We Won’t Forget!

(This article appeared in the July/August 2011 issue of The American Postal Worker magazine.)

Judy Beard, Director Retirees Department

Cutting expenses is something all APWU retirees can benefit from, and enrolling in Medicare is a great place to start. Medicare is an important tool for reducing medical costs for anyone over the age of 65.

Some politicians want to cut this program, however — and eliminate this important benefit. The House of Representatives recently voted 235 to 193 to end Medicare as part of a budget proposal introduced by Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI).

Perhaps the legislators who voted to end Medicare think retirees are too old to remember at election time who supported our issues — and who voted to make cuts at our expense. They are mistaken; we won’t forget or forgive.

Among other proposals, the Ryan budget plan would privatize Medicare, cut benefits to retirees, and create a voucher system for buying insurance — leaving us to fend for ourselves with higher out-of-pocket expenses. No matter who this new voucher system would affect, whether it is us or our children, it is wrong. We are pleased that President Obama and Democratic lawmakers blocked these efforts in the Senate, but this is an issue that we all must keep a close watch on.

Judging from the phone calls we have received, many of you are wondering if Medicare will continue to be around and what you can do to make sure it is. I suggest you start by keeping score of the voting records of elected officials, and contact your local representatives. Urge them to continue to support our benefits!

APWU Retirees Rock!

Our featured APWU retiree is Kenny Wilson, 78, an active retiree member and former national officer. Kenny was hired into the Omaha, NE, Post Office in June of 1956. It was an easy decision for him to get involved in the union because he always enjoyed helping people.

His first position was editor of the Omaha Area Local paper; later he was elected president of the local. He eventually became director of the Clerk Craft, a position held until his retirement in 1992. When asked what his greatest accomplishments were, his responses exemplified his character: He explained that his proudest moment came while running for treasurer of a bowling league. The league’s constitution required that bowlers be white, but, through his efforts, the racial qualification was removed.

Brother Wilson advises young union members to learn the history of the labor movement to gain appreciation for the influence of unions on the lives of working families. “Find someone who has a 1970 paystub to see how much we have progressed,” he said.

To keep busy, Brother Wilson keeps in touch with the close-knit circle of retired union officers and attends annual meetings with them. He has difficulty seeing and is considered legally blind. Brother Wilson is a big fan of the telephone — he makes frequent calls to friends and family, and has memorized 420 telephone numbers! He lives in South Carolina with his wife of 60 years, Marie.