Alliance for Retired Americans Blog

Barbara J. Easterling: We Must Educate Younger People About Unions

This Labor Day, I want to encourage you to help younger generations better understand why labor unions are so important. Too many people either know very little about unions, or only know what politicians and Fox News tell them.

I joined a union on my very first day on the job as a telephone operator in Akron, Ohio. It was one of the best decisions I ever made. Our generation – and those who came before us – used our rights at work and in the community to create good jobs and good wages. We helped build strong neighborhoods where you could raise a family.

In my experience, a union is the only way workers can earn good pay and be treated with respect and fairness on the job. It’s just too tough any other way. When you look at the powerful interests that workers are up against – whether it is right-wing politicians or cold-hearted corporations – you see how badly the deck is stacked against you if you don’t have a union.

Union retirees can speak firsthand how collective bargaining helps earn the wages and benefits that support families and build strong, stable communities. Collective bargaining directly affects retirement – the better you work, the better you retire. I worry that decades of low wages, little or no health insurance, and inadequate savings are sowing the seeds for a serious retirement security crisis that will affect everyone in our country.

While some politicians mock unions as a cheap way to score political points, we all know the truth – collective bargaining is a backbone of the American middle class. We have a lot to be proud of – so let’s get out there and spread the word!

The AFL-CIO and unions such as ASFCME have young worker outreach programs designed to get younger union members more involved. Learn more about the AFL-CIO's initiatives with young workers here.

Happy Birthday Social Security!

Social Security celebrates its 75th birthday today and Alliance activists and Americans nationwide continue celebratory parties and events.

The week of August 1st, Alliance members held several events in Arizona, Iowa, Ohio and South Carolina in advance of the birthday.

Last week, over 50 Alliance events took place in communities across the states, and festivities continue next week.

Social Security is a true American success story, one that has kept generations of seniors out of poverty, and allowed millions to retire with dignity and peace of mind. Because this landmark anniversary is tainted by the deficit commission's calls to cut Social Security benefits and raise the retirement age, Alliance activists are busier than ever staging events to celebrate and educate across the country. Check out very personal accounts from Alliance members about how Social Security has impacted their lives here.

Festivities in Cedar Rapids, Iowa recently helped spread the word that Social Security puts $7.2 billion into the Iowa economy by releases on Social Security matters coinciding with birthday celebrations. The Social Security Works for Iowa report adds, "Without Social Security, half (50.8) percent of Iowa women aged 65 or older would have incomes below the poverty line." U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack (D-IA) joined the celebration in Cedar Rapids and added his personal story about Social Security survivor benefits. The Congressman told attendees that without Social Security survivor benefits, he would not have made it through college. Other state reports here.

Yesterday, seniors in Omaha, Nebraska gathered to join the month-long, national commemoration of Social Security and the people it serves. ‘With more than 50 million people receiving Social Security benefits today, the program helps virtually every American family,” Donna M. McGrath, Secretary of the Nebraska Alliance said. “Beyond the candles and the cake, we have a more serious message – Social Security must be remain strong for current and future retirees.”

Members nationwide speak out on the issue. Here is Don Thacker from South Carolina:

Jo Price from Florida also shares her thoughts on Social Security:

Check out some news clips including interviews with Alliance members here:

Wisconsin

• 'Social Security celebrates 75 years' - Wisconsin Radio Network
  Billy Feitlinger is Executive Director of the Wisconsin Alliance for Retired Americans. “We feel very strongly, if it is not the greatest program that the federal government has done, it’s clearly one of the most successful programs. And we feel very strongly right now that it’s under attack.
• Seniors celebrate the 75th anniversary of social security - WEAU Channel 13 Eau Claire
  Social security provides benefits to more than one million Wisconsinites. Besides sharing a cake, speakers discussed the importance of social security and the adjustments needed to have it for future generations.

North Carolina

• Etheridge visits Louisburg Senior Center to celebrate Social Securit's 75th anniversary - The Franklin Times
  With a 75-year-old as the guest of honor, the Louisburg Senior Center was the appropriate place for a birthday party.

Connecticut

• 75 years of Social Security celebrated (video) - The New Haven Register
  NEW HAVEN — A 75th birthday party was held Wednesday for the nation’s Social Security Act, and guests, including U.S. Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, D-3, wished for many, many more.

California

• Senior Group Plans SF Social Security Rally - KPIX CBS Channel 5 San Francisco
  ... several organizations in San Francisco are warning against suggestions by some in Washington, D.C. to cut Social Security benefits or raise the retirement age in order to fix the federal government's deficit woes.

Alliance leaders speak out:

• 'A federal plan that works' - Toledo Blade letter from Sam Burnett
  Social Security has been the lifeblood of people age 65 and older. Without monthly Social Security payments, nearly half of Americans over 65 would live in poverty.
  Help us celebrate this successful government program, which is run by fine people who care about senior citizens.

• Alliance President Barbara Easterling's column on Huffington Post commemorates Social Security's 75th birthday.

Happy birthday Social Security... and many more!

Happy Birthday Medicare! 45 and Going Strong

Today is the 45th birthday of Medicare, and Alliance members are holding dozens of events from New Hampshire to Arizona commemorating the occasion! From cake in Indianapolis to lobbying visits in Missouri, the events used a wide array of treats and techniques to drive home the point that Medicare has literally been a lifesaver for millions of seniors.

Alliance President Barbara Easterling said, “This year is an especially happy birthday for Medicare because the new health reform law makes it easier for seniors to afford to see a doctor, fill a prescription, and receive free preventive screenings and tests for serious diseases.”  To read her entire column on Huffington Post, click here.  

A new ad featuring Andy Griffith describes important improvements to Medicare made by the Affordable Care Act in advance of Medicare Open Enrollment. Watch here. 

The Leadership Council of Aging Organizations, a coalition of 64 non-profits - including the Alliance - advocating for seniors, sent a statement commemorating Medicare’s birthday to the entire U.S. House of Representatives.  The statement declares that in 1965, Medicare and Medicaid were established, “vastly improving the quality of life for older adults. Before these programs were enacted, one-half of America’s seniors were uninsured. The health care coverage provided by Medicare and Medicaid has meant better health, longer lives, and less financial strain for older people.” And in 2010, “Medicare is the largest source of health coverage in the nation, covering 47 million older adults and people with disabilities.”

Download LCAO Medicare Medicaid Anniversary Statement (July 30, 2010)

Alliance Joins Three Senators in Announcing Doughnut Hole Rebate Checks

Alliance President Barbara J. Easterling and Stella Johnson, an Alliance member and retired Washington, D.C. school teacher, joined Senate Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus (MT), Sen. Jeff Bingaman (NM), and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (RI), at a Capitol Hill press conference on Thursday to discuss how America’s seniors will benefit from health care reform.  The event purposely coincided with the day the first wave of rebate checks to help close the Medicare Part D doughnut hole today were being mailed. Almost 3.8 million American seniors are affected by the doughnut hole every year. 

Also on Thursday, Colorado State Democratic Party Chair Pat Waak met with Colorado Alliance members in Denver to promote the mailing of the $250 rebate checks. Colorado Alliance President Vivian Stovall spoke about Alliance initiatives and United Steel Workers (USW) activist Deb Kolp shared her father's doughnut hole story.

Colorado Dems promote Medicare rebates - Denver Post

Seniors first to benefit from new health law with $250 rebate checks - SC Prog Blog

Health Reform and the Economy by the Numbers - Center for American Progress

An End-of-Year Message to Alliance Members

by Barbara J. Easterling
President, Alliance for Retired Americans

As 2009 draws to a close, I want to say thanks for all you did this year to educate and mobilize your fellow Alliance members on state and national issues.  No matter how long the day, or how tough the fight, you consistently rose to the challenge.
 
It was an honor and a privilege to become president of the Alliance for Retired Americans earlier this year.  For me, the Alliance is a constant reminder of how when people are brought together around a common goal, they can accomplish great things. 

We’ve sure had our hands full this year with health care.  I know this has been difficult.  Seniors have been hit with a whirlwind of lies and scare tactics from insurance companies and political opportunists.  Too often the truth gets lost in all this sound and fury  – seniors actually have much to gain from health care reform.

Because of your great work in 2009, we have a chance to pass a law that will help Americans of all ages better afford to see a doctor or get a prescription filled.  As I write this, we are nearing the finish line.  But in this marathon health care debate, the last mile may be the hardest.  We cannot stop now.

In 2010 we will need to finish health care reform, keep a watchful eye out for those who want to “reform” Social Security, and get ready for next fall’s elections.  Older voters will make up over one-third of the turnout in many states, so it will be more important than ever to educate our fellow retirees on the issues and where the candidates stand. 

I hope you can join us in Las Vegas for the Alliance’s National Convention.  From April 5-8, we will hold workshops and training sessions to strengthen our organizing and advocacy skills.  We will also hear from leading experts in public policy, health care, aging, and the media.

Again, thank you for all you do.  I am continually amazed by Alliance members.  You bring such experience, energy, and passion to your work.  You are making a difference.

Best wishes for happy and healthy holidays.

Barbara J. Easterling was elected president of the Alliance for Retired Americans in February 2009.  She was previously the secretary-treasurer of the Communications Workers of America.  For more information, visit www.retiredamericans.org or call 1-888-633-4435.

Alliance's National Convention

The Alliance's National 2010 Convention will kick-off our efforts to build the grassroots organizing power of retirees for the 2010 elections. Voters across the country will decide who will represent them in Congress and state capitols, and the retiree voice must amount to a mighty roar on Election Day.

Please join us for workshops and training sessions to strengthen our organizing and advocacy skills. We will hear from leading experts in public policy, health care, aging, and the media.

For more information, please use the following links:

2010 Convention Call - to learn additional details

2010 Registration Form - to send us a hard copy of your registration form

2010 National Conference Online Registration - to register now!

"This will be our year!"

Florida retirees believe in significant health care reform that benefits retirees and all Americans.

More here!