Retirees

201 Retiree’s Column

BY KEVIN D. MAHAR

PRESIDENT RETIREES COUNCIL

DO NOT HAVE PENSION DEDUCTIONS UNTIL YOU HAVE

READ MY COLUMN TO DO SO OR CALLED ME AT 781-367-7822

To say I am mad would be an a serious understatement. YOU NEED TO KNOW I CERTAINLY KNEW NOTHING ABOUT THE IUE SENDING OUT A REQUEST THAT YOU SEND THEM $3.00 A MONTH OUT OF YOUR PENSION CHECK. I HAVE ASKED PRES. JIM CLARK AND CONF. BOARD CHAIRMAN BOB SANTAMOOR TO COME TO OUR NOVEMBER 8, 2011 RETIREES MEETING TO EXPLAIN WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT. HOW ANY MONEY COLLECTED IS SPENT? HOW IT IS APPROVED? WHY DIDN’T THE IUE ASK THOSE OF US RETIREES WHO FOR YEARS HAVE BEEN FIGHTING FOR BETTER BENEFITS FOR ANY SUGGESTIONS ON ORGANIZING GE RETIREES? THESE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE QUESTIONS AND A LOT MORE. WHY DIDN’T IUE HAVE THE COMMON COURTISEY OF SENDING INFORMATION IN ADVANCE TO EACH LOCATION WHERE RETIREES HAVE BEEN MEETING ?

COME ON DOWN TO ST. MICHAELS HALL ON NOVEMBER 9:30 am

BUS TO BOSTON TO SAVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE

PARKING AVAILABLE JOIN ME AND MASS SENIOR ACTION

THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT DEMONSTRATION AND RALLY

RETIREES ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY

DECEMBER 14, 2011 NOONTIME

PORTHOLE PUB

CWA/IUE LOCAL 201 PRESIDENT JEFF CROSBY

WILL JOIN US INTO RETIREMENT

Join with your retirees group to break bread and sing songs listen to wonderfull comedy---we all need a laugh as comedy truly is the best medicine.

LOCAL 201 RETIREES COUNCIL
MEETING NOTICE

TUESDAY JUNE 14 2011 AT 12 NOON
PLEASE NOTE TIME CHANGE
THIS IS OUR ANNUAL HOT DOG SOCIAL
AND BUSINESS MEETING

ST. MICHAEL'S HALL
WEST NEPTUNE ST
LYNN MA.

LOCAL 201 RETIREES COLUMN

BY KEVIN D. MAHAR

PRESIDENT OF LOCAL 201 RETIREES COUNCIL

Flower the skunk was the hit of the many hundreds of workers and retirees at the Fairchild Street Gate on Western Ave. Flowers message was GE DON’T BE A STINKER TO GE RETIREES. Every time we take a retirees plant gate collection I am “blown away” and simply amazed at the level of support every one gives to our retiree council. It is heart warming and makes all the work of the retirees council all worth while. We even had one member who asked to remain anonymous write a check for a large amount. Many others either wrote checks for a $100. or threw in a $100. bill. Just so you know I also matched by check the $100. donation. We are still opening mail with checks in fact today I opened a letter with a check enclosed by a woman who has terminal cancer. So if you can send in a donation To IUE/CWA Local 201 Retirees council 112 Exchange St. Lynn, Ma. 01901. This money is used to advocate for better pensions and benefits for GE retirees. Since we started going to the GE annual meetings we have received 3 pension increases and a 13^th check. A GREAT BIG THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNBELIEVABLE SUPPORT OF YOUR RETIREES COUNCIL. AND A BIG THANK YOU TO JEFF DARLING AND PAUL FORD FOR HELPING PUT THE RETIREES AT THE GATES THANK YOU RETIREES. AND A HUGE THANK YOU TO FRED RUSSELL AND HIS GROUP OF COLECTORS YOU FOLKS INSPIRE US TO KEEP ON WORKING.

PRESIDENT JEFF CROSBY THANKS THE HUGE CROWD

THEN INTRODUCES BA RIC CASILLI

BA RIC CASILLI JUMPED UP ON THE BED OF THE PICKUP TRUCK AND GAVE A REPORT ON THE UPCOMING GE NEGOTIATIONS. THEN RIC WENT INTO A CROWD ROUSING SPIRITED CHANT OF “ YOUNG, MIDDLE AGE. OLDER TOGETHER. WHILE THE ENTIRE CROWD OF OVER 700 MEMBERS AND RETIREES WHERE REALLY INTO THE CHANT “YOUNG, MIDDLE AGE OLDER TOGETHER” OUR BA CALLED ON THE REST OF THE E BOARD TO GET UP ON THE TRUCK FOR A SHOW OF UNITY GOING INTO NEGOTIATIONS. I HAVE SAID IN EARLIER COLUMNS I AM AFRAID OF THiS CONTRACT FOR MEMBERS AND RETIREES. I JUST HAVE A BAD FEELING ABOUT THE WHOLE THING. GERRY NASTASIA GAVE A REPORT ABOUT ATTENDING THE GE ANNUAL MEETING IN UTAH AND SAID IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE ATTEND THE GE ANNUAL MEETING AND MAKE OUR VOICES HEARD. I CAN SAY I WILL DO ALL IN MY POWER TO BE ACTIVE AND ON THE LINE. NOW WE HAVE THE 2 MORE EVENTS A STANDOUT AT THE WESTERN AVE FAIRCHILD ST GATE ON MAY 23 FROM 130 TO 430 FOR A SEND OFF FOR THE BA AGENT RIC CASILLI TO GO TO NEGOTIATIONS. ALSO IF YOUR INTERESTED IN GOING ON THE BUS TO ERIE PA OT THE COUNTRY WIDE RALLY ON JUNE 4 YOU MUST CALL GARY POLAND OR JOSE AT THE UNION HALL BY MAY 20, 2011 PHONE 781-598-2760. THE COST IS $20. AND THAT IS TO RESERVE A SPACE. SEE FURTHER INFORMATION SEE FLYER IN THIS PAPER.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP

IF YOU COULDN’T MAKE IT TO THE RALLY, OR YOU CAN’T GO TO ERIE PA. YOU CAN STILL HELP BY SENDING A CHECK TO IUE/CWA LOCAL 201 RETIREES COUNCIL 112 EXCHANGE ST. LYNN MA. 01901. MERE WORDS CAN NOT EXPLAIN HOW I FEEL ABOUT THE HUGE LEVEL OF SUPPORT FROM EVERYONE IN THE PLANT. THANKS AGAIN.

LOCAL 201 RETIREES COLUMN

BY KEVIN D. MAHAR

PRESIDENT LOCAL 201 RETIREES COUNCIL

THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE MANY MANY CARDS AND PHONE CALLS WISHING

ME A SPEEDY RECOVERY FROM MY HIP SURGERY

I have to apologize for not having a column in the last edition of the paper but quite frankly I was and still am in pain over this operation. Although the doctors say I am doing fine and progressing nicely and getting stronger with physical therapy every day. Some of the cards, telephone calls and plants I received really touched my soul and lifted my spirits. Now let’s get ready for the GE shareowners meeting on April 27, 2011 and many upcoming events leading up to the negotiations in June 2011. This contract in my opinion will be one of the most important contracts since I started working at GE in February 1961. Just as the 1969 strike had its place in industrial history I believe the 2011 contract will set the theme and conditions for years to come in the industrial world. So PLEASE CALL ME AT 781-367-7822 AND PUT YOUR NAME AND PHONE NUMBER ON OUR RETIREES LIST OF THOSE COMMITTED TO SHOW UP AT ANY DEMONSTRATIONS AND GIVE THER ACTIVE SUPPORT FOR THE GOALS OF OUR UNION. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF UPCOMMING EVENTS TO GET INVOLVED IN. IF YOU WANT TO GO TO THE GE SHAREOWNERS MEETIN IN SALT LAKE CITY CALL ME AT 781-367-7822. STEVE TORMEY OF THE UE WILL BE PUTTING ON A SEMINAR ABOUT THE UPCOMING CONTRACT WITH SPECIAL FOCUS ON OUR PENSION PLAN, DATE TO BE ANNOUNCED. WE WILL BE HAVING A RALLY AND RETIREE COLLECTION AT RHE RIVER WORKS PLANT AT THE END OF APRIL DATE TO BE ANNOUNCED AND WE RELLY NEED RETIREES TO HELP US WITH THIS. THEN THERE WILL BE A COUNTRY WIDE RALLY IN ERIE PA IN JUNE I BELIEVE DATE AND TIME TO BE ANNOUNCED. IF YOU DIDN’T THINK YOU COULD BE HURT ANYMORE HOW ABOUT THAT NEARLY $50. A MONTH PENSION CUT BECAUSE OF GOING TO THE 2011 TAX TABLE. DON’T YOU THINK WE COULD AND SHOULD ORGANIZE THE 215,000 GE RETIREES AROUND THE COUNTRY INTO A POWERFUL POLITICAL FORCE TO PUBLICALLY ENCOURAGE GE TO TREAT THOSE RETIRED FOR YEARS FAIRLY. WE ARE THE FORGOTTEN WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED SO MUCH FOR SO LONG INTO OUR PENSION PLAN AND ARE TOO MUCH FORGOTTEN ABOUT HOW BADLY OUR COST OF LIVING HAS BEEN HURT. LOOK AT THE BELLTEL RETIREES WHO HAVE OVER 100,OOO MEMBERS OR THE GM RETIREES WHO HAVE A VOTE IN THEIR UNION. I WANT YOUR IDEAS ON WHAT WE CAN DO ABOUT THIS. THE RETIREES COUNCIL MADE A MOTION AT THE LAST MEETING TO REQUEST A MEETING WITH CONGRESS TIERNEY ON THIS MATTER. MORE ON THIS LATER AS WE TRY TO SCHEDULE A MEETING. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS GO TO www.geritirees.com

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP

THE GE RETIREE JUSTICE FUND WAS STARTED TO BRING TOGETHER GE RETIREES TO FIGHT FOR BETTER PENSIONS AND BENEFITS FOR RETIREES. WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP SEND ANY CONTRITUTIONS TO GE JUSTICE FUND 47 TENNESSEE AVE. ALBAY, NY.12205-4548. BY THE WAY ALTHOUGH HELEN QUIRINI WILL NOT BE WITH US PHYSICALLY AT THE GE SHAREOWNERS MEETING THIS YEAR SHE WILL BE SPOKEN ABOUT AND WITH US IN SPIRIT. HELEN THIS ONE IS FOR YOU.

www.geretirees.comLOCAL 201 RETIREES COLUMN

BY KEVIN D. MAHAR

PRESIDENT LOCAL 201 RETIREES COUNCIL

HELEN QUIRINI

PASSED AWAY ON OCTOBER 14, 2010

Sadly my co-chair of the GE Retirees Justice Fund passed away at 90 years young in her hometown which she loved dearly of Schenectady NY. Helen was a great tireless fighter for GE retirees. She loved fairness and lived a remarkable life fighting for what she believed. Helen started working in GE in 1941 in Schenectady on a piecework job in building 89. Just so you know Helen saw the discrimination against women and blacks, in the factory woman were paid less than men on the same jobs. Helen Quirini fought against these kinds of practices all of her life. Helen Quirini exposed and changed so many of these kinds of unfairness at GE that it is incredible. Consider this in 1944 Helen lead a drive in Local 301 to stop discrimination against woman and the government upheld Local 301 position and ordered GE to end discrimination against women. Again, hundreds of Schenectady women workers won upgrading wages. That precedent-setting victory on this case opened the way for thousands of women all over the country to win similar wage cases. Fast forward over the years and with continues involvement over the years Helen Quirini breaks down discrimination at the YWCA and in 1978 receives the Joseph A . Bernie award who was the President o CWA Helen held several positions in Local 301 such as Steward , Executive Board, Recording Secretary, Treasurer. She was the first woman to chair a meeting of the GE Conference Board. Helen made sure that there was picket line fighting for better pensions and benefits for retirees for the last 29 years at the Schenectady plant. She would march during snow, sleet or rain it did not matter to Helen when she announced the date of the demonstration the retirees would come and workers would come out of the shops to join in the demonstatation. Of course this is an incridable life time of involvement in her fight for fairness. In recent years Helens and I started the GE Retirees Justice Fund with a meeting in Schenectady NY retirees from around the area. The sole purpose is to advocate for better benefits and pensions for GE retirees. One of our main activities is going to GE shareowners activities are to go The GE shareowners meeting and advocate for GE retirees. Also the Union has had Helen for many years go to National negations and advocate for better benefits and pensions. Along with going to each GE annual meeting since 1994. This has lead to 3 pension benefits increased since 1996 and an added 13 check. Helen was written about in the Wall Street Journal and the AARP magazine .Helens life was a remarkable example of how one person can make a change in the lives of workers at GE and the community at large. She changed the usage of the increases in the pension fund is used to increase the bonuses in GE Exertives. I have lost a wonderful woman advocate and GE retirees have lost the best grand dame who fought for them , my idol, my inspiration. We shall continue on with your fight for fairness in our GE pension plan and benefits. Thank you for all you have done for so many people. Love \from all of us.

LOCAL 201 RETIREES COLUMN
BY KEVIN D. MAHAR
PRESIDENT LOCAL 201 RETIREES COUNCIL

RETIREES MEET WITH GE TO DISCUSS MAJOR PROBLEMS

OF GE RETIREES

On July 14, 2010, after traveling from many parts of the country, some of our retirees met with some of the highest levels of the GE which deal with retiree health care , pensions and all of the benefits that have a direct effect on the daily lives of those who built this company, the 201,000 GE Retirees around the country.

Let me report the first order of business of this July 14, 2010 meeting was to discuss in detail how GE retirees were, over many years barraged by GE publicity to rely on the retirement scheme of social security, GE pension and the dividends from our GE stock, the so called three legged stool. We outlined in detail the disaster to GE retirees of the 68% slashing of our dividends.
We talked about how many GE retirees were reduced to government subsidized housing because they received so little in income that they qualified for government help. This is part of the disgrace of this entire situation. We requested that GE look at the restoring of dividends as a major item as this was taking away one of the legs of the so called 3 legged stool.

By the way, GE announced on July 22, 2010 that GE was increasing the dividend by 2 cents, or a 20% increase in October 2010. Certainly the newly announced .12 cents dividend is a far cry from where we were at .31 cents a share, but it is a start and to the GE retirees it is important to keep this issue at the forefront of issues to be addressed and not put on the back burner.

MORE ON THIS MEETING IN FUTURE COLUMNS

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP

The GE Retiree Justice Fund was started to advocate for better pensions and benefits for GE retirees. DUES ARE $12 PER YEAR, MORE IF YOU CAN AFFORD IT, LESS IF YOU CANNOT. AGAIN THIS YEAR I SENT A $100 DONATION AND CHALLENGE MY FRIENDS TO MATCH ME. SEND ANY DONATION TO GE RETIREES JUSTICE FUND 2917 HAMBURG ST. SCHENECTADY NY 12303.

www.geretirees.com

This photo is of the participants in the high level meeting of GE Retirees and GE Senior Vice President John Lynch and his team of benefit specialists which took place on July 14, 2010 to discuss problems of GE Retirees.  From left to right, front row, Mike DeSantis, GE Human Relations, John Lynch, GE Senior Vice President Human Resources, Helen Quirini, Schenectady NY co-chair GE Retiree Justice Fund & Pres. Local 301 Retirees, Kevin Mahar, co-chair GE Retirees Justice Fund & Pres. Local 201 Retirees. Back row, from left to right, Tim Stuart, Manager GE Call Centers, Bob Gorham, GE Pensions, Jerry Nastasia, Retiree Lynn, Ma., Mary Beth Stevens-Carhide, GE Hewalthcare Administrator, Bill Freeda, Vice Pres NABET Retiree Coordinator, Owen Humpress, Retiree Local 761 Louisville Ky., Barbara Beckman, GE Manager of Benefits, Jerry Beckum, Pres. Local 761 Retirees Louisville Ky., Floyd Miklic,  Retiree Local 301 Schenectady NY, Mike Cerrone, Retiree Local 120 Philadelphia Pa.     

 LOCAL 201 RETIREES COLUMN

BY KEVIN D. MAHAR

PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL 201 RETIREES COUNCIL

GE ANNUAL SHAREOWNERS MEETING APRIL 28, 2010

As I often have done in the past I am quoting from the verbatim transcript from the GE annual meeting. I do this so you may feel as if you were there, I wonder how many of you remember that old TV program? YOU ARE THERE

The first of many speakers who were advocating for GE retirees was Bill Freeda who is the NABET/CWA National Retiree Coordinator.

“Good morning, Mr. Chairman. MY Name is Bill Freeda. I’m here this morning to tell you that I voted against all the members of the Compensation Committee. I will continue to do so until the time that I believe that this committee is acting tin the best interest of the shareowners and not the senior executives of the General Electric Company. In addition, I abstained when it came to you Jeff. However, I would like to congratulate you –for the very first time you have managed to find a way to disqualify my shareowner proposal. Unfortunately for all of us here, your strategy was to drive the share of the price of our company stock so low that I did not possess the required dollar amount to submit a proposal. In the past when I have spoken out at the shareowners meeting, it has been on behalf of GE retirees. Today I will leave that task to my colleagues. This morning I want to speak of something of a more personal nature.” At this point Bill gave Jeff Immelt and all the shareowners hell about the fact he thought GE did the wrong thing by NBC which made NBC the butt of comedian jokes. At the end of his remarks Jeff Immelt thanked him and went on to the next speaker. Many speakers including me asked about and discussed the cuts in our dividends here is what Jeff Immelt said “So, you know sir, I think cutting the dividend is the toughest decision that I’ve ever had to make. We did it during the financial crisis to make sure we kept the company safe and secure. I know how important the dividend is. Earnings growth is reappearing for GE. Your dividend is going to go up again soon.” “Darrel Martin: How soon? Darrell Martin: Hey is it going to be 11 or 12? Jeff: It’ll be at least 11. Yes sir.” Again this is taken from the GE verbatim transcript.

“Jeff: Share owners Proposal #3 relating to an independent boar chairman was submitted by Ms Helen Wuirini of Schenectadady NY. I know Helen is here today to present the proposal. Helen Quirini: Good afternoon. Jeff: Hi Helen. Helen: I am a proud shareowner but I’m equally proud to be co –chairman of a group called Justice for the Retirees. And Kevin is my co-chairman. Our purpose in life is to make life better for the retirees. I am here again about this proposal and I will continue to bring it up as long as there is breath in my body because I think this is the eighth or sixth time that I have brought it up and each time I get a bit more votes. So I’ve got a lot more explaining to do to the people.” Helen then went on to read the proposal. Helen further said and I quote, “Now this leads me to inquire about Jack Welch’s monthly pension of $8000,000. You hear me ? Monthly pension of $8000,000. While a lot of the retirees are living in poverty. Are the shareowners fully aware of this? The first time I heard this I couldn’t believe it and I said to people, “you must have the figures wrong” They’re not wrong. This is fact.”

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP

Wish 90 year young Helen Quirini a HAPPY BIRTHDAY BY JOINING HER IN THE GE RETIREE JUSTICE FUND. DUES ARE $12. PER YEAR MORE IF YOU CAN AFFORD IT LESS IF YOU CANNOT. AGAIN THIS YEAR I SEND A $100. DONATION AND CHALLENGE MY FRIENDS TO MATCH ME. SEND ANY DONATION TO GE RETIREES JUSTICE FUND 2917 HAMBURG ST. SCHENECTADY NY 12303       www.geretirees.com

Post-65 Medical Benefits Local 201 VP Alex Brown:          Retirees Picket 2007 GE Stockholders Meeting      I joined200 plus retirees and supporters in picketing in front of the GE Stockholders meeting in South Carolina on Wednesday April 25 calling for justice for retirees.  With signs and chants we highlighted the needs of the GE retirees and then went into the meeting as shareholders to vote and speak for the union supported resolutions.      The retiree groups are an inspiration to unionism.  43 retirees from the UE Erie, PA RAGE group rode a bus for two days to be part of the protest.  Two buses came from the IUE Salem, VA local, and a bus from the Louisville, KY Local 761.  They were joined by 10 retirees from Local 201, and retirees from Syracuse, NY, Rome, GA, Schenectady, NY, Milwaukee, WI., and NABET in NYC, NY.       It truly is a “Hall of Shame” the injustice of the GE pension plan.  It is wrong that Jack Welch receives $800,000 a month while long service retirees like Joe Taliger gets $581 a month. With $15.5 billion surplus in the pension plan, GE can afford to give retirees a raise.  After all, GE has not put money in the pension fund since 1987.      Meeting Helen Quirini, a union and retiree warrior for over 50 years from Schenectady, NY was a highlight for me.  She spoke in support of an independent Board chairman and got 31% of the vote.  But she also chastised GE for its immorality towards pensioners.  “It is a shame that greed has resulted in the pay of American top executives increasing by leaps and bounds, while retirees continue to struggle without even a cost of living increase.”      Kevin Mahar, president of the Lynn Retirees Council, told the meeting, “the “Hall of Shame” should be ripped down – just like the Berlin Wall.” He has the well deserved respect of the retirees groups that are out there fighting for all of us. I thank them for their tenacious battle for retirees.  I hope to join them someday.   The 201 Retiree delegation poses after the successful actions before and during the GE Stockholders meeting.  Standing from left: Gerry Nastasia, John Flanagan, Carol Jones, VP Alex Brown, Kevin Maher, Jim Dube, Dave Gannon, Mike Hartnett.  Seated from left:  Carol Nastasia, Betty Flanagan. 2006 GE Shareholders Meeting

DEDICATED RETIREES AGAIN VOICE PENSION FAIRNESS NEEDS

Once again, a large contingent of GE retirees and supporters descended on the annual GE Shareholder’s meeting. This year’s meeting was held April 26 in Philadelphia.

Local 201 Retiree Association President, Kevin Mahar, with 8 other Local 201 retirees, joined a large group of UE Local 506 GE retirees from Erie, PA and a smattering of retirees and supporters from various GE locations.

Local 201 Business Agent Ric Casilli, along with recently retired LPDD Steward Chet Bowzer, also made the journey in support of the retiree’s just request to GE for pension fairness.

Approximately, 75 GE retirees (many in their 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s) picketed outside the Shareholders Meeting at the Philadelphia Convention Center. Their signs demanded a pension increase, a minimum pension floor, a pension COLA, medical cost relief, andretiree representation on the GE Board of Directors and the Pension Board. A new "Hall of Shame" leaflet was distributed, with former GE CEO Jack Welch’s photo replacing a picture of a recently deceased hourly retiree. The Philadelphia Inquirer picked up the story, as did some local TV stations. The Inquirer, reported the sharp and despicable pension figures in the "Hall of Shame" publication, whereas hourly retirees were receiving pensions in a range of $581 to $1,007 monthly while Jack Welch was bestowed approximately $800,000 monthly.

Following the picket, retiree’s checked into the Shareholder’s Meeting chaired by GE CEO JEFFREY Immelt. 201 Retirees Association President Mahar turned in hundreds of collected proxies representing over a million votes. Proxies were stamped with the words: 1. Annual COLA, 2. Current Minimum, and3. No Raiding of Our Pension Plan. A number of retirees (including Mahar) spoke on a few ballot issues, including on a new question concerning hourly retiree representation on the GE Board of Directors. All speakers spoke respectfully but bluntly, of the blatant unfairness of the distribution of funds out of the GE Pension Plan.

Despite being outvoted, by the millions of shares of stock owned by top corporate officials, the determined retirees felt once again they had highlighted the inequities of the Pension Plan.

It has to make someone… somewhere… at sometime, think that there is something very wrong, when so many retirees are willing to sacrifice three days and ride almost 24 hours in a bus (with canes, meds, and wheelchairs) to make their voices heard.

BOISTEROUS RETIREES PACK
 GE SHAREHOLDER MEETING

Approximately 2,000 people attended the annual GE Shareholders Meeting held this year in Waukesha, Wisconsin.

Newspaper reports indicated that the meeting was packed with GE retirees fighting for increased pension benefits (some getting less than $200 a month) and one newspaper quoted Company officials as stating attendance may have set a record.

The IUE-CWA press release reported that the Union’s share-holder proposal #6 received 13.2% of the vote with the IUE-CWA collecting "more than 6 million proxies from 1,150 members". In addition, many retirees’ groups (including Local 201’s) and others also submitted additional proxies in support of the Union’s resolution, which would have removed pension fund income from formulas used to determine executive compensation.

The 13.2% is a significant number of proxy votes for the issue being on the ballot for the first time and considering the number of proxies held by high corporate officials.

The IUE-CWA passed out a leaflet to shareholders publishing the fact that GE posted a record profit of "$14.1 billion" and the GE Pension Plan produced "$2.1 billion in income in 2001".

At the same time, the leaflet highlighted the plight of GE retirees and IUE-CWA Local 119 members in Philadelphia who are losing their jobs this August as a result of another GE shutdown of a profitable plant. The leaflet was well received and the Local 119 Retired Members Club President received some prime local news coverage.

Related Retiree rallies were held in Louisville, Schenectady, here in Lynn (on April 30^th) and other GE locations around the country. With the 2003 GE contract just around the corner, pressure from the unions and retirees groups is just heating up.