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| Western Territory General Vice President Gary Allen addresses a California retirees' forum to help protect retiree benefits like Social Security and Medicare. |
Spurred by the onslaught of attacks on Social Security and Medicare, the Western Territory recently held a retiree forum that was facilitated by retired Grand Lodge Aerospace Coordinator Frank Santos and attended by retirees from across California. Western Territory GVP Gary Allen recently appointed Santos to the Executive Board of the California Alliance for Retired Americans.
Forum participants considered strategy and tactics to rejuvenate the many California retirees’ clubs, enhance the activity of existing clubs and develop new methods to mobilize retirees and members. Also taking part in the planning session were Retirees, Community and Membership Services Department Director Charles Micallef and Western Territory Retiree Coordinator Claudio Figueroa, who reinforced the importance of strengthening retiree participation in the Western Territory. Director Micallef commended the Western Territory’s commitment to strengthening the retiree movement into a force to be reckoned with.
GVP Allen spoke about the importance of protecting all retirement benefits for younger workers because a declining contribution base into pensions and social security could cause a lasting impact on existing and future beneficiaries of the programs. “Bringing in so many experienced leaders and activists can only have positive effects for our union as a whole,” said Allen. “Their involvement in this meeting demonstrates their commitment to the IAM and our society. We are all tired of the attacks on working family safety nets like Social Security and Medicare. This forum is a big step in restoring middle-class jobs and retirement with dignity.”
