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AFL-CIO and Affiliated Unions Creates Alliance for Retired Americans

June 15, 2001

Facilitates Lifelong Unionism

Retired union members now have a vehicle for lifelong membership; an organization to fight for their legislative interests on the national, state and local levels; and an organization committed to creating a movement to bring social and economic justice to American workplaces and society.  This new grassroots organization is the Alliance for Retired Americans.  It was created earlier this year by a national coalition of AFL-CIO-affiliated unions including the IBEW and community based organizations.

Membership in the Alliance is open to all retirees.  In the next few weeks, many IBEW retirees across the U.S. will be receiving letters in the mail announcing the creation of this new organization.

The Alliance and its chapters across the country will represent union retirees on the state, local and national levels of government.  Alliance members can be as actively involved as they like in the organization.  Later, the Alliance will provide specific benefits for members designed to help stretch retirement dollars.

By engaging in important political battles to protect and preserve programs vital to the health and economic security of older Americans, the Alliance will gain recognition as the countrys leading progressive grassroots senior organization, says the Alliances Mission Statement.  The long-term goal of the Alliance is to become a leading voice for older Americans.

Launch is tied to legislative action

The Alliance was officially launched nationally on May 23 in Washington, DC, New York and Sacramento.  The launch is tied to a campaign to win enactment of a prescription drug benefit under Medicare.  The following week, when Congress is in recess, Alliance chapters, working closely with state and local AFL-CIOs, will launch the organization locally with rallies and news conferences.  Chapters will also be organizing Congressional visits for Alliance members.

The Alliances executive director is Ed Coyle, a veteran of progressive causes.  President of the Alliance is George J. Kourpias, retired President of the International Association of Machinists and former President of the National Council of Senior Citizens.

Why a new national organization?

Americans are living longer today than ever before.  On average, women will live until 84 and men until 80.8 (1997 figures).  Living longer can be a wonderful thing, if one has good health and is able to maintain a decent quality of life.  The Alliance for Retired Americans is committed to do all it can to make sure that is the case for all of its members.

There are more than 88 thousand retired IBEW "A" members on pension.  That does not include the thousands of BA member IBEW retirees who did not participate in the IBEW Pension Benefit Fund.  Add in spouses and the numbers become even more impressive.

We have found from experience that there is strengthen in numbers, IBEW International President Ed Hill noted.  Thats why the IBEW has decided to join in the effort to create the Alliance of Retired Americans to help make sure that our retirees interests are served.

The letter to retirees includes a message from Alliance President Kourpias and a membership card.  Kourpias letter announces the launch of the Alliance and asks them to take action in two ways: first, by sending President Bush a message about the right prescription drug coverage for seniors by signing a note to him about the issue; and second, by identifying themselves as activists who want to get more involved with the senior movement.

The AFL-CIO and the IBEW have always promoted the interests of its retired members by supporting legislation and policies favorable to them and by opposing legislation and policies that would be harmful.  It will continue to do so in close consultation with the Alliance.

For additional information about the Alliance for Retired Americans, visit the Alliance Web site, http://www.retiredamericans.org.  For details on the launch in your city, contact your central labor council or call the Alliance at 888-373-6497.

....an organization to fight for their legislative interests on the national, state and local levels; and an organization committed to creating a movement to bring social and economic justice to American workplaces and society.

Related Story in June IBEW Journal

The Alliance is committed to:

• Building a strong organization of seniors with ample resources, clear objectives and a structure compatible with the labor movement and community-based groups at all levels.
• Creating programs and structures to facilitate retired workers and older persons lifelong participation in their unions and in their community, political and civic organizations.
• Encouraging all segments of the senior population to act with unity on legislative, political and policy issues of importance to retirees and their families to achieve maximum influence on federal, state and local governments and on private organizations that affect their interests.