THE RETIREE SPRING 2005 GUARDIAN NEWSLETTER OF THE ASSOCIATION OF U S WEST RETIREES NOW BRINGING YOU NEWS FROM ASSOCIATION MEMBERS IN ALL 14 U S WEST STATES! AMESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S LETTER Dear Friends, president. Three and one half years ago I Thankfully, we have an out- assumed the responsibility of presi- standing leader and strategist who dent in addition to continuing my has accepted the nomination and responsibilities as executive direc- unanimous vote of the board to tor. Since that time our membership assume the presidency. Mimi Hull has nearly doubled, we have initi- has been an active member and has ated aggressive litigation, legisla- served in several officer positions in tive and public affairs strategies. our organization. She brings with Today AUSWR is a dynamic her a vitality, intelligence and fervor and aggressive force to be dealt that will serve us well! with. We are a leader in national re- I have agreed to continue as tiree issues and a major participant executive director and look forward and supporter of The National Re- to working closely with Mimi. tiree Legislative Network (NRLN) Finally, you can be assured that in Washington D.C. Nelson Phelps Mimi and I and your board will During these past three plus continue to serve you in our efforts years I have felt your support and appreciation. to protect those benefits that were promised to you This has been a major factor in the effort and time and that you worked so hard to earn! that I have dedicated to this organization. However, as I shared with the AUSWR Board, I can no longer Nelson B. Phelps, executive director of the continue at this pace and must resign as your Association of U S West Retirees.
INSIDE
4 6 7 8 10 14 16 A View From Retiree Association President Objectives for Retirement Revenues Down, Where We Live, Washington Opposes OPPD Mimi Hull the Board of Benefit Earnings Down, Where We Come Plan to Compete “Times Are Tough” NWB/U S West Threats Executive Bonuses From, Some Values With Qwest Followup Retiree Association Over $7 Million of Membership
WE WERE THE OPERATORS AND REPAIR CLERKS, THE INSTALLERS AND LINEMEN, THE ENGINEERS AND NETWORK PLANNERS, THE CRAFT AND MANAGEMENT EMPLOYEES OF EVERY DESCRIPTION WHO BROUGHT TELECOMMUNICATIONS TO THE HOMES, BUSINESSES, AND INSTITUTIONS OF 14 STATES. NOW WE ARE UNITED IN OUR COMMITMENT TO PRESERVE AND ENHANCE THE RETIREMENT BENEFITS PROMISED TO US AND TO THOSE WHO FOLLOW US AS TODAY’S ACTIVE EMPLOYEES. CHAIRMAN’S LETTER
Congratulations to Mimi Hull, our have done and are doing. new president of AUSWR. Mimi has There are many interesting articles been vice president and will be an in this issue of the Retiree Guardian, so excellent president over the coming be sure to read them all. I am year. Also a big thanks to Nelson particularly interested in any remarks Phelps for the great job he has done you may have concerning the article over the past few years as both our about our goals and objectives for the president and executive director of the coming year. Please read this article on Association. Both jobs were too much page eight very closely; we welcome for one person to handle. As he said in any suggestions you may have. Just his letter, Nelson had to resign as president, send any ideas to me at my address: Larry Smith, however he will continue as executive director. Be 3608 Fairway Rd., Fargo, ND 58102 sure to thank both Mimi and Nelson for the job they
Editor’s Note: Thanks to all the members who’ve taken the time to write. We appreciate your contributions and will continue to feature them. Thanks to George Welles who introduced me to one of the finest writers I have ever read, a man whose capacity for research and mastery of the language enabled Northwestern Bell and U S West top executives to speak fluently and expertly, exceeding even their own expectations. When asked for a brief picture of pension problems by a Star Tribune business writer, Dick Caldwell produced a document that eloquently and passionately outlines the problems, and argues for the vigilance of retirees everywhere. It’s a must read. Go to page ten for Caldwell’s Retirement Benefit Threats. -- Jerry Miller MEMBERS WRITE... To Donetta Mitchell and committee: “We are very appreciative of all the time, effort and know-how going into your work for us retirees, who can’t do much as individuals to change the uncertain future facing us. It has been difficult for us, who have been with the reliable companies of N.W. Bell and U S West, who had such excellent planning for workers and their retirements to see now how conniving criminals at the top of Qwest managed to steal that funding that belonged to us as retirees and shareholders. They all need to be held fully accountable for their crimes, including the pay-back of all the swindled money ... not just a slap on the hand. Thank you!” Ken and Marinda Marden, Cloquet, MN
“I enjoy receiving the Guardian and have been a member of the Association since the beginning. The publication is a professional one and lends to the credence of the retiree association. The articles are very informative and I especially appreciate receiving the e-mail messages. Thanks to the publication staff and association directors.” Gus LeMaster, Bellevue, NE. (continued on page 3)
2 The Retiree Guardian / Spring 2005 MEMBERS WRITE... (continued from page 2)
“Having retired in 1982 I did not get a letter from Qwest regarding the concession. Thanks to NWB-U S West-Qwest Retiree Association’s e-mails I became aware of what was to happen before it happened. Thank you very very much.” Donald C. Classen, Omaha, NE
“I retired many years ago and the monthly Pioneer meetings and the Guardian are my only ways of keeping in touch with the company and my former colleagues. Keep up the good work. We retirees appreciate the Guardian.” Marieum Figgins, Omaha, NE
“Because of a day and a half of telephoning by Ada Bork (Board of Directors member) and Jack Peterson (Community Representative), our members obtained hard-to-get tickets to the Presidential visit to Omaha on February 4. When Rex Fisher, Qwest President- Nebraska made the tickets available to our organization, there was very little time to contact members. Thanks to Ada and Jack, Omaha members were contacted, and then re- contacted when the ticket availability changed. Eighty members attended because of Ada and Jack’s efforts.” Jim Burns, Omaha, NE
“I’m very grateful to the people who work so hard to preserve our benefits and if it weren’t for the Guardian I wouldn’t be aware of their efforts. Also, in the last issue there were articles regarding the financial status of our company, including what we can do to help - -Good.” Lois Foster, Omaha, NE
“I am not normally prone to impulsive behavior or immediate response, especially with my checkbook in hand, but the e-mail message from Curtis Kennedy to Nelson Phelps which was shared with us on January 10, 2005 did not relate to normal behavior on the part of our once trusted U S West management. To have ‘those people’ blatantly stand there and almost swear that they were going to do the right thing in order to keep Curtis and Nelson from going ahead with the lawsuit to protect the commitment for pre-1991 retirees, and now learn how untrue their statements were makes my blood boil! Thank goodness our people weren’t swayed. “Enclosed is my check to be added to the Retiree Association’s legal fund. It may not be the right amount, but I wish to show my gratitude in the way we are conditioned to do. When we receive superlative service, give a nice tip. So often, that tip is given in a perfunctory way without much thought, just because it is expected. When I think about the kind of money that lawsuit is saving and will continue to save for the pre-1991 group, I think a generous tip from many of us in that group would be in line. I hope lots of others also feel that way.” Jim Laing, Omaha, NE
Spring 2005 / The Retiree Guardian 3 AVIEW FROM WASHINGTON NRLN PRESIDENT’S REPORT Another year, and it’s time resented by about 30 Association make a quick review of our last leaders. year’s objectives and achieve- In addition, the Washington ments, and to move forward with staff was represented by our Leg- our agenda for 2005. islative Director and two legisla- We were joined by retiree tive counselors. groups of Aetna Insurance, Speakers were: Curtis PACTEL, Ameritech and Daimler/ Kennedy, Counsel for the Chrysler. Well over 100 retirees of U S West Retirees, Jeff Mahoney, Delta Airlines although not for- Counsel to the Chairman of FASB, mally organized are now members. Barbara Kennelly, President of the We worked with other retirees National Committee to Protect including those from Hughes Jim Norby Social Security and Medicare. Aircraft, Polaroid, Motorola, 3M, Next, was our favorite report- and Coke. er, Ellen Schultz of the Wall Street Journal, • We now have over 5000 Individual “at large” followed by Bill Jones, Chair for our Grass Roots Members who are on the data base and receiving Legislative Group, and Michael Calabrese, our the newsletter. NRLN Legal Counsel and proxy expert. • We have published and mailed three issues of The participants reached a consensus that we the NRLN newsletter, The FOCUS. become more active legislatively, and expand our • We have nearly completed the deployment of Grass Roots efforts in order to influence members a national network of legislative state represen- of Congress to favor our agenda issues. This tatives of the NRLN. We now have a functional includes the strengthening of our coalitions on organization in place. positions we have in common with other retiree • Our “Legislative Directory” (www.thelro.org) groups including AARP, The National Committee went on line and proves a valuable tool for many. for the Protection of Social Security and Medicare, • We have nineteen volunteers who researched The Senior Coalition, The Pension Rights Center, and published a definitive report on attitudes of and The National Coalition on Health Care. affordable health care in America. Specifically, our legislative agenda includes the • We supported the introduction of S.334 co- following: sponsored by Senator Dorgan D-ND, that addresses • On the health care issue, we believe we can be the importation of prescription drugs. more effective in the long run by lobbying and • Among our successes, our position on the laying the ground work for relevant congressional “Cash Balance Conversion” issue currently appears action to hold hearings on issues affecting retirees. to be a victory for our side. • Lobby Congress to strike down the EEOC • In 2004 we suffered some major disappoint- ruling over the age discrimination ruling. This rule ments. Our Bill (HR1322) remains in committee. enables companies to drop health care coverage, The passage of the Prescription Drug Amendment particularly prescription drug plans for those over was also tough to take. There are several elements 65 without risk of discriminatory law suits. of that Bill that we remain committed to change. We • Lobby for a variety of changes to the Medi- also remain committed to the principles of HR1322 care Prescription Drug Act. In particular, that – the protection and enhancement of pension and element that allows subsidies for companies that health benefits earned and promised during our diminish or cancel their prescription drug plans and active working years. the failure of drug companies to reduce costs. • Finally, we added competent staff in Wash- • Support the Dorgan Bill (S.334) which ington to help us to move forward in 2005. legalizes importation of prescription drugs. The NRLN Board Meeting and • Develop an amendment or Planning Conference was held in amendments to attach pension Washington, D.C. on January 11 and legislation proposals so as to nullify 12, 2005. the extension of USC SEC 420. As Some 22 Associations were rep- (continued on page 5)
4 The Retiree Guardian / Spring 2005 AVIEW FROM WASHINGTON (continued from page 4)
written, the rule allows companies to take surplus is an ambitious one. We must gird ourselves for the from their pension funds (trusts). long haul. After all, it took eleven years for the • Lobby to amend ERISA to provide language ERISA legislation to finally get through Congress. that clearly defines that Pension Trust Funds must We do not advocate anymore “band-aid” fixes. We be used to pay participants’ vested pensions, and must generate a national debate on retirement may not be used for unrelated voluntary separation protection, including pensions, health care, Social allowances and pension “sweeteners.” Oppose all Security and Medicare, by all of which we are all “Cash Balance Conversions” that result in discrimi- heavily impacted. nation against older workers. There’s strength in numbers, obviously, and we • Support Social Security reform only where it continue to rely on your grass roots help to make protects and supports retiree interests. sure that your Congressional Representatives know • Affordable health care issues remain on the your feelings and ours in regard to the issues. list of priorities. Mimi Hull, a newly elected Board Remember, you may access your letter writing member from the US WEST Retirees will be the activity through our Web site: www.NRLN.org. Chairperson for this issue. One last word: If we don’t look out for The elections are over, and we must deal with ourselves, who will? the Congress now in place. Our legislative agenda A.J.(Jim) Norby JIM NORBY POSTSCRIPT Jim Norby wrote “An NBC camera crew was in our house about three hours yesterday, did about 45 minutes of videotaping, from which I expect to get about two minutes of air time. (Sunday, the 13th, on the NBC Sunday Night News show.) I have no idea how it will turn out, hoping for the best. Also, we have a new member of the NRLN, the GM Golden Handshake Club of Detroit, MI. The checks are in the mail to John Leasher, our Treasurer. Lastly – We now have our cell phone back in service but with new number – 760-574-3078.
From NBC, this summary: NRLN President Jim Norby Featured In NBC Evening News Report NBC Evening News on Sunday, February 13 mailman delivering a letter to us telling that our carried a story on how many pensions aren’t enough health care plan has been reduced by a half or our to make ends meet. The report by Kelly O’Donald premiums are doubling.” opened with a video interview with Judy Schmacher Reporter Kelly O’Donald: “A survey by the a retired flight attendant who learned floral design Kaiser Family Foundation finds that last year 79% for a budding new career to provide a financial safety of corporations made their retirees pay higher net. premiums and even more, 85% of companies may Next, the video transitions to NRLN President do the same this year. Experts say that many Jim Norby working at his computer with the NRLN corporations shift more of the burden of health care website on the screen. costs to workers and retirees in order to stay Reporter Kelly O’Donald: “77-year-old Jim competitive – to stay in business. Economists say Norby, a retired phone company manager, leads a even with the realities of ageism more older group that represents 2 million retirees. Norby claims workers will find they can afford to retire. The many companies abused their former workers.” Labor Department projects that nearly 20% of Jim Norby: “We all live in mortal terror of the workers will be over age 55 by 2012.”
From an Association member who saw the news program: I saw the two-minute segment featuring Jim Norby on NBC Sunday Night News and felt very proud!!!!! -- Sharon Walton, Omaha, NE
Spring 2005 / The Retiree Guardian 5 RETIREE ASSOCIATION OPPOSES OPPD PLAN TO COMPETE WITH QWEST
On February 17, ten Omaha NWB/U S West expansion from the electrical power business into Retiree Association members attended the Omaha the telecommunications business. Public Power District (OPPD) board meeting to Since I was out of town, I asked Ada Bork, protest OPPD plans to provide broadband service in Director of our Retiree Association, to spearhead direct competition with Qwest and other telcom efforts to get our retirees to attend this meeting. Leo companies. Graff read a prepared statement detailing the ad- OPPD receives favorable tax treatment in verse affect this would have on Quest in general and Nebraska. The favorable tax treatment is intended retirees in particular. Clearly OPPD is attempting to to provide low-cost electricity for Nebraskans. It is circumvent or change present Nebraska laws that not to assist OPPD’s venture into the grocery limit OPPD’s favorable tax advantage to providing business or farming business or any other business electricity to Nebraska customers. except the electrical power business. WE RETIREES MUST REMAIN ALERT If they succeed in changing Nebraska law, AND DO ALL WE CAN TO PROTECT OUR OPPD would have an unfair competitive advantage. INTERESTS. This could cause serious harm to the companies (in our case, Qwest) responsible for our pensions and Jim Burns, Director benefits. We are strongly opposed to OPPD’s NWB/U S West Retiree Association LEO GRAFF OPPD BOARD PRESENTATION I am an OPPD customer, an investor in OPPD vided by Qwest have been also greatly reduced. bonds and a retired employee of Qwest. There are I am also concerned that allowing OPPD to several people with me, all OPPD customers, enter into the telecommunications business might representing the 2,500 retired employees of Qwest have a very negative financial impact on OPPD’s living in Nebraska. customer and taxpayers. We appreciate the fine work that this Board and There is a long list of failures of companies that the employees of OPPD have done to provide considered telecommunications services to be reliable electrical service to us in the Omaha area at profitable. Montana Power Company was encour- a fair price. By most comparisons, OPPD’s rates are aged to change their focus from providing elec- among the lowest in the United States. tricity to provide telecommunications services. In It is our understanding that OPPD supports the process, they changed their name to Touch Legislative Bills 136 and 722, which would allow America and went bankrupt. Northwestern, a OPPD to provide broadband services to its custo- power company in Sioux Falls, changed their focus mers. That means a public utility would be allowed from providing electricity and went bankrupt. to compete with private telecommunications com- Enron changed their focus and went bankrupt. panies. Level 3 has yet to make a profit and may not I have two concerns with allowing a public survive. WorldCom filed for bankruptcy. Genuity company like OPPD to compete with private com- was spun off from GTE when they were taken over panies like Qwest. The preferential tax treatment by Bell Atlantic, and went bankrupt. Global given OPPD provides them with an unfair com- Crossing filed for bankruptcy. If Qwest had not petitive advantage over private companies. It is no taken over U S West, I believe they also would not secret Qwest is struggling financially. Additional have survived. tax-advantaged competition from a tax-advantaged In summary, my strong recommendation to the company can only increase the challenge for Qwest Board of OPPD is to stick to what they do best, to survive. I retired from U S West about 13 years providing a good electrical service at a fair price. ago, and have seen the buying power of my pension The track record of companies expanding beyond substantially reduced. In addition, the benefits pro- their area of competence is not encouraging.
6 The Retiree Guardian / Spring 2005 AMESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT Times Are Tough, and Getting Tougher
PRESIDENT’S LETTER We have received several responses to the (pensions, health care and concession services). article in the last Retiree Guardian about subscribing Subscribing to competitor services does nothing to to Qwest cell phone, long-distance, satellite TV and enhance our retirement security. e-mail services. These responses ranged from: Supporting the Qwest YOU CAN Refer a • those who wondered if they should buy Friend Program can only help us in the long run. We services they don't need to support Qwest are not suggesting that any retiree has to subscribe • those who were in agreement that we should to Qwest services, and it was never intended that do all we can to support Qwest retirees sign up for services that they do not want or • those who were critical of the various boards need just to "support" Qwest. This is a decision best for not using Qwest e-mail services (e-mail made by retirees after considering their own addresses of the board members are included in circumstances and the availability of Qwest many Retiree Guardians and on our web site) services in their area. • those who expressed disbelief that we would Let me assure you that regardless of the do anything to support Qwest because they are the telecom and TV services we all subscribe to, the "enemy" and we are at war with them. AUSWR commitment is to the retirees and our While we believe everyone is entitled to their mission is to preserve and protect those benefits we own opinions about Qwest, we also recognize that a worked so hard to earn and were promised. strong, viable Qwest is our best guarantee of continuing to receive the benefits that we now have Mimi Hull, President
REGIONAL BOARD MEETING
The AUSWR Regional Board of Directors met in An award for outstanding service, the “Howard Albuquerque, New Mexico, January 19 and 20, 2005 Rickman Award,” was presented to Jim Sorrels for his to address numerous issues facing Qwest retirees and years of service in setting up and maintaining the the Association. Mimi Hull was elected president uswestretiree.org website. replacing Nelson Phelps who has filled two jobs for Curtis Kennedy, our legal counsel, reported on the past several years, executive director and the status of the Colvin suit, the Health Care Trust and president. Nelson will remain as executive director. a pending suit to be brought against Qwest. The board The board established January 19 as “Nelson Phelps commended Curtis on his ethics and thanked him for Day.” being true to his word when he returned funds paid to Nelson spoke of the importance of doing a better him by the board when he received compensation on job of linking with the NRLN (National Retiree a recent settlement. The board instructed Curtis to Legislation Network) efforts. This needs to be done intervene on any future stock fraud cases. on a local, state and national level with our A good part of the meeting was spent on future membership. We need to communicate via letters, e- planning. The need of new leadership was discussed mail, clubs and key contacts. There are many at length. Discussion was held on how to find new important issues before Congress this year and next. members and what our organization has to offer these A progress report revealed that the new website new members along with how our organization is progressing to the point of final test. It will be should look three, five and ten years from now. These introduced to the general membership in the near and other issues will be explored and discussed at our future. (see page 13) meeting in July.
Spring 2005 / The Retiree Guardian 7 OBJECTIVES FOR THE BOARD OF NWB/U S WEST RETIREE ASSOCIATION ON BEHALF OF THE ASSOCIATION Adopted January 12, 2005
1. Membership Specific membership objectives shall be recommended by the Membership Coordinator and approved by the Board. 2. Education The Board shall provide information on issues pertaining to retirees and their benefits. a. Provide our members with information through “The Retiree Guardian” quarterly newsletter. b. Provide our members with e-mail service current information in order to keep them informed on news which affects retirees. 3. Dues The Board shall set a grace period of two months and then send a reminder notice. After four months of being in arrears, they shall be dropped from membership. 4. Bylaws The Board should set up a separate committee to review and update our bylaws and make them compatible with the AUSWR bylaws. The bylaws should define the duties of the Board. 5. Responsible Relationship The Board should adopt “responsible relationship” as a norm in all its dealings, and encourage and work toward establishing Responsible Relationships with AUSWR, NLRN and Qwest. 6. We will actively pursue, either in our Association or working through the Association of U S West Retirees (AUSWR): a. Completion of the mediation settlement for retirees who were denied their discount (concession) local telephone service beginning in January of 2004. b. Preserve the Death Benefit provision of the Pension Plan. c. Continue to monitor and investigate the Pension Plan’s accounting methods and investment policy. d. Continue, by whatever means possible, to attempt to hold down the cost of Health Care coverage to post-1990 retirees. 7. Establish and maintain relations with Qwest State Presidents in order to lobby them on our needs and to help them if appropriate. 8. Provide our members with assistance on their benefits through the Retiree Advocate program. 9. Support the National Retiree Legislative Network (NRLN) in its effort to obtain legislation favorable to retirees.
8 The Retiree Guardian / Spring 2005 NWB/U S WEST RETIREE ASSOCIATION, INC. NOMINATING COMMITTEE REPORT – BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2005 – 2007 Members of the Nominating Committee appointed by Chairman Larry Smith are: Arnie Albrecht, Chairman, MN; Rose Bailey, SD; Ada Bork, NE; Phyllis Kielblock, MN.
The following Board members terms expire in May 2005:
Marlyn Beaudine St Cloud, MN Jim Burns Omaha, NE Dick Johnson Blaine, MN Eldon Ranney Walnut, IA Larry Smith Fargo, ND
In accordance with our bylaws: 1) Nominees AND VOTERS must be paid up members with their “Renewal Date” (as shown above your name on your mailing label) of July 2004 or later. 2) This ballot must be signed and mailed to our Database Administrator for validation, to be received no later than April 1, 2005. 3) Ballots received after April 1, 2005, those that are not signed, those voters whose dues are not current, and those voting for more than five (5) candidates, will be invalidated.
The Nominating Committee nominates the following five (5) candidates for the Board of Directors. No additional nominations were received from the membership.
PLEASE VOTE FOR NO MORE THAN FIVE (5): ( ) Marlyn Beaudine - Incumbent...... St Cloud, MN ( ) Jim Burns - Incumbent...... Omaha, NE ( ) Dick Johnson - Incumbent...... Blaine, MN ( ) Larry Smith - Incumbent...... Fargo, ND ( ) Rogers Williams...... Waterloo, IA
Mail to: NWB/U S WEST RETIREE ASSOCIATION INC. 205 Heritage Circle North Burnsville, MN 55337
Name (Print)
For Use Only by DB Adm. Signature
[ ] Valid Street Address
[ ] Invalid City/State/Zip
Initials Telephone
Must be received no later than April 1, 2005. NOTE: For those of you who have two members in one household, please make a copy of this ballot to use, or simply write the names of your choice of candidates on a plain piece of paper, sign it and mail as directed.
Spring 2005 / The Retiree Guardian 9 RETIREMENT BENEFIT THREATS
by Dick Caldwell (a response to an inquiry from a newspaper business writer/columnist)
If I have it right, you asked what I think are the names of Minnesota companies that have recently biggest threats to pensions in Minnesota. I’m taking used bankruptcy to turn their pension obligations the liberty of expanding that to retirement-benefit over to ERISA, but I stopped collecting such items threats because I believe the most immediate a couple of years ago when I stopped writing a financial menace to retirees is the slashing or newsletter and doing volunteer PR work for the outright elimination of their medical benefits. There Association of U S West Retirees and am working is no legal requirement for companies to retain instead on a book called, “The Assault on the medical benefits as there is with pensions under the American Dream – by the Nation’s New Greed- Employee Retirement Income Security Act mongers.” You have perhaps been in touch with the (ERISA). ERISA, of course, is a flawed and U.S. Department of Labor in any case for a rundown endangered program. In fact, it is under siege - and of such companies. the United States Congress chooses to ignore its Other pension troubles include companies that vulnerability as more and more executives either raided their pension funds for other purposes renege on their responsibilities because of alleged through hidden accounting mechanisms, and those financial duress or use ERISA as a tool to enhance that did it outright within the law because the money their own earnings and personal income. ostensibly went into such employee benefits as the Underlying the rush to let the Federal health plan. My employer, U S West, did this twice, government pick up pension liabilities is the and its takeover company, Qwest, did it at least character of many of today’s executives: greedy, once. arrogant, sneaky and without conscience. They Of course, many pension funds nearly evapor- ignore or reverse promises made to employees who ated when telecommunications stocks took the big in many cases helped build their companies. Fixed plunge and the companies have never been held pensions and medical plans often were – as in the accountable for where the money went. For many case of the Bell System, where I worked for 17 years years, Ellen Schultz of the Wall Street Journal has - enticing benefits offered in lieu of the better wages been like a relentless Sherlock Holmes in sniffing paid for comparable jobs elsewhere. In other words, out such companies through their annual and the pensions and medical benefits were not the quarterly reports and then putting her magnifying freebies and extras that they are so often depicted as glass on the myriad amazing methods concocted by when sloppy reporting conveys only the executive the number-crunchers to misuse or eliminate big viewpoint. Such benefits were a basic part of chunks of pension funds. Ellen has uncovered compensation, as reflected in union contracts and hundreds of such schemes over the years. I can give written promises to management. you her phone number if you’d like it. Today, companies are slashing medical benefits Many pension funds have simply been mis- because of “soaring health costs” and I find few managed and put at risk in a volatile stock market – instances of mainstream media looking behind such such as the Minneapolis Teachers Retirement Fund glib claims for the real numbers. Especially this: Association, “drowning in nearly a billion dollars of medical insurers such as our wildly successful red ink,” as reported by Scott Russell in this week’s United Health (my own insurer), with one of the Southwest (Mpls.) Journal. richest and highest paid CEOs anywhere on earth, The Teamsters historically have been in the simply is, what part of those earnings are paid by the spotlight nationally for pension mismanagement corporate clients? Why is that side of soaring health and so it should be no surprise that the Teamsters costs not examined? Because nobody is questioning Central States Pension Fund – the nation’s second- who are the hidden cost-causers (executives and largest union pension plan – is struggling to manage investors), corporations put more and more of the heavy investment losses. While current retirees are burden of wildly expensive health care on not affected, active workers were told in December employees and retirees. 2004 to expect pension cuts when they retire. At As to the pensions, I wish I could give you (continued on page 11)
10 The Retiree Guardian / Spring 2005 RETIREMENT BENEFIT THREATS (continued from page 10) least 10,000 Minnesota workers will see their pen- Retirees, discovered that $67 million of the pension sion benefits slashed, and union reformers suspect fund was invested in a “put option” in late 2001 and the pension managers of mismanaging the money or the full investment was lost a few months later. The misleading the people. company and pension plan administrators refuse our U S Airways, the nation’s seventh-largest requests for an explanation or documents that would carrier, filed for bankruptcy-court protection last throw light on the investment. The Retiree Associa- September, an anticipated action that gave Ameri- tion has brought suit under ERISA to try for some can taxpayers another pension plan to bail out (so to answers. speak.) Might Northwest Airlines someday find that U S West retirees had a small organization that an attractive way to reorganize? grew immensely when the group decided to try to A study by the Wharton School of Economics prevent Qwest from taking over U S West unless the last fall concluded that the number of companies retirement benefits were safeguarded. The organiza- defaulting to the Pension Benefit Guarantee Corp. tion gained 20,000 members (out of 40,000 retirees) is reaching “alarming” levels – similar to the in a year and half and did acquire some benefit savings and loan bailout of the 1980s. Less than a protection from state utility commissions as well as year ago, PBGC assets were valued at $9.7 billion realizing a unity and an information network that less than the amount of future benefits it is most retirees don’t enjoy. If we could reach obligated pay. The under-funding was expected to unorganized retirees across the land, we would shout reach $15 billion when United Airlines terminated to them to unite and get active and prepare for attacks its pension plan, as approved by a bankruptcy court. on their retirement benefits, if they haven’t already The Wharton study noted that the underfunding happened. is made even more disturbing by the fact that In the summer of 2003, out of the blue, a new companies have adopted abandonment of pension human relations department officer for Qwest plans as a business strategy. One of the study announced that the company will no longer pay the authors said the auto industry will be next. historic Death Benefit to survivors. It was an The system has many fundamental flaws but appalling announcement. The death benefit is equal the biggest is that it encourages companies to spec- to one year of the highest salary achieved by the ulate in risky pension investments with no penalty employee. Because of it, most retirees never sought for failure. Strange accounting rules for pension outside insurance. The new HR manager boldly funds allow companies to make assumptions about stated she could find no record of the company’s their investment returns that may have no basis in obligation to pay it. Naturally, our Association reality, and the employers are protected from the officers and members reacted quickly and loudly and consequences of any bad decisions. “The cost to the consistently, producing many kinds of documents employer of taking a big risk is the same as playing promising a death benefit en perpetuity. After a few it safe,” said the Wharton study. months, we were told the matter would be set aside – That aspect of the system hit home with Qwest for the time being. (former U S West) retirees when Curtis Kennedy, Historic promises of lifetime health benefits were the Denver lawyer for the Association of U S West (continued on page 12)
The Wharton study noted that the underfunding is made even more disturbing by the fact that companies have adopted abandonment of pension plans as a business strategy. One of the study authors said the auto industry will be next. The system has many fundamental flaws but the biggest is that it encourages companies to speculate in riskier pension investments. “The cost of taking a big risk is the same as playing it safe,” said the study.
Spring 2005 / The Retiree Guardian 11 RETIREMENT BENEFIT THREATS (continued from page 11)
broken earlier in the summer of 2003. It was written medical-plan promises made to pre-1991 announced that nonunion retirees who left the com- retirees like me (to achieve voluntary reductions in pany after 1990 would have to pay 20 percent of the workforce), who knows what might happen their health care premiums. Members of the retiree through a company sellout, buyout, merger or bank- association were angered enough to withdraw their ruptcy? I have incurred major medical costs support of the company in state regulatory hearings. because of heart problems and paraplegia (who “The relationship between Qwest fell from could have forseen those conditions in 1990?), and cooperative to, in our view, being knifed in the I’m very grateful for the early-retirement agreement back,” said Nelson Phelps, the Association that brought me such coverage. president. Without it, my prescriptions alone might cost as Again, as you undoubtedly know, companies much as my monthly pension or social security can get away with anything with health-care payment. If the Administration’s prescription plan benefits, and now seem to be adopting the attitude encourages companies like Qwest to drop or that there is no good reason to fulfill their pension diminish their coverage, that’s where my money obligations. would go, and I could join the ranks of the legally Federal courts in general treat pensions and impoverished. And thus I hoard my savings for such pension funds as wholly owned by the companies, a catastrophe instead of buying a motorized wheel- with no regard for promises or even contracts made chair and a van with a lift to save my 70-year-old with employees for pensions as an obligatory wife a lot of stress and pain in helping me with my benefits. sliding-board transfers. Untold thousands of people Well, I should summarize by saying that I are not living the retirements they envisioned cannot cite people I know who have been impover- because of worries like these. And the numbers will ished by either medical-plan or pension cutbacks. grow and the problems multiply indefinitely so Yet. The threat looms ever darker, thanks to the along as the mainstream media remain unwilling to Congress’ unwillingness to reform ERISA and identify the corporate scams for the major social especially because of the Administration’s diaboli- scourge they have become. cal Medicare plan. Even though Qwest is abiding by
MEMBER REACTION... Dick,
Great piece of work, as usual. Powerful!
We could be experiencing the greatest fraud ever committed on the American workers. Bigger than the accounting frauds of Enron or WorldCom and all of them put together.
The scam is simple: you promise workers a “total compensation package” which include retiree benefits. Then after they retire and have no leverage you withdraw the promised retirement benefits. I still have the affidavits we used in the merger docket by both management [promisors] and union [promisees] on the “total compensation package’” concept.
And earnings increase so that executive salaries increase. Billions and billions of dollars of broken promises.
Arnie Albrecht, Roseville, MN
12 The Retiree Guardian / Spring 2005 IINN TTHEHE NNEWSEWS From media coverage around the region and nation.
Ex-Qwest VP Weisberg Indicted
2/19/05 - Rocky Mountain News incriminating personal and corporate records, threatening to fire an employee who attempted to A federal grand jury indicted Marc B. Weisberg, disclose his conduct with one vendor and making former Qwest executive vice president of corporate false statements about certain business expenses development on charges he secretly pocketed low- charged to Qwest. priced stock from suppliers at the expense of the Weisberg didn’t comment after the initial Denver telecommunications company and its share- hearing but issued a one-paragraph statement holders. The indictment charges Weisberg with eight through his attorneys, saying throughout his tenure counts of wire fraud and three counts of money with Qwest he worked “diligently and aggressively laundering. In a 12th count, prosecutors are seeking to further the financial and business strengths of the the forfeiture of Weisberg’s $2.9 million in alleged company.” profits, either in cash or property such as the Weisberg is the fifth former Qwest executive to family’s villa on the Cayman Islands. The indict- face federal charges. John Walker and Bryan ment lists a number of companies in which Weisberg Treadway were acquitted last April of criminal allegedly seized the opportunity to buy low-priced fraud and conspiracy. Thomas Hall pleaded guilty in stock for his own account, including Alteon Web September to falsifying documents and was Systems, ONI Systems Corp., Rhythms NetConnec- sentenced to probation. Grant Graham worked out a tions and Tellium. plea agreement to a single felony with probation but Prosecutors also accuse Weisberg of destroying hasn’t been sentenced.
NEW WEBSITE -- TAKE ALOOK! Members, Over the last few months your www.uswestretiree.org or www.qwestretiree.org website has been under construction to provide you with easy access to important information on what your AUSWR organization is doing for you. Information such as; pension or benefit changes, deaths and retirements, Retiree Guardian newsletters, legal happenings, important contact infomation, news articles, etc. are just a click away. I would like to thank those of you who contributed suggestions and provided input on areas that needed improvement on the old site. I would also like to acknowledge the hard work and numerous volunteer hours that the website committee contributed to this effort. The committee members are: Susan Johnson, Utah/Idaho/Montana, Susan Olson, Arizona, Eldon Graham, OR/WA, Curtis Kennedy, Legal advisor, Jim Sorrels, Past-webmaster, Donnetta Mitchell, Utah/ Idaho/Montana and our new webmaster, Eric Johnson. The paint is still wet and you may see some “under construction” signs but take a look and let us know what you think by sending an email to [email protected]. We appreciate your membership and support.
Donnetta Mitchell Area Chair – AUSWR Utah, Idaho & Montana; website committee member
Spring 2005 / The Retiree Guardian 13 IINN TTHEHE NNEWSEWS From media coverage around the region and nation.
As Revenues Drop, Qwest Bonuses Top $7 Million
Rocky Mountain News, 2/19/05 Nelson Phelps, the director of the Association of U S West Retirees, has been a harsh critic of pay In 2004, Qwest saw its revenue drop by nearly practices at Qwest. $500 million to $13.8 billion and its operating loss "I think the amount of bonus given is way out of widen by $34 million to $288 million. Net income whack with the performance of the company," he swung from $1.5 billion to a $1.8 billion net loss in said. "I don't think any of them deserve any kind of 2004. Qwest is paying more than $7 million in extra bonus beyond their salary – the shareholders bonuses to its top five executives: Dick Notebaert, haven't had one." CEO $2,970,000; Oren Shaffer, CFO $1,680,000; Qwest spokesman Steve Hammack said the Barry Allen, Executive VP $1,109,110; Richard bonuses are "completely appropriate when you look Baer, Executive VP $900,000; Paula Kruger, at the continuing improvement Qwest has made in Executive VP $362,112. customer service and in terms of shareholder value."
Qwest Can’t Seem to Put Ghosts to Rest
By Rob Reuteman, Rocky Mountain News, tunities to Qwest from March 1999 through Sep- Saturday, February 19, 2005 tember 2001. Three years into the various probes of Qwest's turn-of-the-century finance schemes, no Qwest can't buy a break, it seems. one has yet gone to jail. Investors lost hundreds of Even as the phone company said it would make millions of dollars, and tens of thousands of Qwest a new bid for MCI – and a brighter future – the jobs are gone. That's frustrating for all concerned. ghosts of Qwest's past came back to haunt. Notebaert's out-of-the-blue bid for MCI was Refusing to take no for an answer, Qwest Chief characterized by one analyst two weeks ago as "two Executive Officer Dick Notebaert notified regu- damaged ships lashing themselves together to ride lators Thursday that he would sweeten an $8 billion out stormy seas. cash-and-stock offer that was rejected by MCI "Nelson Phelps, executive director of the earlier this week in favor of a cheaper bid from Association of U S West Retirees and often a harsh larger and healthier Verizon. critic of Qwest, said, "I think this is gutsy. I think On Friday, the stocks of both MCI and Qwest this is a very smart move. What it will do for Qwest rose in reaction to the Notebaert letter, while is give them nationwide, larger business customers, Verizon's dipped. and they need that. "Momentum is certainly shifting back toward "Earlier this week, MCI chose Verizon instead. Qwest," analyst Tim Gilbert told Bloomberg News. There were dissident rumblings from the New Then Qwest's karma kicked in once again. Qwest all week long, and on Thursday, Notebaert Former executive Marc Weisberg was indicted launched a renewed bid. Friday by a federal grand jury in Denver for reaping On Friday another exec from the Old Qwest $2.9 million by misusing his position as manager of was indicted. the company's corporate investments. According to For the New Qwest, the timing couldn't have the 12-count indictment, Weisberg secretly invested been worse. in companies that had offered investment oppor-
14 The Retiree Guardian / Spring 2005 IINN TTHEHE NNEWSEWS From media coverage around the region and nation.
Suing MCI: Can You Hear Us Now? Al Lewis, Denver Post, 2/20/05 bid is better. Additionally, Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim, who is MCI's largest shareholder, reportedly MCI will now have to explain its big snub of hasn't decided whether to back Verizon's bid. So Qwest in court. Qwest is still in the game. On Friday, MCI shareholders sued to halt the MCI's Capellas stands to receive up to $9 million company's $6.75 billion sale to Verizon Communi- in bonuses following the Verizon deal, according to cations Inc. the lawsuit. Capellas is rumored to be a potential Qwest had offered to buy Verizon for nearly $8 replacement for fired CEO Carly Fiorina at billion – but Qwest CEO Dick Notebaert couldn't get computermaker Hewlett-Packard. MCI CEO Michael Capellas to return his phone calls. But what about the rest of the MCI team? Perhaps Then last week, MCI accepted the substantially lower they would prefer the Verizon bid because Verizon Verizon offer. would keep them around longer. "We carefully examined both offers," MCI The Verizon bid is a bet on a stronger company chairman Nicholas Katzenbach told The Washington that may deliver more value to MCI shareholders in Post. He said the Verizon deal was better for financial the future. Qwest offers a more uncertain future, but and strategic reasons but would not elaborate. its bid allows MCI shareholders to cash out now. Perhaps Katzenbach is a big fan of that Verizon The pros and cons of these two scenarios are nerd – "Can you hear me now?" – or maybe he complicated. Surely, it would take more than an hour doesn't want to see MCI become "McQwest. to discuss them. "Qwest has too much debt, it's the weakest Baby Qwest indeed is still struggling with its scanda- Bell, its business keeps declining amid new lous past – a fact that may have given MCI's board competition, it still faces untold liabilities from pause. Former Qwest executive Marc Weisberg, 47, shareholders' lawsuits, and the company can't wipe was indicted Friday for allegedly stuffing his pockets the smell of former CEO Joe Nacchio off the walls of with vendor stock. Nevertheless, it's hard to imagine its headquarters building. a more scandalized company than MCI. Verizon, by contrast, is bigger, better financed It's called MCI today because the company that and odor-free. once controlled it, WorldCom, stunk worse than But is all that enough to dismiss a bid worth at Qwest. WorldCom topped Enron as history's biggest least $1 billion more? Additionally, Qwest's merger accounting scandal and bankruptcy. Its former CEO bid offers MCI shareholders more cash and equity Bernie Ebbers is now on trial for fraud. than does Verizon's. And Qwest has said it will Presumably, in the aftermath, MCI took on a new sweeten the terms of its bid. management and board of directors beholden to the MCI's board didn't look as carefully at Qwest's new paradigm of honest corporate governance. bid as Katzenbach claims, according to the share- You'd think MCI would be careful about its holders' lawsuit filed in Delaware. "After meeting for obligations to shareholders. You'd think its board only one hour, on Sunday, February 13, 2005, from would spend more than an hour reviewing the Qwest 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., MCI rejected Qwest's offer bid. And you'd think the board would offer a detailed and agreed to accept Verizon's offer," the lawsuit explanation showing why the Qwest's bid was states. inferior. But no. A frustrated Notebaert had already said as much. The only way to get such explanation was for After getting snubbed, he filed a letter to MCI with shareholders to sue. the Securities and Exchange Commission: "We MCI officials "have breached their fiduciary would like to remind you that the Qwest proposal is duties ... by depriving MCI's public stockholders of superior to the Verizon proposal." maximum value," the lawsuit alleges. The shareholders' lawsuit cites Notebaert's MCI's new officers and directors must be making claims, as well as analysts who agree that the Qwest old Bernie Ebbers proud.
Spring 2005 / The Retiree Guardian 15 MEMBERSHIP CENSUS January 2005
In January of each year, we take a census of our NWB/U S West Retiree Association membership. As of January 2, 2005, we found that our 5,817 members live in 37 states. 7 Alabama 1 Indiana 1,079 Nebraska 4 South Carolina 129 Arizona 1,162 Iowa 12 Nevada 369 South Dakota 42 Arkansas 4 Kansas 1 New Jersey 6 Tennessee 23 California 1 Louisiana 5 New Mexico 48 Texas 30 Colorado 1 Maryland 2 North Carolina 3 Utah 58 Florida 2 Michigan 340 North Dakota 4 Virginia 4 Georgia 2,325 Minnesota 4 Oklahoma 7 Washington 1 Hawaii 3 Mississippi 6 Oregon 68 Wisconsin 2 Idaho 46 Missouri 2 Pennsylvania 1 Wyoming 15 Illinois Total = 5,817
Our members have told us that they retired from Ameritech-SBC, Lucent, Qwest, AT&T, MediaOne, Northwestern Bell, Great Lakes Chemical Corp., Mountain Bell, Pacific Bell, GTE, Quaker Oats, U S West.
All have one thing in common: they are hungry for information about their retirement benefits. They want to know what’s going on in industry today as it may affect their healthcare coverage, pensions, concession, or pension death benefit. When they have difficulties in dealing with Qwest’s Service Center or Human Resources, they want somewhere to go for help.
Some of the valuable products and services our Retiree Association provides: • This quarterly newsletter, “The Retiree Guardian”. • Current information sent on our E-mail network to those with access to the Internet. • The Retiree Advocate Program, developed jointly by the AUSWR and Qwest, which has helped hundreds of retirees and has significantly reduced retiree health care complaints and reduced administrative expense for Qwest. • Through the AUSWR, websites www.uswestretiree.org or www.qwestretiree.org that provide news updates pertaining to Qwest and retiree issues. • Through our membership in the National Retiree Legislative Network (NRLN), there are retiree legislative representatives in each of our fourteen states watching out for your interests.
Are you wondering where your new Membership Directory is?
For many reasons it has been delayed – but it’s still ‘in the works.’ In addition to recruiting new members (who will appear in the directory), we’re getting our current membership base up to date. Only members who are current will appear in the directory. If you want your name to appear in the 2005 Membership Directory be sure to SEND IN YOUR DUES PROMPTLY. • If the line above your mailing label shows a Renewal Date of July 2004, your membership is EXPIRED. • If the line above your mailing label shows a Renewal Date of July 2005, your dues will be due 7/1/2005. Please direct your membership questions to: Mary Ann Neuman, Membership Coordinator, Tel: 763 535-3865 E-mail: [email protected]
16 The Retiree Guardian / Spring 2005 milestones The following information is also available on-line at the Qwest Pioneers web page: www.qwestpioneers.org/about/deathsandretirements.asp
Kentucky Mississippi Colorado Deceased Fooshee, G Bresnahan, Ruth Auger, Douglas M October, 2004 Christensen, Martin E Maryland Montana De Angelo, Joyce M Arizona Holt Jr, William Grauer, Allan Flores, Robert L McMullen, Vera Matthies, Keith Foster, Richard G Minnesota Young, Rex Graham, Dennis D Colorado Becker, Rosemary Harmon, Sylvia S Feldman, Milton Bloomquist, Mary North Dakota Hill, Judy A. Borgman, Robert Christianson, Lavern Jasper, Claudia Iowa Goodrie, Helen Gwynn, George Jordan Elms, Teresa Banning, Betty Hagen, Inez Isakson, Allan Kandrak Jr, Andrew P Marcott, Kathleen Jernberg, Mavis King, Willie M. Johnson, Richard Nebraska Korte, Judy M Minnesota Koss, John Campbell, Gerald Leyba, Sidney J Christensen, Mary Olson, Gregory Hacanson, R Grill, Carl Liebetrau, Robert C Pratt, Richard Mackey, Arthur McNulty, Helen Mangus, Debrah L Nebraska Roggenbuck, Paul Pierce, B Mund, Mary Matz, David H Lilly, Jeannette Scavo, Loretta Rundquist, E New Mexico McCotter, Mary F Schwab, William Tuttle, Robert Anderson, Joe Moore, Vicki M Oregon Sietsema, Martina Vanquaethem, L Murphy, Edward Murphy, Mary L Gunderson, R Sowden, Richard Pearson, Brent L Sparrow, Joseph Wisconson Oregon Phillips, David H South Dakota Tracy, John Anderson, Eleanor Amos, C Radetsky, Samuel E Sundheim, LeRoy Bolstad, J Brown, H Ricketts, Kit C Missouri Mann, Anne Ferguson, Theron Scarberry, Clarence O Utah Jaynes, C Hilton, Charles Simpson, Rickey E Glenn, Gerald Towery, Ellen December, 2004 Kapuscinski, S Sparks, Linda Milliren, Robert Stage, Cynthia M Washington Montana Arkansas Peterson, J Vanliew, Gary W Bentson, Doris Olson, Russell Witcher, Charles Savidge, Robert Wilkins, Alice Wallace, Ruby Iowa November, 2004 Arizona Berch, Randall W Nebraska Berray, James South Dakota Groom, Joyce A Arizona Feuerstein, Helen Rumsey, Helen Kvinlog, Angie Henckel, Linda L Baldwin, Dorothy Rakowski, Lucille Unger, Robert Madden, Larry Mihalovich, Diane K. Mortensen, Max Stankus, Mabel Wilson, Lois Palm, Karen S Nelson, Pauline Tessin, Raymond Texas Reekers, Sylvia R Ocallaghan, John Wayman, Ramona California James, Mary Secl, Gloria M Reber, Bonnie Caldwell, Helen Shell, Catherine A Romano, Lily New Mexico Manatt, Denny Utah Seebers, Yolanda Carter, Mary Johnsonjewkes, Jane Idaho Spells, Joan Cunico, John Colorado Royall, J Darrow, Linda L Williams, Jr Robert Mcpeek, Ervin Flansbur, Donald Stoltenberg, Peggy Holladay, Harold H Strain, Allene Hibler, Evelyn Jorgensen, Janet L California Hoffman, John Washington McNeil, June Oklahoma Pettay, Melvin Allen, Arnold Minnesota Petersen, Ida Lefholtz, Robert Webster, John Hughes, Dalton Bedell Rhodes, Kimberly K Werber, Franklin Johnson, D Bronce, Steven R Colorado Oregon Kane, K Brown, Brenda Marie Baasch, Wayne Bergman, Betty Florida Kimzey, Charles Dolney, Joanne R Branson, Robert Crawley, K Riehl, Cynthia Klein, M Hansen, Jane M Bromm, Josephine Kazda, William McDonough, Brian Holewa, Carol J Burks, Effie Mae McDdonald, Delores Iowa Stern Jr, S Lehman, James R Grove, Floyd Stranahan, M Abernathy, Margaret Zahnow, K Murdoff, Caren C Keena, Patricia Titus, Jill Larsen, Pauline Rigge, Sharon I Menapace, Ida Wood, Lois Mahoney, Mary Schack, Steven A Moore, Lloyd Young, Wanda Parks, Marvel Retired Tigue, Cheryl Ord, Nione Potts, Donald Romersberger, Gary South Dakota Schulz, Dorothy October, 2004 Missouri Valle, Jose Cubelic, Kathleen Elrod, Marjorie A Idaho Arizona Iowa Texas Larsen, Robert Camou, Bobby E Montana Delehant, Mary Tanner, Dorothy Schrupp, M Johnson, Shonna C Spencer, Judith Ethel Fletcher, Ena Sucher, Merle Magness, John S Green, Georgene Utah McPherson, Linda D Nebraska Miller, L Berntson, Ellenor Minnesota Roth, Robert J Aylor, Thomas E Sahr, Vern Florek, Claudia Behun, Katherine Stevenson, Christine M Bronaugh, James W Wagner, Virginia Larson, Garold Herder, Edward Stroh, Peggy J Buelt, R W Warriner, Phillip Hynes, Joseph Surakus, Karen Cronkhite, Ronald R Idaho Kotila, Elsie Wilhelm, Allen F Kindig, Larry Finn, L Washington Lundquist, Theresa Kusler, Joy N Gifford, Harold Carter, Audrey Nardinger, Jeanne California Marsh, Douglas L Raymond, Ione Crozier, M Olsen, Eugene Boero, Donna J Morris, Alan B Zollinger, Geraldine Curry, W Schierenbeck, Ruth Prather, Carol M
Spring 2005 / The Retiree Guardian 17 milestones The following information is also available on-line at the Qwest Pioneers web page: www.qwestpioneers.org/about/deathsandretirements.asp
New Mexico Grimm, James L Frisbie, Donald C Montana Cotter, Julia M Pelto, Sharon J Jones, Terry L Vandegenachte, Terrell J Qualls, Christine M Riley ,Jill P Machnik, Christina A Qualls, Phillip L Olin, Walter D North Dakota November, 2004 Shehane, Charles W Filloon, Charles R Oregon Young, Daniel N Bloodworth, Judith J Arizona Nebraska Deja, Thomas E Green, Debra Sue December, 2004 Dickson, Larri A Dubay, Robert N Miranda, Mary Rose Hill, Ivy K Ellis, Gail L. Snyder, Ronald L Arizona Sarraillon, Cynthia C Janke, Steve L Belter, Candace C Jenne, Georgette A Colorado Cooper, Mary K New Mexico Lee, Frederick K Agard, Linda J Davies, Connie E Bullington, Lennis A Lindquester, Ronald K Boudreau Jr, W Louis Fennell, Nancy L Chavez, Margaret L Loofboro, L Chase Bross, Kathleen L Rosner, James W Crespin, Leticia Cruz, Patricia E Myers, Vickie S Brown, George D Larson, Constance J Walker, Virginia E Paplow, Julie M Cattz, Carol M Gitzendanner, J Kristie Pierce, Kathryn A Griego, Manuelita L Santee ,Linda M. Chappell, Heather A Richardson, Teresa K Colorado Scott, Georgia M Couture, Dennis E Anderson, Carol E Johnson, Susan K Rundquist, Jane A. Lovato, Gloria D Steward, Suzanne Davidson, Connie A Skulstad, Carol A Aranda, Joann P Terrel, Donna J Davis, Ronnette M Barnaby, Michael A Lucero, Bertha Tull, Constance J Degenhart, Noreen Bartley, Colleen M Marshall, Kathleen G Nebraska Merritt, Mark Tupper, Beverly J Garcia, Mary A Donahoo, Barbara J Biggerstaff, Anthony J Wallachy, Eugene F Guest, Deborah A Calkins, Darlene R Moya, Arthur L Feauto, Diane M Reckard, M Teresa Hammers, Steven B Fochek, Janis K Cantor, Lee M. South Dakota Harpool, Belita J Godfrey, Jean J Contreraz, Helen J Locke, Lynnette L Herzberg, Jeffrey M Davis, Theresa Oregon Hybner, Ann M Brown, George M Snyder, Terrence J Hunter Jr, Joe Jensen, Linda J Dent, Carrie B Jones, Randall E. Gleason, Barbara E Dalton, Kenneth L Jones, Kandis L Fox, William R Utah Klasinski, Maryann R Konfrst, Susan K Greene, George M Cherrington, Dale S Kurtz, Robert W Guerrero, Mary E Gardner, Virginia I Lewis, Janette M Ghorstygrbrakoxfdeis, Mary A Cuevas, Edna R Lee, J oan M Moore, Chanda J Hammond, Joan E Jackman, Kenneth C Lynn, Lester R Hogan, Joseph D Kerner, Emily Schmitz, Carla A Richardson, Toni A Lundskog, Brad W Manley, Michael D Vanderpool, Phillip A Homestead, Candace S McAffee, Marleen Maurath, Marsha S Johnson, Katharine C Vondrak, Dianne J South Dakota Nelson, Kathleen G McLane, Kevin A Warne, Carolyn E Loe, Tracy J M Patterson, Cynthia Nelson, Arthur C Lopez, David R Parlet, Harold J Shaw, Susan Nelson, Stephen C Madrigal, Marianna V New Mexico Utah O’Bannon, Wanda J Bendix, Patricia S McCracken, William J Washington Ortega, Rebecca Sanchez Mulligan, Linda A Alley, Douglas H Chavez, Cruz Anton, Geertje Albrecht, James E Panteloglow, Kathryn D Davis, Elaine S Perez, Richard D Andrews, Daniel B Sampson, Susan L Posta, Gregory A Brewer, Shelby L Dodge, Pamela J Carter, Steven W Barbero, John A Semien, Michael Garcia Lucero, Gloria Powell Jr, Frank A Bautista, Roland R Shannon, Ronald A Powell, Norman L Christensen, Barbara L Gorecki, Stanley R Deluca, Mary L Brandt, James S Smith, Sylvia Viola Hayes, Marlene J Sandoval, Henry Buranich, Marsha L Taylor, Barbara A Simons, Lynnann Forrester, Bonnie G Herrera, M Helen Gutierrez, Carmen I Cowan, Mary J. Tye, Thomas S Jolly, Ivan R Sletvold, Robert J Gibbs, Michael R. Villanueba, Nora J Spohn, Katherine A Hunt, Patricia G Markley, Kenneth E Kawa, Julienne Gutierrez, Jesse Waltrip, John S McMullan, Judith Stiegelmeyer, Diana F Halone, Caroline D Weber, Mary M Sundqvist Wells, Marsha L Livingston, Cheryl Medley, Kathryn E Long, Robin Lee Jensen, Constance Weskamp, Julia A Nunez, Julia C Villarreal, Debra A King, Mary L Wilson, Linda S Wertz, Michael T Martin, Karen T Olivas, Irene L. Miller, Renee B Leer,Sarah U Wiseman, Craig A Orosco, Anthony R Whitten, Arthur K Magoon, Donald C Windmuller, Brian E Miller, Shirley A Quintana, Benni Ann Nessen, Evan D McGregor, Charles H Florida Sena, Manuel McPherson, Donna M McKay, Thom Iowa Parry, Dora Lupinacci Trowbridge, Pearl B C Rieff, Shauna K Michaels, David Velasquez, Maxine C Mayo, Resa G IA Palmer, Leanna R Iowa McCain, Lawrence R IA Smith, Dannie R Rambur, Theresa L Kuebler, Lynne C Moore, Steven L Wadley, James D Oregon Wanless, Robert L Ramsey, Bonnie L Ladd, Thomas P Callister, Virginia M Vielhaber, Janet Lee Ratliff, June E. McElroy, Joseph C Wedeking, Louanne P Williams, Myrna R Creese, Joseph C. Winget, Paul J Riggs, Teresa A Meador, Meredith H Wilkinson, Rick W Root, Charles L Quijano, Cecilia A Maryland Wolf, Leioma A Sargent, Carol A Rimestad, Marlene F South Dakota Powe Jr, Kelseau J Zingleman, Linda D Scoggins, Gregory F Suiter, Patricia R Janes, Larry L Washington Stevens, Anna Tiarks, Warren M Seivert, Beverly A Minnesota Stewart, Steven C Brandt, David W Bartholomew, Timothy B Vincent, Ronald G Minnesota Utah Brown, Jeffrey A Eglin, Nancy M West, Beth E Cyert, Robert P Dokken, Dennis E Hunter, Theron R Duncan, William S UT Kohashi-Sinclair, Lois M Earhuff, Karen M Sleight, Patricia A UT Holmgren, Jim C Wyoming Engelhardt, Larry L Jones, Constance J Spence, Marilyn J Denman, Ken L Gordon, James B Washington Lawrence, Maureen J Fisher, Marva E Kappers, Barbara A Balano, Virginia D Nelson, Pamela S Fox, Carolyn J Kaster, James R Bourland, Robert A Olson, Peter J Snyder, Gregory A
18 The Retiree Guardian / Spring 2005 ANNUAL MEETING NOTICE 7th Annual Meeting to be held in Fargo, ND
The seventh annual meeting of the NWB/U S West Retiree Association is scheduled for Thursday May 19, 2005. The meeting will be held at the Best Western Kelly Inn at 3800 Main Avenue in Fargo, ND. Directions: If you are coming on I 94, turn North on I 29, get off at exit 65; turn left on Main Avenue, cross over I 29 and turn left to the Kelly Inn. Keynote Speaker Curtis Kennedy, AUSWR Staff Attorney, from Denver, CO, is the keynote speaker. He is an excellent speaker; you won’t want to miss it. Your Association officers will report on current activities and the results of the election of board members will be announced. Luncheon Reservations Required The cost of the buffet luncheon will be $7.00 per person. Reservations must be received by May 14th. No luncheon tickets will be available at the door and no refunds will be made after May 14th. Use the reservation form below. Agenda
10:30 AM to 12:00 Noon Coffee and Fellowship 12:00 Noon Lunch 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM Meeting
If you need sleeping rooms at the Kelly Inn, they are $59 plus tax. They will be listed under NWB Retiree Association. Call 701-282-2143 to make your reservation.
BUFFET LUNCHEON RESERVATIONS 7th Annual Meeting – May 19, 2005
TOTAL NUMBER ATTENDING COST $7.00 PER PERSON $ TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED
PRINT NAME
ADDRESS (Street)
(City / State / Zip)
(Telephone) On a separate sheet, please list names and telephone numbers of others attending with you. No luncheon tickets will be available at the door. No refunds will be made after May 14, 2005.
Must be received by May 14, 2005 Make your check payable to: Larry Smith, 3608 Fairway Road, Fargo, ND 58102-1223
Spring 2005 / The Retiree Guardian 19 NWB/U S West Retiree Association, Inc. NON PROFIT ORG. 205 Heritage Circle North U.S. POSTAGE Burnsville, MN 55337-2667 PAID NWB/U S West Retiree PERMIT NO. 3844 Association, Inc. Directors: MPLS MN Chairman Larry Smith, Fargo, ND 701-235-1300 [email protected] Address Service Requested Vice Chairman Jim Burns, Omaha, NE 402-333-2697 [email protected] Secretary Rose Bailey, Sioux Falls, SD 605-336-7771 [email protected] Arnie Albrecht, Roseville, MN 651-489-1972 [email protected] Marlyn Beaudine, St Cloud, MN 320-253-6232 [email protected] Ada Bork, Omaha, NE 402-572-9277 [email protected] Tom Burns, Papillion, NE 402-597-6205 [email protected] Dick Johnson, Blaine, MN 763-757-1962 [email protected] Eldon Ranney, Walnut, IA 712-784-3900 [email protected] The Retiree Guardian is the newsletter of the Association of U S West Retirees in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and South
Dakota. We publish on a quarterly basis.
(NRLN) in Washington, D.C. Washington, in (NRLN)
or www.qwestretiree.org or
North, Plymouth, MN 55447-3566. A portion of your dues goes to support the National Retiree Legislative Network Legislative Retiree National the support to goes dues your of portion A 55447-3566. MN Plymouth, North,
www.uswestretiree.org
Revenue Code, however, dues are not deductible on your personal tax returns. Records are kept at 45 Jewel Lane Jewel 45 at kept are Records returns. tax personal your on deductible not are dues however, Code, Revenue
U S West Retirees West S U NWB/U S West Retiree Association, Inc. is a nonprofit tax-exempt organization under Section 501(a) of the Internal the of 501(a) Section under organization tax-exempt nonprofit a is Inc. Association, Retiree West S NWB/U
Association of Association Please return this form and your check to the above address. above the to check your and form this return Please
V isit this website: this isit
1) Calling Committee 2) Membership Committee 3) Legislative Committee Legislative 3) Committee Membership 2) Committee Calling 1)
*Associate Ombudsman *Associate
(Circle one or more) or one (Circle following: the doing by help to willing am I
opn eie rmState From Retired Company
701-451-0771
Arnie Pauls Arnie
E-mail Address E-mail
NOR A DAKOT TH
Total Amount Paid Amount Total
Tel. No. ( ) ( No. Tel.
Amount Other (Specify) Other Amount
402-572-9277
City, State, Zip State, City,
Ada Bork Ada
Amount Membership Development Membership Amount
NEBRASKA
Street Address Street
Amount Dues ($20/Yr/Person) Dues Amount
(Please Print) (Please
Name
763-757-4985
Barb Hermanson* Barb
HNEO DRS Date ADDRESS OF CHANGE EXTRA RENEWAL NEW
❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ MINNESOT A
Plymouth, MN 55447-3566 MN Plymouth, [email protected]
45 Jewel Lane North Lane Jewel 45
605-332-3670
NWB/U S WEST RETIREE ASSOCIATION, INC. ASSOCIATION, RETIREE WEST S NWB/U
Vikki Farrand Vikki
A DAKOT SOUTH Membership Application Membership
& A IOW Retiree Advocates: Retiree