AGRE Q&As

Q. What is AGRE?
A. AGRE is the acronym for the Alliance of Grandfathered Retirees and Employees.

Q. Why was AGRE formed?
A. AGRE was formed by a group of concerned retirees and employees when Bechtel Jacobs Company (BJC) attempted to double the medical premiums for pre-age 65 retirees in December 2007. For example, the premium for a pre-age 65 couple would have increased from $406.25 to $812.50 a month.

Q. When are AGRE meetings held?
A. AGRE meetings are held the first Thursday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at the USW Union Hall, located at 133 Raleigh Road in Oak Ridge.

Q. What is the purpose of AGRE?
A. The primary objective of AGRE is to obtain and maintain pension and medical benefits equivalent to those received by retirees at Y-12, ORNL, and the pre-1998 K-25 retirees. You can reference the AGRE Position Paper on the blog below.

Q. How can I receive information and updates on AGRE activities?
A. Communications are currently via e-mail. To be included on distribution, send your e-mail address to: gfemployee@yahoo.com
Also re-visit this blog for updates: www.gfemployees.blogspot.com

Q. Can anyone join AGRE?
A. All Grandfathered retirees and employees are invited to join. Simply send your contact information (name, address, phone number, and e-mail address) to: gfemployee@yahoo.com

Q. How many Grandfathered retirees and employees are there?
A. As of January 1, 2008, total participants were 2,114. This includes 857 active employees, 544 who have terminated with deferred benefits, and 713 retirees and beneficiaries. Of the 857 active employees, 590 are at Oak Ridge, 148 at Portsmouth, and 119 at Paducah.

Q. Since meetings are held at the Union Hall, is AGRE only for union employees?
A. No, AGRE represents Grandfathered hourly and salaried employees and all Grandfathered retirees.

Q. Who makes up the AGRE Actions Committee?
A. Members of the AGRE Actions Committee include a mix of retired and active employees with experience in various organizations.

Q. How do I know if I am “Grandfathered?”
A. Grandfathered employees are a DOE-designated group of workers who have met certain definition requirements. These employees from K-25, ORNL,and Y-12 in Oak Ridge; Paducah (KY); and Portsmouth (OH) began to transition to BJC on April 1, 1998, the date BJC began managing the M&I Contract for the Department of Energy. BJC, with DOE approval, has modified the definition over the past 10 years. The Grandfathered employee definition will be posted on the AGRE blog in the near future.

Q. How are CORRE and AGRE related?
A. AGRE is an approved affiliate with the Coalition of Oak Ridge Retired Employees (CORRE), a labor association within the meaning of Section 501(C)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. AGRE addresses those pension and benefit issues specific for the 2,114 Grandfathered retirees and employees.

Q. Who do I contact if I have a question?
A. Send an e-mail to gfemployee@yahoo.com and a response will be prepared and sent directly to you.

Q. What can I do to help?
A. Spread the word about AGRE to your Grandfathered friends and neighbors, write your government representatives with your concerns about medical benefits and pension, attend and participate in the AGRE monthly meetings, and support your AGRE Actions Committee members.