Statement of Senatorial Candidate Bob Corker to CORRE for publication to its members-

Dear Members of the Coalition of Oak Ridge Retired Employees,

Thank you for contacting me and bringing to my attention the issues surrounding pension benefits for retired employees of ORNL and Y-12.  I strongly support the critical research and related work that is performed at these facilities in East Tennessee.  It is critical to our national security, to our future energy needs, and to our economic growth as a state and as a nation.  That's why it's important that employees and retirees be properly compensated for the innovative work that goes on there.  Each of you has contributed to our nation's well-being in a very fundamental way, and I believe you should receive fair compensation for it -- not just in the salary you once collected, but also in the retirement benefits you were promised.

I am deeply troubled to learn that retirees of other national laboratories have received benefit increases, supported by the contractors now operating their respective laboratories, while retired Oak Ridge employees have not received similar benefits.  The unique contractor management system of the Department of Energy's National Laboratories has served us well on many fronts, but this appears to be one area where improvement would be beneficial.  Oak Ridge retirees should be treated fairly relative to their colleagues in other parts of the country.

I want to work closely with you to address this situation.  I know my friend, Congressman Wamp, has been highly engaged on the issue, and look forward to working with him and others on this issue if I am elected as your next U.S. Senator.

Sincerely,

Working for Fair, Equitable, and Competitive Benefits

for

13,000 Former K-25, Y-12, and ORNL Employees

Coalition of Oak Ridge Retired Employees P.O. Box 4266, Oak Ridge, Tennessee  37831-4366

Questions and comments may be sent to CORRE President