 a year dues. These dues are to cover expenses of the Chapter (i.e.-Membership Meetings---food, rent, speaker stipend, materials, etc.; printing and correspondence costs; affiliation fees; the cost of Bonding of Officers—financials; etc.).
The BENEFITS of joining the CWA Retiree Council, along with the OBJECTIVES of the Local RMC are listed on the back of this page. By far, the best benefit has been the sharing and dissemination of information amongst retirees—whether it be the Ceridian delay information, or the base salary information, or information we disseminated about the GE & Momentive Healthcare Benefits, the Retiree Healthcare Webinars (by phone and/or Internet) we pushed for, etc. This is great information retirees have already shared with each other, to help keep each other ( retirees) informed, and we aren’t even officially kicked off yet as far as the General Membership Meetings piece. We think that is phenomenal! Our plans, for future Membership Meetings, are to have seminars/workshops on subjects/issues such as Social Security; Medicare; Asset Management (Financials—401K Disbursement); Trusts/Living Wills, Resources—AARP, Alliance for Retired Americans, other great Internet resources; Discount Programs for Retirees (travel, vacation, consumer buying, etc.); contractual concerns/issues regarding Retiree Benefits in the future (contract proposals); etc.
If Interested, please contact one of the following Executive Board Members--
John Phelps—President—235-5068, or email— jphelps3@nycap.rr.com ; Jim Brown—Vice-President—429-8913, or email— bowler814t@aol.com ; Cliff Hickok—Secretary-Treasurer – 885-7731, or email— cakehunt@aol.com ; Dave Whalen—Board Member—584—7738, or email— dwwhalen600@live.com ; Greg Miller—Board Member—664-7478, or email— chiefl359@gmail.com ; Nick Rinaldi—Board Member—664-5396, or email— arinaldi99@aol.com.
Benefits of CWA Retiree Council Lifetime Membership—
- As a Lifetime Member of the Retired Members' Council, you will stay connected to CWA through the CWA News, and (via e-mail) our weekly CWA Newsletter. You will have the opportunity to be involved in matters that directly affect you and your fellow retirees. Through the Council, you will be joining forces with active CWA members in support of the union's goals, whether on a picket line, a phone bank or through other demonstrations of support.
- Lifetime Members are entitled to participate in one of the hundreds of Retiree Chapters sponsored by CWA local unions all across the country. Active chapters increase the power and reach of the Council, so we encourage you to join your Local Chapter.
- Council Members are eligible to participate in the money-saving CWA Union Privilege program, which provides dozens of popular services and discounts to CWA members and retirees. Go to www.unionplus.org for these and other programs. Additionally, you are entitled to 15 percent savings on mobile phone service through the CWA-represented AT&T Wireless. Go to www.getunionwireless.com.
The Objective of this IUE-CWA Retired Members’ Chapter (RMC)—81359 shall be:
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to promote and support collective bargaining agreements (i.e.—Pension & Healthcare for Retirees contractual issues) with our Local, and public policy that assist retired members in securing medical care, prescription drugs and other consumer goods and services at prices they can afford to pay;we serve as guardians of the benefits (Pension & Retiree Healthcare) that we worked so hard to achieve – in negotiations with employers at the bargaining table (throughout the years as dues paying members) and through legislation in Congress.Together, with the Local, we will take on employers and those in Congress who view retired workers as expendable liabilities.We willadd the voice of experience and numbers (we have the possibility of 142 members joining our Local Chapter;that can be 142 voices to express our concerns to our Local E-Board
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to foster fraternal ties of Chapter members into the years of retirement;at meetings, we will talk/share, and have speakers, on issues/topics important to us retirees—i.e.-Pension, Healthcare, Social Security, Medicare, wills/estates, etc;
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to unite CWA retired members in a cohesive organization that can, in conjunction with the CWA Retired Members’ Council, other unions and like-minded organizations, develop effective support for programs on federal, state-wide, and community levels to bring about retirement security for all.
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to promote active support of retired members for IUE-CWA Retiree objectives;
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to keep IUE-CWA informed of special problems/issues of our Retired Chapter Members;
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to affiliate with State Chapters of the Alliance for Retired Americans—which is a great advocacy group nationally and State for retirees. We have links (computer) for this group, and you can get on their email list.
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We have MANY great links/resources for our Retired Members—CWA Retirees Page, a Law Firm, Discount Pages, Alliance for Retired Americans—State & Local Resources &Websites, our own Facebook Page; a Page on the Local 81359 Union Website, etc.
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