Contents of Minute Archives

December 18, 2002

November 20, 2002

October 16, 2002

Annual Meeting 2002

September 18, 2002

Present: Ken Bernander, Joe Dykstra, Jackie Holloway, Ed Krieg, Charlie Kuykendall, Tom Lemons, Pete Lotts, Dave Reichle, Gary Riser, Mary Helen Rose, Joe Setaro, Troy Trotter, Bob Wesley, Don Wood

1. Opening Remarks. Charlie Kuykendall thanked Mary Helen Rose, who provided refreshments (baked cookies and drinks), with reimbursement for expenses by CORRE. He highlighted an announcement by Linton Brooks of a reorganization of NNSA (National Nuclear Security Administration). There was discussion of the appointment of Gerald Boyd as manager of DOE-ORO and how all the changes might affect CORRE’s activities.
2. Secretary & Treasurer’s Report. Mary Helen Rose highlighted her Treasurer’s report, copies of which had been distributed to board members. Balance on hand November 30, 2002, was $34,878.38, with a total of about 1,600 Active Members.
3. Communications. Bob Wesley stated that he has sent to BWXT Y-12 Retiree News a write-up, which consists mainly of excerpts of Kuykendall’s talk at an earlier meeting of Human Resource contractor managers and DOE HR managers. The talk outlines what retirees expect from Human Resource personnel. For next month, Bob may use excerpts from the letter that was sent by Mary Helen Rose to city and county officials in Anderson and Knox Counties.
4. CORRE Charter and Bylaws. Don Wood stated that he is still working on our Application for Tax-Exempt Status, with assistance from Ben Johnson. He thinks we will pay only a $150 user fee, based on our average annual income.
5. Legislative Report. John Jones was absent, but had sent word that he has not heard from Linda Ponce of Wamp’s office. Kuykendall stated that Wamp’s office has sent our material to ORO. Pete Lotts said we need them to be a little more proactive with what we want. What we need legislative offices to do at this stage is to say, "we agree with CORRE’s proposal." Lotts did get a copy of DOE’s response to Sen. Thompson’s letter, copies of which he distributed to board members. The wording of the letter was confusing and was discussed at length. Lotts thought we should prepare a reply and send copies to Sen. Thompson’s office, as well as to the new senator-elect. Lotts and Reichle will draft the reply, with some data input from Tom Lemons. Kuykendall stated that Carl Scarbrough has been doing a remarkable job of pushing our proposal. Lotts and Jones will set up a meeting with Wamp’s office, and involve Kuykendall if needed.
6. Data Review and Calculations. Tom Lemons stated that he has corrected his earlier table on "Past Pension Adjustments for Oak Ridge Retirees," which was off by one column, and has added some footnotes. He asked for suggestions as to better wording for the footnotes. He also distributed copies of "Pension Increases Needed to Recover 75% of Inflation Losses." These tables contain information for use by the board and will not be given out to outside contacts.
7. 2002 Position Paper – Reports/Activities. Kuykendall stated that he and Bob Worrell had a meeting with Chris Hill, Benefit Plans Manager, at ORO. It is not clear whether there will be a Benefit Plans Office at ORO with the upcoming reorganization. DOE is operating under a 

continuing resolution, with no budget. Kuykendall said DOE seems sympathetic (as does management of both of the plants) with the idea that there needs to be a minimum pension established ($600/$400) for retirees and surviving spouses with more than 20 years CSC who took normal or early retirement.

Kuykendall stated that he thinks we should have a long-term goal of achieving equitable treatment for all DOE/NNSA contractor retirees throughout the DOE complex.

8. Web Site – Plans and Updates. Pete Lotts reported that he has our Web site up to date. John Roy Gray, whom Lotts thought was going to help out, had knee surgery and has been unable to sit at a computer for some time and may not be able to help until recovery.
9. CORRE Membership Review Committee. Kuykendall stated that Dave Reichle will head a committee to look into the possibility of CORRE’s representing other retiree groups such as Bechtel. Reichle stated that he has discussed the matter with some people, and there are advantages but potential traps out there. Reichle hopes to work with Bob Worrell, Gary Riser, Dave Mason, and Jackie Holloway and be able to give an initial report at our next board meeting.
10. Nominations Committee Appointment for Fall Election. Action was deferred until our next board meeting. Kuykendall asked for suggestions for people who might serve on the Committee.
11. Adjournment. The meeting was adjourned at 3:35 p.m., followed by more visiting, refreshments, and individual committee discussions.

Mary Helen Rose, Board Secretary

Minutes of CORRE Annual Meeting, October 9, 2002

The meeting was called to order at 2:00 p.m. by President Charlie Kuykendall, with approximately 175 retirees present. The agenda was as follows:

1. Opening Remarks                          Charlie Kuykendall
2. Introduction of Board                    Charlie Kuykendall
3. Treasurer & Secretary’s Reports      Mary Helen Rose
4. Auditor Comments                         Ben Johnson
5. 2002 Position Paper                       John Jones
6. Legislative Report                         John Jones
7. Communications and Web Site        Bob Wesley
8. Question and Answer Period Board
9. Closing Remarks                             Charlie Kuykendall
10. Social Time                                   All

Kuykendall introduced all board members and advisors who were present, and gave each an opportunity to speak briefly.

Mary Helen Rose reported that CORRE’s balance at end of September was $33,065.64, with 1,534 Active Members. Ben Johnson stated that, during his audit, he found the records to be in very good order. He complimented both Harry Carper and Mary Helen Rose for the smooth transition that was made in changing Treasurers.

John Jones highlighted the 2002 Position Paper, copies of which retirees had picked up on arrival at the meeting. He also summarized legislative actions which are underway.

There were no elections, since board members were elected last year for two-year terms.

A period of questions/answers followed, after which the meeting adjourned, and fruit punch was served by Judy Dodd, Caterer..

Mary Helen Rose, Board Secretary

Present: Ken Bernander, John Jones, Charlie Kuykendall, Tom Lemons, Dave Reichle, Gary Riser, Mary Helen Rose, Joe Setaro, Troy Trotter, Bob Wesley, Bill Wilcox, Bob Worrell

1. Opening Remarks. Charlie Kuykendall displayed on the board some actuarial figures showing assets and liabilities of our pension plan for the present and last couple of years. There was discussion as to what percent the plan is funded. Kuykendall said he thinks we are about 115% funded at present.

Kuykendall and Bob Worrell told of their recent meeting with Norm Sparks of BWXT Y-12. Sparks painted some scenarios, one being with the present stock market pattern continuing and the plan having to pay out $140 million per year in pension benefits without any income. He said that in such a case they would have to go to DOE to put $100 million more into the plan by 2006. Sparks thinks we are not likely to get an increase as large as what Sandia got. DOE doesn’t want to have to put any more money into the plan, although they are having to do so in some plans now. Kuykendall said we are going to have to really keep up the pressure. We see no movement at all from BWXT Y-12, though congressional people sound hopeful. In a recent conversation, Rep. Wamp told Kuykendall that it looks like he and Heather Wilson, congresswoman from New Mexico, need to get their heads together and talk about why there shouldn’t be some equity across the DOE complex in pension benefits.

Gary Riser stated that the Sandia folks are trying to be competitive with Los Alamos and Livermore, and it may be beneficial for us to have a focus group. He said we need a comparison in front of people we are dealing with. A big factor at Sandia was that management was pushing the proposed increase, while we see no such push here.

2. Secretary & Treasurer’s Report. Mary Helen Rose highlighted her Treasurer’s report, copies of which had been distributed to board members. Balance on hand August 31, 2002, was $30,968.92 with a total of 1,433 Active Members.
3. CORRE Charter. In Don Wood’s absence, Kuykendall stated that the charter application is ready to go to the state as soon as it is reviewed by Wood’s former law associate.
4. Legislative Report. Pete Lotts was absent, but sent a report that nothing new has happened with our contacts. He will be sending out letters to our Senators and Representatives with the final position paper later this week or early next. John Jones reported that he has not heard back from Congressman Wamp’s office about coordinating a response to BWXT with others in the Tennessee delegation. (His last contact was an e-mail from Linda Ponce stating that they would be in touch soon.)
5. 2002 Position Paper. Rose reported that the revisions proposed to the paper 08-21-02 were approved by either e-mail or telephone vote of board members, with 12 members voting in favor and one voting no. (We currently have 19 board members.) Voting yes were Jones, Holloway, Kirstowsky, Kuykendall, Lemons, Lotts, Rose, Setaro, Smith, Trotter, Wesley, Worrell. Dykstra voted no. Others did not respond.

Tom Lemons gave a presentation regarding the table that was earlier approved for use with the position paper. He distributed copies of his table, which showed figures for compounded increased cost-of living, indicating much higher total loss of purchasing power for the older retirees. He noted that they were vastly different from figures shown in the earlier table, which were cumulative and not compounded. Wilcox and others agreed that he was right, but suggested using CPI rather than Social Security figures. Lemons will revise the table to show loss of purchasing power by compounding annual increased cost of living and bring it back to the board.

6. Action Plan for 2002 Position Paper. As stated above, Lotts plans to send out letters to legislators in the next few days. Setaro mentioned that no mass letter-writing effort is planned until a later appropriate time.
7. Annual Meeting Plans. An agenda for the meeting was drafted and will be distributed to board members soon. Mary Helen will obtain 200 copies of the position paper, and is to check on the cost of serving refreshments (beverages only) at the meeting. Board members were asked to come early to help set up chairs, then help with the cleanup. Wilcox suggested that Kuykendall meet with the board Executive Committee to review his opening remarks for the meeting.
8. Adjournment. The meeting was adjourned at 4:00 p.m.

Mary Helen Rose, Board Secretary

Present: Ken Bernander, Joe Dykstra, Jackie Holloway, Ben Johnson, Marigrace Kirstowsky, Charlie Kuykendall, Tom Lemons, Pete Lotts, Dave Reichle, Mary Helen Rose, Joe Setaro, Troy Trotter, Bill Wilcox, Don Wood, Bob Worrell

1. Opening Remarks. Charlie Kuykendall thanked board members for all the work they have been doing.
2. Secretary & Treasurer’s Report. Mary Helen highlighted her Treasurer’s report, copies of which had been distributed to board members. Balance on hand July 31, 2002, was $28,512.19, with a total of 1,313 Active Members.
3. Communications. No report (Bob Wesley was ill and unable to be present). Kuykendall has drafted, for next BWXT Y-12 Retirees Newsletter, an item about our Annual Meeting.
4. Audit Committee. Ben Johnson will try to have a report ready for the Annual Meeting.
5. CORRE Charter. Copies of a charter and revised bylaws had been sent to board members for review more than a week prior to the meeting. Don Wood asked for comments and suggestions. Bill Wilcox and others had some suggested changes including: (1) Change Article IV, B. to specify 15 to 21 board members in number (instead of 21); (2) change Article XI, G, to specify distribution to area United Way agencies upon dissolution (as in original bylaws); (3) change Article IV, C, to indicate an exception for immediate past president (if he or she has already served three terms); plus some other minor editorial changes. Don Wood agreed to make the suggested changes, and motion was then made and passed to approve the bylaws. The vote was unanimous, with 14 board members present (more than enough for quorum).
6. Legislative Report. Lotts distributed copies of a reply from the Department of Treasury to Sen. Thompson, after his attempt to get a response to the letter John Jones sent months ago to the Department of Labor on ERISA issues. Basically, the letter said the contractor did not violate the law.

John Jones could not be present, but had phoned his report to Mary Helen earlier in the day. John e-mailed to Linda Ponce a letter after an earlier meeting, calling attention to the fact that an article in Energy Daily quoted Rep. Ellen Tauscher of Calif. regarding revitalizing the DOE Facilities Caucus. John asked Ponce whether Wamp is still on the caucus. Linda sent a note back just last week, stating that she had found his letter when cleaning out her e-mails, and apologizing for not replying sooner. She said Rep. Wamp is still a member of the DOE caucus. She has our entire package on her desk and has been stirring the pot. She has to concentrate on another project for the next week, then will get back with us.

Note: On Thursday following board meeting, Kuykendall had a chance to speak with Rep. Wamp a few minutes after Wamps’ speech at the Oak Ridge Rotary Club meeting. Wamp confirmed that he and Heather Wilson (NM) were co-chairs of the DOE Facilities Caucus. He agreed that an agenda item concerning equity for retirees of the DOE contractor family made sense. Follow up!

7. 2002 Position Paper — Table. Bill Wilcox distributed copies and reviewed the revised tables that he and Troy Trotter have been developing. He said their intentions were that the tables be given to John Mitchell, Bill Madia, or others we are talking with (but not to legislators). He urged that the tables be used with, and appended to, the Position Paper. The consensus was that it is o.k. to put the tables on our Web site.

Troy Trotter presented some proposed revisions to the 2002 Position Paper. He felt they were needed to make the paper consistent with information in the revised tables. Lotts and Reichle reviewed the changes (for the committee) and agreed on some, which will be forwarded by Mary Helen to board members for a vote on approval.

8. Action Plan for 2002 Position Paper. Lotts mentioned that we had sort of put things on hold, with the stock market situation, but that he believes we need to move ahead on doing the things we said we are supposed to do. He will send e-mail reminders to team leaders. For the President’s Team, Kuykendall said he and Bob Worrell have plans to get with DOE and with Norm Sparks within the next two weeks to see whether they have any new information.
9. Annual Meeting Plans. Kuykendall asked that all officers and committee chairs be prepared to give reports and engage in discussions at the annual meeting, which is set for Wednesday, October 9, at the Oak Ridge Civic Center gym.
10. Adjournment. The meeting was adjourned at 4:00 p.m.

Mary Helen Rose, Board Secretary

Present: Ken Bernander, Joe Dykstra, Ben Gaylor, Jackie Holloway, Ben Johnson, Marigrace Kirstowsky, Charlie Kuykendall, Tom Lemons, Pete Lotts, Mary Helen Rose, Troy Trotter, Bob Wesley, Don Wood, Bob Worrell

1. Opening Remarks. Charlie Kuykendall expressed sympathy to Ben Gaylor, whose wife died Saturday, July 13.

2. BWXT Y-12 Presentation. Charlie introduced Norm Sparks, Director, Employee Benefits, BWXT Y-12. Charlie expressed appreciation for the good relationship we have had with Sparks over the years. He explained to Sparks that we are in the midst of our position paper promulgation.

Sparks stated that he still does not have the actuarial value after last year’s increases of $220 million. The plan surplus on July 1 was $370 million after drops in the stock market. He stated that the medical plan liability for retirees is $930 million, and there are no assets. He gave a presentation, which concentrated mainly on the nature and mix of investments in the pension trust fund. He also gave a detailed report of what administrative costs are charged to the pension fund. He commented on some portions of our 2002 Position Paper, including our statement about IRS 420 Transfers. He also talked about changes to the health care program and the reasons for ever-increasing premiums.

3. Secretary & Treasurer’s Report. Mary Helen highlighted her Treasurer’s report, copies of which had been distributed to board members. Balance on hand June 30, 2002, was $26,202.83, with a total of 1,197 Active Members.

4. Communications. No report, as Bob Wesley had to leave the meeting early.

5. CORRE Charter. Don Wood reported that the charter application and bylaws have been drafted and given today to Mary Helen, who will put the documents in final form for review by the committee (Woods, Wilcox, Hoppe, and Kuydendall) and then the full board (hopefully at next regular meeting).

6. Legislative Report. Regarding our earlier letter to DOL (which was passed off to IRS) requesting clarification of ERISA issues, Pete Lotts stated that Ms. Michael Bruce of Sen. Thompson’s office was at first told by IRS that they are not supposed to answer our questions, but she now has an agreement that IRS will answer. Lotts, Jones, and Kuykendall met with Linda Ponce, Regional Director of Wamp’s office. The purpose of our meeting was to fully inform them on our position paper and get their support. We got a very positive reception and feel that we can count on Wamp for his strong support.

7. 2002 Position Paper. The basic Position Paper is now complete and approved.

8. 2002 Position Paper — Table. Trotter said some further changes will be made, but he is waiting to hear from Wilcox, who has been on vacation. A draft of the table was given to Norm Sparks, to give him an idea of the increases we have in mind.

9. Action Plan for 2002 Position Paper.

President’s Team — Kuykendall reported that he had lunch with John Mitchell, who wants us to deal with Maureen Mendez and Norm Sparks until some more concrete proposal is developed. He has not yet talked with the ORNL Deputy Director about the finished position paper.

Legislative Team — Lotts will write a letter on the position paper in the next week to be sent to other legislative representatives (state and local). He called for volunteers to send or take the letter to those that they know personally.

Information/Education Team — No report.

Retiree Action Team — No report (Setaro was absent; Tom Lemons and Mary Helen said the committee has not acted as yet).

10. Annual Meeting Plans. The annual meeting is all set for Wednesday, October 9, at the Oak Ridge Civic Center gym. Possible items for an agenda were mentioned. Charlie asked board members to consider whether we need to have a president-elect and how soon do we need a nominating committee.

11. Adjournment. The meeting was adjourned at 4:20 p.m.

Mary Helen Rose, Board Secretary

Minutes of Board Meeting, January 16, 2002

Coalition of Oak Ridge Retired Employees

Minutes of Board Meeting on

Present: Harry Carper, Frank Carringer, Joe Dykstra, Ben Johnson, John Jones, Marigrace Kirstowsky, Charlie Kuykendall, Tom Lemons, Pete Lotts, Dave Reichle, Mary Helen Rose, Joe Setaro, Harwell Smith, Troy Trotter, Bob Wesley, Bill Wilcox, Don Wood

1. Announcements/News. Charlie Kuykendall stated that he has made some contacts regarding information on minimum pensions. The ORNL split has not been resolved; we should know next month. He has met with Chris Hill, Benefits Manager for DOE-ORO.
2. Treasurer’s Report. Harry Carper reported that we have $11,104.21 in the bank, and $10,956.86 on the books, with one check outstanding.
3. Membership Drive. Mary Helen Rose stated that she has just received information from Harry Carper showing another 8 members, which makes a total of 436 to date.
4. ERISA Issues/DOL. John Jones has not tried recently to call DOL again. In view of his many attempts, he suggested that we ask for a response to our letter through our congressional delegates. John will send a summary of our efforts to Pete Lotts, who will pursue the matter through Sen. Thompson’s office, since his office has offered to help.
5. Communications. Bob Wesley stated that he would like to get items of information from board members for the newsletter, especially from committee chairs.
6. 2002 Position Papers, Pension Principles. Dave Reichle distributed copies of "Principles for Administration of the Oak Ridge Pension Fund", which his committee had drafted. The draft was discussed at length, and the committee will make a few changes and send another draft to board members. Dave also distributed copies of his writeup on "Management Issues Concerning the Oak Ridge Pension Fund," just for future reference.
7. 2002 Position Paper, Minimum Pensions. Charlie stated that the committee has consulted and will meet tomorrow. Lemons has obtained examples of retirees who have very small pensions.
8. Web Site. Pete Lotts noted that the change of servers as authorized has been completed.
9. Auditing. Ben Johnson has been examining reports and has been able to identify excess funds, for which there was a significant drop in 1995 (amount was over $156 million in 1994, dropped to $2 million in 1995, and was $245 Million in 1996. Ernst and Young was the auditor at that time; new auditor will be Price Waterhouse. Ben was able to identify all companies involved with administration of the plan, and will distribute a list at our next board meeting.
10. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 4:00 p.m.

Mary Helen Rose, Board Secretary