Click on one of these links to visit CORRE Web Pages

CORRE Home Page   Board Minutes   News   CORRE Organization    Contacts and Links     

Register Your Address    Contribute to CORRE

Present:  Ken Cowser, Sandy Dean, Joe Dykstra, Ben Gaylor, John Roy Gray, Jackie Holloway, Ben Johnson, Bob Keil, Charlie Kuykendall, Tom Lemons, Pete Lotts, Dave Reichle, Mary Helen Rose, Joe Setaro, Don Wood, Bob Worrell 

1.      Opening Remarks.   President Dave Reichle noted that he was absent at the December board meeting, when a tribute was given to Charlie Kuykendall for his service as President.  Reichle added his appreciation to Kuykendall.  Regarding the recent announcement by Rep. Wamp on approval of minimum pensions, Reichle stated that he sent notes to Gerald Boyd at ORO and to Wadsworth at ORNL thanking everyone.  He said that several meetings have been held with Norm Sparks at Y-12 and one with ORO.   

Bob Worrell reported on his meeting with Dan Wilkins at ORO on January 13, the purpose of which was to get a report on the data Wilkins was supposed to be collecting.  At the meeting, Wilkins had some data having to do with value of benefits at the time of retirement, but it was not what we had asked for, due apparently to some miscommunication.  What we are seeking is the practice among other DOE contractors as to post-retirement adjustments.  Wilkins agreed to try to get that information.  Worrell will try again in two weeks.  Kuykendall suggested that we send followup letters when we make requests in the future, stating precisely what we are seeking.  Setaro will send to Worrell some data on PNNL that he was able to get at ORNL.  Lotts suggested that we try to make an effort to make calls and get the needed data from contractors.   

Kuykendall noted that we have been talking to Y-12 and ORNL about TVA’s possibly being a model for our participation in Benefits Plan Advisory Committees.   He said ORNL has committed to setting up a Benefits Plan Committee to consider benefits in general.  Kuykendall will set up a meeting with TVA representatives, possibly including Sparks and an ORNL representative.   

2.      Meeting Schedule, Appointments/Assignments.   Reichle checked with board members, and the consensus was to continue having board meetings on 3^rd Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m.  He stated that he has been assuming that people will continue in the roles that they have been playing.  Some assignments mentioned (in addition to those board members in elected positions) were: 

·        Joe Setaro will be the contact with other contractor representatives.

·        Bob Worrell will be the key contact with ORO and contractor benefits organizations.

·        Charlie Kuykendall will continue working with Reichle to interact with the heads of the organizations. 

·        John Jones has agreed to continue working to produce a 2004 Position Paper. 

·        Pete Lotts will continue as chairman of the Legislative Committee. 

·        John Roy Gray will continue to be in charge of the Website.

·        Don Woods will serve as our legal advisor.

·        Ben Johnson will serve as auditor.

·        Other board members will be utilized in various roles. 

Advisers are Dale Bewley, Ken Bernander, Julia Hoppe, Ed Krieg, Chuck Landguth, Gary Riser, John Sergent, Chris Travaglini, Bob Wesley, and Bill Wilcox.  (Kaye Johnson was added later in the meeting.)   

3.      Secretary & Treasurer’s Report.  Mary Helen Rose highlighted her Treasurer’s report, copies of which had been distributed to board members.  Balance on hand December 31, 2003, was $42,776.01, with a total of about 2,212 Active Members.    She stated that we have received a Corporation Annual Report form from the State of Tennessee, and she has submitted the report with a $20 fee.  Annual reports are due each year by April 1.   

4.      Communications.  Sandy Dean reported that she prepared a news release on approval of minimum pensions to area newspapers.  Frank Munger (News Sentinel) and Paul Parsons (The Oak Ridger) showed good interest.  She submitted a contribution for CORRE Corner, and also a general article for Retiree News regarding insurance changes when a retiree reaches the age of 65.  The next submission for CORRE Corner is due February 16.  There was discussion of conversations regarding possible uses of the master list of retirees as furnished to CORRE by BWXT.  It was agreed that we should not ask for a computerized list, as the confidential lists should be used only by authorized CORRE board members and in a very limited way.   

5.      Website.  John Roy Gray reported that the Website is up to date.  Lotts stated that he would like us to put a form on the Website for retirees to register their e-mail addresses and telephone numbers.  There was again discussion as to the amount of time involved in maintaining e-mail lists, and who would be willing to do it.  Lotts will discuss with Gray possible ways it could be handled without involving so much time.   

6.      Legislative Committee.   Pete Lotts, Chairman, announced that Ken Cowser, Kaye Johnson, John Jones, and Bob Keil will serve on the committee, with Dave Reichle and Joe Setaro to serve as ex officio members.  They have already had a meeting and discussed plans relative to contacts and information needed in order to go forward. The deadline for signatures on the petition has been extended to March 1.  The strategy is to wait for awhile after the minimum-pension approval to submit the petition.  We are really looking to March and April.  In addition to getting more signatures on the petition, we must have the data from other contractors.  Lotts has asked Kaye Johnson to put the data in presentation form when it is received.  He will ask her and Joe Setaro to make an effort to collect the data from contractors, as a backup plan in case the data isn’t received from ORO within the needed timeframe.   

Reichle noted that we are at the maximum number of board members, but that he can appoint advisors with board confirmation.  A motion by Lotts passed unanimously to appoint Kaye Johnson to the CORRE Advisory Committee. 

7.      Other Retiree Group Contacts.  Joe Setaro was earlier asked to try to contact other sites to see what their retirement groups are doing.  He said that unfortunately very few are doing anything related to benefits, but are mostly just social.  Brookhaven is trying to revitalize their retirement organization.  They have no defined benefit plan.  Savannah River’s big position has been on the medical side, as relates to the Medicare drug program.  They have been in touch with their representatives, trying to anticipate what contract changes might be possible.  Options mentioned were: 

·        Eliminate drug option for retirees.

·        Encourage retirees to take the Medicare drug program but offer to pay the $35 premium.

·        Encourage the company to continue the drug benefit and take the government subsidy.

·        Encourage all retirees to sign up in two years for the Medicare Advantage program, which will include a drug program but will take the place of the major medical program we now have. 

Setaro will in the near future get in touch with Savannah River retirees to get a list of representatives they are working with and exchange with them the names of legislative people and staff members with whom we are working. 

8.      CORRE Position Paper Update.  John Jones was absent due to eye surgery, but has agreed to lead the effort to put together a 2004 CORRE Position Paper.  Reichle stated that two issues remain (the 15% average adjustment, etc.; and representation on a Pension Fund Advisory Committee), and that we need to update with anything else that is new.  One item could be a position statement on drug benefits.  (Kuykendall said we should develop a position eventually, stating that we don’t want any loss of medical benefits or 420 transfers from the pension fund.)  Another item that could be mentioned as a deficiency might be lack of adjustments for vested employees.  Jones has stated that he welcomes input from anybody.  Kuykendall stated that we need to complete our arrangements to broaden our base by working with Bechtel-Jacobs retirees.   

9.      Strategy Discussion – Goals.  Reichle stated that we are going to have to prioritize the issues that we need to work on.  He said that we need in the coming years to make sure that we have frequent meetings with the heads of ORO, BWXT Y-12, and ORNL, not just staff.   

11.  Adjournment.  The meeting was adjourned at 4:25 p.m. 

Mary Helen Rose, Board Secretary