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AME GENERAL MEETING MINUTES (updated
6/12/08)
(Of May 21,
2008; Oct. 17, 2007; and May 16, 2007)
MEETING MINUTES OF MAY21, 2008 UNOFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVED AT OCTOBER 2008 MEETING
A.M.E. RETIREE MEETING May 21, 2008
GENERAL MEETING 10:17 A.M.
Officers of Exec.
Board
President – Carol Bender, Executive VP - Dolores Boeje
1st VP - Ed Karmelin 2nd VP - Phil Bauccio* 3rdVP - Loretta McGuinness* 4th VP Josephine Riley
Treasurer - John Balazy
Secretary - Bill Keenan
*excused: sick, travel, trips, job, etc.
Our Web Site www.ameretiree.org Our unit slogan “TIME TO COME HOME”
President Carol Bender - opened the meeting at 10:17. Exec VP Dolores Boeje led the assembled body in the Pledge of Allegiance. Carol Bender then asked us to remember during our moment of silence a timely recovery of those who are sick and eternal rest for those departed members and/or family members.
Introductions – Pres Bender introduced the members of AME’s Exec Board; Cheryl Felice, President; Josephine Passantino, 1st VP; Frank Denaro, 4th VP; Kathleen Malloy, Secretary, and Daniel Farrell, Treasurer. Likewise present was Sondra Palma Randal, Benefit Fund Administrator. Others were present and will be introduced when they give their presentation.
Minutes – The minutes of Oct. 17, 2007 distributed. No additions or corrections were made by those present. MOTION to accept as presented by Margaret Dunkel, seconded by Terry Ribaudo. Approved by consensus.
Treasurer John Balazy reported a balance of $8604.42. Any unpaid bills should be handed in for payment.
MOTION to accept as presented made by Anna Caggiano, seconded by Linda Elia. Approved by consensus.
Introductions-President Bender introduced the current Unit Board and then introduced the new officers that will be installed before July; Linda Elia, Secretary; Anna McCrone, Treasurer; and Josephine Riley, Exec VP. (was 4th VP)
Cheryl Felice – AME President-addressed the group and informed us that Dolores, Dorie, Rossiter our recently deceased Unit President was bestowed Union Life Membership by the Convention delegates at its Convention meeting in November. This honor also was previously given to Charles Novo, Jr.
On the subject of our Health Insurance, she stressed that over one third of the covered members in the plan are Retirees and their dependents. We must have strength in numbers and our Retiree Unit should set the example for other Suffolk County union retiree groups.
Margaret Ann De Marzo- Suffolk County Employee Benefits. One of the topics she addressed us on was Medicare. At age 65 we must enroll in Part A and Part B. Medicare will then be our primary and the County our secondary insurer. County will reimburse us every three months for Part B cost. It is not necessary to take part B prescription coverage, use county coverage. She then spoke on:
New Prescription Drug Plan Co-payments, Step Therapy Program. Lowered the co-payment cost on generic drugs but increased the co-pay for other than generics. The goal was to reduce cost if the user could safely take a generic with the Doctors approval. This may be the case at all times and a drug waiver process was instituted. The Express Scripts website www.express-scripts.com may be checked for a list of Pharmacies and other info such as waivers etc. Their tel# is 1-800-467-2006
Both subjects, Medicare and Drug Step Program, raised questions and were satisfactorily answered. Employee Benefits tel # is 853-4866 , their web is www.emph.org
Seth Polan, VP of the Vision Screening Optical group is a NYS licensed optician. He told us that the group has over twenty years of service to the members through the AME Benefit Fund. The first step in obtaining optical services is to obtain an optical voucher from the Fund’s office, 732-8100 or use the Funds web site www scmebf.org He distributed a five page descriptive literature about Vision Screening, the comprehensive eye exam and services offered. With NO-OUT-OF-POCKET expenses if you stay within the Plan coverage and many locations to serve you, one should take steps to protect your eyesight. You may call them at 1-800-652-0063 or log onto www.vscreening.com NOTE: coverage for glasses is date to date, not based on start of a new year. Questions were answered to everyone’s satisfaction.
Josephine Riley-AME Social Committee- Pointed out that all monies raised goes to support the Scholarship Fund. This unionwide activity has grown throughout the years and this year will be no different in providing cash grants to college bound High School grads. Program even awards cash to those former recipients who continue in college. At every General Retiree meeting, every General membership meeting, every issue of the AME Voice one can find more than ten trips/affairs/plays/outings offering you the chance to support the Scholarship Fund and have a great time as a bonus. If you wish you may be placed on our mailing list. At meeting’s end sign up on the pink paper on the front table.
Dolores Dorie Rossiter Scholarship- The Unit is in the process of setting up a Fund in her name. We have received some monies and if you feel so inclined you may help us. A donation jar will be passed around shortly.
Special Recognition President Felice presented to John Balazy a Certificate of Recognition and Appreciation for the twelve years of service as the Retiree Unit Treasurer. John has chosen not to seek re-election. William Keenan was similarly honored for his service as Retiree Unit President, 3 years, and over 8 years as Unit Secretary. Bill has chosen not to seek re-election.
Door prizes when you entered this morning each one was given a numbered ticket. Two prizes will be awarded. The first # drawn is 631691, Jane Daniels won four (4) tickets to a LI Ducks game. The second # drawn is 631073, Eleanor McCormick won two (2) tickets to the stage play Producers. (Eleanor was on the first scholarship selection committee. Believe we awarded six , $500 scholarships.)
25th Annual Memorial Golf Classic Cheryl Felice, AME President will be honored. Event is sponsored by the Suffolk County Community College Foundation.
Meeting adjourned at 12:05 upon MOTION by Mike Fallon , seconded by Veronica Manfredi.
Total attendance at this meeting will either be added here, 198, or announced at the Oct meeting.
TIME TO COME HOME
A.M.E. RETIREE MEETING Oct 17, 2007
GENERAL MEETING 10:29 A.M.
Officers of Exec.
Board Members
Present
President – Dorie Rossiter* Sign-In Sheets, attached to Secretary’s
Executive VP – Carol Bender Minutes, filed. 160 members present.
1st VP Dolores Boeje
2nd VP – Phil Bauccio
3rd VP – Ed Karmelin
4th VP – Loretta McGuinness*
Treasurer – John Balazy
Secretary – Bill Keenan
*excused, sick
Our Web Site www.ameretiree.org Our unit slogan “TIME TO COME HOME”
Exec. VP Carol Bender - opened the meeting at 10:29 and led the assembled body in the Pledge of Allegiance. Carol then asked us to remember during our moment of silence, a timely recovery of Dorie Rossiter and others who are sick and eternal rest for those departed members and/or family members.
Minutes – The minutes of Oct. 18, 2006 distributed. No additions or corrections were made by those
present. Approved by consensus.
Treasurer John Balazy reported a balance of $4,545.15 .
AME Convention will be held on Nov 13-15, 2007 We will be represented by our Delegates: Rose Marie Herlihy, Carol Bender, Ed Karmelin, and Dolores Boeje; as replacements or shared duties. (the unit is entitled to three delegates on the Convention floor).
Exec VP Carol Bender - introduced Cheryl Felice; AME President who repeated the message that the number one issue before us is Health Insurance. The County Unions years ago had established a Labor/Management Committee who sought the best plan at a reasonable cost. Bargained coverage continued thru 2010 and reopeners in the current contracts could continue the Plan thru 2012. The County and the Unions have been meeting over a recent period of time and agreed to extend the PLAN to Jan. 2012. There will be no Premiums to be paid by Active or Retirees plus Health Insurance coverage is now guaranteed to 2012 for the Retirees. With over forty seven thousand employee/dependents covered by the Plan, we must all strive to keep costs in check. One way to reduce costs is thru the use of Generic Prescription Drugs. Modification of the Drug plan will be discussed at this meeting.
Express Scripts Inc (ESI) represented today by Paul Hoffberg and other members of that company presented a computer “power point” presentation. Over the previous years the cost of drugs and usage by the membership has increased and the associated co-pays. Utmost was to develop a program that would offer lower co-pays for generic drugs while still offering an alternative for the higher cost of brand name drugs. The information presented on this subject was later mailed to Retirees by the County or Union:
Draft of October 29, 2007 All Employee Memo.
Question and Answers for Drug co-pay plan, 10/25/07.
All Employee Memo, #25-07, Oct. 2007.
County Executive Steve Levy, letter dated 10/23/07, All Suffolk County Employees and Retirees.
Questions and answers on this subject occupied the remainder of the meeting.
Social Committee – Members are advised to see the AME Voice and/or handouts at the meetings for the many worthwhile activities and trips sponsored by this committee with the proceeds to the Scholarship Fund.
.
Meeting adjourned at 12:05 upon MOTION by Terry Ribaudo, seconded by Rose Marie Herlihy.
TIME TO COME HOME
. A.M.E. RETIREE MEETING May 16, 2007
GENERAL MEETING 10:35 A.M.
Officers of Exec.
Board Members
Present
President – Dorie Rossiter Sign-In Sheets, attached to Secretary’s
Executive VP – Carol Bender Minutes, filed. 174 members present.
1st VP Dolores Boeje
2nd VP – Phil Bauccio
3rd VP – Ed Karmelin
4th VP – Loretta McGuinness
Treasurer – John Balazy
Secretary – Bill Keenan
Our Web Site www.ameretiree.org Our unit slogan “TIME TO COME HOME”
President Dorie Rossiter opened the meeting at 10:35. Led by Phil Bauccio, the assembled body recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Dorie then asked us to remember during our moment of silence, a timely recovery of those who are sick and eternal rest for those departed members and/or family members.
Minutes – The minutes of Oct. 18, 2006 distributed. Motion by Lorraine Rinde, seconded by Hilda Brown to approve as presented. No objections, approved by consensus.
Treasurer John Balazy reported a balance of $6,537.41
President Dorie Rossiter announced that Robert Tuerlings has retired from County service but will remain as Executive VP of AME. Sondra Palmer-Randall retired from County service and AME Secretary. She has been hired as Administrator of SCME Benefit Fund. Both are now eligible to join our Unit.
Ed Karmelin traveled to Albany with AME’s Political Action Group to lobby for Union Legislation.
AME Picnic Sept 8, 2007, AME Voice will have details.
OLD BUSINESS/NEW BUSINESS
President Dorie Rossiter introduced Cheryl Felice; AME President who said the number one issue before us is Health Insurance. The ten County Unions years ago had established a Labor/Management Committee who would seek the best plan at a reasonable cost. Bargained coverage should continue thru 2010 and reopeners could continue thru 2012. With over forty seven thousand employee/dependents covered by the Plan a lot is at stake. Remember in previous contracts, we gave WAGE concessions in exchange for HEALTH INSURANCE. We, the Unions, will work with the County for cost saving. From 107 million to 246 million, a large dollar % increase, it’s logical that someone will try to ax parts of the Plan. Cost saving will not be on the back of the workers.
Sondra Palmer-Randall, Administrator and Donna Cliff, Esq. (Mirkin & Gordon) representing the Benefit Fund. Trustees of the Fund have explored ways to offer Retirees additional coverage, in addition to the present no cost basic plan. A mailing was made on March 2007 to current retirees offering three options of self-pay benefits coverage under the Fund and an enrollment form. The three additional options are Premium, Premium Plus, and Platinum. Coverage under each of these would be chosen as Single, 2 (two) Singles, or Family. Costs and the Benefits included within each option were described in the mailing. In addition to the mailing, a chart was distributed at this meeting detailing the latest information.
Comments and Answers to Questions:
Payments made by the County under the Contract are for the active employee, no retiree contribution.
Fund Trustees reduced costs on the Premium Plan and Platinum Plan since the original chart was published.
Those current retirees considering enrolling must do so by the end of May 2007. Note: this date might be extended to the end of July 2007. Call Benefit Fund before end of May to verify extension.
Dental work will be covered retro to beginning of March 2007, start of the Plan.
Co-pays and coordination of benefits apply, same as actives.
Once you sign up for a plan, you are committed to remain in that plan. You can opt for a better plan, but reduction to a lesser plan is not permitted, ex. Premium Plan to Basic Plan.
Once your enrollment period is over you will not be able to go from the Basic Plan to a self-pay extended Plan. In order to continue a level of service for each plan the numbers served must be consistent.
Addition/reduction of dependent within a plan is allowed.
Plan costs could increase/decrease. Would be reviewed yearly.
Active employees would be offered coverage under the new plans before they retire. COBRA rules apply.
NOTE: The SCME Benefit Fund is the administrator of the “Plans” therefore is the authorized source to answer all questions. This is the primary reason the Plan explanations and Dollar costs are not contained in these minutes to reduce misinterpretation.
Date of the next General Meeting will be in Oct 17th, 2007. Notices will be sent out.
Meeting adjourned at 12 Noon, upon MOTION by Marge Gunkel, seconded by Jerry Sturgis.
TIME TO COME HOME – our retiree slogan