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Retired ILWU Local 10 Widow Challenges New Contract Proposal
Below is a flyer I have composed and am planning on distributing
locally in the Bay Area. I would like to hear any comments any of you
have regarding it, and feel free to print it out and pass it along to
all concerned parties of the union.
"SEND IT BACK TO THE NEGOTIATING TABLE!!"
Brothers and Sisters,
The proposed new ILWU contract provides the following for survivors of
retirees before 1993: 65% of the deceased's pension at the rate of
$56.95 per qualifying year. EXAMPLE: Based on 29 qualifying years at
$56.95 the pension as of 7/08 would be $1651.55 per month.
For those survivors of retirees from 1993-1999: 65% of the deceased's
pension calculated at $57.60 per qualifying year. EXAMPLE: 29 years at
$57.60 per qualifying year year, would be $1670.40.
For those survivors of retirees from 99-02: 65% of the deceased's
pension at the rate of $65 per qualifying year: Example: 29 years at
$65.00 per year = $1885.00 per month.
Survivors of retirees from 02-08: 65% of the deceased's pension
calculated at $97.50 per qualifying year: EXAMPLE: 29 x 97.50 =
$2827.50.
A widow's pension beginning in 7/1/08 would be 75% of the deceased's
pension at $112.50 per qualifying year: Example 29 x 112.50 =
$3262.00. NEARLY DOUBLE THAT OF HER SISTER/CHILD WHOSE PENSION IS
BASED PRIOR TO 1993. IS THAT FAIR OR EQUITABLE??? ?
ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, In today's dollars, a monthly
pension that became $1501.00 at the signing of the 2002, would have
to be $1835.27 today to be able to have the same purchasing power. So
a SURVIVOR pension of $1651.00 TODAY would be able to purchase $187.24
LESS than what it would have been able to purchase with $1501.00 in
2002.
HAS ANYBODY CHECKED THE PRICE OF GAS LATELY?? HOW ABOUT YOUR FOOD
BILL, AND FOR THOSE OF US PAYING FOR OUR OWN MEDICAL COVERAGE, HOW
ABOUT THAT??? And this is a 6 year contract which provides some of
us SURVIVORS no raises for 3 years mid-contract, and some of us no
raises for the last 3 years of the contract. What that means in terms
of cost-of-living over the next six years, is that we will be back to
what the value of the pension was before the 2002 contract was
signed. WE WILL WIND UP LOSING OUR HOMES, AND LIVING IN THE STREETS!
THAT IS NOT MEANT TO BE DRAMATIC, IT IS MEANT TO GET EVERYBODY TO
UNDERSTAND WHAT THIS CONTRACT IS GOING TO COST US!
Many who get our survivor pensions based prior to 1993, are the
immediate descendants, of the founders of the union, who made it
possible for the union to get pensions, as well as all of the other
benefits the ILWU has had over the years - amongst the best in the
nation for it's workers. Many of us are elderly or getting older. I
myself am approaching 69 now, and have had 5 surgeries in the past 6
years, paid $5000.00 out of pocket for my hearing aids, $400.00 YEARLY
for glasses each year, and currently an out-of-pocket cost of $250.00
a month and rising for medical insurance and dental insurance, PLUS
CO-PAYS because my survivor's pension is by QDRO, which means I am not
eligible for benefits.
Obviously, still living pensioners who had retired prior to 1993;
1999; 2002; are also getting a good deal less money as their pensions
are based on their qualifying years under which ever period of time
they fit into.
Please don't leave us as we get more elderly and in need of more to
survive, to have to beg in the streets. IF YOU LOOK AROUND YOU AND SEE
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE BEGGING IN THE STREETS, YOU WILL KNOW THAT THIS
STATEMENT IS NOT FAR FETCHED.
PLEASE DEMAND CONTINUED NEGOTIATION ON THESE ISSUES - DON'T VOTE FOR
THIS CONTRACT.
Specifically in regards the widow's pensions, DEMAND
a) change the language to be 75% of the base for all of us. That
still leaves a huge difference in the amount between those of us who
got the benefit prior to 2002.
b) Negotiate a raise for ALL of us for every year. OR, SIGN A 3 YEAR
CONTRACT. It is outrageous that there not even be a cost of living
increase for some of the years of this contract!
Last year PMA made HOW MANY $ in profits?! I AM RESEARCHING THIS
TODAY. IF ANY OF YOU KNOW HOW MUCH PROFIT THE VARIOUS SHIP OWNERS
MADE FROM 2002 TODAY, IT WOULD BE GOOD TO POST THATINFORMATION.
PLEASE, PLEASE DO NOT VOTE FOR THIS CONTRACT.
Phyllis Mandel (GLICK)
Survivor Pensioner
phyllismandel@ speakeasy. net
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