THE BREMERTON METAL TRADES COUNCIL LEGAL LUNCHBOX

Vol. 1,  #1 Wednesday, July 17, 1974   ACTION ITEMS

TO: METAL TRADES COUNCIL STEWARDS 

FROM: LEGAL COUNSEL

Whenever possible, at these lunch meetings, we will prepare notes for discussion among the stewards, and to be used as reminders to report on back at the shop. These are your meetings; it is up to you to see that we discuss items that are helpful to you and your shop.

ACTION ITEM #1: There is a move afoot to eliminate the $100 a week sick Leave exclusion on taxes for those of us, labor and management, that retire on disability. This is designed to only affect future disability retirees - that means you and your shop members. The House Ways and Means Committee is supposed to vote in less than a month on this.

WHAT TO DO? Write Chairman Wilbur Mills, or your own Congress person, at House of Representatives, Wash., D.C. 20515, or send a mailgram, protesting the change.

ACTION ITEM #2: Chairman Jerome Waldie, of the House Civil Service Retirement Subcommittee, is pushing an "80" retirement plan, allowing retirement to anyone whose service and age total 80, e.g.. 30 years service and age fifty, 25 years service and age fifty-five, etc. Others favor 30 year requirement with 2% off each year under 55 years of age.

ACTION ITEM #3: Your Senators and House members need pushing on changing the survivors-annuity plan. The House has approved a plan eliminating reduction on retirement benefits when you elect to have your survivor get benefits after death; the Senate merely agreed to eliminate the reduction if your spouse died first. You lose 2 and 1/2 % of the first $3600 in annual annuities and 10% above that if you elect to have your spouse get benefits after your death. This is important.

ACTION ITEM # 4: Each of you be responsible for bringing one shop steward next week that isn't here this week. Just one.

NOTES:

Telene Harris had approved compensation on July 12, 1974 with a back award of $1212.95 for lower hack injury,' and continuing benefits as long as he is disabled, of 75% of salary - all medical treatment, also. This was a case where the examiner advised him that he would have to present all his medical records from Hunters Point for a previous 1968 incident, before his case would be processed. He came to the BMTC Compensation Clinic, a special meeting was held to review his file with the Deputy Commissioner, and this fast action was accomplished. An apology for the delay was also sent. The man had to apply for welfare because of the delay. He's a Sandblaster represented by Gerry Hill.

Be sure to get us your legal questions by Wednesday morning.

Lee A. Holley
Suite 101, IBEW Building
2700 First Avenue
Seattle Washington 98121
(206) 623-1241