Update on Recent AGRE Activities

Earlier this year, letters of introduction were sent to DOE and Bechtel Jacobs Company (BJC) to notify them that an alliance, known as the Alliance of Grandfathered Retirees and Employees (AGRE), had been formed. Attached to each letter was the Position Paper outlining our requests and concerns. AGRE also asked that meetings be scheduled to establish open communications on these issues.

On March 25, 2008, AGRE representatives had their first meeting with Mr. Paul H. Divjak, President and General manager of BJC; Kelli Schifferer, BJC HR Manager; and Roz Torrence, BJC Benefits Representative.

On April 21, 2008, AGRE representatives met with Lisa Carter, DOE HR Team Leader, and Patricia Howse-Smith, DOE HR Director.

On May 22, 2008, a petition was sent to folks on the AGRE distribution list (Tennessee only), asking them to obtain as many signatures as possible. These signed petitions may be delivered to the USW union hall or mailed to AGRE at 133 Raleigh Road, Oak Ridge, TN 37830. Once collected, these petitions will be hand-delivered to our government officials for their assistance in obtaining the following changes from DOE and its Contractors for maintaining pension and medical benefits equivalent to those received by retirees at ORNL and Y-12:

1. Include BJC Retiree Medical Benefits with those of ORNL and Y-12 retirees;
2. Have the BJC pension fund managed by Oak Ridge, together with the pension funds for ORNL and Y-12 retirees;
3. Have the 30-year cap removed and the spouse option limit of 2% added to the BJC pension plan, making BJC benefits the same as ORNL and Y-12 retirees; and
4. Have reimbursement for surplus monies refunded to BJC Health and Welfare Trust (surplus medical premiums).

AGRE is currently planning to participate in the Secret City Festival in Oak Ridge on June 20-21, 2008. Brochures on AGRE objectives will be available for distribution. Grandfathered employees and retirees attending the festival will also have an opportunity to join AGRE.

The next monthly AGRE meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 1, 2008, at 6:00 p.m. at the USW Union Hall in Oak Ridge, TN.