AT&T retirees have been surprised, or even shocked, recently when the company sent information related to open enrollment for the retiree medical benefits. Retirees under the age of 65, who are not eligible for Medicare, saw premium increases of hundreds of dollars a month for coverage under the standard PPO plan.
Retiree health benefits are a permissive* subject of bargaining, and for the past two rounds of bargaining, the company has refused to negotiate with the union over the terms of the retiree health benefit package.
The reason for the cost shift is a result of the employer contribution cap kicking in.
- The fixed cap has the effect of limiting the employer’s contribution and any health cost increases above that level are shifted to retirees.
- Retirees are required to pick up the amount of costs that exceed the cap.
- In 2012 average per retiree costs exceeded the cap by 1.3%.
- Costs grew by over 14% between 2012 and 2013, exceeding the cap by 14.4%.
There is an alternative plan which does not have a premium, but it does have a higher deductible and higher out of pocket requirements than the PPO plan.
The company refused to bargain with the union over the impact of the cost increases on retirees. Nevertheless, the union was able to persuade the company to make some adjustments to the plan it had originally planned to impose on retirees. As a result of union input, the company reduced premiums for retiree only coverage by about $37 per month; reduced deductibles in the alternative plan from $1000 individual/$2000 family to $500 individual/$1000 family; reduced the prescription drug deductible in the alternative plan and the plan for Medicare retirees by $135.
While the union was able to get the company to make some adjustments to the massive cost shifting it had planned, we all agreed it was not what we would have negotiated.
Some in the company have told retirees that the reason for the extraordinary increases is the Affordable Care Act. Nothing could be further than the truth. In fact, there are only two provisions of the Affordable Care Act that would impact AT&T’s retiree health plan.
- First, improvements to Medicare, including full coverage of preventive care and recapturing overpayments to Medicare Advantage plans.
- Second, the Early Retiree Reinsurance Program, which set aside funds for employers who offer retiree health benefits, rebated $213.8 million to AT&T between 2011 and 2012 to offset the cost of claims from early retirees.
Both these provisions will have the effect of easing the company’s cost burden. The company has chosen not to share that cost relief with retirees.
CWA believes the company should have done more for retirees. That after a banner year, with healthy profits, and significant dividends for shareholders, the corporation could have done much more to assure that the former employees who built the company would have a quality, affordable health plan.
We encourage retirees to express their views on the status of their health plans directly to AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson at the address below:
Randall L. Stephenson
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer
AT&T Corporation
208 South Akard Street
Dallas, Texas 75202-4206
The link below gives you some indication of the kinds of changes the Affordable Care Act might allow, and how it could be spun by the employer. When pressed, however, HR admits that it is, of course, a business decision.
http://www.aasbcr.org/bluebulletins/Vol6-No8.pdf
*A “permissive” subject of bargaining means the union or the company may agree to discuss the matter, engage in full bargaining and reach agreement on the issue, or decline to talk about it at all. If either party declines to talk about the subject (in this case, retiree healthcare), that permissive subject then would be a dead issue. Either party may choose to keep it on the table, but they cannot force such an issue to impasse. Also, a strike over a permissive subject would be an unprotected activity, and if the company chose to fire those strikers, we could not get their jobs back. — Editor
14%??? Well that would be fine, however our monthly premium increased by an unbelievable (and barely manageable) 1241%, that’s twelve hundred forty one percent. NOT A TYPO. We are required to pay more PER MONTH in 2013 than our entire annual premium in 2012. Please explain that away.
Very convenient that my comment would not post to facebook. You wouldn’t want the world to know how badly you are screwing your employees,
Same here Karla, I thought they were billing me for a year at once!
I had faith in the company to take care of their employees especially retirees like us. We dedicated our life as employees, loyal, worked hard and was proud to be a part of such rich and prestigious company. For many years I was grateful for having all the good benefits especially having a reliable health insurance. Now it seems like we, the retirees are being kicked on the face, being forgotten, it’s just because we are not with the company anymore, but I feel like we are being dumped in the gutter just because we are now retirees, we have to take the punishment for paying more premium every month. Most of us don’t even have enough pension to live by, what’s more when we have to pay so much for our health insurance. I feel very discouraged because I can not afford the premium of $81.92 a month. With this premium, I will not be able to put food on the table…..
Don’t you get it…it is called “culling the herd!”
$81.92 per month? Mine went from $17 per month in 2012 to $272 per month in 2013. I can’t afford that. I went with the free (almost nothing covered) plan and if I get sick and have massive bills, which they would be if I had to go in the hospital, I will have to file bankrutpcty on them. Nothing else I can do.
$81.92 per month? Mine went from $17 to $240.00 per month in 2013. that really took a big chunk out of my small retirement budget. I didn’t want to take a chance taking the free having bigger co-pays. i retired after 31 years with the company never in a million years after having our insurance paid all those years I worked that I would be faced to have to pay such a large amount for insurance on a smaller once a month income than when we payed nothing when working getting paid by weekly with overtime hours, What a slap in the face . That let you know how much they valued us as employees for all the hard work and labor we put in to help build this company, that is why you better put your trust in God and not in Man because he will forsake you.
Premium about $29.00 to $290.00. Worked 36yrs for a great company and then they do this to us SHAME ON YOU!!! Then we also paid our union dues and walked the picket lines with CWA. What has CWA done for us? They want us to leave a comment SHAME ON YOU!!!
since when had the union begged ????, is all BS from CWA, remember we do not pay dues any longer, do they care for us, of course not, no one does, we r better off joining a medicare advantage plan and advise all newer employees to resign from the union and tell them the truth, “you will be abandoned as soon as you retire and stop paying $$$$$, save the union dues $$$ now for retirement, you will need it.
Ray,
How true your statements. My husband and I went from $17.05 in 2012 UP to $221 in 2013. In 2014 we went UP to $355. We cannot afford this.
Rather than stick with Aon Retiree insurance we are going with BCBS Blue Medicare (Advantage Plan) for $18.90 each person monthly and it INCLUDES A DRUG PLAN. Never will allow AT&T to hurt us again!
if you decide to go with bcbs in 2015 and it does not fit your needs, than in 2016 can you select aon retiree insurance again. Or are you LOCKED out.
Karen, I think Lucinda and her husband should be “very careful” ABOUT THEIR CHOICES…
From we have been told from the insurance calls and tele-meets with AON, if you go out of NETWORK, you will get NO reimbursement from AT&T…
And not sure you can come back the following year…??
AT&T is setting up a Healthcare Fund to help pay premiums to Insurance companies offered by AON…A “third party vendor” for dozens of Plans..
The health fund is $2700 for a retired employee and $1500 for a spouse(husband or wife) don’t know about other dependents, such as children or others.?
That money is used to defray cost of premiums and is allocated as such..
Can also be used for co-pays or deductibles, but you have to send bills with proof.
And most won’t have much left over after premiums for one of the better plans, prescription, or dental, etc.
BUT YOU HAVE TO STAY WITHIN THE CHOICES AON offers…!!!
There is a BC/BS of Michigan offered in their group of Companies.
Am so confused after call from Ion. I prefer the Aetna PPO because still have drug plan and gym. It is like Aon wants us on the high premium medical plan with no drug plan. If you took a lump sum for retirement and have less than 100000.00, this could be a disaster in the future if AT &T does not continue to give us the 2700.00. I read thru Medicare book and you cannot bounce in and out od a medical plan. Called local union and no help. Any thoughts here?
I retired in March this year and was told I did not qualify for AON, no help there but was allowed to keep my BCBS at a reasonable rate. I guess it’s different for everyone and yes they Union is no help!!
If AT&T had told me 42yrs ago that they were going to do this to us we would saved for this expense. AT&T is planing on buying Direct TV on the backs of loyal retired employees. The CEO at one time was heard to say ” IF I WANT LOYALTY ” I’LL GET A DOG”.
think its AT&T or do you think the increases could be related to that highly touted gem “Obama care?”
Just for the record a letter I posted on FB Randall admits it has nothing to do with the ACA–it was a AT&T business decision and the article also informs how hard CWA tried to get them to bargain for retirees as they always had and AT&T refused
BS! It has everything to do with the unaffordable care act. If Randall admitted that he’d be hounded by the IRS. That’s how Obama works.
It has nothing to with the affordable care act, it has to do with Randall Stephenson’s greed. A.T.&T. is doing this because they can and nothing we can do about it because Retiree healthcare was a “permissable” bargaining item (the companies choice) during the last contract negotiations which means the company chose not to discuss it…
I hate to break it to you but the contract didn’t get settled until Obamacare was rolled out…And the democrats went hook, line and sinker with it. The next step is Hillary and then their going for the kill….”SINGLE PAYER SYSTEM” the company is just making business decisions in bed with Obama/Democrat agenda…Sorry!
Well you wouldn’t have shite if it were up to republicans…
Agreed! Didn’t have this problem til this clown.
Everyone write to the CEO and blast him for how they are treating us. I started when Zane Barnes was CEO and he must be rolling in his grave on how we are being treated
cwa was about the most worthless union going.
Agree Doug Jones!!!
Just got my new statement,,,how about 355 a month, this is outrageous and such an insult to those of us who sacrificed our bodies for this god forsaken company. I am so ashamed of ATT , I would never touch any product that they are involved with, how’s that for company loyalty after 30 years. ATT, CWA you both suck and should be ashamed…REALLYY!!!!
I have boycotted ATT services and products since retirement in 1998, and have convinced many friends and family to do the same. I encourage all retirees to do so also, in hopes that this worthless corporation which treats its retirees like dirt goes the way of the Pony Express.
I pay $368 a month. After taxes I’m left with slightly over $600 a month for 30 years with ATT. I’m 61 and my wife is 59. Does anyone have any alternate way of getting decent coverage at a lower cost? Thank you!
As if an 1200+% increase in 2013 was not bad enough, they are adding another $150 a month for 2014. Our 14 year old son’s entire college fund plus clothes and food budget is now going to have to be used to pay for our health insurance. $434.95 per month compared to $23 per month is devastating 🙁 It may not be illegal for ATT to treat retirees this way, but it is immoral and unethical and bordering on elder abuse. All states have laws concerning the abuse, neglect or EXPLOITATION of older people… Moreover, some states have laws giving victims of abuse, neglect or exploitation a civil cause of action. How many retirees are there in Michigan? I wonder what would happen if all the retirees made official complaints to both the BBB and to the Michigan Attorney General.
You’re retired and young enough to have a 14 year old? Sounds to me like you should thank AT&T for that benefit. Lol. You’re paying more because you’re using more medical services. That’s kinda how it works. :/
Oh yes, a 14 year old who has had 1 doctor visit this entire year and is on no medications is really using more medical services than a normal retiree. Retiree is 64 so what do you suggest? That we should have aborted him just because he was a surprise? It is people like him that are going to make a difference in this world, A+ honor roll and a leader in his church youth group and an amazing human being. Your comment was uncalled for and uninformed
Yeah, that’s a tough one. Mine was an insensitive comment, I admit. And I apologize. But my point is that as a union member myself (another one obviously), I’d kill for the benefits that you’ve received from AT&T. Just seems like you all seem a bit entitled. People work a lot harder for a lot less.
Todd that is why you work hard to get a job with a company to get these benefits…If I wanted less I would have gotten a job that pays and gives less…
As a retiree, I can’t help but wonder if we should start a campaign to cut the AT&T services we have, such as less channels for U-verse, or drop a land line, or switch to cheaper internet or cell service, Maybe AT&T would get the hint that we have to make up the difference by lowering our costs that we can control. It might hit them where it hurts the most (their profits). There are a lot of retired AT&T people, this would be a sustantial hit to their pockets!!
I suggested the same thing. We used this in the 83 strike. It was called the electronic picket line.
I live in Illinois and we also are being encouraged to take the Aon suggested plans.They say they can’t ask for our health condition, however by asking for all the prescription medications we take they can easily see what health conditions we have.We were told that our premium will be anywhere from 100.00 to approx 300.00 a month depending on our age and needs.I was told that an 85 year old would most likely need more healthcare then a 65 year old so that is why the difference in premium.I don’t think that statement is true,because after reading some of these post, it seems that some retirees that are 65 are paying very high premiums, not just older retirees.
Aon has said that we will recover some of the cost that we pay in premiums and out of pocket expenses through the Health Reimbursement Account. We will not know until July 2014 how much they will put into that account.
I noticed that not one person has left a comment on the Reimbursement Account.Can anyone tell me if they have an HRA and how much AT&T has put into that account?
I for one cannot make a decision on any of these plans until I know what AT&T is going to put into my HRA.In the meantime I have been shopping around for other options.I went to AARP and received a quote of 113.00 a month for a supplemental Plan F .They said the premium can range from 113.00 to 159.00.
When the time comes ,I know I will have to make some changes to my household budget to pay for healthcare,through Aon or through AARP ect. First ,Cancel my U-verse order -Drop my Land-Line-.Cancel buying shares of AT&T.
My thoughts on AT&T-Shame-Shame-Shame on You!
MY! MY! MY! Verizon is starting to look good to me.
Hi Liz,
I was interviewed by my AON representative 8/14 We are suppose to get $2700.00 per year deposited into our HRA accounts. I have another interview scheduled 11/14 to review the different plans available. I have requested a plan comparable to what I now have. I am a cancer patient and I do not want any problems. I will keep you posted. I retired in 2002. I am now 69.
We have had those calls and other friends in “Michigan” also…
We have not had the “final call” to start determining choices..?
“Over 65, both on Medicare”…Retired about 16 years…From AT&T (old Comp.)
#1…From what we have heard and been told by others, monies from the HRA(?)
or Reimbursement Account will be deposited as such:
$2700 for Employee, $1500 per Spouse; (husband or wife) $4200 in total.
#2…If both family members, worked at Phone Companies(all that are under the AT&T umbrella now?) and retired with probably 30+ years, or points.?
YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO “Double Dip”….Each getting $4200; But, will get the option or payment of $2700 each for a total of $5400, deposited in Account.
#3 All of us have been given the impression, that these monies can be used to “pay premiums” on plans…Drawn out to pay “deductibles” or “out of pocket expenses on actual Med. bills”.??
I WOULD VERIFY THAT WITH YOUR AON Representative, FOR SURE !!!
ie: example,The monies, “may only go for” Insurance Premiums on your plan.?
Also, when that money of $4200 (or other) is gone, there is NO MORE.
#4 The monies deposited for the Accounts may vary from State to State or Region.
Or “Contracts/unions”. DON’T REALLY KNOW…?? Check on that also..?
It probably changes if you are Single also, like maybe only $2700..??
Or if you have “other dependents” like children living with you, it might vary..?
ASK the AON Representative those questions, or refer to booklet.?
#5 AON has several Insurance Plans to choose from or offer; From what they have said, YOU may choose from the ones offered, to fit your needs…Rates will vary I’m sure…
#6 Do not know if YOU can go “out of Network” from Plans offered..??
Don’t know if those might be covered by HRA..??
All questions should be asked of AON or their Reps.. And verified..!!
#7…We were given the “impression” that the Account money, “could be carried over” to future years?…Example if you only used $3800 the 1st. year for (two of us over 65 ) that the balance of $400 would carry to 2016…??
Not really sure we believe that?…So ASK the QUESTION…?
Our major concern is AT&T has shuffled us off to a “Third Party Provider”, AON.
AON has been involved in our Insurance plans or AT&T’s provisions for a while,
Maybe a year or two…?
After this all takes affect, we probably will have little connection to AT&T’s Human Resources nor Benefit Offices…Pretty sure those won’t be available to retirees.?
All complaints or questions, will be directed to the Insurance Provider or AON..
We also wonder, at what time or length of benefit, that the $4200 will be available to us..?? And will we get yearly COLA increases on amounts to keep up with insurance cost rising or inflation increases.
Those are all questions, without answers yet; What the Future will bring.
I/We are not going to “disparage” the Company, AT&T nor the Unions CWA or IBEW at this time, until all this starts playing out…?
The Bell System and AT&T, provided many of us with a Middle Class life and or pretty decent living…The Unions were there to fight for US and helped get us many Benefits…Very good wages, Healthcare, Life Insurance, Sick time, Vacations, 401Ks plans and Stock incentives, Pensions, Buyouts, and other ongoing benefits into Retirement…If qualified.
The Company and Union accomplished this for all of us.
I/we are not happy about this latest development in Health Insurance…
But we are willing to “reserve Judgment” on all involved.
Good luck to all, and I hope this may have helped some…?
But PLEASE ask all the questions, for clarifications on your own plan.
psss…On the AON plans, you may have automatic transfers from HRAs to insurance providers..
Any other medical costs, (if HRA pays them?) will have to be “applied” for with verified, legitimate billings from a provider.
Think that was how it was explained to us…?
Ask AON….
From $67/mo in 2012, to $223 for 2013, then it will be $357 in 2014
!!!
Same as Tina $67 in 2012 to $223, now $357 in 2014. That is shame that you give 33 yrs of dedicated service and retire with your benefits than you end up having to pay for insurance That really sucks not saying much for AT&T.
The union is dead. The company has taken us for a health care ride
I read a couple years back in the paper that big companies had some tax break or credits taken away for giving employees healthcare. The article said that it was going to cost AT&T 1 BILLION dollars. It went on to say how companies were going to start deciding on whether to continue giving healthcare or pay the fine per employee….something like 2,000. per person. Once again….it had the AT&T symbol in the background.
I saw on TV recently Obama talking to a group while campaigning. He was saying how he wants universal healthcare. I’ve heard him say that several times. He also went on to say that the people wouldn’t go for it immediately and it could take 10, 15 or 20 years before companies would stop offering healthcare.
Back in 1962 Ronald reagen gave a speech to which he stated, the easiest way for socialism to enter America was thru health care.welcome to Obama care and the transformation of America. You are now paying for people who don’t or won’t work.
Mine went from $20 a month to $160, 800%! My loyalty to A.T.&T. products and services will end, if they don’t have any loyalty to me with 33yrs service, why should I show them any loyalty. That won’t mitigate the lost pension money, but at least my money won’t be going into their bloated coffers. BOYCOTT A.T.&T.
I do not beleive one freaking word the Union has to say. They wanted us to Dem. and we now have gotten screwed. it was and is the Obamacare. that changed things. VOTE REP. TO GET CONTROL OF BOTH HOUSES. it’s to late for us but we might could help the younger ones.
Are you out of your mind? Voting republican is like giving your vote to the tea party extremists. They have nearly destroyed this country. Do you believe the company and their string of lies, what a sucker!!!\
And voting demonrat is like supporting socialism,communism,and divisiveness..kill them babies big boy!
I did not know paying lower taxes, making government accountable and senators making laws to abide by them was extreme Garret. I guess you can blame it on Bush.
“The company refused to bargain with the union over the impact of the cost increases on retirees.” Does the union only bargain for benefits the company allows them to?
Terry said, “The union is dead. The company has taken us for a health care ride”
+1
I hope you have read most of these posts and you will see that the Supreme Court said that Companies do not have to bargain for retiree benefits–they always have–but the last 2 contracts that have refused and the union could do nothing
Its NOT up to the company to REFUSE to negotiate.. It’s up to the union to fight for us!. Obamacare has done Nothing to address the costs of healthcare, NOTHING!. No tort reform, no increased competition by allowing companies to sell everywhere. This UNION used to be good. But today they are NOTHING but another wing of the democratic party like the education system and the media. They are USELESS and just take our money to support the Radical lefts agenda, and this Obama care let’s face it is socialism.. We are doing what Mr. Obama wants us to do, Share the wealth!.. so here we are. Thanks Union you worthless organization. There was a time when the union would Strike or use the Electronic Picket Line… Not now tho… So us who worked and sacrificed family time for over 30 years not to mention supporting the Leaches of the Union, bend over and grab the ankles and enjoy it.
This huge cost increase has nothing to do with “Obama Care”! It has to do with corporate greed, corporations that are propped by reactionary Republican legislators and judges, who in turn are bought and paid for by corporations and blood suckers like the Koch brothers and their running dogs the tea party and supported by the right wing demagoguery of groups like Fox News and moronic individuals like Sarah Palin and Michelle Bachmann and their gullible followers.
It has EVERYTHING to do With Obamacare! Why should men be forced to buy maternity insurance, or childless people be force to buy dental care for those under 6?. It is called ‘sharing the wealth”.. The Koch bothers? are you kidding?. What do they have to do with this mess. Keep voting for the RADICAL LEFT and we will all end up like Detroit! Bankrupt!., Or San Bernardino, etc… Palin’s Alaska does not need a buyout and they are in the Black. Palin was a mayor and a Governor … Obama is a communist organizer!. Boy we sure could have used Palin..Fox news Rocks.. I suppose you watch MSLSD all day with their HATRED! Garrett… Quite drinking the cool aid..
So you like getting only one view on your news.. Msld your fave eh?drink more coolaid and enjoy thrill up his leg Mathews. How’s that hopeless change working for ya pal?
Reply to Todd: I don’t know about the place you worked at, but I can assure you that AT&T makes billions of dollars of more profit annually. Our benefits came as a direct result of our workers and our unions and the sacrifices we endured (especially the strikes) when all we wanted was just a small piece of the magnificent pie that greedy upper management devoured for themselves. Think!
Thanks Union for constantly supporting the RADICAL LEFTISTS with our dues… YOU and the Dems have screwed the pooch! YOU and the Dems BONED US!
I’m not going to get into a debate with someone who thinks Fox News is great or that it’s even news for that matter. If you want to trust that A.T.&T. as looking out for your welfare, go right ahead…
You need to quit watching MSLSD. It’s clear YOU HATE corporations. Then why do you work for one?
I don’t, I retired in1999 with 34 years service, with a pension that I foolishly thought A.T.&T. would honor, but I didn’t take into account their insatiable greed.
What happened to the pensions?
I can tell you what has happened to our pension. I was paying less than 40.00 dollars a month out of my pension for insurance now paying addition $300 or more a month out of my pension.
I HATE big corporations. I am retired and half my pension goes into health insurance. I started AT&T in 1971. It was a different company then. I stayed with them for the benefits I received for my family. I had a stroke in May 2012. I can’t work because my memory is poor and a couple of my fingers are numb. There’s more but I won’t bore you with the details. I was always considered management personnel until 1990. I was a Data Processing Specialist working with main frame computers. Pay was great. Most years I made about the same pay as a second level manager. Then we were forced to join the union. I HATE UNIONS TOO! Since jobs were scarce I had to lower myself to a telephone operator. I did this because I only had a few years left to get my 30 years in.Before my stroke I worked for several outstanding non union organizations and the pay was great!
And or C E O makes an obscene amount of money… And for what?
Read all the previous comments, during the last contract negotiations, the company would not discuss retiree health care costs. This item is a “permissive” item which means the company doesn’t have to discuss items so designated, and they decided that since there was nothing we could do about it, they would go ahead and stick it to us…
Sorry Mr. Garrett but I used to be a Democrat. Before they became anti family, anti God, Pro Abortion, High Taxers, Liars, Thieves who don’t pay their taxes, anti 2nd amendment, anti Death Penalty ,anti military and such a divisive group who name calls, divides voters into this voting block this and that voting block instead of treating all as Americans. I can see the mess they put Detroit and and California in. Tax the hell out of people and they are still in massive debt. They are Pro Illegal to create another voting block. I don’t know what you have against Fox news but it is the ONLY news network that does not name call, or divide people. They are Accurate and Fair. Just watched NBC And CBS today about the Duck Dynasty Guys comments. They called it HATE SPEECH. Excuse me, he was quoting the Bible. So they are calling the Bible HATE SPEECH?… You know where they can go. If liberalism were so great just look at the Katrina victims. Desperately waiting for Government Help. Then Look at the Heartland where Tornadoes devastated the towns. The people there were NOT waiting for the Government and got to doing what needed to be done. Liberalism? No thanks..
Danny,
I consider Fox News as Fox noise and extremists. Fox noise is not fair and balanced. They always twist the truth to meet their agenda. Danny remember what GW Bush said, Brown you are doing a good job in New Orleans the military troops had to be deployed to help the citizens in New Orleans.
I know you have never watched Fox. Then, you are speaking out of “ignorance’. Who’s Brown?… I know the Mayor of NOLA, RACIST CHOCOLATE CITY RAY NAGEN did nothing to help did he?.. Where is Ray now? Oh yea, Prison for corruption.. Fox reported that, Not your major networks. If Fox is “so twisted and extreme, then why are their ratings higher than NBC,ABC,CBS, MSLSD, CNN COMBINED? huh???>Extreme is a President who does not listen to the people, Call America a NON Christian Country, Blames everyone else for his problems, does not listen to his Generals.. BARACK HUSEIN OBAMA,,, Does sound Muslim does it Not??
Danny,
I am going to pray for you.
It’s all about money and survivability. The company and the union both put these first and foremost!
Thank God that He hears our prayers and answers them! Prayer works!
r. Garrett; ….You probably shouldn’t let yourself be trolled by Danny Bolduc; It is more than apparent that he prefers to engage others in a Political Agenda…And make points to that end…
Not really sure if he has ever worked for AT&T or Ma Bell..??
Doesn’t really matter, don’t think he read the whole Article or is capable of understanding it anyway.
Engaging, the political side views and opinions, expresses, his lack of intelligence.
As explained above, this issue or part of the Bargaining was considered a “Permissive issue” or part of Bargaining/Contract, etc….
Meaning that either side (Company or Union) could discuss or choose to discuss and act/not act upon.
The Company AT&T chose not to discuss or act upon, the issue.
This displays a Fact of Corporate greed and the Union (CWA and et al) hands were tied..
After many of us working 30+ years for AT&T-Bell Systems…We are being turned out into the cold, compared to some of the promises that were expressed or expected…
As a retiree and wife, we faced a 350% increase in cost to us for insurance through AT&T’s provider.
Couple that with Medicare being paid by a couple about 70 years old…
And our insurance bill per year is roughly about $4700.00
It is not what we expected in our later years
Terry….Yes Garrett, it may be who you think it is..?
Ps….It does seem that AT&T, the Company is getting a “kick back” from the Government, but alas is making a Corporate decision, to not adjust the Health insurance cost for Retirees, Workers or both whichever the case may be..??
ie; Early Retirees Reinsurance Program (ERRP) rebated to the Tune of $214 Million in 2011-2012.
Thanks AT&T..
Terry lc. I really don’t appreciate you calling me names. I have more service than you do. I was a member of cwa for 34 years,. The idea of the electronic picket line was my idea. So much for you calling me having lack of intelligence. It shows how much you don’t know. Now, my comment has to do with the unions total lack of bargaining. The cwa failed to even use the electronic picket line. The contract before this last one was a joke when it came to our 2 day strike. So next time you make uninformed comments and making yourself look totally inpept, you may want to do some questioning or research before writing.
Danny Boy….I mentioned your shortcomings, because you do not seem to understand simple English….Who cares if you worked at AT&T for 34 years; “NOT PART” of the discussion, as you seem to deflect from, what the Article is TRULY ABOUT.
YOUR WORDS…”in quotes”
“voting demonrat is like voting for Socialism, Communism and devisiveness…kill those babies big boy.”…WHAT THE HELL IS THE MATTER WITH YOU ??
” It’s NOT up to the Company to negotiate, it’s up to the Union to fight for us…”
DID YOU, really read the Article? It’s a “permissive issue” in the Contractual language or Bargaining process….The Company DID refuse, and the Union can do NOTHING about it.
“It has EVERYTHING to do with Obamacare”
Once again showing your lack of comprehension skills, DON’T BELIEVE this was ever mentioned in the Article….And I’m supposing YOU MEAN the AHC Act….??
“Thanks UNION for constantly supporting the RADICAL LEFTISTS with our dues.”
Are you on any Medications or temporarily out ?? See your Doctor immediately..
I’m not even going to go into, your “Democrat Rant” not worth my time.
Don’t believe my “comments are uninformed” I read the piece, apparently YOU DIDN’T.
Also believe “my research is solid.”
I figure you are a “bitter old man” or a 20 year old kid living in his Mom’s basement.
The 34 years you “may have worked”, that’s a surprise, how did you ever pass the test??
As far as the name calling, sorry but NOW, I believe you are a total MORON…
Good luck trolling, because like maybe others, I really have nothing left to say to you.
Apparently you say I am a troll.. Then you say to “ignore the troll”. Well, maybe you should take your own advice. Do you always answer what you think are Trolls and then tell others to ignore them?. Obama care is a dismal failure. As far as the Union goes they ALWAYS SUPPORT DEMOCRATS… Always. You live in California?. Keep drinking the cool-aid Pal. You claimed, “not really sure if he works for At&T.” So again, you made a claim that you had no knowledge of. Who cares if you worked over 34 years?… well, I do since my pension is more than yours. What I am saying is the Union is a bunch of Political democrap phoneys who take our money, don’t do anything for us and go to Hawaii for their meeting on our dime. Stop drinking the KOOL AID…… and get back on your meds sport.
You mentioned service not me. If the company says the have no intentions for retiree bargaining.,then what do we need a union for?. They have no intentions to bargain for wages or working conditions either. So what is the union for? If you want to believe your savior Obama has nothing to do with it you go ahead. No point arguing with a Libby anyway, as they are brain dead.
Mind your own business busy body!
I see no point in continuing this discussion, it has degenerated into the usual partisan crap, and I wont argue with fanatic ideologues…
I agree 100%, guess I should have mentioned I retired in ’99 with over 30 years of service.
I didn’t have 34 like the other guy and you, but it was enough to get out of the rat race…
Fortunate enough to retire and never look back…
But I have heard and somewhat believe, that AT&T today…Is not exactly like AT&T and the Bell System operating Companies I grew up and had a career with.
And a failure by the Company to discuss or want to discuss Retiree Healthcare is somewhat proof of that. IMO.
There once was a time when the Union had Clout. They would fight for us as an entity and fight for us individually. Those days are gone.
The last time our Local 3603 CWA had clout was probably late 1960’s to early 1970’s. After that time period they seemed to “be in bed with management”.
This is a quote from the Friday Bulletin generated by the Alliance for retired Americans:
Tell AT&T Corporation to Respect Retirees
AT&T retirees were surprised when the company recently sent information related to open enrollment for the retiree medical benefits. Retirees under the age of 65, who are not eligible for Medicare, saw premium increases of hundreds of dollars a month for coverage under the standard PPO plan. Retirees on Medicare saw a jump in premiums of about 500% for supplemental insurance. CWA and the Alliance believe that the company should have done more for retirees, as AT&T enjoys healthy profits and significant dividends for shareholders. “Corporate executives should do more to assure that former employees who built the company have quality, affordable health care, and don’t flounder in unilateral, drastic and unprecedented increases,” said Richard Fiesta, Executive Director of the Alliance.
Some in the company told retirees that the reason for the extraordinary increases is the Affordable Care Act. Nothing could be further than the truth. In fact, there are two provisions of the Affordable Care Act that would impact AT&T’s retiree health plan. First, it improves Medicare by including full coverage of preventive care and recapturing overpayments to Medicare Advantage plans. Second, the Early Retiree Reinsurance Program set aside funds for employers who offer retiree health benefits, rebating $213.8 million to AT&T between 2011 and 2012 to offset the cost of claims from early retirees. Both these provisions eased the company’s cost burden, but AT&T has chosen not to share that cost relief with retirees.
In 2012, AT&T’s CEO Randall Stephenson earned $22.23 million, 642 times the average worker’s pay ($34,645). Please take action and tell him that passing down increases to the tune of 500% in monthly premiums for supplemental health care is uncalled for. Send him an email by using this link: [http://bit.ly/1cKhZ3m] or send him a letter: Randall L. Stephenson / Chairman, Chief Executive Officer / AT&T Corporation / 208 South Akard Street / Dallas, Texas 75202-4206.
You want us to do your job and write rondall? You’re inept. You supported Obama, endorsed Obama and now you are covering for him? Why not blame Bush? It makes as much sense.
Like I said before, I don’t argue with fanatic idealogues…
Then PLEASE DON”T!!!
I have to pay dearly so I have to get my money’s worth. A couple of years ago I fell down the stairs and had a stroke. Still alive but can’t work because of memory problems. Saw my insurance increase again. Once again I fell down the stairs. This time I broke my left knee and fractured my wrist. But this time I covered my head so I didn’t get a broken blood vessel. Like I said earlier…AT&T is sticking it to me so I WILL get my money’s worth. I am just waiting for this fine organization to cut off my psychiatric bills.
Hmmmm, Three(3) months later we still have some trolling going on, talking or blasting the President and the AHCA; Blaming all their problems on that or the CWA Union Locals or National Organization…
Seems strange they would not lay blame at the feet of the problem makers, if they understood who they were,?? But alas, doubt that is going to happen…?
As we will probably be able to identify the “unknowing” as they may respond to this….
Must be an election year..?? And operatives will probably abound until December..
Unfortunately we will have to endure their wrath, as they can find no other place to spew it.
Hey cwa. Next contract tell the
Members the Company refused to negotiate wages, and working conditions, senority, vacations, premium shifts and holiday pay. After all, according to YOU CWA, they can refuse to negotiate anything. I think you are one corrupt organization. Stole our money for years. You then tell us how very very hard you negotiated for us . CWA, you are full of crap. My advice to all currant members is to drop your ass. If I could sue you for non performance to get all my dues back I would. CWA will smile in your face and shake your hand to get your money, and hold a knife in the other to stab you on the back.
YOU are the union, if you don’t like things the way they are, get involved and change things. The “union” isn’t some self appointed organization, it’s YOU and your fellow workers, If you don’t like something, get involved, go to meetings, volunteer. Don’t just sit on the sidelines and take potshots and don’t SCAB, that’s just what the company wants: division among workers. The union is only as good as YOU make it…
They did not call a strike, The best way to fight is with something the company understands. They understand MONEY! The stinking cwa did not even call for the electronic picket line. This is to have all change their services from ATT. Cell, TV, Internet. You get friends and family along with other unions like the teamsters to drop Att til the company comes to our demand. No one loses money by going out on strike. However the company loses millions and millions . The longer it goes the more money the company loses. This equates instead of members losing money by striking, or by settling for a shitty contract, the company loses money. I guarantee our contracts would come out much better. But instead, the cwa let the company crap all over us. We gave you the tools. You did not use them. So don’t blame the membership! You said you worked extremely hard… Really? Cwa is a bunch of LIARS.. They did nothing. They sat on their fat lazy asses for over a year. Screw the cwa.
The cwa did nothing. We all should have had friends and family and other unions drop Att. We struck for these issues! I think Rondahl could do with 17 million less and give back to the retirees, cwa? No way!
I agree.
At least we put the blame where it belongs!!lol meanwhile you’re still blaming Bush!!! You’re too much!
Nonya….
The problem we/you are relating to was “a permissive issue” point in the Contract apparently..?
I’m guessing, (and only guessing)…Because I was not involved in the Bargaining or voting/improving the last several Contracts…Been retired for sometime.
I think the Company and the Union might have made some trade-offs for other benefits, and put the wording in the Contract for such items, to be “permissive issues” for opening or discussion, and bargaining points….And then the Union members approved the Contract, by vote.
Permissive issues, can be denied further discussion, by either side or maybe both…
Therefore the healthcare cost or contribution discussion came up and “the Company” opted out of any discussion what so ever…And increased the rates on premiums and co-pays..
The Union and members, along with retirees hands were tied.
This may be able to be reversed, so as to be a discussion point in upcoming Contracts or negotiations..
I hope so…It probably should be a major bargaining point.
But we all will have to wait, for the next Contract expiration and Bargaining process…
It is a Company, Union and Employee/Retiree issue, and little to do with anything else, accept the Insurance companies cost for Healthcare and what the Company is willing to pay..
Canada is now the number one country with a middle class. We went downhill starting in 1990. The professor mentioned 3 reasons we are no longer number one. Canada’s educational system is superb compared to the United States. Secondly, it’s not in their culture for CEO’s to get obscene pay and bonuses. AND they do the right thing and pay higher wages for jobs keeping people in the middle class. The professor said the 3rd thing Canada does is take care of the poor people and their citizens get involved with volunteer work. There is too much greed in this country regarding pay. The politicians in this country need to keep the middle class growing because we are the backbone of this country.
You scabby bitchers and whiners need to understand that YOU STILL HAVE HEALTH CARE. By chance, I ran into a retired AT&T manager (Commercial Marketing) who now has NO HEALTH CARE, because of AT&T. YOU still HAVE health care….look what they did to the management retirees, and that’s what AT&T wants to do to YOU. The ONLY thing standing between what they’ve done to management retirees and you is CWA. Why not take your bitching and whining and go to work for a cell provider? Then you can be happy making half as much with NO benefits and be told how fortunate you are!
As an aside, I detect anti-union “post gangsters” at work on this site. The “Right-To-Work (for LESS) Committee” is at it again, eh?
All true, my old boss really took it in the shorts. I suspect you are right about the scab “post gangsters” are at work here…
So since the managers really took in the shorts, that is suppose to make us feel better!. WE STRUCK for the benefits and fought tooth and nail. Don’t sit here and say well go work for the cell company or my ex boss this or that. WE EARNED our health care.. The CWA sold us OUT!!! Not only that but the CWA refused to file a grievance regarding a contractual issue for myself … I lost thousands of dollars because of This Corrupt organization. The CWA wanted a bypass on Obamacare after supporting him so strongly.. WHY???
Just like I said before, it has nothing to do with the Affordable Care act. It is because A.T&T. chose not bargain on retiree healthcare because it was chosen by them as a “permissible” item. The CWA had no choice in the matter, it was a result of a SCOTUS decision. So back off on the anti-union rhetoric and listen to the facts…
you can say that all you want. If you believe it’s true then you believe it’s true.. The UNION is suppose to make sure the contract is followed Garret. What happened to operators who went from Pacific Telephone to ATT who lost their wages?.. The UNION DID NOTHING!!! The contract says and i quote.. “IN NO CASE Shall an employee lose wage experience credit”… But the union sat on their fat asses and did nothing!!! The Company and union both signed the Contract.. WTH was the Union???? F the Union.
Garrett….I know you want to….But, don’t bother.
It’s an election year; And this is pretty easy to figure out by now.
Terry, What are YOU doing in this exchange? MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS!!! We need less busy bodies… Stay out of where you are not invited…
Dando, why don’t you and your personal problems with the union take a hike. You are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem…
Ok… my fault.. itsl my problem the union did not represent the employees on contractual issues. It is MY Fault I believed they would represent the membership. It is my fault they took our union dues and went to Hawaii. It is my fault I lost tens of thousands of dollars because they would not follow the contract. It is my fault the Union supported an Admitted socialist who screwed us and the rest of America by saying our health care premiums would go down 2500.. It is my fault ….What are you garrett a union president or something? Don’t tell me to take a hike ok pal….
I was never a union official, only a steward. But I was never naive enough to believe that the company was watching out for my interests, “Ma Bell” died. The reason you have Healthcare at all is because of the union, not the company! Your continual spouting of the right-wing dogma is simplistic and childish and I made the mistake of engaging you in discussion, I won’t make that mistake again, take your reactionary
diatribes somewhere else…
This is “The reason health care costs are so high” .. So I do have the RIGHT to vent or say what I think.. You don’t have the right to call names or whatever you lefties do.. If I want to have a say as to what happens to our members as a lack of union representation, thats my right to say it.. You don’t have to agree…
Garrett; Sorry in the fact, that attempting to have a conversation with you that a Troll has to come in and be disruptive; And then have the audacity to call others “busy bodies”…
I find that quite amusing….Like I mentioned, don’t engage the Troll, it’s an election year.
Some or many of the previous comments, were never directed to what the Article is about;
Maybe they have problems or other issues that won’t allow an individual to comprehend what the subject matter is, along with a mental block; That only allows them to deflect to another situation, that seems to be part of their Agendas.
By reading the article and statements; There are details explaining the problems that the Union was faced with in a “non-bargaining permissive issue” whereas the Company (AT&T)
threw up a roadblock, that could or would be legally accepted for bargaining or a “re-opening” of the Contract, for bargaining purposes…
Although many or most of us are very unhappy about increases in our insurance rates and/or deductibles; And yes it does appear that AT&T has bent us over a barrel and are the ones that are driving…
Strangely, I have had conversations with some or a couple retirees, that are satisfied with the care they get and feel the cost although somewhat excessive, are very glad to have Health coverage from the Company that the Union bargained for many years in the past.
I am “not one” that feels the cost increases are justifiable… And am pissed about it…
The others I have talked to, have several or severe health situations and make use of all healthcare available to them.
We in our family are lucky enough to have better health, and do not “doctor as often” nor been hospitalized in recent times.
One Major illness or lengthy stay in a Hospital (even 4-7 days) would financial wipe out any savings or retirement monies that most of my fellow employees had..
I am thankful for the care and insurance we had in the past so, this is a comment in favor of our coverage’s that were provided to us in the past.
Garrett, want to thank you for your Steward duties with the past employment in Bell/AT&T.
Many have no idea, what that entails; Unless they walk the walk, they really can’t talk the talk.
I served many positions over the years in Bell and AT&T…
Along with service in the CWA, as steward, C-steward, VP, and EVP, but never as a President of a Local..
And served AT&T in some interesting capacities…Plus Management at Bell.
But more then happy that I retired after 30 plus years as a CWA member.
Probably have better insurance today because of it..??
We have and there are Avenues for Retirees, to petition or protest to the CWA in a civil manner….Either to your past Local, or a Regional Local and up to the International or National level…And write or state legitimate complaints or concerns about our healthcare or other issues.
I implore those that feel we are getting the shaft from the Company, to do just that..
These comments and give and take, hopefully should help that cause…
In-fighting and bitterness, along with entering Politics into the fray; Accomplishes ABSOLUTELY nothing…The Company loves that deflection and will use it, against us all.
A previous post I made on Jan 10 was a copy of an article written by The Alliance for Retired Americans. It clearly stated what is going on. If someone chose not to read the article and go off some un-related rant, it is indeed an attempt at deflection from the issue. Divide and conquer, that’s the mantra. Reminds me of the film “Blue Collar”, made several years ago. I will not respond to further spurious comments from that Troll…
I thought you were not going to respond to ‘trolls’.. Trolls who have lost 10s of thousands due to this union. Trolls who are pissed because the union and the company are in bed together. Example, what would call a strike letting the company know we will go out on a Friday and be back on Tuesday.. Contract before last. A Union who constantly takes our dues to support Radical Extremist lefties. Who say they are for the working poor and raise our taxes. A Union who at one time would have struck for a good contract but now does NOTHING! Then we have to listen to “Health Care Relativity”.. “MY Boss took it in the Shorts, I know of a couple who are happy”… Typical lefty relativism. I don’t give a hoot about what some one else does or gets. GET THAT UNION!! I care about What WE GET!! Not Walmart, or a boss or a couple …. We are talking about US!!.If lyou want to kneel to the alter of Morton Barr and all his followers you go ahead. Im really not interested in your divisive tactics… Or your “little catch phrases”.. Ie.. “the union worked very very hard… Or, It is what it is… Or, ‘it is their company they can do what they want, etc.. “.. Terry, if you knew what happened to myself with this worthless union you would have at least come to see why I am as bitter as I am.. I supported this worthless organization for 35 years… At this point in time I feel the Union Brass can go straight to hell.. because that’s where they left us…NO Contract for well over a year, NO strike, no electronic picket line, and they have the balls to say they “Worked VERY Very Hard?”…They did NOTHING!
“The Alliance for Retired Americans” is Clearly a Liberal Organization that supports Socialism… So much for your source…
BTW… MY personal problems are also the memberships problems… Wonder why union memberships are at an all time low??? Take a look at “MY PROBLEMS WITH ThE UNION” … seems others have had the same treatment… and your treatment is typical union officer attitude…
dando….I will make this short and sweet, and hopefully probably my last reply on the issue at hand.
No, you are correct about myself not knowing your misfortunate issues with the Union(CWA) or I assume grievances and other processes…?
There were some that many of us suffered through, and I’m sure you were not alone.
I never really totally lost a grievance that I filed, sit in on, or followed through as an advisor or on a board….The majority of them came out in good favor to the employee, some had to be compromises.
The worst were when an employee(s) had been stealing from the Company or had assaulted; Gotten into a fight with a supervisor …Those were the toughest…
I managed to “always” keep their jobs, but usually also settled for “temporary suspensions” of a couple weeks to a month…Usually re-statement with all previous rights with temporary conditions, probation of sorts…Those are pretty good settlements under most situations. And very hard to win.
To rehash any other past problems at this time are somewhat futile, and only open up old wounds.
I filed or had grievances filed on my behalf also and most worked out fairly well, but not all were slam dunks or hunky dory…Hence the reason for getting more involved in the CWA, and leaving Management programs for the time….I was not a “fence walker” and most knew that.
I gained respect from management, even to higher levels; Plus had a excellent rapport with most members I ever crossed paths with, along with serving in higher offices…
And working on special Projects or programs with Bell, AT&T and CWA…Over the years.
We did an excellent job on retiring or buyouts for workers, and gave them the ability to retire with dignity….After 30+ plus years, I hung it all up and never really looked back.
And I still have respect for the Career I had with AT&T and CWA, and them also..
I am not happy with the current problems in healthcare and what the “Company” is doing…
So I encourage you and others to start a letter writing campaign, e-mail or otherwise…?
And display your grievances and or suggestions in a civil manner…The “Union” will respond much better to questions and suggestions, then to diatribes, rants or venting…So Good Luck to all and you.
And have a nice Holiday weekend, with friends and family..
Remembering what this weekend is about.
Thanks for all you have done. I was at one time ask to run for union president. I just did not have the time as I am sure you are well aware of. I have even walked picket lines after I retired for the CWA. Yes, I am like the dog with an old bone who refuses to let it go.. Wish I could. I know I would be much happier. The best I can do is to be thankful for the pension I have and all the good the job brought to me. Believe me, I do miss working and the guys I have worked with. Thanks for the words…You have a GREAT weekend as well.
There hasn’t been a strike in a long time. What is the union doing with all that money?
First a static slide show, then a phone in, with callers wasting time complimenting AON. Now trying to confirm telephone appointment on website . Easy action item not there. In my zip code I can choose Humana Humana Humana Humans or Humana.
Looks like AT$T gets the last laugh
Buzz Paff buzzpaff@gmail.com
It only gets worse Been trying for 2 days to confirm Phone appointment. Sent email, wasted 2 hours with different Arabic named females on chat to no avail. Called 800# and was told AON been working on that trouble for days.. Asked to speak to supervisor so somebody could inform the chat people. None available, will call back. Now i see why no area to leave a comment on AON’
So, AT&T dropped us! They are pawing us off on aon
Hewitt. We are on medicare so aon better be under medicare supplemental. If not we all drop AON and hit them in the pocketbook!
Now CWA wants to steal money from walmart employees. Too many Att folks caught on to their game and dropped their lazy useless corrupt asses! Now the want to unionize walmart. I will tell every walmart person to ignore them, they are useless!
“F” the CWA. What ARE they doing with this money? Crooked a**holes.
I still haven’t figured out if retirees have a HRA for 2014. Anyone know? I retired in 2003. My spouse is on Medicare. Our monthly payments have gone through the roof!
Welcome to Baroke Insane Osama Care…
Please boycott ATT products and services, until it resumes providing reasonable benefits for its retirees.
The worthless overpaid executives who choose to stab loyal employees in the back with their immoral “business decisions” should not be rewarded for their perfidy!
Having read all the above comments about A T and T AND CWA, I will add my 10 cents worth. Being an employee for over 30 years and a union member most of that time, (remember, the first 6 months we were not allowed to join the union) I will say this. I have been an employee who worked when to sick to stand up, listened to union reps lie through their teeth to employees, watched union and company guys play golf and decide who won grievances and who lost, saw local presidents flown to hawaii for “meetings” and then saw the same with “company” officials (pictures) at golf courses, bars, and with women who were not their wives. I have seen higher up company leadership smile and laugh and NOT work with unions to make sure the employees who busted their butts for a company to make it one of the richest in the world, and yet give theme selves humongous raises and do nothing for their employees. I watched our union dollars support things that I had sever personal differences against, many many times. And at retirement, all I got from the local union, was a plastic union card showing my 30 years 6 months service to the union. I saw my life insurance jump from 19.95 per month to 225.00 per month just because I retired. I watched it go up in cost every year until I could no longer afford it. I watched my health insurance( which was promised for life for myself and my wife) jump from nothing but co pays to 355..00 per month. I am seeing and hearing that it will again go up starting January 1, 2015, to as yet undisclosed cost. Compare that to a good friend who went to work for the local power company the same time I did, gets a retirement from the power co AND IBEW. NO insurance costs per month,a retirement check that is almost triple mine before anything taken out, who can live a life worth talking about. Where has the union and the company been since I and many others retired? GOOD QUESTION. It is a proven fact, AHC act, obama care, what ever you want to call it is nothing but a failure. A T and T (randals ) paycheck is making sure him and the idiots at the top are getting theirs. With 213 million one year refunded to them, WHY was this money not spent on the retirees? Huge bonuses for the elite comes to mind. Plane trips to where ever they want to go comes to mind. Health care they do not have to worry about comes to mind. sounding like our government side by side comes to mind. Boils down to nothing but greed. I do hope and pray I get to see all these liars and thieves get theirs before I die, if not, I would like a short view of them getting what they really deserve after wards. Folks, we cannot undo what was slipped under our noses years ago now. We can only do as well as we can. BCBS is for a fact offering medical plans cheaper with almost what we had as employees. Yes, I am back to work because my retirement does not do for me what I was promised. Where I work I see daily people whose insurance problems are as bad if not worse than ours. I see bell employees paying through their noses for basic medical needs, and those who were lied to (again) by at and t actually refused things because they were told to go to “this great plan” and it provides nothing. Our union AND company could have and should have done better for us retirees. Union locals should really pay attention that “membership” is falling off at an alarming rate. At and t should note that many people are dropping them like hot dead flies because of no service and no one caring . In a town near me, the local electric company provides fiber to the house, with phones, internet, tv and power at a rate cheaper and many many times faster than anyone around. At and t is losing business daily there. At the going rate, there will not be a bell phone line in existence there. POWER companies nation wide are now copying their plans and are making monies hand over fist. Their employees are loving what they get, and the retirees I run into cannot stop praising how much they get. A t and t AND CWA, you guys had your chance, lost it. SHAME on both of you. When your belly up, who will give you your huge bonuses and free golf games. you will have nothing left to draw from. Just like our country.
Since BellSouth has been taken over by AT&T everything with that company has become a disaster. BellSouth was a very good company with great benefits, and was way ahead of AT&T when it comes to technology. AT&T has proved over the years that they take one step forward and five steps backwards. Retirees that have worked for the company for 40+ years and now they are not going to get their benefits paid to them anymore for their health insurance is disgusting. Thank you AT&T for nothing.
Nice comment Nancy!
Need to go to the CEO/s house and kidnap his ass! Just like in Christmas vacation!
You know what? That chump Randall doesn’t even read these comments, he’s got some lackey reading them, maybe. Shame on him , AT&T & CWA for letting us all down after all those years of the trust we had in the company. I worked 35 years & now have NOTHING to show for it! I’m sure all his insurance is paid for along with all his perks. It seems the higher up you are in rank, the more you get & do less, so why should he give a damn about the little guy? When you really need the break during retirement, (less money coming in) they kick you in the ass & don’t look back!
I couldn’t have said it better. I had a stroke a few years ago so I can’t work. I’m working with Social Security to try to get disability benefits. I’ve had to take out of my 401k every year just to survive. Now that is almost exhausted. After health insurance my take home pension is $600 a month. I am 61 and have to wait to 62 to get early retirement benefits. Can anyone live on $600 a month? Nobody cares…especially seeing that AT&T is extremely profitable. I feel like I wasted 30 years of my life with them.
My mother retired from AT&T in 1994 when the company left St.Louis,she worked for the company for 30 plus years.Never was a cross word said about the company in front of her. Now the company she loved is screwing her in her in her old age.I’m a 55 year old union pipefitter and i thank God i am able to take care of my mother since my father passed away. The bottem line to me is that workers used to stick together and fight for what they deserved and what was fair. todays workers might be in a union but they are only worried about their own ass and could care less about their union brother or sister. Until these people grow a backbone and say no more and learn to stick together this is the kind of crap we are all going to get shoved down our necks.The union might be weak but the work force has to stick together to demand more instead of begging.
It is apparent, the present att is not the AT&T we worked for for decades. You can see it in how they treat the customers., A company that cannot or will not provide good customer service for the revenue streams
( the customer) why would they care about the overhead( the current and retired employees) ?
Also, it may be somewhat correct the ACA is not responsible entirely for this crisis for the retirees, the leaders of this great nation has become so out of touch with the working class, not middle class people that they would demand and allow that everyone have the this healthcare that most people don’t want and more cannot afford
If the board of directors for att would like to lead by example, every one on the board, and every present and past executives would be forced on this great healthcare the company is providing. Like our Congress, the executive should have the same healthcare options as the working folks who made AT&T . If they did , benefits would change
So u r sticking up for obama? The man who won’t get our marine out of Mexico, give back high caliber terrorists, ships in Ebola, divides America, has not brught back jobs, won’t fix the economy, and shoves this disaster obamacare down our throats, Benghazi, IRS scandal,etcetera… The biggest pos in the White House ever…Russia, the Middle East and even Mexico is pissing on us!,, God I miss reagan!
Whoa Dude. Do not confuse me with a left leaning person. I am the opposite from that.
I agree that America’s Commander in Chief has been missing for the past 6+ years.And he cares for illegals and lazy drains on society. Before I had my 37+ years of service to AT&T, and BellSouth, I served our country both in and out of the states, So I agree we are missing our Commander in Chief.
What I am trying to say, is until the leaders of our land, and leaders of our company live by the same rules as we do, “THEY” will provide bread crumbs for us
FYI….UPDATE…. THE DEMOCRATS are going after “SINGLE PAYER SYSTEM” next. And they want this to be a stepping stone to shake up people to get there….Hilary is their man planned to do it…so do you want the union to stick by the Democrat party or not!!! That is the question you are forced to face….We voted for this and our union is in Obama’s pocket. Another update…Companies are getting out of the benefits business. It use to be used as a tool to draw the best workers to a company….Now people are demanding it instead of enjoying it. And as long as a business isn’t run by a socialist or communist government and it’s publicly traded. They make decisions to build the business to keep up with progress and to satisfy the stock holders. “This is just the way I see it” . I think the union will need to reinvent itself to stay alive, it’s going to have to be a win/win. Or you’ll lose all together. And as far as At&t and where it’s going….FYI. The new technology isn’t going to need people. And the jobs that are left will be managers. Now the president of CWA in Washington has been out fighting for this for years to get At&t over to “HIGHSPEED”, knowing the outcome. You don’t have to believe any of this, but go do your homework then decide!!!! 🙁
Why is it that AT&T can afford to pay 140 billion dollars for Direct T V but they can’t afford to pay for retirees benefits.Also you can dam will be sure that the CEO is getting his money.My retirement check went from 1300.00 a month to 999.00 a month and it will go up again.But the CEO’s get there’s, they don’t care about there employees or there retirees as long as they get there money.
How Nice. No call on scheduled appointment at 11-1 today. At 12 :15 checked email. AON could not contact me. Same phone number 2 years. 2 calls from kids in last hour. And AON could not contact me ???
On hold at 800 #, now 40 minutes GRRRRR
Been sitting and reading the responses to our dilemma and fail to see any workable recourse to approach with any hope of success to restore our health benefits to anybody’s liking. IMHO it is us the company employees that are to blame. We gave up truly supporting our locals and participating fully in the bargaining process at the local and regional level back when I was still wet behind the ears. The Company DON’T WANT TO PAY YOU SHIT! Never has and never will. Anybody out there ever had any good relationships with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd lines inclusive, to get the business at hand addressed and resolved in a timely matter. I had given up by the time I retired in 08 and hate to look back at the company that I worked for 31 years. I hope future generations of communication workers get what they may want for their wages without participating in those tedious and time consuming rituals called union meetings. In the end I was told to show up for the meetings or get dropped as steward on my crew. At that point, I didn’t care. I new I was leaving sooner than I wanted because it was to the point that I had to go. Your gunna have to do it all again. I’ll probably be paying my entire monthly income (” And it ain’t much.” ) for my healthcare premium but so will everybody else. Its gunna suck but who with any real power will care if the public has to pay everything and the kitchen sink for everything they need to live. See everybody on the slide down. Peace.
When the company moved to Dallas, the most anti-union place in the country, ATT took a huge turn for the worse. That is the reason they moved there, to be around sympathetic people and corporations that hate unions. That is when ATT went south. Of course Randall Stephenson is the main culprit. An ex-employee told me ATT has turned into a “Dog and Pony show” . How true. ATT is now a shell of its former self.
My premium went from $431 2014 to $684 2015, and this is the cheapest family plan. Even if you don’t believe in God, read Revelation in the bible. Take a good look around you and see what our great nation has become. Anything goes, and God is watching. Its not just about money, its about controlling and having power over the masses. Many of us have the same problems, little money to pay for food and shelter. The best advice I have is pray to Jesus to watch over you and your family. Its scary not having money to live, but Jesus will pull you through somehow, someway. Some people will say Jesus is a fairy tale and he never helped me when I cried out to him. Well, pray on your knees to Him, praise him, thank him for what you have. Then ask Him for help. He will know if your heart is sincere. I’m not a preacher, I am just like you and trying to survive. God Bless you.
Amen, to that! God is all we have! AT&T and all the other big corporations are the devil and we are their pawns. If we don’t have faith in our Maker, we don’t have anything at all!
I took the forced buyout in CA in May 2012, when AT&T Advertising Solutions (Directory) sold out to Cerberus Capital Management. Had I stayed, it would have been much worse. I was only 49 at the time, but retiring under the AT&T medical plan was very important to us, as we use our benefits extensively.
In 2012, we paid only $150/mo. for our 3 person family. In 2013, that doubled to $300, then in 2914 it went up to $555/mo. I re-enrolled in the HCN PPO plan last hear and was told there weren’t any changes, but while the coverage stayed.the same and the premium increased by $255 per month, we were surprised with new ID cards from BCBS. I thought we were screwed for sure, but it seems as if nothing is consistent and while the customer service reps seem better than UHC, I’m really not sure if this is better or not. BCBS has already lied about a few things. Now, for 2016, our premiums will go up another $165/mo, $720/mo.!
That’s an increase of nearly 500% in a four year time span! When will this stop? What is wrong with CWA allowing this to happen? Of course, Randall Stephenson is going to try to get away with this and as many said, those of us who helped build the company too!
Directory employees brought in 20% of the profits for the entire enterprise, with only 3% of the workforce! And this is how we’re treated? The beginning of the end for Pacific Bell was when SBC took over. The Texan mentality has stunk out here since that sad day in 1997, when it happened. PB was a great company to work for. They respected their employees and the IBEW Union too. But once SBC took over and then bought Ameritech and Bell South etc. what a mess. As we used to say, when SBC bought mama back, you can put lipstick on a pig, BUT IT’S STILL A PIG! Taking the AT&T name just hid the sneaky Texan mentality to those unsuspecting customers who didn’t understand anything about the history of divestiture and how it morphed back into a version of its former self.
Our IBEW Union sold us out too and didn’t follow the union guidelines as written in the current contract. We were the last group to take a buyout under the AT&T umbrella and did we get screwed. Our buyout compensation was only 25% of what it should have been, The excuse of the union manager at the time, was that the company said they would do xy and z, so our Union signed the contract, only to find out the company had lied! Whose fault was that? IBEW 1269 was such a joke and they just let this happen and blamed it on the company! Hello?!
Unions were a great thing years ago and there may be a few good ones left. But, most will take your money, then throw you under the bus! When the devil came knocking at the door, the union let them I and served them anything they wanted, as I am sure, the union leaders got a hefty kickback for screwing the masses. And, the Labor Relations Board didn’t do a damned thing about it either.
So count your blessings for what you have and never trust what any company promises, just watch your back and pray as hard as you can, because God is the only answer to true justice. Without Him, we have nothing!
I retired from SWBell in 2000 in San Antonio, TX & recently ran into another retiree who asked me what I thought of AT&T referring to us as “former” employees, not retirees. I was outraged. I gave them 31 1/2 best years of my life & was told when hired they would take care of me the rest of my life (thru benefits). It seems that once I became Medicare eligible they sold me down the river. I too have discontinued most of my product support to AT&T. As for the Union representation, it was strong from 1965-1970 & got results!! I don’t support them either. I had my meetings with AON & basically was told that my Medicare insurance was the best I could have & AON could do nothing more for me. I’m not paying those high prices. I’ve enrolled in other insurance & extremely happy with what I have. To hell with AT&T’s plan!! Other benefits, I’ve never been contacted about reduction in my Directv bill since AT&T acquired. Look at the big bucks & benefits the big boys get for all our hard work & making SWBell successful (can’t get used to referring to as AT&T sorry). Loyalty Gone Sour.
Ya know, everybody bitches, but nobody really does anything about it. AT&T bought the union out when Bellsouth sold out. There’s nothing anymore. My spouses insurance just went up another $95.00 a month, plus now I have to pay another $4.37 a month for her dental. That’s $400.37 a month. I don’t know about anyone else but $400.37 a month out of a small pension check is a big hit. I really can’t afford it!
And the union could care less. I think “WE” should do something about all this, maybe a few of us go to a bank and just tell them sorry but we have to rob you to pay for our promised health care and when the cops come just lay on the floor and get arrested, and maybe just maybe the media will carry it out there to the whole world, that these poor retires, that believed when they retired from the company they gave there best years of there live to, has reneged on all they say. I know its wrong but if someone has a better suggestion, Please put it forward.
I retired in 2009 and my payment went from $28 to $592 a month currently.
This union and this company are is the same bed I won’t buy any AT&T products any more they give the general public better offers then they give us tell all you family friends ect to ban them
So feed up with this company and Obama care.
My husband retired in 2008 after working about 40 years for AT&T. He’s on Medicare but I am not. My monthly premiums are now $535/month or over $6,400 per year just for me. My medical bills totaled just over $600 last year, and insurance paid about $123. These huge yearly increases are ridiculous and a burden on retired families, especially for those of us that are healthy and rarely need to see a medical professional. For the first time in my life I’d like to get a false ID so that I could be on Medicare. Shame on AT&T for treating their retirees and their families like this.
Retirement – Right. Due to insane rise in monthly health care costs (1241%), the monthly amount someone who worked for the company for 35 years, (and who’s parents and grandparents worked for for AT&T or Bell their whole lives) is now about $500! Five hundred dollars a month for retirement. Seriously????? it has devastated us financially and led to all kinds of problems. Sure, rates rise. That’s fine, we all get that, but at this point it isn’t really a benefit. This should be illegal and is one of the biggest reason the country is at a low point for it’s middle class workers. Big business can rape the vulnerable people who aren’t in the situation to be without health coverage, but now can’t even afford to pay their mortgage, rent or go to the grocery store. We have family members who have lost their homes and had to declare bankruptcy because it was either drop health insurance or pay their credit cards, electric bills, and car insurance. I thought the idea was to make Health Care AFFORDABLE so those in need could be covered. What has happened is that AT&T has made Health Care INAFFORDABLE to those who worked their whole lives and deserve to be covered for Health Care. Isn’t there anything that can be done for the scores of people in this horrific situation?
Wow, lots of comments (pro & con) about AT&t & CWA! I don’t know what to believe yet. Our phone interview is coming up. I written some questions! Seems to me medical cost have not been increasing as of late. I don’t think AT&t is allowed to “pocket” retiree med plan payment funds; so, I’ve got this feeling Obama Care is sucking us dry. And the CWA does not care. We don’t pay dues & it supports their liberal causes!
In 2011 Randall Stephenson tried to buy T=mobile and it failed , ATT had to pay 4 BILLION dollars for that blunder, and he still got to keep his job . If they would have taken that 4 BILLION and put it into the healthcare fund to the retirees , we would not have to pay such crazy rates now .
The main reason for HEALTH CARE problems today is at&t inc. I retired with 35 years of service with Michigan Bell and AT&T Corp. We had good benefits until SBC bought out AT&T Corp. The new at&t inc could care less about us retirees. It’s all about MONEY.
I’m an AT&T retiree in California. I have Kaiser Permanente and my premiums are $491 per month. That premium is for me only. My premiums are almost $6,000 a year before any co-pays for services. It has eaten into my retirement income and my quality of life. We are looking into moving to another state or another country. This is just so unaffordable. I worked 34.5 years for AT&T. I am 61 so have 5 more years of $6,000 per year premiums before I qualify for Medicare This is so very hard financially.