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

1.      Opening Remarks.  Charlie Kuykendall stated that CORRE representatives went back to the plants for more followup meetings this month. 

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  February 28, 2003, was $38,119.29, with a total of about 1,759 Active Members.

3.      Meeting with UT-Battelle.  Joe Setaro reported that he and Kuykendall met again at ORNL with Benefit Plans representatives,  and asked for an update on what they had told us in our last meeting about a consultant’s currently looking at health benefits.  We were told that the consultant has submitted a draft report.  He looked at all different types of health care plans, and is suggesting that the company offer more of a cafeteria plan, giving more options for employees as well as retirees, especially those under 65.  There was no recommendation as to which plans to include.  They are talking of coming up with options by end of summer, communicating the options to people in the fall, and implementing changes on January 1, 2004.

4.      Meeting with BWXT Y-12.  Bob Worrell reported that he and Kuykendall met at Y-12 with the new Human Resources Director, Steve Smith (replacing Mendez who is leaving to work for John Mitchell in Nevada).  Smith has already made some changes in the organization.  Norm Sparks is still costing the minimum pension proposal (he was not at the meeting or in his office), and Worrell thinks there is some chance of getting that.  Smith stated that he has read our position paper.  They are considering contributing to the pension plan fund before they reach the minimum level, will likely contribute next year.  Some bigger companies are really having to contribute heavily, since they put off contributing until they had to.  They also indicated they are not working toward an adjustment for all retirees, stating that there is not sufficient money.  Wilcox pointed out that there is plenty of money to give us the raise this year, but the company has to look at liabilities.  He said we were working with a $1 billion surplus when we got the last increase.   Kuykendall said he and Worrell talked about equity among DOE facilities.   

5.      Communications.  Bob Wesley could not be present.  Kuykendall noted that we strayed over the line in the opinion of BWXT with our last article submitted for the CORRE Corner, and it was not printed.  Kuykendall asked Steve Smith whom we needed to work with to reconcile differences on this, and Smith said he would be glad to work with us.   

6.      Website.  John Roy Gray stated that all material for the site is now going to him.  He and Lotts discussed the possibility of Gray’s establishing and maintaining a data base containing e-mail addresses of Active Members.       

7.      Legislative Report.   Pete Lotts stated that he found out this morning that our two senators sent a letter to the Secretary of Energy yesterday.  

8.      Strategy Discussion – Goals.  Lotts said we need to take the letters from legislators and go to heads of BWXT, UT-Battelle, and DOE-ORO, and show them that we are appealing for legislative support.  We need to tell the heads that we want to talk to them about a change in management philosophy with regard to our pension fund.   

John Jones stated that we should send to our legislators a draft of words for a directive they should insert in the next Energy Bill.  The bill should direct the Secretary of Energy to perform a study of the treatment of pensions of DOE primary operating contractors, which are obviously funded directly and solely by DOE, and point out that there should be some equity across the complex regarding cost-of-living adjustments.

9.      Nominating Committee .  Bob Worrell stated that the committee met prior to this board meeting, and will meet again prior to the board meeting in April.  He hopes to have the process finished by our May board meeting.  He again asked board members to let him know if they are interested in continuing to serve, and also to give the committee any suggestions they have for new board members or officers. 

10.  Letter to MMC Regarding Construction.  The board reviewed a letter which was drafted at Joe Dykstra’s suggestion regarding CORRE’s taking a stand against the planned construction at the hospital in Oak Ridge.  It was the consensus of the board that taking a stand on the project is outside the scope CORRE, but members should respond individually as they wish. 

11.  Adjournment. The meeting was adjourned at 3:50 p.m.

Mary Helen Rose, Board Secretary

Next Board Meeting: Wednesday, April 16, 2003, 2:00 p.m., O. R. Senior Center