Major Pension/Health and Welfare Changes Dipping Into Employee Pockets
Voice at Work at UFCW? Not on Pension and Health Plan Cost Increases

Recently, the UFCW announced major changes to our pension and retirement health plans, to be effective January 2004. These changes, made unilaterally by the UFCW, will dramatically affect us all, whether newly hired or nearing retirement. Many employees will have 5 years added to the total work years required for entitlement to retiree health care, and most employees and retirees will see their retiree health premium rise substantially. And, the cost of prescription drugs for many employees will also rise.

These design changes came as a surprise to all of us. Despite Guild members being major contributors to these benefit funds, the UFCW has repeatedly denied our requests to be part of the discussion when these decisions are made. These significant changes are made behind doors that the UFCW keeps closed to Guild members, who in each paycheck contribute 5% percent to the pension fund. Upon receiving the letter notifying the Guild of changes to our retiree and active employee health plan, the Guild immediately requested that UFCW representatives who decided these changes meet with our members. The UFCW agreed, but— in place of a single meeting in which members could hear all questions asked and benefit from those answers—UFCW scheduled 8 separate one-hour sessions for Wednesday October 1.

We hope that the decision makers responsible for these radical changes are present to answer our questions. In this way, UFCW can begin an honest discussion detailing what is happening to the fund and why these changes were deemed necessary—a discussion that should have occurred with Guild representatives before recommendations for change were agreed upon.

You are a contributor and recipient to the pension fund. We want to strongly encourage you to attend a session, and ask any and all questions you may have. We expect the UFCW to provide honest and detailed answers. These changes will cost you money now and in retirement, and very likely delay the day when you can actually retire with economic confidence. You should know clearly how the changes will personally affect you. Just a few questions that immediately come to mind:

• How much more will it cost you to have retiree health care?
• How much longer will you have to work at the UFCW to earn the same benefit that you had before these changes?
• How much less money will your monthly pension benefit be?
• Pension changes were made just a few years ago. How long before another adverse change is made?
• What prescription drugs are on the preferred list?
• Why are employees penalized when there is only a name brand available, and no generic?

If during these sessions, the UFCW is unable to provide to you the individualized answers to these basic questions, we expect the UFCW to provide you with them in a timely manner And we expect the UFCW to note all questions.

If during these sessions, the UFCW is unable to provide to you the individualized answers to these basic questions, we expect the UFCW to provide you with them in a timely manner. And, we expect the UFCW to note all questions posed, and provide a written response to all questions to all employees.

Unilateral changes that adversely affect workers’ wages and benefits are entirely contrary to the principles of unions and collective bargaining. Let’s hold UFCW accountable for their actions.

---

Click here for the previous issue of UFCW Guild Unit News

Click here for an index of back issues of UFCW Guild Unit News

 

Return to Top of Page