Coalition of Oak Ridge Retired Employees
Minutes of Board Meeting on February 20, 2008, 2:00 p.m.
Oak Ridge Senior Center
Present:
Mike Bradshaw, Sandy Dean, Lou Dunlap, Marty Goolsby, Bob Henderson,
Bob Keil, Judy Kibbe, Keith Kibbe, Pete Lotts, Charlie Kuykendall, Tom
Lemons, Dave Mason, Ken Moore, Dave Reichle, Mary Helen Rose, Joe
Setaro, Dub Shults, Don Wood, Bob Worrell, Paula Wright.
1. Opening Remarks.
President Dave Reichle noted that we sent a letter to ORO regarding a
possible increase of medical premiums at Bechtel Jacobs, and he has
received replies from Gerald Boyd, ORO, and from Paul H. Divjak,
President and General Manager of Bechtel Jacobs, with both letters
stating that the proposed cost-share increase has been put on hold for
further study.
2. Treasurer’s Report.
Paula Wright highlighted her report, copies of which had been
distributed. There were 11 new Active Members in January, and
balance on hand at end of January was $41,671.11 with approximately
3,091 Active Members.
3. Audit of Treasurer’s Records.
Ken Moore highlighted his audit report, copies of which had been
distributed. He stated that everything was in good order and
complimented Paula Wright on the good job she is doing. His
report contained a list of categories of spending for 2007.
Motion passed to accept the audit report, with much appreciation to Ken
Moore.
4. Strategic Planning Meeting.
Reichle reviewed a list of action items that were developed at the
meeting on February 13. One decision that came out of the meeting
is that we will simplify the process for B&W Y-12 by slightly
restating our request for an ad hoc adjustment and transmit to B&W
Y-12 a table of percentages requested by year of retirement, rather
than insisting on actual 75% recovery of loss. The question
again arose as to whether Bechtel Jacobs and Wackenhut grandfathered
retirees will be included in any adjustment received. Motion
passed that CORRE send to Bechtel Jacobs and Wackenhut managers written
requests for their estimate of costs of an adjustment based on the
percentages we are requesting in the table. Setaro stated that he
can not develop the tables without Wackenhut and Bechtel-Jacobs’
providing the distribution of their retirees by year of
retirement. Reichle said that he would be comfortable
sending such a letter after he knew that Tom Craig had spoken with
them. Motion also passed that any money allocated for pension
adjustments be prorated among the three contractor pension
plans.
5. Communications.
Marty Goolsby stated that she continues to work on an electronic
newsletter. (She was recovering from recent surgery on her left
hand.) Reichle reported that a paper newsletter has been
drafted by Mary Helen Rose, and copies of the draft were distributed to
Board members for review. Joe Setaro will make some changes and
will develop a table of inflation information to be included in the
newsletter. He and Pete Lotts will furnish accurate information
for communicating with legislators. It is hoped that the
newsletter can be mailed within a few days. Motion passed
to approve spending $1,500 to $2,000 to issue a paper newsletter to our
3,000 plus members.
6. Government Relations Committee.
Pete reported that the Committee met and worked on a plan of action for
the Committee (following last week’s Strategic Planning
Meeting). The objective is to obtain an increased commitment from
members of congress and other governmental offices. We will try
to get another resolution from the Legislature of the State of
Tennessee, and will try to get involvement from the Governor. We
will also provide information to the presidential candidate campaigns
and send questionnaires to legislative candidates.
7. ORNL Benefits Advisory Committee.
Joe Setaro reported that the Committee met this week, and the meeting
had mainly to do with savings plan issues at ORNL and with medical
plans. He noted that retirees under 65 have the same medical plan
as employees and pay 25% of the cost. He said an
interesting observation was that the medical costs incurred by retirees
under 65 run less than costs incurred by employees. One factor
causing increasing costs to all has to do with “specialty
drugs,” which are not mass-produced and are very expensive.
The question is how costs can be contained in future years for more and
more of these drugs.
8. Adjournment. The meeting adjourned at 4:07 p.m.
Mary Helen Rose, CORRE Secretary
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