Retirees Vote to Back
Negotiators
On the recommendation of the Retiree Executive Board, Local
848's retiree meeting unanimously passed the following resolution on May 13:
v Whereas Local 848 retirees
have a big concern for continuing retiree benefits, and
v Whereas Local 848 retirees
have a deep appreciation for the fights that have been required to get the
benefits that members enjoy today, and
v Whereas Local 848 retirees
are experienced in those important union fights that brought us the benefits
that members enjoy today
v Therefore: Be it resolved
that UAW 848 retirees affirm our support for the Vought Negotiating Committee
and declare that we will join in doing whatever is necessary to get a good
contract
Several important retiree issues came up for discussion. Leading
them all was concern about future health care benefits. Brother Herman Archer
said that he had recently had to buy two grocery sacks of prescription
medicine. Some of them cost as much as $100. Without our negotiated health
benefits, Archer said, "There is no way we could afford our
prescriptions."
Vice Chairman CR McWilliams, who ran the May meeting, said,
"We'd better hope and pray that our negotiating committee here at Vought
negotiates our prescription drug benefit as the same that we have or
better."
During political discussion, the great importance of senior
voters in the November elections was noted. The group was enthusiastic about
the "Rally for Retiree Benefits" to be held on June 29 at the IBEW
union hall, 7940 Northaven in Dallas.
Local 848 will be allowed to send 4 retirees to UAW Summer School
in Norman, Oklahoma, on July 25. Danny Green, Gene Lantz, Frank Nance, and Jack
Patterson were elected by acclamation. While retirees ate fried chicken and
homemade treats, they used the local's wide-screen TV to watch "Counting
on Democracy." The video, which details the scandal of Florida elections
in 2000, is available at our union hall.
Lewis Hawkins and all retirees voted to back our
Negotiators!