Alliance for Retired Americans Friday Alert 5-23-14

Headlines:
Quality Home Care and Public Sector Unions at Risk in Supreme Court Case
More than 13,600 Activists Sign Petition Objecting to Sen. Rubio’s Retirement Plan
Resolutions Passed at Las Vegas Convention Now Online
Hearings Examine Strengthening Social Security, Medicare’s “Observation Status”
Anti-Worker Bills Die in Missouri Legislature
Fiesta Joins Coalition of Black Trade Unionists Convention in Atlanta

Quality Home Care and Public Sector Unions at Risk in Supreme Court Case
In the coming weeks, the U.S. Supreme Court will issue a ruling in Harris v. Quinn, a case involving the payment of union dues by public-sector home health workers in Illinois. The decision could come as early as next week or as late as the end of June. The case, backed by the anti-union National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation, was brought by an Illinois woman who argues that the mandatory payment of union dues is a violation of her free speech rights.

Long standing Supreme Court precedent allows public-sector unions to collect fees from non-union members in order to support non-political activities like the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements. A number of disability and senior advocacy organizations, including the American Association of People with Disabilities, have filed briefs arguing that weakening collective bargaining of public-sector home care workers would threaten the reliable care that allows seniors and people with disabilities to remain in their homes.
  
“The Supreme Court must stop this attempt to radically weaken the collective bargaining power of public-sector unions. When home health workers are able to seek fair compensation through a strong union, seniors receive higher quality care with less turnover among caregivers,” said Barbara J. Easterling, President of the Alliance. Read more about how the ruling might impact home care at http://tinyurl.com/pha8sgq.

More than 13,600 Activists Sign Petition Objecting to Sen. Rubio’s Retirement Plan
So far, more than 13,600 activists have signed the Alliance petition telling Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) that now is not the time to cut - but rather, to strengthen and expand - our retirement security system.  Last week, Sen. Rubio proposed dismantling Medicare and raising the retirement age (http://tinyurl.com/pbkd2rw). If you have not yet signed the petition and would like to, please go to http://tinyurl.com/oxqophe.

Resolutions Passed at Las Vegas Convention Now Online
The resolutions that were passed recently at the Alliance’s national membership convention in Las Vegas are now posted online at http://retiredamericans.org/issues/resolutions. The resolutions address such issues as corporate attacks on post-retiree health care and the ultra-conservative agenda of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). Photographs, handouts and additional material from the plenary and action workshops at the conference are also posted on the Alliance web site, at http://retiredamericans.org/newsroom/2014_Convention_Vegas.

Hearings Examine Strengthening Social Security, Medicare’s “Observation Status”
This week on Capitol Hill, two separate subcommittees held hearings on retirement issues championed by Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH). The Senate Finance Committee Subcommittee on Social Security, Pensions, and Family Policy, which Sen. Brown chairs, held a hearing entitled “Strengthening Social Security to Meet the needs of Tomorrow’s Retirees.” In order to counter stagnant wages and lack of access to private pensions, Sen. Brown called for expanding the Social Security program by changing the benefits formula, adopting a more accurate means of calculating cost of living adjustments (COLA), and increasing benefits for the most vulnerable populations. Read Senator Brown’s remarks at http://1.usa.gov/1jz9iO2.

The second hearing, held by the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health, focused on hospitals and the Medicare program. The subcommittee discussed the way hospitals are increasingly using an “observation status” patient designation in order to care for patients in the hospital without officially counting them as in-patients. Because the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Medicare benefit requires a minimum three day in-patient stay, seniors are discovering they are ineligible for post-acute care as a result of significant portions of their hospital stay having been spent under the “observation status” designation. Sen. Brown has cosponsored a Senate bill which would count time individuals spend under “observation status” towards satisfying the three-day stay requirement - a change which will make it easier for Medicare beneficiaries to access the care they need.

“Addressing the ‘observation status’ classification will save seniors millions of dollars by making sure that their hospital stays are covered by Medicare as they expected, and not excluded due to a loophole,” said Richard Fiesta, Executive Director of the Alliance.

Anti-Worker Bills Die in Missouri Legislature
The Missouri state legislature wrapped up its annual session last week without passing a pair of controversial anti-union bills. The first measure, a so-called “right-to-work” bill, came up for a vote in the state House last month and fell four votes shy of moving on to the state Senate. The measure would have prohibited unions from negotiating a security clause with employers. Security clauses require new workers receiving the benefits of a collective bargaining agreement to help pay costs associated with representation. “Right-to-work” laws, often referred to as “Right to Work for Less” laws, are strongly backed by business groups and are associated with reduced salaries and benefits in states in which they have been adopted.

A second bill was related to the issue termed “paycheck protection,” which has been referred to as “paycheck deception.” It would have required public sector unions to receive annual authorization from individual members to retain membership and provide dues as a source of political campaign contributions. Opponents of the bill argue that such legislation is designed to silence public workers and point out that public sector union members already have the right to opt out of contributing money to their union’s political action fund. The bill moved through the state House by a single vote and was set for a final vote in the state Senate before a last minute compromise between Senate Democrats and Republicans ended consideration of the measure. More at http://bit.ly/RSdKg7.
 
“We are grateful for the work of the Missouri Alliance in helping to stop these harmful pieces of legislation,” said Ruben Burks, Secretary-Treasurer for the Alliance.

Fiesta Joins Coalition of Black Trade Unionists Convention in Atlanta
On Wednesday, Mr. Fiesta was in Atlanta for the retirees’ conference of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU). He spoke about threats to Social Security and the 2014 midterm elections.

For a printable version of this document, go to http://tinyurl.com/qeu9km9.

For the Alliance's Spanish language page, which includes last week's Friday Alert in Spanish, go to www.alianzadejubilados.org

Alliance for Retired Americans Friday Alert 5-16-14

Headlines:
Marco Rubio Proposes Dismantling Medicare and Raising the Retirement Age
Gender Gap Continues for Female Workers in Retirement
Striking Fast Food Workers Stage Protests Across the Globe
States Refuse to Expand Medicaid and Still See Increased Enrollment
A Rose by Any Other Name...

Marco Rubio Proposes Dismantling Medicare and Raising the Retirement Age
On Tuesday, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) gave a speech at the National Press Club in which he laid out his sweeping proposal to confront the nation’s retirement security crisis through cuts to Social Security and Medicare. Rubio is widely viewed as a potential candidate for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016.  In addition to laying out policy changes involving retirement savings plans and incentives for older workers to remain in the workforce, Senator Rubio proposed raising the retirement age, a move that would force millions of Americans to work longer to collect the benefits they have earned. Although Senator Rubio cited the “rise in life expectancy” as the rationale for this change, his proposal would disproportionately harm low-income and minority seniors who have not seen their life expectancies rise in step with other workers.

Senator Rubio also used the speech to endorse Paul Ryan’s (R-WI) proposal to end Medicare’s guarantee by privatizing the program and converting it to a voucher system. Under the proposed changes, Medicare would be replaced by a system in which seniors would be given a voucher redeemable towards the purchase of either private insurance or a modified Medicare plan. Since these vouchers would likely fail to cover the full cost of coverage, seniors would be expected to make up the difference out of pocket. It is expected that adopting such a system would result in millions of seniors paying more for coverage. “If Senator Rubio really cared about strengthening retirement security, he would join the effort to expand Social Security benefits as Sen. Tom Harkin and Rep. Linda Sanchez have proposed. If he really cared about addressing the retirement security crisis, and there is one, he would get on board with raising the minimum wage. Social Security benefits are based on wages. By calling Social Security ‘outdated,’ Senator Rubio shows how out of touch he is with the needs of current and future retirees,” said Richard Fiesta, Executive Director for the Alliance.  Read the Alliance’s reaction to the speech at http://bit.ly/1jxWqTU.

Gender Gap Continues for Female Workers in Retirement
A Congressional report on recent census data points out again that women lag behind men when it comes to financial security in retirement. The report shows the average median income for women over age 65 is around $16000 a year – roughly $11000 less than the median income for men of the same age group. Read more at http://cnnmon.ie/1nOf6X6.

Since Social Security ties benefits to lifetime earnings, retirement income for women is reduced by lower wages and a higher likelihood of spending time out of the workforce to care for children or sick family members. Of course, longer average life spans mean women are forced to stretch their savings over a longer period of time. Adding to the financial strain are higher average healthcare costs for women in retirement and higher rates of employment in part-time jobs that do not offer employer sponsored retirement benefits. “This makes it all the more important for Congress to take action to raise the minimum wage and expand Social Security – policies particularly important for easing the financial strain for retired women,” said Barbara Easterling, Alliance President.

Striking Fast Food Workers Stage Protests Across the Globe
On Thursday, fast food employees calling for higher wages, better working conditions, and the ability to unionize staged protests and one-day strikes in cities across the country. Although a series of one-day strikes have been organized over the last 18 months, this week’s strikes were by far the largest yet. The strikes included thousands of workers in 150 Americans cities and support protests by fast food workers in more than 30 countries across the globe. Fast food workers in other nations often face similar corporate policies including low wages, part-time employment, and irregular hours. Organizers hope the strikes become a global movement that puts pressure on low-paying fast food employers to improve working conditions and allow employees to unionize.

These protests bring further attention to the debate about income inequality and ongoing efforts to increase the minimum wage. “These workers are working to feed and support their families. Higher wages mean enhanced economic security for workers and a stronger Social Security system. We need to stand with these striking fast food workers to fight for working families,” said Scott Watts, President of the Nevada Alliance for Retired Americans.  For more on the strikes, go to http://on.msnbc.com/RGMt0. For a look at information on how raising wages would improve Social Security protections for workers and strengthen the system, check out the fact sheet from Social Security Works at http://bit.ly/1hOqE5m.

States Refuse to Expand Medicaid and Still See Increased Enrollment
A new analysis of Medicaid enrollment numbers show that many of the states refusing to take part in the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion have still seen an increase in new enrollment. In total, 17 of the 26 states that declined to expand Medicaid coverage have seen a boost in enrollment totals. The uptick is seen as the result of a recent advertising and marketing blitz related to the rollout of the Affordable Care Act. Analysts suspect that outreach efforts encouraging people to sign up for coverage led many new enrollees in these states to discover that they were previously eligible for Medicaid even without the law’s eligibility expansion.

“We continue to see an increasing number of positive benefits from the Affordable Care Act. Even in states where Republican-controlled legislatures are trying to stop citizens from accessing affordable healthcare, the rollout of the law is helping people better understand their options when it comes to getting coverage,” said Ruben Burks, Secretary-Treasurer for the Alliance. For more, read the article at http://onforb.es/QMS5Fv.

A Rose by Any Other Name...
A recently released survey from the state of Kentucky shows that while 56% of respondents in the state expressed dislike for “Obamacare,” only 22% reacted negatively toward “Kynect,” the state’s own health exchange created as a result of the healthcare reform law. This perception gap is consistent with recent national polling showing approval for the “Affordable Care Act” at 7 points higher than approval for “Obamacare”; this despite the terms referring to the same set of reforms. Read more about the perception gap at http://huff.to/1mrSgCl.

For a printable version of this document, go to bit.ly/1jQ6lck.

For the Alliance's Spanish language page, which includes last week's Friday Alert in Spanish, go to www.alianzadejubilados.org

G.O.P. Talking Points Turned Into Lies

Alliance for Retired Americans Friday Alert 5-9-14

Headlines:
Aging Baby Boomers Expected to Almost Double Nation’s Senior Population
Age Divide among Voters is Especially Pronounced in North Carolina
Letter to U.S. Trade Representative Voices Concerns over Trans-Pacific Partnership
Hospital Readmission is more likely if Patient is Unmarried, from High–Poverty Area
Deciding When to Take Social Security Benefits? Attend a NASI Webinar on May 14th
The Alliance Remembers Joyce Hermanstorfer
Victorious Kentucky Derby Trainer, 77, is Oldest Winner Ever

Aging Baby Boomers Expected to Almost Double Nation’s Senior Population
Two newly released reports from the U.S. Census Bureau project that the 65-and-older population in the United States will nearly double by 2050. That segment of the population is expected to jump from 43.1 million in 2012 to 83.7 million in 2050. The majority of the growth is projected to occur between 2012 and 2030, as baby boomers hit retirement age. In addition, the older population is expected to include increasing levels of racial and ethnic diversity: the 65-and-older population expected to be 39% percent minority by 2050, up from 20.7% in 2012. The first of the baby boomers turned 65 in 2011.

According to the Census Bureau, the growing 65-and-older population should lead to continued growth in health care related industries and will have implications for businesses and policy makers as they adjust to the nation’s changing demographics. “These projections highlight the importance of protecting Medicare and expanding Social Security, so all of these new seniors will be able to enjoy a more dignified, secure retirement,” said Barbara J. Easterling, President of the Alliance. To read more about the reports, go to http://1.usa.gov/1niTUZ3.

Age Divide among Voters is Especially Pronounced in North Carolina
With control of the U.S. Senate potentially hanging in the balance, incumbent Sen. Kay Hagan (D-NC) has a difficult fight ahead this year to hang on to her seat. North Carolina has one of sharpest divides in the country between older, conservative voters and younger, more liberal voters. While incumbents tend to win in states like North Carolina that are competitive during presidential elections, turnout among older voters tends to far outpace that of younger voters during mid-term elections. As a result, Sen. Hagan’s chances may hinge on broadening her appeal beyond her young base as she faces Thom Tillis, who won the Republican primary this week.

“Since the youth vote tends to drop in midterm elections, it’s particularly important for seniors to turn out this year to support pro-retiree candidates as we work to stop the House-passed Paul Ryan budget in the Senate and expand Social Security,” said Richard Fiesta, Executive Director for the Alliance. Read the full New York Times article about North Carolina at http://nyti.ms/1jF1f1Z.

Letter to U.S. Trade Representative Voices Concerns over Trans-Pacific Partnership
The Alliance joined 10 other organizations in submitting a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman expressing concerns about prescription drug and intellectual property provisions of the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership. The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is a massive proposed trade agreement between the U.S., Canada, and 10 other countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Like many trade deals, the TPP was drafted in a process involving little public transparency. The letter argues that proposed provisions of the agreement involving prescription drugs and patent standards would negatively impact Medicare and ultimately hurt consumers in terms of drug affordability and safety. For the full letter, go to http://www.cbpp.org/files/tpp_4_30_14.pdf.

Hospital Readmission is more likely if Patient is Unmarried, from High–Poverty Area
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program has focused attention on ways to reduce thirty-day readmissions as well as factors affecting hospital readmission risk. Using inpatient data from an urban teaching hospital, researchers examined how elements of individual characteristics and neighborhood socioeconomic status influenced the likelihood of readmission. Patients living in high-poverty neighborhoods were 24 percent more likely than others to be readmitted, after adjusting for demographic characteristics and clinical conditions. Married patients were at significantly reduced risk of readmission, which suggests that they had more social support than unmarried patients. To read the full report from the journal Health Affairs, go to http://tinyurl.com/mecl69e.

Deciding When to Take Social Security Benefits? Attend a NASI Webinar on May 14th
This coming Wednesday, May 14th from 1pm to 2pm EDT, the National Academy of Social Insurance (NASI) will be cohosting a free webinar on Social Security and decisions about when to start collecting benefits. The presentation will also include focused information for widowed spouses, African Americans, and Hispanic Americans. NASI is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to providing factual information about social insurance programs including Social Security and Medicare. The webinar will be co-hosted by the National Women’s Law Center, the National Urban League, and the National Council of La Raza. To register, go to http://tinyurl.com/kagg3ej.

The Alliance Remembers Joyce Hermanstorfer
The Alliance fondly remembers Iowa Alliance member Joyce Hermanstorfer, who passed away last Friday at the age of 71. A native of Ottumwa, Iowa, Joyce was an original member of the Iowa Alliance and went on to serve as a regional board member. A kind spirit with a big heart, Joyce was devoted to helping others. In addition to her activism with the Alliance, she was President of CWA Eastern Iowa Retiree Members' Chapter 70901 and worked closely with the Hawkeye Labor Council and the Special Olympics.
Click the link below for a photo of Joyce in action. She is in the center left, wearing a red sweater. https://www.flickr.com/photos/retiredamericans/14135801442.

Victorious Kentucky Derby Trainer, 77, is Oldest Winner Ever
Art Sherman, 77, became the oldest trainer ever to win the Kentucky Derby on Saturday. Sherman promises that he'll be back on the job early next week at his small southern California stable, helping his son groom other prospects before looking ahead to California Chrome's next challenge in two weeks at the Preakness. See his story in USA Today at http://tinyurl.com/mycn3ar.

“Art Sherman’s work with his horse, California Chrome, just goes to show that active seniors can accomplish amazing things,” said Ruben Burks, Secretary-Treasurer of the Alliance.

For a printable version of this document, go to http://tinyurl.com/n3jhn85.

For the Alliance's Spanish language page, which includes last week's Friday Alert in Spanish, go to www.alianzadejubilados.org

President Trumka On The Minimum Wage

A Tribute to Lynn Williams

Lynn Williams Obit

LYNN RUSSELL WILLIAMS

Obituary |  Condolences
LYNN RUSSELL WILLIAMS Obituary
WILLIAMS LYNN RUSSELL

        With great sadness, his children announce the peaceful passing of Lynn at the Harold and Grace Baker Centre, Toronto, on May 5, 2014, at the age of 89. Beloved husband of 53 years of the late Audrey Williams, Lynn will be deeply missed by his sister, Carol, and her husband, Doug Head and their family, and his four children and 11 grandchildren, Judy Hocking, Sarah and Michael, David and Sharon Williams, Rebecca, Jeremy, Evan and Christopher, Barbara Williams and Christopher Dossett, Amanda, Kimberly and Gregory, Brian Williams and Julie Bélanger, Gabriel and Soline. Lynn devoted his working life and passion to the labor movement, seeking to bring the power of working people to the negotiating table to achieve a fair and prosperous society.

In Canada and the United States, he spent 38 wonderful years with the United Steelworkers of America, serving as its first-ever Canadian President from 1983 – 1994. He fought relentlessly for social justice on as many fronts as possible, including as a core supporter of the democratic parties north and south of the border.

While his work has been recognized in many forums, including in 2005 by being honored as an Officer of the Order of Canada, there is no doubt that what mattered most to him was the warm support he received from the rank and file of the Steelworkers Union, whom he considered it a profound privilege to serve.

In his retirement years, the Steelworkers have been as a family for him – a remarkable loyalty that is deeply appreciated by his loved ones. A small private ceremony will be held this week, and a Memorial Service for friends and colleagues will be organized in the near future.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Parkinson Society of Canada or to the United Steelworkers Humanity Fund.

Send condolences at post-gazette.com/gb
Published in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on May 7, 2014

Working at the polls is not an easy job

On the evening of May 5, I received a phone call asking me if I would serve as a "judge" in a voting place the following day. I agreed to help even though I had no idea what I would be asked to do.

I reported at 5 am on primary election day and was dismissed at 6:30 pm.

On election day in past years, I simply went to the polls to vote. Oh, on occasion, I've helped as, what I would call,  a runner, taking the elderly or those who needed transportation to the polling place, or simply going around to different locations to find out voting information as to who might need to be reminded to vote. That sort of stuff but never actually working inside.

I've always taken the process for granted. It just seemed to just work pretty well and I never questioned it or even realized how much work is involved in making sure the voting goes well.

For this, I'm a little bit ashamed.

I now admire those who are willing to give up an entire day to undertake such a thankless duty. I appreciate and thank all of them now.

What they make look like a pretty easy job is actually pretty stressful and not at all easy.

Thanks to all of you who have ever done this type of job.

Indiana Congressional voting record for retirees

The Congressional Voting Record for Indiana by the Alliance for Retired Americans, 113th Congress, 1st session, January 2013 to December 2013:
CD 1 Congressman Pete Visclosky (D) Pro Retiree Score: 90% lifetime 95
CD 2 Rep. Jackie Walorski (R) Pro Retiree Score: 0% lifetime 0%
CD 3 Stutzman (R) Pro Retiree Score: 0% lifetime 0%
CD 4 Representative Todd Rokita (R) Pro Retiree Score: 10% lifetime 3%
CD 5 Brooks (R) Pro Retiree Score: 10% lifetime 10%
CD 6 Messer (R) Pro Retiree Score: 0% lifetime 0%
CD 7 Congressman André Carson (D) Pro Retiree Score 100% lifetime 100%
CD 8 Rep. Larry Bucshon (R) Pro Retiree Score 0% lifetime 0%
CD 9 Young (R) Pro Retiree Score 10% lifetime 3%

Alliance for Retired Americans Friday Alert 5-2-14

Headlines:
Barbara Easterling, Ruben Burks Re-elected as Leaders of the Alliance;
Conference Includes Broad Range of Speakers – and Vice President Biden by Video;
May is Older Americans Month; Alliance Unveils Medicare Turns 50 Campaign;
Photos from the Convention;
Resolutions Address Social Security Field Office Closings, Wealth Inequality, More;
Minimum Wage Bill does not Advance in the Senate

Barbara Easterling, Ruben Burks Re-elected as Leaders of the Alliance
The Alliance’s 2014 national convention took place in Las Vegas, Nevada on Monday through Thursday of this week. On Tuesday, Barbara J. Easterling, who has been President of the Alliance since February of 2009, was re-elected to a four-year term. Prior to joining the Alliance, Ms. Easterling had served as the Secretary-Treasurer of the Communications Workers of America and the AFL-CIO. “I want to take the opportunity to thank each and every one of you for the work you do all year long to make the Alliance the outstanding organization it is,” said Ms. Easterling. 
Ruben Burks, who has been Secretary-Treasurer of the Alliance since it was launched in 2001, was elected to another four-year term. Mr. Burks was once the Secretary-Treasurer of the United Auto Workers. “To have the support of the members of this fine organization, whom I respect immensely, means a great deal to me.” Mr. Burks said.

Regional Board member JoEtta Brown of Nevada was elected Executive Vice President of the Alliance. More than 500 Alliance members watched and cheered the election results. Six non-union members were elected to the Community Advocacy Network (CAN) Board on Tuesday: Jean Dobashi of Hawaii; Doris Guy of Nevada; Dr. Joseph Boffa of Connecticut; John Jensen of Nebraska; Roosevelt Broadnax of Missouri; and Michael Kelly of Illinois.Former Hawaii Alliance President Al Hamai served as Parliamentarian during the convention. 

“Thank you to all of our speakers and presenters, and to our attendees who made the conference such a success by being so engaged,” said Richard Fiesta, Executive Director of the Alliance.


Conference Includes Broad Range of Speakers – and Vice President Biden by Video!
Speakers in Las Vegas included Linda Chavez-Thompson, former Executive Vice-President of the AFL-CIO; Jim Clark, President, IUE-CWA, the Industrial Division of the Communications Workers of America; Carolyn W. Colvin, Acting Commissioner of Social Security; J. David Cox, President of the American Federation of Government Employees; Jimmy Gilbert, Director of the AFL-CIO’s Union Veterans Council; Justin Jones, Nevada State Senator; Lee Saunders, President of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME); and Danny Thompson, Nevada AFL-CIO Executive Secretary-Treasurer and Nevada Alliance Vice President.

Liz Shuler, Alliance Executive Vice President and Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO, spoke of the effects that Enron had on her family, tying it to current threats to union members and retirees. Mr. Fiesta gave the lay of the land politically.

Vice President Joe Biden sent a video greeting that was shown on Thursday. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (NV), Sens. Tom Harkin (IA) and Sherrod Brown (OH), and Reps. Steven Horsford (NV), Dina Titus (NV), and Linda Sanchez (CA) also sent videos. In addition, union presidents Bob King (UAW), Randi Weingarten (AFT), and Leo Gerard (United Steelworkers) sent videotaped messages.

May is Older Americans Month; Alliance Unveils Medicare Turns 50 Campaign
The Alliance is celebrating the fact that May is Older Americans Month with the announcement of its “Medicare Turns 50” campaign. Medicare is our most successful health care program in America's history. For nearly fifty years, it has given seniors the ability to see a doctor and fill a prescription – and it has kept them out of poverty. The Alliance for Retired Americans is leading the charge to celebrate Medicare's 50th birthday, beginning in 2014 and culminating in 2015. Join us! More at http://retiredamericans.org/members/Older_Americans_Month.


Photos from the Convention
View convention photos at http://tinyurl.com/ozcvnsq (Flickr) or http://tinyurl.com/oe6fmrm (Facebook). For photos from the Hispanic seniors press event, go to http://tinyurl.com/pkwusl6.

Resolutions Address Social Security Field Office Closings, Wealth Inequality, More
Sixteen resolutions were passed at the convention. Two honored former Executive Director Edward F. Coyle and former Executive Vice President Judy Cato. Other resolutions commemorated Older Americans Month and the fact that “Medicare Turns 50” next year. Still others pledged to mobilize seniors for the 2014 Elections; improve Social Security Benefits; fight corporate attacks on post-retirement health care; and ensure retirement security in America.

In addition, resolutions were passed opposing the Government Pension Offset and the Windfall Elimination Provision; opposing the agenda of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC); addressing income inequality; supporting the “Preserving the Senior Community Service Employment” Program; calling for the saving of Senior Corps; supporting new, equal, dignified access for the disabled in post offices and federal buildings; allowing Postal banking; and stopping Social Security field office closings and services cuts.

Action Sessions Delve into ALEC, Social Security Scams and Other Threats
Several action sessions at the convention allowed the delegates in attendance to break out into smaller groups and form plans for future activism. In particular, sessions devoted to standing up to ALEC, and to addressing scams aimed at Social Security beneficiaries, were noted for opening delegates’ eyes to the newest threats that retirees face. Materials from the sessions will be posted on the Alliance web site shortly.


Minimum Wage Bill does not Advance in the Senate
An election-year showdown over raising the federal minimum wage to $10.10 an hour saw U.S. Senate Republicans block the measure on Wednesday, unleashing a torrent of criticism from President Barack Obama and Democrats. The measure gained 54 of the 60 votes needed to end debate on the issue. For a tally of the vote, go to http://tinyurl.com/pqgs94m.
“Many seniors rely on minimum wage jobs to supplement their Social Security benefits,” said Ms. Easterling. “A higher minimum wage would also mean more dollars contributed to the Social Security Trust Fund,” she added.

For a printable version of this document, go to http://tinyurl.com/m8lwpg6

For the Alliance's Spanish language page, which includes last week's Friday Alert in Spanish, go to www.alianzadejubilados.org

DNA?

Alliance for Retired Americans Friday Alert 4-25-14

Headlines:
Another Survey Suggests U.S. Middle Class is Falling Behind
California City Tries to Skip Legally Required Pension System Payments
Social Security to Bring Back Paper Benefits Statements
America’s Fastest-Growing Retirement Places
Fiesta Addresses Connecticut Alliance
Ryan Budget or another Topic on Your Mind? Write a Letter to the Editor, Win a Pen!
Only Three More Days until the National Membership Convention in Las Vegas

Another Survey Suggests U.S. Middle Class is Falling Behind
While income gains for the richest Americans are outpacing their global peers, The New York Times reports that lower- and middle- income tiers in other advanced nations have made greater gains over the last three decades. “The new data about the middle class underscores the growing importance of expanding Social Security,” said Richard Fiesta, Executive Director for the Alliance. “Many seniors are just barely able to remain above the poverty line.” Read more about shifting incomes in the U.S. at http://nyti.ms/1k7bhrS.

Earlier this week, the American Federation of Teachers hosted a discussion with former Rolling Stone political reporter Matt Taibbi in Washington. The discussion drew attention to the struggles of the middle class as Wall Street continues to make gains. Taibbi has written extensively on the role of Wall Street firms in recent financial crises and has examined Wall Street’s attempts to loot millions from public pension funds across the country. “Essentially it is a wealth transfer from teachers, cops, and firemen to billionaire hedge funders,” says Taibbi. “Pension funds are one of the last great, unguarded piles of money in this country and there are going to be all sort of operators that are trying to get their hands on that money.”

California City Tries to Skip Legally Required Pension System Payments
In an effort to cut expenditures during bankruptcy negotiations, the city of San Bernardino, California is asking to pay only a fraction of $17 million in back payments and penalties it failed to make to Calpers, the agency that administers the California state pension system. If successful, the move could have ripple effects across the country, as cash strapped cities use bankruptcy proceedings to delay or withhold required pension fund payments. State law in California mandates that cities contribute full payments to the pension system on time and that workers’ benefits cannot be reduced. The city is claiming, however, that federal bankruptcy law trumps state law and allows the city to treat payments to Calpers as they would obligations to other creditors. If mediation between the city and Calpers is unsuccessful, the issue may ultimately be decided in court. “San Bernardino is trying to set a dangerous precedent,” said Ruben Burks, Secretary-Treasurer for the Alliance. “Allowing cities to skip legally mandated pension payments undermines the hard-earned retirement security of workers across the country.” Read more at http://nyti.ms/1hd8uNV.

Social Security to Bring Back Paper Benefits Statements
The Social Security Administration has announced that it will partially resume mailings of Social Security benefits statements. The agency had previously switched to an online system and ended most benefit statement mailings in 2011, in response to budget constraints.  Under the new rules, workers who have not signed up to receive online statements will begin receiving mailed statements every five years. It is argued that paper statements are helpful for letting workers know how benefits are calculated and how much they can expect in future payments. Since low-income and immigrant workers are less likely to have internet access than the general population, it has been argued that the switch to digital statements has left a disproportionate number of those most reliant on Social Security with little information about the program.

“This is an important change that will let more people track what they have paid into the program and understand the benefits they have earned,” said Barbara J. Easterling, President of the Alliance. More about the change here: http://reut.rs/1kXJBqH.

America’s Fastest-Growing Retirement Places
A survey of recent census data shows that Phoenix, Arizona and Portland, Oregon have the fastest growing retirement age populations of any major metropolitan areas in the country, with many other warm metro areas, such as Las Vegas, Nevada; Raleigh, North Carolina; and Jacksonville, Florida also in the top 10. The website www.Nerdwallet.com analyzed the data. While in the past seniors have tended to move to smaller cities and rural areas with a lower cost of living, it appears that metropolitan areas with relatively warm winters are becoming a more attractive option. For more detailed results, go to http://tinyurl.com/mdt65rs.

“It looks like seniors are headed to cities where they don’t have to shovel their driveways every morning in the winter,” said Ms. Easterling.

Fiesta Addresses Connecticut Alliance
Mr. Fiesta was in Southington, Connecticut on Monday to speak at the Connecticut Alliance Annual Fundraiser Luncheon. One hundred and forty people attended the event, marking the tremendous growth of the organization. On Wednesday, the group held its senior day at the state capitol.

Ryan Budget or another Topic on Your Mind? Write a Letter to the Editor, Win a Pen!
If you want others to know about the Ryan budget, pensions, or another topic, take a moment and start writing. If your submission is published, the Alliance will send you a free, union-made “Retirees with the Write Stuff” pen. Most recently, Barry Andrews, Wayne Burton, Frank Copple, Bob Dougherty, Mike Doyle, Raymond Ensher, Merry Foxworth, Morris Fried, Jim Hagerty, Win Heimer, Jenny Kenny, Jeanne Larson, Elayne Lastofka, Bette Marafino, Dave Meinell, Al Mumm, Mike Pyne, Robert Reinhold, Suzanne Reinhold, Martin Walsh, Norm Wernet, and Rufus Wesley contributed to the national dialogue. Please e-mail aracommunications@retiredamericans.org if you have had a letter published. “Letters to the editor are a fantastic way to get our message out,” said Mr. Burks.

Only Three More Days until the National Membership Convention in Las Vegas
Walk-ins are welcome at the Alliance for Retired Americans 2014 National Membership Convention at Bally’s Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, April 28 through May 1. Workshops are slated to include Building Coalitions; Voter Rights and Voter Protection; The Trans Pacific Partnership Exposed, and more! For more information - including airport shuttle deals for those attending and a list of union cabs in Las Vegas, go to http://bit.ly/1hYpj0g.

For a printable version of this document, go to http://bit.ly/1ntKGcb.

For the Alliance's Spanish language page, which includes last week's Friday Alert in Spanish, go to www.alianzadejubilados.org

Rock-Tenn negotiations

Alliance for Retired Americans Friday Alert 4-18-14

Headlines:
On Tax Day, Alliance Calls for End to Corporate Tax Loopholes
Social Security to Stop Collecting Relatives’ Old Debts by Intercepting Tax Refunds
City of Detroit Reaches Preliminary Bankruptcy Deal Involving Pensions
Corporate-Backed Debt Reduction Group Facing Money Troubles
Commemorations Mark Centennial of Ludlow Massacre
Fiesta Addresses Machinists
Just Over a Week until Start of National Membership Conference in Las Vegas

On Tax Day, Alliance Calls for End to Corporate Tax Loopholes
In honor of this week’s Tax Day, the Alliance asks members to contact Congress and demand the end of two huge tax loopholes that benefit giant corporations. Congress is expected to return from its break and take up a bill that would renew $80 billion in tax breaks for corporations that move profits and jobs offshore. If you have not already done so, please sign the petition to Congress here: http://bit.ly/1gyoMgp. While corporations were dodging taxes, their CEO’s were taking in outrageous salaries. Find out how much CEO’s are making compared to workers at the AFL-CIO’s Executive Paywatch site: http://bit.ly/1jL2ZG7.

“If we can get Congress to end these loopholes, we'll be taking a tremendous step, and showing elected officials that we're watching to see if they're supporting the biggest corporations – or the people they represent,” said Richard Fiesta, Executive Director of the Alliance.

Social Security to Stop Collecting Relatives’ Old Debts by Intercepting Tax Refunds
In the wake of revelations about its efforts to collect on old debts, Acting Social Security Administration Commissioner Carolyn Colvin announced that the agency will stop attempts to collect taxpayer debts dating back more than 10 years. The Washington Post revealed that thousands of taxpayers expecting refund checks had received letters informing them that the Treasury Department had intercepted their refunds in order to cover debts that many of them never knew existed. The debts, often incurred by parents, were the result of Social Security benefit over-payments, sometimes dating back decades.  This debt collection effort was the result of a provision placed into the farm bill three years ago.

The decision to suspend collection came after hundreds of taxpayers, whose refund checks had been intercepted, contacted members of Congress complaining that they been given no notification of the debt and no explanation as to why they were responsible for the debts of their deceased parents. For more details on the announcement go here: http://wapo.st/1mdGYk6.

“It doesn’t make sense for the Social Security Administration to confiscate taxpayers’ refunds to cover old debts created by their relatives,” said Barbara J. Easterling, President of the Alliance. 

City of Detroit Reaches Preliminary Bankruptcy Deal Involving Pensions
On Tuesday, Detroit’s emergency manager Kevyn Orr announced that deals had been reached on pension cuts for 23,000 workers and retirees. The city of Detroit is currently attempting to emerge from the largest municipal bankruptcy in the nation’s history, and pension cuts have been proposed as a step towards addressing the city’s $10 billion in unfunded liabilities. The first agreement, with the Retired Detroit Police and Fire Fighters Association, would avoid cuts to current pension benefits altogether but involve a nearly 50% reduction in cost of living increases. The other agreement, with the General Retirement System, would involve a 4.5% reduction in benefits and the complete loss of cost-of-living adjustments. Though painful, the cuts are significantly less severe than Mr. Orr’s original plan, which would have seen cuts of up to 34% for most retirees and 14% for police and fire workers. The pension deals are in part the result of $816 million in funding provided by the state, private foundations, and the transfer of city-owned artwork to the Detroit Institute of Arts. Workers and retirees affected by the agreements will still have to approve the measures before they go into effect.

Corporate-Backed Debt Reduction Group Facing Money Troubles
Politico reports that The Fix the Debt Coalition, a group calling for debt reduction through cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, is itself exhibiting signs of increasing financial strain. The organization recently terminated a year long, $200,000 relationship with Mehlman Vogel and Castagnetti, a DC lobbying firm. This is the second firm the Fix the Debt Coalition has dropped in the last month and comes on the heels of revelations of financial trouble at the organization earlier this year.

“Clearly, people value their Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid benefits enormously,” said Ruben Burks, Secretary-Treasurer of the Alliance. “I believe the leaders of ‘Fix the Debt’ under-estimated the importance of those programs to millions of seniors when they set out to cut them.”

Commemorations Mark Centennial of Ludlow Massacre
Sunday will mark the 100th anniversary of the Ludlow Massacre, the most violent incident of the southern Colorado Coal Strike and an event seen as a turning point in the American labor movement. The Massacre occurred after striking miners organized by the United Mine Workers of America were evicted from company-owned housing and took up residence in tents just outside of Ludlow, Colorado. On April 20th, 1914, Colorado militiamen, company guards, and hired strike breakers began firing on the camp and setting the striking miners’ tents on fire. During the Massacre, at least 20 people were killed, including a group of women and children who suffocated when the tent in which they had taken shelter went up in flames. The horror is widely seen as bringing increased national attention to labor issues, including working conditions, safety, and worker representation. In commemoration of the Massacre’s centennial, events are being held throughout Colorado. To get involved, you can find a complete listing of these events at http://bit.ly/1r2q6gx. You can connect to the Ludlow Centennial Commemoration on Facebook and learn more about the fallen miners and their families at https://www.facebook.com/Ludlow100. Alliance member Dennis Creese recently covered the issue on KGNU at http://bit.ly/RsMF3K.

Fiesta Addresses Machinists
Mr. Fiesta was in Placid Harbor, Maryland on Wednesday to speak at the Machinists Union Political Training and Education Seminar.

Just Over a Week until Start of National Membership Conference in Las Vegas
It is not too late to register for the Alliance for Retired Americans 2014 National Membership Convention at Bally’s Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, April 28 through May 1. Workshops are slated to include State Battles: Fighting Back Against ALEC (the American Legislative Exchange Council); Seniors/Retirees Re-entering the Workforce; Messaging for the 2014 Midterm Elections and Beyond; and several others! More info is at http://bit.ly/1hYpj0g.

For a printable version of this document, go to http://tinyurl.com/pysgs9n .

For the Alliance's Spanish language page, which includes last week's Friday Alert in Spanish, go to www.alianzadejubilados.org

Alliance for Retired Americans Friday Alert 4-11-14

Headlines:
U.S. House Approves Ryan Budget that Slashes Medicare
Sebelius Steps Down as Secretary of Health and Human Services
GOP Pursuing New Voter Restrictions in Swing States
Ohio Alliance Holds its Convention
Fiesta Travels to Mass. and Michigan to Discuss a New Chapter, Attend Convention
Alliance’s National Convention is April 28 – May 1, 2014 at Bally's Hotel Las Vegas

U.S. House Approves Ryan Budget that Slashes Medicare
In a nearly party-line vote, the Republican-led House of Representatives voted 219-205 on Thursday to approve a 2015 budget plan unveiled last week by Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI), Chairman of the House Budget Committee. Ryan’s plan would make sharp cuts to Medicare, as well as other domestic programs such as Medicaid and food stamps, while lowering taxes for corporations and high income individuals. It would also repeal the Affordable Care Act. All of the House Democrats and twelve Republicans voted against the plan. It offers a vision of Republican budget priorities heading into this year’s mid-term elections. For a tally of the vote, go to http://tinyurl.com/krjj3em.

Ryan’s plan would give seniors a coupon to pay for Medicare, cutting benefits and shifting costs to retirees. A voucher would give seniors a fixed amount to purchase a plan, forcing them to cover the difference between the amount of the voucher and the actual cost of the plan. According to the Congressional Budget Office, premiums for traditional Medicare under Ryan’s proposal would be 50% higher than current projections by 2020. Yearly increases in voucher amounts are also not expected to keep pace with growth in health care costs, forcing seniors to cover an increasing proportion of health costs over time. Alliance members had sent more than 10,500 letters to their U.S. Representatives just this week urging them not to support Ryan’s budget. If you did not yet send a letter and still want to contact Congress, go to http://tinyurl.com/nkys839.

“Seniors hope that Thursday’s vote shows the public what would happen if the Ryan budget were to be passed by the U.S. Senate: they would pay dearly,” said Richard Fiesta, Executive Director of the Alliance.

“Ryan’s dangerous budget proposal would end the Medicare guarantee and cause seniors’ out of pocket health expenses to skyrocket,” added Ruben Burks, Secretary-Treasurer of the Alliance.

To see the Alliance press release about the House action, go to http://tinyurl.com/ls9x27p. For a breakdown of what the Ryan budget would mean for each state, go to http://tinyurl.com/m93ttam.

Sebelius Steps Down as Secretary of Health and Human Services
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius is resigning. President Obama will nominate OMB Director Sylvia Mathews Burwell to follow her. “We are grateful to Secretary Sebelius for overseeing HHS during such a challenging time for our nation’s health care policy, and for all the Alliance events she attended,” said Mr. Fiesta.

GOP Pursuing New Voter Restrictions in Swing States
Republican-controlled governments in swing states like Ohio, North Carolina, and Wisconsin are pursuing a variety of new, restrictive voting rules that go even further than recently enacted voter identification laws, according to The New York Times. The new rules would limit early voting days, place limits on weekend voting, and make it more difficult to register, vote absentee, or use provisional ballots. In total, nine states have passed measures making it more difficult to vote since the start of 2013. The new restrictions come in the wake of a 2013 Supreme Court decision which struck down central provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The decision allowed a number of mostly Southern states to modify election laws without receiving prior approval from the Justice Department. Read more about the new limits in the Times here: http://tinyurl.com/n4a9572.

Democrats and opponents of the measures say that the changes are designed to give the GOP an electoral advantage. The groups most affected by the changes are expected to be minorities and low-income urban voters, core Democratic constituencies. Democrats have responded by filing lawsuits in states like North Carolina and Texas in an effort to keep the new rules from taking effect.

“These new restrictions threaten the fundamental right of Americans to make their voices heard at the ballot box,” said Barbara J. Easterling, President of the Alliance. “They certainly place additional burdens on seniors.”

Ohio Alliance Holds its Convention
The Ohio Alliance for Retired American Educational Fund convention took place on Tuesday. A state chapter-record 175 active, engaged retirees were in attendance.  They heard a rousing call to action from Ohio AFL-CIO President Tim Burga, followed by a release of the first-ever Ohio General Assembly Voting. The convention also addressed Governor John Kasich’s (R) tax shift and the recent round of voter suppression bills. As the day concluded, there was a brief presentation by Wynne Antonio, Retiree Council Coordinator at the North Shore AFL-CIO, about how to set up a speakers bureau.

Fiesta Travels to Mass. and Michigan to Discuss a New Chapter, Attend Convention
Mr. Fiesta traveled to Massachusetts on Monday for discussions about building a future Massachusetts Alliance for Retired Americans chapter.

Fiesta was in Warren, Michigan on Wednesday for the Michigan Alliance’s biannual convention.  150 people attended, marking the tremendous growth of the organization.  Re-elected to the Michigan Alliance Executive Board were: Dick Long, President; Henry Lykes, Executive Vice President; Judy Foster, 1st Vice President; Charlie Robinson, Treasurer; and Richard McInerney, Secretary.

Alliance’s National Convention is April 28 – May 1, 2014 at Bally's Hotel Las Vegas
It is not too late to register for the Alliance for Retired Americans 2014 National Membership Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada, April 28 through May 1. Speakers include Linda Chavez-Thompson, former Executive Vice-President of the AFL-CIO; Carolyn W. Colvin, Acting Commissioner of Social Security; J. David Cox, President of the American Federation of Government Employees; Lee Saunders, President of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME); Liz Shuler, Alliance Executive Vice President and Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO; and many others. Workshops are slated to include Building Coalitions; Voter Rights and Voter Protection; The Trans Pacific Partnership Exposed; and more! Additional info is at http://bit.ly/1hYpj0g.

For a printable version of this document, go to http://bit.ly/1esnvMP.

For the Alliance's Spanish language page, which includes last week's Friday Alert in Spanish, go to www.alianzadejubilados.org

NIPSCO Tired Of Good Public Relations?

The following comes from the USW Local 12775 web site:

"2014 Negotiations Update # 11, April 10.

Our members will want to be aware that company chief negotiator, Chris Smith, insulted our president to the rest of our main negotiating team. This, after waiting for him to leave the room: a gutless attempt to divide the committee. He was reacting to our president vigorously defending the pension and benefits of our union. Mr. Smith's comments were completely uncalled for. The committee let him know, with no uncertainty, that if our president's passion bothered him, "he ain't seen nothing yet", and that we are "100% behind him."

 That said, the main committee met this morning and into the evening today. The union made another counter proposal related to bidding rights and job families. The union is committed to giving as much opportunity as possible in their careers at Nipsco, while recognizing the legitimate business needs of the company, and the desire of our members to advance their careers.

 The union also presented all of the details of proposals to improve the benefits including vacation, sick leave, healthcare, and pension (including retirees). The company will evaluate and respond tomorrow (hopefully).

 The union generation committee countered a company proposal today regarding overtime schedules for outage work. They meet tomorrow as well.

 The field operations committees met and had productive discussions on overtime response, and job duties. All committees meet again tomorrow.

 Let's get as many "likes" and "shares" as we can. The company views our updates as well. Let's show them we are unified!"
This last sentence refers to the United Steelworkers Local 12775 Facebook page. If you have a Facebook account, please go their page and "like" it and share their posts.
Thanks.
 

Alliance for Retired Americans Friday Alert 4-4-14

Headlines:
Paul Ryan’s April Fools’ Day Budget Would Cut Medicare Dramatically;
Alliance co-hosts Conference Call, Members Rally to Increase the Minimum Wage;Affordable Senior Health Insurance to Supplement Medicare - Annual Open Enrollment Period Extended Until April 30, 2014!;
Florida Alliance Members Meet to Address the State’s Severe Economic Problems;
Fiesta Speaks to Teachers in New York;
Alliance’s National Convention is April 28 – May 1, 2014 at Bally's Hotel Las Vegas





Paul Ryan’s April Fools’ Day Budget Would Cut Medicare Dramatically
On Tuesday, House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) released another Republican budget proposal - this one for the 2015 fiscal year - that would slash programs that benefit seniors in order to cut taxes for corporations and high income earners. Aiming to eliminate the federal deficit within the next 10 years, Ryan’s proposal would again end the Medicare guarantee by privatizing Medicare and replacing it with a voucher system. Since vouchers would likely not pay for the full cost of coverage, millions of seniors would be forced to pay more out of pocket. In addition, Rep. Ryan’s budget would repeal the Affordable Care Act, forcing seniors to pay more for preventive health services and prescription drugs.  Ryan’s budget also slashes critical parts of the federal safety net important to working families and includes cuts to Medicaid and food stamps.

Richard Fiesta, Executive Director for the Alliance pointed out, “This year, Chairman Ryan did add something new, but it is erroneous. He is saying that the Social Security Trust Fund is not a real savings account – questioning the value of U.S. bonds. In 1936, Alf Landon made the same charge when he was the presidential nominee, and the sentiment is as wrong now as it was then.”

While Ryan’s proposal calls for painful cuts to domestic programs, it includes tax cuts for corporations and high income earners. The Ryan budget would reduce the top individual and corporate tax rates to 25%. Ryan’s budget is expected to be met with intense opposition from Democratic lawmakers opposed to the changes and from hardline Republicans looking to make even deeper cuts. Although it is unclear whether Ryan’s proposal will ever come to a vote, it is widely seen as a statement of principles emphasizing Republican budget priorities heading into the upcoming election season. See the Alliance’s reaction to the proposal at http://tinyurl.com/khutm24.

Alliance co-hosts Conference Call, Members Rally to Increase the Minimum Wage
On Wednesday, Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ), co-chair of the House Progressive Caucus, joined the Alliance and Social Security Works for a tele-press conference discussing new research that shows restoring the minimum wage to its 1968 level would enhance Social Security protections for low-income workers and shore up the program’s finances. Midge Slater, Organizer for the Iowa Alliance, joined the call, noting that since Social Security benefits are tied to earnings, women would particularly benefit from an increase in the minimum wage. That is because their lifetime earnings are frequently affected by lower wages and family care time spent out of the work force. You can hear the content of the call on YouTube by going to http://tinyurl.com/jwrm7rm. For a summary of the research, go to http://tinyurl.com/pg9pa25.

“Raising the minimum wage will reduce income inequality and help ensure the stability of the program in the future,” said Barbara J. Easterling, President of the Alliance.

On Thursday, the “Give America a Raise” bus tour rolled into the nation’s capital, drawing attention to the fact that too many American workers struggle to survive on $15,000 a year. Several Alliance members joined Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (NV), House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (CA), U.S. Labor Secretary Thomas Perez, U.S. Sens. Tom Harkin (IA) and Al Franken (MN), U.S. Rep. George Miller (CA), AFSCME President Lee Saunders, Alliance Executive Vice President/AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Liz Shuler, and others in saying that the minimum wage must be raised to $10.10 per hour. Video from the event is at http://tinyurl.com/k2hdwtb.

“The better your working life is, the better your retirement will be,” said Ruben Burks, Secretary-Treasurer of the Alliance.

Affordable Senior Health Insurance to Supplement Medicare - Annual Open Enrollment Period Extended Until April 30, 2014!
Are you a union retiree or spouse?  Did you know you are eligible for affordable supplemental insurance to Medicare exclusively endorsed by the Alliance?  The Union Retiree Health Plan offers several options to fit your budget and is proud to announce the program’s most competitive rates ever!  Due to an overwhelming response, this year’s Open Enrollment Period has been extended until April 30, 2014.  During this period, Medicare-eligible union retirees and spouses are guaranteed acceptance without waiting periods, regardless of preexisting health conditions.  If you are not one of the thousands of your fellow members currently benefiting from the Union Retiree Health Plan, now is the best time to enroll!  Already enrolled?  Tell your friends!  Enrollment is easy.  For more information, please call 1-855-733-0557 today! 

Florida Alliance Members Meet to Address the State’s Severe Economic Problems
The Florida Alliance for Retired Americans held its Legislative Conference and Quarterly Executive Board Meeting on Monday and Tuesday in Tallahassee. Eva Dominguez, Legislative Representative, represented the National Alliance. A press conference inside the state capitol focused on housing and grandparents' rights. Attendees also addressed several other issues over the two days, including many economic factors that severely limit Florida’s desirability for people who are looking to relocate (http://bit.ly/1laM8wT).

Fiesta Speaks to Teachers in New York
Mr. Fiesta is in New York City today to address New York State United Teachers conference. The event is designed to give Local and Retiree Council Presidents the tools they need to strengthen their locals, build solidarity and mobilize for the future.

Alliance’s National Convention is April 28 – May 1, 2014 at Bally's Hotel Las Vegas
It is not too late to register for the Alliance for Retired Americans 2014 National Membership Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada, April 28 through May 1. Workshops are slated to include State Battles: Fighting Back Against ALEC (the American Legislative Exchange Council); Seniors/Retirees Re-entering the Workforce; Messaging for the 2014 Midterm Elections and Beyond; and several others! More info is at http://bit.ly/1hYpj0g. Delegates registered to attend may offer or second a resolution for consideration. It must pertain to a statement of the Alliance’s position or policy on a specific matter and be sent to Resolutions2014@retiredamericans.org. Resolutions and seconds must be received by the Alliance by April 8, 2014.

For a printable version of this document, go to http://tinyurl.com/pqadrsr.

For the Alliance's Spanish language page, which includes last week's Friday Alert in Spanish, go to www.alianzadejubilados.org

Anti-Unionol now available

Alliance for Retired Americans Friday Alert 3-28-14

Headlines:
Doc Fix Prevents Cuts to Medicare Providers for a Year
Kellogg’s: Frosted Flakes®, Froot Loops®, and a Worker Lockout
See Hidden Camera Footage of American Legislative Exchange Council in Action
NAFTA at 20: AFL-CIO Reports on Legacy of the Trade Deal
Fiesta Speaks at NEA Conference
Alliance’s National Convention is April 28 – May 1, 2014 at Bally's Hotel Las Vegas

Doc Fix Prevents Cuts to Medicare Providers for a Year
On Thursday, the House approved a so-called “doc fix” bill that serves as a temporary solution to an ongoing structural problem in the formula used to determine Medicare funding levels. After hours of uncertainty over whether the bill would have sufficient support to pass, House Republican leaders moved quickly to approve the measure by voice vote. The legislation, which is also expected to be taken up and passed by the Senate on Monday, prevents a 24 percent cut in reimbursements to physicians under Medicare. The Washington Post reported that many House Democrats criticized the bill -- insisting that Congress should have voted on a permanent fix to the Sustainable Growth Rate, as the doc fix is known.

“This is a band-aid,” declared House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). “There are so many things that are wrong with this bill, but the simple fact is that the clock is ticking and on March 31, it's bad news for our seniors and the doctors that treat them.” She voted in favor of the year-long fix despite its shortcomings, after considering the consequences of not doing so.

This “doc fix” is the latest incarnation of a bill passed frequently by the House -- sometimes multiple times per year -- that avoids a sharp drop-off in Medicare payments. In 1997, Congress created the Sustainable Growth Rate, a system that pegged the amount of money budgeted for Medicare payments to projected growth of the economy. However, within a few years, health care costs far outpaced economic growth -- creating a multibillion dollar shortfall in funding.

“While we really need a permanent fix, we can at least breathe a sigh of relief that seniors will not have trouble getting doctors to accept patients on Medicare next week,” said Barbara J. Easterling, President of the Alliance.

Kellogg’s: Frosted Flakes®, Froot Loops®, and a Worker Lockout
Kellogg Company, the $14 billion global snack food giant, has embarked on a perilous path that threatens the very principles and values that its founder W.K. Kellogg envisioned a century ago. Under the guise of another restructuring program and led by its CEO, John Bryant, Kellogg is closing factories, cutting production lines, locking out workers, taking uncompromising and unreasonable stands at collective bargaining tables throughout the world and is even turning its back on its hometown of Battle Creek, Michigan.

More than 220 workers have been locked out of their jobs at Kellogg's Memphis, Tenn. cereal plant since October 22, 2013. The workers, members of Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union Local 252G, who make Frosted Flakes®, Froot Loops® and other breakfast favorites, were locked out as part of the drive by the company to replace steady, middle-class, full-time jobs with casual part-time employees who would make significantly lower wages and substandard benefits.

“We need to stand with these Kellogg’s workers in order to help save the middle class,” said Rich Fiesta, Executive Director of the Alliance. To tell Kellogg to stop the global destruction of middle class jobs, go to http://www.kellogggreed.com.

See Hidden Camera Footage of American Legislative Exchange Council in Action
Check out the Alliance’s new web page http://tinyurl.com/nqr4g2q, which features a story about a hidden camera in an American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) meeting in Arizona with state legislators and corporate lobbyists. The page also has action links (updated for all browsers!) and resources.

NAFTA at 20: AFL-CIO Reports on Legacy of the Trade Deal
The AFL-CIO’s new report “NAFTA at 20” outlines what workers have learned from 20 years of NAFTA. The report, available at www.aflcio.org/NAFTAat20, argues that NAFTA-style agreements prove to be a vehicle to increase corporate profits at the expense of workers, consumers, farmers, communities, the environment and even democracy itself.

“The report is particularly relevant in the context of Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations, wealth inequality, and the jobs deficit,” said Ruben Burks, Secretary-Treasurer of the Alliance.

Insurers Benefit More from Additional Medicare Reimbursements than Seniors do
The National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) has released a paper looking at the Medicare Advantage (MA) program, through which the federal government contracts with private insurers to coordinate and finance health care for more than 15 million Medicare recipients. NBER found that additional reimbursements to Medicare providers lead more private firms to enter the market and to an increase in the share of Medicare recipients enrolled in MA plans. The findings revealed that only about one-fifth of the additional reimbursement is passed through to consumers in the form of better coverage. A somewhat larger share accrues to private insurers in the form of higher profits. There was also evidence suggesting a large impact on advertising expenditures. The results have implications for a key feature of the Affordable Care Act that will reduce reimbursement to MA plans by $156 billion from 2013 to 2022. The paper is available at http://tinyurl.com/qy6yanp.

Fiesta Speaks at NEA Conference
Mr. Fiesta traveled to Houston for the NEA Retired Organizing Conference on Wednesday. The conference was devoted to training retired members of the National Education Association to organize their communities to advance the cause of public education.

Alliance’s National Convention is April 28 – May 1, 2014 at Bally's Hotel Las Vegas
It is not too late to register for the Alliance for Retired Americans 2014 National Membership Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada, April 28 through May 1. More info is at http://bit.ly/1hYpj0g. Retirees will take home all the information they need to fight for retirement security and help fellow Americans retire with dignity. Convention attendees will have time to network with activists from across the country, share experiences, and gain helpful tips. Delegates registered to attend may offer or second a resolution for consideration. It must pertain to a statement of the Alliance’s position or policy on a specific matter and be sent to Resolutions2014@retiredamericans.org. Resolutions and seconds must be received by the Alliance by April 8, 2014.

For a printable version of this document, go to http://bit.ly/1mbcWwV.

Alliance for Retired Americans Friday Alert 3-21-14

Headlines:
Medicare Means Testing Would Harm Middle Class
Rapper “Common” to Support Nissan Canton Unionization Effort
Medicaid Expansion Causes Waves at State Level
Sign Up For, Share Our Spanish Friday Alert - Alerta Semanal
Convention Deadline, Register Now!

Medicare Means Testing Would Harm Middle Class
Alliance for Retired Americans member and AFSCME retiree leader Charlie Hogan of Chicago joined Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky on a press call Thursday co-hosted by the Congresswoman, Social Security Works and the Medicare Rights Center. Mr. Hogan, a veteran, stressed that the retirees of today and tomorrow contributed to our earned benefits, Medicare and Social Security, and that promise should not be broken. Hogan said, “If we didn't have Medicare, if we didn't have insurance at work, we'd lose our homes, we'd lose everything”(http://bit.ly/1h1kBt6).

Stacy Sanders, Federal Policy Director for the Medicare Rights Center, explained three important facts about further means testing Medicare on the call: Medicare is already means-tested – wealthy Medicare beneficiaries already pay more for their Medicare premiums; further means-testing means higher health care costs for the middle class; and more means-testing would undermine the universality and integrity of Medicare. Dr. Ben Veghte, Research Director for Social Security Works, pointed out that the average senior's Social Security benefits are equivalent to a minimum wage income, about $15,000/year. He added, “Indirectly, Social Security benefits have been cut by rising out-of-pocket health care costs over the last two decades.” A fact sheet on the issue is available here: http://bit.ly/1jcOxVO. Veghte said, “Our health care system is currently twice as expensive as most other Western countries’; there are a number of proposals that would reduce health care costs, not just shift costs onto seniors.”

Rapper “Common” to Support Nissan Canton Unionization Effort
Tonight, a rapper and actor named Common will perform a concert in support of the workers at Nissan’s Canton, Mississippi plant. He will be joined by actor Danny Glover. Common and Mr. Glover said, “This event is an expression of support for Nissan auto workers in Canton, Mississippi, who are fighting for a fair union election and a voice in their workplace at Nissan.”  Many at the plant have tried to push for a vote to join UAW for the last several years, but Nissan has fought unionization. A vote would be particularly significant on the heels of the failed vote at the Chattanooga Volkswagen plant, where union activists have appealed the result, arguing that workers were unfairly intimidated into voting against joining.  If successful, the vote will offer UAW another opportunity to represent its first foreign-owned plant in the South, and provide a launching pad for UAW. More info: http://bit.ly/1eqXCuo.

Medicaid Expansion Causes Waves at State Level
After the Affordable Care Act paved the way for Medicaid expansion, 25 states and the District of Columbia moved relatively quickly to adopt it.  Some states did the opposite, however, and their legislatures and governors are still working to block it.

This week, the Georgia legislature approved two measures that will block Georgians’ access to health insurance, including HB 990, which strips Gov. Nathan Deal of his authority to expand Medicaid. This vote came at the governor’s request, in order to prevent Medicaid expansion by any means.  That leaves 600,000 of the poorest Georgians without access to affordable health care (http://bit.ly/1ik2imv). The legislature took these actions despite Georgia having the 5th highest uninsured population in the nation. “Moral Monday” protestors, part of a movement sweeping the South which originated in North Carolina and aims to give voice to citizens whose rights are under attack by their own legislature, were present at the Georgia capitol. About 40 of the protestors were arrested for disrupting proceedings (http://huff.to/1g5RAk2).

In Virginia, despite electing a pro-expansion Democratic governor in Terry McAuliffe, Virginia’s Republican-controlled state house has promised to block Medicaid expansion. In response, McAuliffe embarked on a tour of the state, pitching the benefits of the program aiming to mobilize the support of Virginia citizens (http://wapo.st/1fKG9td). Members of the Senate and House of Delegates return to Richmond next Monday to continue work on the budget and Medicaid expansion. Last Saturday, Virginia Alliance members joined with Virginia Consumer Voices for Healthcare, Virginia Organizing, and the Virginia AFL-CIO at a capitol rally, with hundreds expressing why Virginia legislators need to put their constituents first and expand Medicaid. One fast food worker present explained that she earns minimum wage and is above the cut-off for Medicaid benefits but cannot afford to purchase her own insurance; many others shared their stories about how Medicaid expansion would improve lives. Citizens and activists, including Alliance for Retired Americans members, will reach out to constituents at their doors this weekend across the entire state, encouraging them to speak up for expansion. Ron Thompson, President of the Virginia Alliance for Retired Americans, said, “I’ve walked the halls of the capitol many Mondays and met with state legislators who say the same thing: we won’t do it because we can’t trust the federal government. They’re like clones. My question for them is: aren’t you a government employee? And don’t you work for the people of Virginia? They need health care!”

Sign Up For, Share Our Spanish Friday Alert - Alerta Semanal
The Friday Alert is now available each week in Spanish! Find last week’s Alerta Semanal, at http://bit.ly/1kMauwN or on the Alliance’s Spanish language page http://tinyurl.com/nllcz6n. You can also sign up for Spanish-language emails at http://bit.ly/1jbQ0fd or on the Spanish language page.

Convention Deadline, Register Now!
Hurry, now is the time to register for the Alliance for Retired Americans 2014 National Membership Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada, April 28 through May 1. Avoid the late fee for convention registration by registering today at http://tinyurl.com/prl8box. Don't miss out on the discounted $99.00 per night room rate expiring March 21. More info: http://bit.ly/1hYpj0g.

It is more important than ever that retirees have all the information and the skills they need to fight for retirement security and to help fellow Americans retire with dignity. Convention attendees will have time to network with activists from across the country, share experiences, and gain helpful tips. Delegates registered to attend the Convention may offer or second a resolution for consideration. It must pertain to a statement of the Alliance’s position or policy on a specific matter and be sent to Resolutions2014@retiredamericans.org. Resolutions and seconds must be received by the Alliance by April 8, 2014.

For a printable version of this document, go to http://bit.ly/1kPCakg.

What's wrong with Indiana

More than one thing. That's for sure. Lousy, dirty, stinky toll road rest areas. Goofy time zones. An intolerant, backwards, uncaring General Assembly and this:

Alliance for Retired Americans Friday Alert 3-14-14

Headlines:
Stand up to the American Legislative Exchange Council and Protect Pensions
Alliance Letter: House “Doc Fix” is the Wrong Solution
USA Today Piece Describes Retirees’ Biggest Financial Regrets
Spanish Friday Alert now Available
Oregon Alliance Holds State Convention, Hosts Former Governor Roberts
Alliance’s National Convention is April 28 – May 1, 2014 at Bally's Hotel Las Vegas

Stand up to the American Legislative Exchange Council and Protect Pensions
The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) is a corporate-funded, “pay-to-play” lobbying group that brings corporations and state legislators together to craft “model” legislation. The “model bills” they craft, regrettably, put corporate profits before the public interest. Stand up to ALEC – the coalition group that includes the Alliance for Retired Americans, the AFL-CIO, and other unions and allies, will focus on pensions during the week of March 17. ALEC’s goal is to wipe out public pension systems in favor of private 401(k) type plans. In a Wall Street-managed, individual 401(k) world, workers would lose their ability to save, invest and take action collectively. For a fact sheet on ALEC and retirement security, go to http://tinyurl.com/l6ruewq.

“ALEC and its sister organization, the State Policy Network, are planning campaigns, lobbying activities, and lawsuits to challenge and degrade state and local public pension systems in numerous states,” said Barbara J. Easterling, President of the Alliance. “Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Missouri, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania are targets at the least, and we cannot afford to stay out of this battle. We will reach out to expose these anti-democratic efforts step-by-step.”

Alliance Letter: House “Doc Fix” is the Wrong Solution
The Alliance sent a letter to all members of the U.S. House of Representatives yesterday regarding the “doc fix,” or “Sustainable Growth Rate” (SGR). The SGR is supposed to chop provider reimbursement if spending rises too fast, but such steep cuts in practice would harm patient care, and more doctors would refuse to treat seniors.  The letter from Alliance Executive Director Richard Fiesta opposed the passage of H.R. 4015, the SGR Repeal and Medicare Provider Payment Modernization Act, as the solution. The letter suggested other ways to solve the problem, including the Medicare Drug Discount Act (http://tinyurl.com/p5px7p5). However, the bill passed on Friday, 238-181. For a tally of the vote, go to http://tinyurl.com/mgnvxze.

“While the February 2014 agreement reached by the House and Senate to fix the sustainable growth rate formula in Medicare’s physician reimbursement was bicameral and bipartisan, this legislation is not,” Mr. Fiesta wrote. “Under this egregious proposal, doctors would be paid on the backs of uninsured Americans. This is simply unacceptable….(i)t is disturbing to us that the authors of this proposal found money to provide an update for physicians, who on average make upwards of $200,000 per year, but not for low-income Medicare beneficiaries.” To read the full letter, go to http://tinyurl.com/qj7zve9.

USA Today Piece Describes Retirees’ Biggest Financial Regrets
Financial advisers, asked about their retired clients’ biggest money regrets, offered several recommendations in USA Today this week. Among the regrets listed: retiring too early, not planning for worst-case scenarios, and underestimating future medical costs. Some also regret withdrawing early from an IRA or 401(k) and not moving to a new city or state to reduce taxes.

“I’m sure many people would love to have saved more for their retirement, but the money was just never there,” said Ruben Burks, Secretary-Treasurer of the Alliance.

Tash Elwyn, president of the Raymond James & Associates firm, says a key mistake people make is that they fail to make provisions for catastrophic events. “Whether it's a major medical issue or a debilitating illness, those that find they are not only financing their own retirement, but an adult child who has returned after a job loss aren't accounting for real life. Planning can't just be for best-case scenarios, and far too often it is.” More at http://tinyurl.com/q44lwqb.

Spanish Friday Alert now Available
The Friday Alert will now be available each week in Spanish! To see last week’s Alerta Semanal, go to http://tinyurl.com/mq7gpry. For the Alliance’s Spanish language page, which includes fact sheets and other translated documents from the main site, go to http://tinyurl.com/nllcz6n. More outreach from the Alliance to the Hispanic elder community will be coming in the next few months.

Oregon Alliance Holds State Convention, Hosts Former Governor Roberts
On March 8, the Oregon Alliance for Retired Americans held its annual convention, and it included the most attendees in years. Featured speaker Barbara Roberts, Oregon's first woman governor, shared her life story. In observance of International Women's Day, she encouraged women to record their successes. Progressive talk show host Carl Wolfson spoke about fighting income inequality. Resolutions were passed opposing ALEC legislative activities and supporting Postal Service banking. Board member Jim Davis reported success at the just-ended Oregon legislative session in securing funding for the placement of senior and disability mental health and addiction specialists in all 36 county mental health programs. Ron Rogers and Jane Netboy were elected as trustees.

Alliance’s National Convention is April 28 – May 1, 2014 at Bally's Hotel Las Vegas
Join us in Las Vegas as we sharpen our organizing and communications skills for the 2014 elections and beyond! Confirmed speakers now include: Lee Saunders, President of AFSCME; Danny Thompson, Nevada AFL-CIO Executive Secretary-Treasurer and Nevada Alliance Vice President; Carolyn W. Colvin, Acting Commissioner of Social Security; Liz Shuler, Alliance Executive Vice President and Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO; Linda Chavez-Thompson, former Executive Vice-President of the AFL-CIO; J. David Cox, President of the American Federation of Government Employees; and several others.

Alliance members will elect a president and secretary-treasurer, and community members will elect six community-based board members and the executive vice-president for community affairs. Hotel reservations must be made by March 21, 2014. Click on http://tinyurl.com/luw8vke to visit the Alliance’s convention web page. Go to http://tinyurl.com/prl8box to register on-line. Questions? Contact Joni Jones at jjones@retiredamericans.org or 202-637-5377.

Any delegate registered to attend the National Membership Convention may offer or second a resolution for consideration. The resolution must pertain to a statement of the Alliance’s position or policy on a specific matter. Resolutions, and seconds, must be received by the Alliance no later than April 8, 2014. The Resolutions Committee, designated by the Alliance President, will review proposed resolutions. Send resolutions to Resolutions2014@retiredamericans.org.

For a printable version of this document, go to http://tinyurl.com/k9vlzqv.

Letter to Indiana CD2 Jackie Walorski

Indiana has always had a proud manufacturing tradition but unless we do something to create more jobs, that tradition will be a thing of the past. We've lost 183,400 manufacturing jobs since 2000!  The way to get good jobs back is to crack down on currency manipulation. It's one of the chief reasons America's trade deficit was $456 billion last year. But a new report by the Economic Policy Institute says that Indiana could create 152,600 jobs by 2015 if we simply stamped out currency manipulation. In North Central Indiana, 20,000 jobs could be created, which makes our Congressional District sixth in the nation in the amount of jobs that could be created if Congresswoman Jackie Walorski and others stood up to unfair trade.

There is a bill in congress that would do that. HR 1276 would take countries like Communist China to task for rigging their exchange rate to cheat American companies and workers out of business. But it needs more support, and Representative Jackie Walorski hasn't added her name yet. Representative Walorski, will you help fight currency manipulation? We need to get serious about job creation, and these issues are one and the same.