WHEREAS:

Retired public employees have the right to retirement income that is sufficient to provide economic security, and to insurance coverage that adequately meets their health care needs; and

WHEREAS:

Retirement income is being seriously eroded by general inflation, as well as by rapidly rising out-of-pocket health care costs; and

WHEREAS:

Many public-employee pension plans do not provide automatic annual cost-of-living adjustments, or limit adjustments to a maximum of three percent; and

WHEREAS:

Some state and local governments have granted ad hoc pension adjustments, but others have never granted a single increase to retirees; and

WHEREAS:

Many employers do not offer continuation of health insurance coverage to retired workers, or do not contribute to the cost of continued coverage, or provide less comprehensive coverage than they provide to active workers.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That this 27th International Convention urge AFSCME councils and locals to continue their efforts to gain automatic cost-of-living increases in the pensions of retirees, and obtain ad hoc adjustments until automatic adjustments are achieved; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME councils and locals continue their efforts to make available to retirees group health insurance coverage at the same rate and in the same plan available to active employees; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

That AFSCME councils and locals, recognizing the need for adequate health insurance for retired workers, encourage employers to pay for retirees' group health coverage at the same level as when actively employed-al lowing for non-duplication of benefits for retirees eligible for Medicare.

SUBMITTED BY:

Howard Jorgenson, President
Helen Sampson, Secretary
Council 28
Olympia, Washington