Protecting Retirees from Inflation

(This article appeared in the April-June 2011 issue of The American Postal Worker magazine.)

Judy Beard, Director Retirees Department

With the cost of food, gas, and medical care on the rise, some elected officials recognize the toll inflation takes on many retired Americans. On Jan. 26, legislation was introduced in Congress that would provide assistance to eligible retirees and Social Security recipients who face inflation-related financial hardships.

The Consumer Price Index for Elderly Consumers Act of 2011 (H.R. 456), introduced by Rep. Charles Gonzalez (D-TX), would require the Department of Labor to produce a monthly report reflecting changes in cost of living based on average expenditures for consumers who are 62 and older. These reports would be used to more accurately reflect retirees’ living expenses.

In February, Rep. Eliot Engel (D) of New York introduced legislation known as the Guaranteed 3% COLA for Seniors Act of 2011 (H.R. 776). This bill would create a senior-specific Consumer Price Index to determine how inflation affects elderly citizens’ financial stability.

Both bills have been referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce and the House Ways and Means Committee. The Chair of the Committee on Education and the Workforce is Rep. John Kline (R-MN), and the Chair of the Ways and Means Committee is Rep. David Camp (R-MI). We encourage retirees to contact their U.S. representatives and these committee chairs, and urge them to support these bills.

Your U.S. representatives can be reached by calling 866-338-5720.

Ways and Means Committee

U.S. House of Representatives 

Dave Camp, MI, Chairman

Republicans

Democrats

May is Older Americans Month

As we celebrate APWU retirees during Older Americans Month in May, I would like to take the time to thank all of our retired local, state, and national activists for their service to postal workers and the union. The APWU was built on the contributions of leaders like you who worked tirelessly to improve the working conditions for postal employees.

I also would like to give special thanks to the members of the APWU Retirees Department for understanding the importance of sharing their history of struggle in the APWU and in the labor movement as a whole. You are the foundation of the union; without you, we wouldn’t be standing.

I urge all locals to host activities this May that celebrate and honor those who fought for the rights we now enjoy. Some suggestions include awards receptions or seminars led by retired shop stewards or union leaders. Please share your stories and pictures with the Retirees Department to let us know how you paid tribute to retired leaders in your community.