July 7, 2008

Dear. Ms. XXXX:

Thank you so much for your decision to remain an AFGE member. We certainly appreciate your support. We also want to thank you for taking the time to express your views.

Only after a lot of agonizing and giving members a chance to participate in the decision did the Executive Board decide to reinstitute charging retirees for their AFGE membership.  We decided on $60 a year ($5.00 a month) as that seemed the most adequate amount without unduly causing a hardship. I fully understand with all else going up, sometimes even a small amount may seem quite a bit.

AFGE pays the National office $2.05 per month for each of our 43 retired members or $88 a month. Postage of the quarterly Newsletter “Enough Said” adds up to $72.24 a year. This amount excludes paper and printing. Even though Local 2505 would appear to cater to active members, retirees also benefit by the Local’s actions or prior activities. The Union has lobbied to benefit members during their entire career. Pay increases directly affect retirement pay.

The Union has always bargained in the past to keep health benefit coverage from getting lowered or to keep premiums and deductibles from being increased.

I hope the above helps to make you proud in your support of AFGE.

We at the local level try to minimize expenses. Our meetings have been conducted at my residence to avoid paying rental of premises. Snacks for the meeting are donated by attending members to avoid costs for food and beverages.  Again thank you so much for choosing to remain a member.

Magda Mashburn