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Coalition of Oak Ridge Retired Employees Minutes of Board Meeting on March 16, 2005 2:00 p.m. Oak Ridge Senior Center Present: Mike Bradshaw, Ken Cowser, Sandy Dean, Joe Dykstra, Ben Gaylor, John Gray, Charlie Kuykendall, Tom Lemons, Pete Lotts, Dave Reichle, Mary Helen Rose, Joe Setaro, Troy Trotter, Don Wood, Bob Worrell Opening Remarks. President Dave Reichle expressed appreciation to Joe Setaro and Charlie Kuykendall for chairing meetings in his absence. Reichle mentioned the "Silvertops" luncheon at which ORNL Director Jeff Wadsworth will speak tomorrow. He said Wadsworth is scheduled to give the annual State of the Lab address in April, which will be hosted by Friends of ORNL. He said there are some interesting things going on affecting the DOE system. Joe Setaro stated that Savannah River Lab is up for rebid. Their pension plan may be changed by going to a defined contribution plan. Reichle stated that he sent out follow-up letters on February 4 asking for a response to his July 29 letter, and that a reply has been received from Steve Smith on Dennis Ruddy’s behalf. Secretary & Treasurer’s Report. Mary Helen Rose highlighted her Treasurer’s report for February, copies of which had been distributed to board members. Balance on hand February 28, 2005, was $46,567.01, with a total of about 2,384 Active Members. Communications. Sandy Dean stated that we need a new submission for the next issue of BWXT Y-12 Retiree News. Reichle gave her a draft article, which is due today. She said we need to get our name before the public all we can. There was discussion as to how to communicate with Bechtel Jacobs and Wackenhut. Mike Bradshaw was asked to explore how we can meet with Wackenhut representatives. Legislative Committee. Ken Cowser, Acting Chair, reported that the Committee met at 12:00 with brown-bag lunches, in order to have more time prior to the Board meeting. He said they felt there needed to be a strategy by the Committee to step forward again. Some planned actions: Setaro is going to contact Dean Rice (Rep. Duncan’s office) this week to see if he is still willing to host a meeting with Legislative Aides sometime between mid-April and May 1. Setaro will communicate with Legislative Committee members via E-mail and inform them of the status of Rice’s willingness to host. This will be done before contacts with other Legislative Aides are made. Lotts agreed to assemble briefing statements that could be used in making individual contacts with representatives of each congressional office. Assignments: Setaro – Dean Rice (Rep. Duncan’s Office) Lotts – Linda Ponce (Rep. Wamp’s Office Lotts – Patrick Jaynes (Sen. Alexander’s Office) Reichle – Beth Hickman (Rep. Davis’ Office) Setaro – Carolyn Jenson (Sen. Frist’s Office) Reichle is going to respond to Steve Smith’s letter, but will write to Ruddy.
Lotts said we need a broader community-based outrage. Setaro is tracking ERISA issues. Reichle stated that the contractors aren’t going to move ahead when they are uncertain about stock market performance. The last thing they want to do is make another contribution to the Pension fund, and DOE doesn’t what that either. Don Wood suggested that we contact the board of directors of the managing contractors (UT-Battelle and BWXT). Others felt that was a good suggestion. Website. John Gray stated that the website is up to date. ORNL Benefits Advisory Group. Joe Setaro reported that ORNL is reviewing "Benefits for the Workforce of the Future." The goal is to determine if the Laboratory's benefit plans are competitive in attracting and retaining the workforce of the future. The current retirement plans are not in keeping with the trends of the "new" workforce. Fewer employers are offering a traditional defined benefit pension plan, and most employers are offering a defined contribution savings plan instead. Dr. Wadsworth believes that portability is a "must" when it comes to pension plans. ORNL is hiring a consultant to assist in determining if there is a need for a change in the Laboratory's retirement plans that would be offered to new employees. There is no consideration for changing the pension plan for current employees. The consultant is expected to be brought to the Laboratory within the next month and will meet with the Benefits Advisory Group at that time. Board Members – Changes. Reichle told of contacts that were made with Tom Douglass and Jackie Holloway early in January regarding their absence from board meetings. Motion was made, seconded, and passed unanimously to remove the two from the board and express appreciation to them for their service. They will still be welcome to attending board meetings any time they are able to do so. The Nominating Committee will select persons to fill the vacancies. Appointment of Nominating Committee. Reichle reported that Bob Worrell has agreed to serve as Chairman of the committee and select the members. Worrell will shortly report as to who the other members will be. He asked board members to let him know if they do not wish to continue on the board. If he does not hear from them, he will assume that they wish to continue. The committee was asked to have a final slate of candidates ready for approval at the July board meeting. Adjournment. The meeting adjourned at 4:00 p.m. Mary Helen Rose, CORRE Secretary |
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