Healthcare Updates

Good afternoon Retirees & Retirees in training! The three elected officials we helped support their campaigns all won their election!

Thank you for everyone who helped Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato (AD 23), Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton (SD 23), and Senator Peter Harckham (SD-40).These public servants have demonstrated unwavering commitment to our cause, recognizing the importance of preserving our hard-earned benefits. They understand that our traditional Medicare benefits are not just a privilege but a right we have earned through our years of dedicated public service. JIM WALDEN: MAYORAL CANDIDATEJim Walden is the founding partner of Walden, Macht, Haran and Williams, the firm from which our attorney Jake Gardener is from. Jim has quite an impressive resume and reached out to us when he decided to run for Mayor to see what NYC Retirees issues were. He listened. He asked us what were three things we would address with the Mayor if we could. We had lengthy conversations about the history of each of these. He understood the issues.We have long stated that any candidate that supports us and is willing to stand to protect retirees, is a candidate we can support. It is a rarity to see a candidate for office speak their convictions and is willing to stand by it – and put it in writing! Given this support, we will be supporting his campaign for Mayor! We told Jim how we have been flip flipped on before – he said he is not that kind of person and will not do that. He wanted to assure us, so he made this pledge: Walden for Mayor
Our City. Your Future. Jim4nyc.com
SPECIAL MESSAGE #4
Public Service Retiree Community
“The moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; those who are in the shadows of life, the sick, the needy and the handicapped.”
– Hubert Humphrey, 38th Vice President of the United States (1965-69)
For over half a century, New York City’s mayors and other elected officials promised and provided City workers top-notch City-funded health insurance coverage. Countless municipal employees dedicated their lives to—and, in many cases, risked their lives for—this City based on that promise. The current City Hall administration, and its immediate predecessor, tried to deny these promised benefits to those who need them the most: elderly and disabled retirees. In my Administration, I will honor the City’s longstanding commitment to retirees. I will do three things:
First, my Administration will protect retirees’ access to traditional Medicare and a Medicare supplement, paid for by the City. This is what they earned and were promised.Second, I will restore the timing of Medicare reimbursement checks, so that retirees do not have to wait a year for their checks.Third, I will present a bill to the Speaker of the City Council—similar to the bill first introduced by Councilman David I. Weprin in 2005 (Int 0728-2005)—protecting the healthcare of municipal retirees’ spouses after the retiree’s death. Then-Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum, a legendary New York public servant, co-sponsored Weprin’s bill, so you can trust that the measure makes good sense.
This is my promise. You have it in writing. Hold me accountable.
Other candidates should commit to this policy. If they refuse, hold them to account.
– Jim Walden, Candidate for Mayor
Note: This is fourth of a series of “special messages” on my plans as Mayor. You can find Jim’s Website here. He understands we are still funding litigation, so if you choose to make a donation to elect Jim as Mayor, a $5, $10, $15 donation is generous and hopefully helps put someone in City Hall that will truly represent the people! UFT RTC Facebook page: If you are a UFT Retiree, you have a new Facebook page! https://www.facebook.com/groups/1584806892421029 You will need to Join it and have your UFT ID number handy! The Chief Leader Op Ed (click for link)

RETIRED LIEUTENANTS ASSOCIATION NYPD

Council bill would preserve city retirees’ Medicare benefitsMarte introduces second such effort
BY RICHARD KHAVKINE. the Chief, October 24, 2024
A legislative effort to preserve city retirees’ current health-care benefits is underway, and the 250,000 former municipal workers are hopeful that this attempt will be more successful than one that failed to gain traction last year.
City Council Member Christopher Marte on Wednesday introduced legislation that would prevent city officials from instituting wholesale changes to the retirees’ health plans, in particular by obliging them to switch from their government-administered Medicare and supplemental insurance to a money-saving, privately run Medicare Advantage plan.
Successive mayoral administrations, citing excessive increases in the city’s health care expenses, have tried to shift the retirees to a private plan. But the Adams administration, and before that Bill de Blasio’s, ran into full-throated opposition from coalitions of retired municipal workers who argue that the private plans pale in comparison to traditional Medicare, and therefore violate promises from city officials, whose assurances of quality, lifelong health care was an essential draw to city employment.
The retirees, through the New York City Organization of Public Service Retirees, have secured victories in court cases challenging the city’s efforts. The Adams administration, though, has filed appeal after appeal in a bid to push through the shift, which city officials have said would save the city some $600 million a year, even as the retirees note that amount equates to about a half-a-percent of the city’s budget.
Marte said his legislation is intended to conclusively thwart the city’s efforts. At a noontime rally in City Hall Park attended by hundreds of retirees and their advocates, he said he was thrilled to join with the retired municipal workers “to fight, to fight for what is right, to fight for what is deserved, for dignity, for pride, and to make sure that a promise that was made is a promise that is kept.”
Marianne Pizzitola, the president of the Organization of Public Service Retirees, noted her organization’s court victories, including two unanimous appeals courts decisions in commending Marte. “The law and the courts are on our side. We just need to make sure that everybody else is listening,” she said at the rally.
The legislation, Pizzitola said, would safeguard assurances made long ago made by city officials. “Unfortunately, we had a few leaders that lost their way. And we need to make sure that they remember what this is — a federal public health benefit and should never be privatized, and that you should have the promise that was kept,” she said.
Brenda Scott, who taught elementary school in Brooklyn, has been attending retirees rallies for at least two years and said she remains hopeful of helping to convince the Adams administration to drop its plan.
“At our age, we need the best care you can get. And I think we’re deserving of it. We sacrificed a lot when we were working — poor salaries and things of that nature. And now they want to pull the rug out from under us,” Scott, 75, said before the rally’s start. “We’re supposed to be revered, you know? We’re supposed to be revered.”

Unions growing apprehensive?Scott, her fellow retirees and their advocates will hope for a better outcome for Marte’s bill than for a similar effort last year by then-Council Member Charles Barron.
Barron’s bill, drafted by the retirees, was essentially derailed by union opposition, some of it emphatic, and never got an airing. Soon after its introduction, Henry Garrido, the head of District Council 37, the city’s largest public-sector union, threatened to withhold the union’s endorsements and campaign cash from Council members who publicly supported the legislation.
Neither Council Speaker Adrienne Adams nor Civil Service and Labor Committee Chair Carmen De La Rosa clearly articulated why the bill did not move, despite the Council’s long-recognized allegiances to city retirees.
Twice asked about Marte’s bill, the speaker on Wednesday noted that while “seniors, retirees are indeed a priority for me and for this Council,” it was too early to weigh in on the legislation’s merits.“If legislation is introduced today, we’re going to take it through the legislative process and we’ll proceed…. I think it’s a little preemptive to discuss it today,” she said during the press event preceding the Council’s meeting.
Both the Adams and de Blasio administrations earmarked savings from the planned switch for the city’s Joint Health Insurance Premium Stabilization Fund, which supports unions’ welfare-fund benefits, among other purposes. The savings would be derived from federal subsidies that help offset the cost to governments.
The municipal unions, in a split but weighted vote of the Municipal Labor Committee that favored larger unions, approved a Medicare Advantage agreement between the city and managed-care giant Aetna in March 2023. But some union leaders appear to have become apprehensive about the plan since then.
In a significant about-face, the United Federation of Teachers’ president, Michael Mulgrew, a vocal backer of the switch initially, in late June this year walked back his union’s support, in part blaming the Adams administration’s intractability on the issue.
“This administration has proven to be more interested in cutting its costs than honestly working with us to provide high-quality healthcare to city workers,” he wrote in a four-paragraph letter to the MLC’s chairman, Harry Nespoli, at the time.
Speaking before Wednesday’s rally, Marte said the time was right to introduce his bill given the city’s ongoing effort to secure the switch despite the retirees’ clear court victories. The courts’ decisions and their reasoning, he said, “informs us as a Council that we can and should do something right. And we know the retirees are going to win.”
He noted that the city was running a budget surplus, and that funding the retirees’ Medicare should not be an issue.
“So why are we delaying this any further?” Marte said.” It’s only bringing stress and hurting the retirees’ health without having the confidence of knowing what’s next…. We’re right on the legislation. It’s accurate, it’s legal, and it’s something that I think is long overdue.”
richardk@thechiefleader.com

See the latest YouTube video showing the facts of the proposed AETNA plan the City is trying to force us ALL into.

If you are currently on an Aetna MA plan, it WILL change to this! So we urge you to support our organization to protect what WE ALL HAVE! Or we will all be in this

Marianne

FACTS & PROOF On the Aetna Plan, you won’t hear from Sabrina!

Donations are Needed!

Donation Instructions to Support Our Organization and our Fight To Protect Our Retiree Healthcare are here.

We worked decades for our benefits! Let’s make sure the City and the MLC don’t take them away! A suggested $25 Donation* will help start the fight to keep our current benefits.

*Give more if you can, and/or often! If you cannot meet the minimum suggested donation, we appreciate whatever you can give towards this fight for our benefits. We also added the option to make your donation recurring (monthly) as was requested.

We are incorporated as a 501c5, Non-Profit, but not tax deductible. ALL proceeds go to fund the organization and its legal challenge. Volunteer retirees are running this effort.
TO DONATE, PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE WWW.NYCRETIREES.ORG and CLICK DONATE

If you choose to pay by Check, Make your check out to:
NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
c/o JSH Accounting Services LLC
PO Box 143538
Fayetteville, GA 30214
(this is the organization’s accounting professional DO NOT MAKE THE CHECK OUT TO THEM!)

If you are on this list, it is because you subscribed to hear what we are doing as an organization that represents all NYC Municipal workers in protecting their Health benefits in retirement. Currently, we have a FACEBOOK page located here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/888622578669131

If you are not on FACEBOOK, we will be updating you here. And Check our website for FAQ www.nycretirees.orgThank you for signing up for our newsletter and pass this to a friend to sign up too!

The NYC Retirees also has our own merchandise! Click here to see what you might want! https://www.cafepress.com/shop/nycretirees/products

Good Evening & Retirees in Training! Some Great NEWS! FIRST! RALLY & PRESS CONFERENCE! Wednesday, October 23rd will be held at City Hall ON THE STEPS. To get through Security for a RALLY ON THE STEPS at NOON, be there about 1130am to go through security! Bring Your Signs! Wear Your Shirts! Be comfortable! Today is a SPECIAL DAY! After the Press Conference, we will go to the sidewalk where we usually hold our rally on Broadway across from the Woolworth Building. EVERYONE MUST COME OUT FOR THIS EVENT!!! YOU WILL LOVE WHAT YOU HEAR! We look forward to seeing you all! Bring a friend! SEE YOU WEDNESDAY!! Oct%2023%20rally%20city%20hall%20steps.jpg

Oct%2023%20rally%20city%20hall%20steps.jpg

DONATION INFORMATION!Please go to our website to donate! www.nycretirees.org You can make a donation through our portal, it is very easy! And have your friends sign up for our newsletters! We just started our FALL Fundraising Campaign! Thank you all for supporting this organization! All our efforts and successes are because of you! THANK YOU!

This email was sent to rr1244@aol.com. Click here to unsubscribe.

Dear Retirees,

We have a lot of events to share with you and several SAVE THE DATES! And if you live in Connecticut, there is a survey below.

1. We have joined with Be A Hero, to get signatures on the following petition to tell Mayor Adams to stop forcing retirees onto Medicare Advantage. Sign and Share with everyone! This will lead up to handing it to him at the September 30th Rally! CLICK HERE TO SIGN THE PETITION AND SHARE!!! The link is easy. heroes.win/retirees

SAVE THE DATE SEPTEMBER 30th RALLY!! (We have a limited number of bus seats to take those who cannot take the Subway to Aetna) Please sign up HERE if you are attending. We are asking you to RSVP please!

2. If you live in Connecticut, please complete this survey. SAVE THE DATE!3. SAVE THE DATE OCTOBER 10th!
4. SAVE THE DATE October 17th! Bianculli case – Court – 60 Centre Street Manhattan (time to follow)
5. SAVE THE DATE NOVEMBER 19th! Court – Albany bus trip leaving from Manhattan for the NYS Court of Appeals Campion Case.

Have a great week everyone!
MarianneDebunking Mulgrew & GarridoDonations are Needed!

Donation Instructions to Support Our Organization and our Fight To Protect Our Retiree Healthcare are here.

We worked decades for our benefits! Let’s make sure the City and the MLC don’t take them away! A suggested $25 Donation* will help start the fight to keep our current benefits.

*Give more if you can, and/or often! If you cannot meet the minimum suggested donation, we appreciate whatever you can give towards this fight for our benefits. We also added the option to make your donation recurring (monthly) as was requested.

We are incorporated as a 501c5, Non-Profit, but not tax deductible. ALL proceeds go to fund the organization and its legal challenge. Volunteer retirees are running this effort.
TO DONATE, PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE WWW.NYCRETIREES.ORG and CLICK DONATE

If you choose to pay by Check, Make your check out to:
NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
c/o JSH Accounting Services LLC
PO Box 143538
Fayetteville, GA 30214
(this is the organization’s accounting professional DO NOT MAKE THE CHECK OUT TO THEM!)

If you are on this list, it is because you subscribed to hear what we are doing as an organization that represents all NYC Municipal workers in protecting their Health benefits in retirement. Currently, we have a FACEBOOK page located here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/888622578669131

If you are not on FACEBOOK, we will be updating you here. And Check our website for FAQ www.nycretirees.orgThank you for signing up for our newsletter and pass this to a friend to sign up too!

The NYC Retirees also has our own merchandise! Click here to see what you might want! https://www.cafepress.com/shop/nycretirees/products

Copyright © 2024 NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website.

Our Donation ONLY address is:
NYC ORGANIZATION OF PUBLIC SERVICE RETIREESC/o JSH Accounting PO Box 143538Fayetteville, GA 30214Add us to your address book

Correspondence Address:
PO Box 424
Sharpsburg, GA 30277

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You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

Dear Retirees,

We have a few updates this week and an updated Calendar Call! Mark your Calendars for upcoming events.

1. Because the City revised the Emblem contract, the Judge lifted the stay on the copays.  This means that beginning January 2025, we will most likely see copays.  OLR will need to send you a letter about this, so keep an eye out! There is no ending date to the contract, it expires when the City goes to change it. This is another gift of the MLC under the leadership of DC37 and the UFT, and its chair Harry Nespoli. Copays in this contract are $15. We will keep you posted when more information comes out of OLR on these changes. But please be patient, as the meat and potatoes of the case have not yet been argued. This is just the stay that has been lifted… and the City has not put out anything on this yet, but since open enrollment is around the corner – we will be watching. We also just filed the notice of appeal on this and have 6 months to perfect that argument.

2. Please mark your Calendars for the following events:
a. Friday, September 6th, 10:15 AM, 705 Forest Ave Staten Island. We are supporting Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton who is supporting our State legislation! Please come out, especially if you are a Staten Islander! She wants to see her constituents!

b. Saturday, September 7th, Labor Day Parade – Manhattan – Mass is 0830 am at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. 5th Ave between 50th/51st Streets, New York, NY 10022  After the mass, we assemble on 44th St between 6th Ave & Broadway (at the end of the block at Broadway behind UAW). We march at approximately 10:15 AM. So PLEASE BE THERE at about 9:30/9:45 AM ish to be ready just in case they call us early. We will be walking from St. Pats. Bring your favorite sign, we will also have a few!

c.  Thursday, September 12th, 5:30-7 pm – There will be a seminar at 52 Broadway in support of federal funding for the 9/11 World Trade Center Program. https://www.911victims.com/seminar/

d. Monday, September 30, Rally against Medicare Advantage – Manhattan. This is a TWO-PART rally! Details to follow this week! It has been a while since we got together so get ready!!

e.  Thursday, October 17th, Argument on the Appeal of the Class Action certification in the CoPay case. Manhattan.

3. There are plenty of video updates….

4. Donations are still needed as we are juggling three and possibly FOUR oral arguments! Thank you for your generosity! See below to donate! There are 250,000 retirees who are on Medicare. There are more who will be on Medicare soon. If you want to make sure you are not on managed care – forced into a plan your doctors and hospitals do not accept, subjecting you to prior authorization, support our organization. If you never donated, the time is now. For three years, we have proven our strategies and arguments are on point. We have saved retirees thousands of dollars! Not to mention protecting the benefits the City was illegally trying to take away. Join us today!

5. Join Marianne & Julianna on WBAI 99.5 FM Friday Mornings at 7 AM. What’s Going On in Labor & Healthcare! Friday!
Live Stream here:   AND CALL IN LiVE during the show! 212-209-2877 And you can pull up the archives to hear us if you missed the show. What’s Going On Friday!

Have a great weekend everyone!
MarianneDonations are Needed!

Donation Instructions to Support Our Organization and our Fight To Protect Our Retiree Healthcare are here.

We worked decades for our benefits! Let’s make sure the City and the MLC don’t take them away! A suggested $25 Donation* will help start the fight to keep our current benefits.

*Give more if you can, and/or often! If you cannot meet the minimum suggested donation, we appreciate whatever you can give towards this fight for our benefits. We also added the option to make your donation recurring (monthly) as was requested.

We are incorporated as a 501c5, Non-Profit, but not tax deductible. ALL proceeds go to fund the organization and its legal challenge. Volunteer retirees are running this effort.
TO DONATE, HERE ARE 4 SIMPLE WAYS!

1. Zelle using email NYCOrgofpublicserviceretirees@gmail.com YOU CANNOT USE THE ZELLE APP! You must use Zelle via your online banking. In some cases you cannot use the Zelle via the bank app either. So if you’re finding trouble, use the computer and make the payment via Zelle from your online banking.

2. Make your check out to:
NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
c/o JSH Accounting Services LLC
PO Box 143538
Fayetteville, GA 30214
(this is the organization’s accounting professional DO NOT MAKE THE CHECK OUT TO THEM!)

3. Or click on this Paypal link:
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=Q4VWJEYVJ9HTW&Z3&fbclid=IwAR0pEOc51x9xhc-CBb8vqAIkX97Bgg1Z02f1r9gQh9S3dOsVmAdob5jBbw8

4. VENMO

DO NOT USE VENMO! WE HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH THEM!

If you are on this list, it is because you subscribed to hear what we are doing as an organization that represents all NYC Municipal workers in protecting their Health benefits in retirement. Currently, we have a FACEBOOK page located here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/888622578669131

If you are not on FACEBOOK, we will be updating you here. And Check our website for FAQ www.nycretirees.orgThank you for signing up for our newsletter and pass this to a friend to sign up too!

The NYC Retirees also has our own merchandise! Click here to see what you might want! https://www.cafepress.com/shop/nycretirees/products Friday Night UpdateUpdate on Anthem/MSK issueMemorial Sloan Kettering & AnthemWhat is the MLC?

Copyright © 2024 NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website.

Our Donation ONLY address is:
NYC ORGANIZATION OF PUBLIC SERVICE RETIREESC/o JSH Accounting PO Box 143538Fayetteville, GA 30214Add us to your address book

Correspondence Address:
PO Box 424
Sharpsburg, GA 30277

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

Dear Retirees, Happy Weekend!

We are letting you know of a few updates in this week’s Wrap Up!

The Mayor did in fact file to appeal his 9th loss on Thursday night. The appeal asks the court for permission to appeal the case. The Court has a few months to decide if they will and then it will be months before it would be heard if it is accepted. We will update you as we get more information.

If you are not aware, every Friday morning, Marianne co-hosts a Labor Radio hour on What’s Going On, broadcast on WBAI 99.5 FM at 7 AM with Julianna Forlano. You can listen LIVE! here: or listen to the archive any time, Here is the June 28th broadcast, we believe this show will be picked up nationally very soon! If we have time for calls you can dial in 212-209-2877 Stay tuned!

On the Retiree Labor MA battles, we congratulate Delaware State Retirees who successfully passed a law that prevents them from being forced into Medicare Advantage. They also made history because one of their bills was vetoed by their Governor and the legislature overturned it, making it the first time since 1977 since that happened! Congratulations Delaware Retirees!

The Retiree Advocate Slate is getting into the groove and is already working on behalf of retired teachers! We are excited to watch! We also hear the Paras are settling into their new jobs and we are watching that too! Labor democracy and transparency lacks in NYC, and we hope to change that by empowering people to make it happen!

News out of the MLC – The UFT walked back its support of the Medicare Advantage, but it is purely symbolic. They made the statement largely due to the Unity caucus losing the Retiree election, but at this point the damage has been done. They cannot walk back what they put into motion, they will be subject to an improper practice as they rolled those MLC “savings agreements” into all their contracts. It’s a nothingburger and it was expressed in the MLC meeting, Mulgrew had to do what he had to do. Mulgrew initiated this mess, orchestrated it and dragged all the unions with him down this path with Henry Garrido of DC37 and Harry Nespoli of Sanitation.

The MLC also has a funding deficit because of their spending on lawyers among other issues. They drained their cash by paying Alan Klinger, lawyer, $882k in 2022 and $763k in 2023 to fight retirees – former members of their own unions. His previous annual revenue was about $200k average, and their house attorney Harry Greenberg has a $60k annual income. Stark differences. And it is our opinion the lawyers are conflicted, especially Klinger as he not only represents the MLC, but the UFT, CWA, Sanitation, and several other unions. He cannot independently advocate for the MLC (ALL UNIONS), when his clients are on the EBoard. This is where the weighted vote becomes a stronghold and to the detriment of the smaller unions. They tried to pass an MLC dues increase to cover the $700k debt they owe Segal consulting for the health plans. Thankfully that did not happen yet, as they have failed to address their spending and using union resources to advocate AGAINST other unions and their retirees. More to come…

In the meantime, we will now be in court on all three cases fighting in 4 separate oral arguments starting in the fall. Two of those cases will be in Albany. The lawyers need to prepare and we need to start a monthly fundraiser we will announce next week.

OUR CASES:
1. Campion – What is the meaning of 12-126? What is the benchmark the City has to pay up to? This is scheduled for the NYS Court of Appeals in Albany.
2. Bianculli – The CoPay Case- they implemented copays on our senior care to make it as painful as possible to stay in this plan and we would move to the medicare advantage. This is in the Supreme Court and the Appeals Court.
3. Bentkowski – the Nuclear option case – that they forced us into Aetna and eliminated ALL plans headed to the NYS Court of Appeals in Albany.

Thanks everyone. Please keep donating, get your friends to donate, and keep the faith! We will update you as more information develops!

Three recent videos are below! Enjoy!

CLICK to watch the Friday Night Update

Congratulations Delaware!

Retirees statement on the UFT announcement

Copyright © 2024 NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website.

Our Donation ONLY address is:
NYC ORGANIZATION OF PUBLIC SERVICE RETIREESC/o JSH Accounting PO Box 143538Fayetteville, GA 30214

Dear Retirees, Happy Weekend!

We are letting you know of a few updates in this week’s Wrap Up!

The Mayor did in fact file to appeal his 9th loss on Thursday night. The appeal asks the court for permission to appeal the case. The Court has a few months to decide if they will and then it will be months before it would be heard if it is accepted. We will update you as we get more information.

If you are not aware, every Friday morning, Marianne co-hosts a Labor Radio hour on What’s Going On, broadcast on WBAI 99.5 FM at 7 AM with Julianna Forlano. You can listen LIVE! here: or listen to the archive any time, Here is the June 28th broadcast, we believe this show will be picked up nationally very soon! If we have time for calls you can dial in 212-209-2877 Stay tuned!

On the Retiree Labor MA battles, we congratulate Delaware State Retirees who successfully passed a law that prevents them from being forced into Medicare Advantage. They also made history because one of their bills was vetoed by their Governor and the legislature overturned it, making it the first time since 1977 since that happened! Congratulations Delaware Retirees!

The Retiree Advocate Slate is getting into the groove and is already working on behalf of retired teachers! We are excited to watch! We also hear the Paras are settling into their new jobs and we are watching that too! Labor democracy and transparency lacks in NYC, and we hope to change that by empowering people to make it happen!

News out of the MLC – The UFT walked back its support of the Medicare Advantage, but it is purely symbolic. They made the statement largely due to the Unity caucus losing the Retiree election, but at this point the damage has been done. They cannot walk back what they put into motion, they will be subject to an improper practice as they rolled those MLC “savings agreements” into all their contracts. It’s a nothingburger and it was expressed in the MLC meeting, Mulgrew had to do what he had to do. Mulgrew initiated this mess, orchestrated it and dragged all the unions with him down this path with Henry Garrido of DC37 and Harry Nespoli of Sanitation.

The MLC also has a funding deficit because of their spending on lawyers among other issues. They drained their cash by paying Alan Klinger, lawyer, $882k in 2022 and $763k in 2023 to fight retirees – former members of their own unions. His previous annual revenue was about $200k average, and their house attorney Harry Greenberg has a $60k annual income. Stark differences. And it is our opinion the lawyers are conflicted, especially Klinger as he not only represents the MLC, but the UFT, CWA, Sanitation, and several other unions. He cannot independently advocate for the MLC (ALL UNIONS), when his clients are on the EBoard. This is where the weighted vote becomes a stronghold and to the detriment of the smaller unions. They tried to pass an MLC dues increase to cover the $700k debt they owe Segal consulting for the health plans. Thankfully that did not happen yet, as they have failed to address their spending and using union resources to advocate AGAINST other unions and their retirees. More to come…

In the meantime, we will now be in court on all three cases fighting in 4 separate oral arguments starting in the fall. Two of those cases will be in Albany. The lawyers need to prepare and we need to start a monthly fundraiser we will announce next week.

OUR CASES:
1. Campion – What is the meaning of 12-126? What is the benchmark the City has to pay up to? This is scheduled for the NYS Court of Appeals in Albany.
2. Bianculli – The CoPay Case- they implemented copays on our senior care to make it as painful as possible to stay in this plan and we would move to the medicare advantage. This is in the Supreme Court and the Appeals Court.
3. Bentkowski – the Nuclear option case – that they forced us into Aetna and eliminated ALL plans headed to the NYS Court of Appeals in Albany.

Thanks everyone. Please keep donating, get your friends to donate, and keep the faith! We will update you as more information develops!

Three recent videos are below! Enjoy!

CLICK to watch the Friday Night UpdateCongratulations Delaware!Retirees statement on the UFT announcement

Copyright © 2024 NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website.

Our Donation ONLY address is:
NYC ORGANIZATION OF PUBLIC SERVICE RETIREESC/o JSH Accounting PO Box 143538Fayetteville, GA 30214

etiree Update

Today, Sunday June 23rd, the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) announced to their members, retirees and the Press that he was withdrawing his support for Medicare Advantage. Here is our response.

We KNOW this is not over. The Mayor has another week to file “leave for appeal” (ask permission to appeal) to the highest Court in the state. We are still awaiting court dates for the first two cases – Campion – What does 12-126 mean? and the Co Pay Case which was to stop the imposition of Copays. We are still fundraising for litigation, and our legislation is coming back!!
Stay tuned warriors! NYC Retirees Respond to the UFT Withdrawal from MABarbara – Unity (Mulgrew) Retirees talking out both sides of her MouthThe UFT hires a vendor for registering for their zooms that outsources to India Do You Hear Us Randi? I don’t Think So!

Copyright © 2024 NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website.Our Donation ONLY address is:
NYC ORGANIZATION OF PUBLIC SERVICE RETIREESC/o JSH Accounting PO Box 143538Fayetteville, GA 30214Add us to your address bookCorrespondence Address:
PO Box 424
Sharpsburg, GA 30277Want to change how you receive these emails?
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Retiree Update

Surprise message below!!

We will NOT be holding our Friday Night Live this week. I will be in meetings preparing for the next phases of our advocacy and standing in Solidarity with the Retired Teachers and the In-Service Paras! Change starts with YOU!

I want to tell you how proud we are to work together to lift up fellow retirees and expose the injustices done to not only to the retirees, but in-service unionists throughout the City of NY. Even sharing the messages with active/In-Service workers and telling them what we know is being done to THEIR healthcare and hoping they listen. We fact-checked, cited, and sourced our points. YOU HELPED PROPEL THAT MESSAGE!

Together, we can do a lot of good!

I will not be holding the Friday NIGHT Live! but assure you we will go LIVE! when I can to update you!

Keep the faith! This is proof, when you are on the right side of something, they may kick you down a few times, but you WILL RISE!
*******

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

to the RETIREE ADVOCATE FOR TAKING BACK YOUR CHAPTER!
AND
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE PARAS FOR TAKING BACK YOURS!
YOU HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO! BUT WE KNOW YOU WILL RIGHT THE WRONGS AND MAKE EVERYONE PROUD!!

IN TRUE SOLIDARITY…
All of us
❤️
unofficial counts:

Fix Par Pay not announced by UFT (but Fixed Para Pay Won!)

fix Para Pay: Retiree Advocate: 17,226 vs Unity 10,114

The incumbent Unity has been Unseated

Copyright © 2024 NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website.

Our Donation ONLY address is:
NYC ORGANIZATION OF PUBLIC SERVICE RETIREESC/o JSH Accounting PO Box 143538Fayetteville, GA 30214Add us to your address book

Correspondence Address:
PO Box 424
Sharpsburg, GA 30277

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Retiree UpdateWe have A LOT TO SHARE!

The Mayor has until about June 27th to file his appeal of his recent loss in the Bentkowski case. This case was dubbed the ‘Nuclear Option’ case because the mayor eliminated all choices of health plans we had and tried to force us into inferior managed care known as Medicare Advantage this time, with Aetna.

We still do not have an update on the schedule for the first two pending appeals. They should come by fall. In the meantime, our state bill died in the NYS Legislature, killed by a few bad actors from a few unions. It did have great union support though, but the lies reigned. But we are not deterred. We will go back and set the record straight! You see, bills do not usually pass on their first try, and yet our organization secured a huge majority on our bill its very first Attempt!

We are going back, and you will probably need to go back with us! Field Trip! Stay tuned, because we will be sending out some homework to close out this year’s legislative season and prepare for January when we go back!!

There are a ton of videos to catch up on. Grab a coffee and binge watch!

And if you are retired UFT, GET THAT BALLOT TO THE POST OFFICE AND VOTE Retiree Advocate SLATE ONLY! Go retirees! And thank you for Respecting the promise made to us and the court Decisions.Friday June 7th UpdateLegislation UpdateFlorida Retirees misinformed about AetnaMore Mulgrew Lies to the peopleThank yous! We go through the mail!Mulgrew lies to the RTC #11 from FloridaRetirees awarded a major Decision PART 1Retirees awarded a Major Decision PART 2Mulgrew and Unity used retirees to get them to to convince the council to pass a law for “choice” they already had – and NONE of them wanted Medicare Advantage – they wanted Traditional Medicare – and would even pay for it – regardless if the rest of us could pay. They in essence would have changed the law we won our case on and worked against themselves. This is loyalty over competency!

Copyright © 2024 NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website.

Our Donation ONLY address is:
NYC ORGANIZATION OF PUBLIC SERVICE RETIREESC/o JSH Accounting PO Box 143538Fayetteville, GA 30214

Retiree Update

We have two days to get our bill to protect our Medicare out of committee. We were informed that DC37, UFT, and AFL-CIO, MLC & CWA1180 are working against our legislation. How can YOU help? Easy! Follow these steps! Please call twice daily on all numbers listed and click the action network email to send an email! Good morning, afternoon or evening,
          My name is
_____________________from (NYC Retirees and your union if you had one) and I am calling you today to urge you to pass bill A07866/S08388 which provides that public employers will not diminish health insurance benefits for retirees and their dependents.
          There are jurisdictions in New York where the courts weren’t able to save our retirees or retirees could not afford litigation they lost their current healthcare.
          We need you, our state legislators, to stand up for all retired public service employees and protect our Medicare benefits.
          You have the power to help pass this bill into law and ensure that retired public service employees get what they were promised so long ago.
          Please do not let us down!
          Thank you for your consideration of this message.

Assemblymember Carl E. Heastie, Speaker of the NY Assembly
Assembly District 83
District Office – 718-654-6539
Albany Office – 518-455-3791

NY State Senator Andrea Stewart Cousins, Majority Leader
NY Senate District 35
Albany Offices – LOB 518-455-2585, Capitol 518-455-2715
District Office – 914-423-4031
NYC Office – 212-298-5585

Senator Michael Gianaris
Senate Deputy Leader
NY Senate District 12
Albany Office: (518) 455-3486
District Office : (718) 728-0960

Once you have made the calls, click this link to send an automated message to the legislature!
SEND THE EMAIL

THEN CALL THE UNIONS!
BE POLITE! BE KIND! BE PROFESSIONAL! That is how we roll! We may not like someone, but that is no reason to be snarky! Remember, we are NYC Retirees, and it is our job to teach those who have fallen off the correct path, where they came from and how to circle upright!

Reach out to these labor leaders, then if you had a union, call them too! Tell them to pressure these guys to stop selling off us & THEIR FUTURE benefits! THE AFLCIO IS SAYING THEY REPRESENT RETIREES AND CANNOT GIVE MORE BENEFITS TO US IF OUR BILL PASSES! REMIND THEM THEY DO NOT REPRESENT US AND WE DONT NEED A FIT BIT OR FROZEN MEALS! Medicare Advantage is NOT Medicare and not an advantage.
Got it?

Harry Nespoli MLC Chair and Sanitation President 917-686-3226 / 212-964-8900

Henry Garrido Executive Director DC37 917-596-6132/ 212-815-1511 HAGarrido@dc37.net

Michael Mulgrew President UFT 917-796-2209/ 212-331-6311 / 212-331-6314 / 212-331-6312 / 212-777-7500 MMulgrew@uft.org

Mario Cilento President NY AFL-CIO 914-261-4356 / 518-436-8516 / 212-777-6040

Richard Davis TWU Local 100 646-323-5553 / 212-873-6000

Gloria Middleton CWA 1180 (212) 226-6565 gmiddleton@cwa1180.org

Talking points for the union leaders!

Health care is a human right not a political fight!
We fought for Medicare and our retiree benefits are NOT for you to steal!
HONOR YOUR Commitment to retired unionists or no one will ever need a union again.
This Union is working against your own people and your retirees.
Remember where you came from! Labor Strong – doesn’t sell out retired unionists for a raise!
A7866/S8388 sets the floor for you to negotiate above. It doesn’t take anything away from your bargaining ability!
Protect your future from being bargained away today!
Retirees should be able to relax in retirement – we fought our entire lives!

Copyright © 2024 NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website.

Our Donation ONLY address is:
NYC ORGANIZATION OF PUBLIC SERVICE RETIREESC/o JSH Accounting PO Box 143538Fayetteville, GA 30214Add us to your address book

Retiree UpdateWE WON!!!

On March 21, 2024 we had oral arguments and today, May 21, we were given a unanimous decision. We thank all of you for believing in us and our legal team. Without all of you, we would never have got this far. The Court said, the City cannot take away our Medicare Supplement.

This is the exact decision, “Accordingly, the judgment (denominated an order) of the Supreme Court, New York County (Lyle E. Frank, J.), entered September 19, 2023, which, in this hybrid proceeding-class action brought pursuant to CPLR article 78, granted the petition complaint to the extent of permanently enjoining the City respondents/defendants from eliminating petitioner/plaintiff retirees’ existing health insurance, automatically enrolling them in a new Aetna Medicare Advantage Plan, enforcing a June 30, 2023 deadline for retirees to opt out of the new plan, and implementing any other aspect of the City’s new retiree healthcare policy, should be affirmed, without costs.”
You can read it here

CELEBRATE. YOU EARNED THIS!

Copyright © 2024 NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website.

Our Donation ONLY address is:
NYC ORGANIZATION OF PUBLIC SERVICE RETIREESC/o JSH Accounting PO Box 143538Fayetteville, GA 30214Add us to your address book

Correspondence Address:
PO Box 424
Sharpsburg, GA 30277

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Retiree UpdateBuilding bridges with other retiree organizations to protect our Medicare and earned benefits in Retirement. Now is an important time. If you are not UFT, just below is the Court Update (nothing new yet), and the Council District Update if you live in the 5 boros. And share these emails, our messages need to go wide and far!

The UFT RTC is in the middle of an election. As many of you see on our FB page, ballots are just arriving. In that ballot was election material from both the Unity Caucus of Michael Mulgrew and the Retiree Advocate. Unity’s was more propaganda, taking credit for things they did not accomplish, and SOME WE DID!

So of course, we had to call that out.

Watch this Video
I
I
I
I
V
Debunking Unity, again.The main storyThe UFT RTC is a retiree chapter – they have local influence in the UFT. They can pressure the union to protect Retiree benefits unlike the situation you have now where the current retiree leader is fine with forcing you into Medicare Advantage and silencing your speech undemocratically in the RTC meetings.

The link to the UFT Retiree Advocate Caucus in the last email was incorrect. Here is the correct one. And remember, this is the group that does NOT support Michael Mulgrew/Tom Murphy – known as the “Unity Caucus.” They were never informed of the health changes Mulgrew was agreeing to! Ballots were mailed Friday, but the mail is slow. If you do not get one by May 20th, please call the American Arbitration 1-800-529-5218.

The link to Fix Para Pay in the last email was incorrect. Here is the correct one. The Paras are struggling for a living wage, line of duty injury pay, and longevity increases. Mulgrew and the caucus of Unity told them they could not talk money in the last collective bargaining! Share this message with active (in service) Paras. They are a tremendous support to teachers and students. Episode #7! Mulgrew lies to a room full of retirees in Florida!

We are still waiting for Court UpdatesSince our court hearing on March 21st, we have not been given a decision yet. Have no fear, as we are sure the court is looking at this seriously and taking its time to write a good decision. We hope to hear from them soon.

Do You Live in the 5 Boros?We are rebuilding our database of City Council districts. If you live in the 5 boros, we want to know which district. We are hoping to plan a few meetings in the near future and need you there! Click this link to tell us who you council member is.

UFT RTC Q&A Wednesday 8 PM in OUR FACEBOOK PAGE!! We had another FB technical glitch and comments stopped. We will hold a Q&A Do Over on Wednesday night at 8 pm in our FB page. Please come meet the UFT RTC members and hopefully more of you will get those ballots and we can help you learn to cast your vote the most effective way! WE ALSO WANT YOU TO KNOW MULGREW/MURPHY ARE ADVERTISING THEY WANT YOU TO PAY FOR YOUR HEALTHCARE!!!

Copyright © 2024 NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website.

Our Donation ONLY address is:
NYC ORGANIZATION OF PUBLIC SERVICE RETIREESC/o JSH Accounting PO Box 143538Fayetteville, GA 30214Add us to your address book

Correspondence Address:
PO Box 424
Sharpsburg, GA 30277

Dear Retirees,

We started sharing our Friday Lives to empower other organizations to build a Retiree Army. It’s working. It has helped us advance our state legislation as you will hear in the update. The first video is our Friday Update. Then the advocacy videos follow.

Periodically we will have other retiree groups share their organizations with us as some of you may find former colleagues to join an association of those from their former job.

It is a great way to empower sister retiree groups and build our retiree movement. We cannot do this alone. Allies will help us!

The current group sharing their story is the UFT RTC (Retired Teacher Chapter) and this newsletter has a “How To Vote” video guide for when the ballots arrive. They were mailed May 10th so you will receive them soon! Their election is now, and they do have a great deal of influence in their union. It is important to follow the voting guidelines, as deviating will cause your vote to be excluded.
www.retireeadvocate.org

Please share this email with other UFT Retirees!

***********

The next group we are sharing is the in-service (active) Para Professionals of the UFT. They are fighting for a living wage, Line of Duty Injury coverage, and Longevity. They do not get the same equity as the teachers, and Michael Mulgrew told them they could not discuss money! How can that be when you are on the contract committee!?

They are fighting for a living wage. Something we can all relate to! And yes, they agree, Retiree benefits should not be diminished! Creating allies in active workers is important to make sure this does not happen again! If you are an active Para, or know one, this message is for you!

www.fixparapay.org

***********
And finally…

Wishing all you moms, fur baby moms, moms fighting with us to protect our healthcare, and moms in heaven – a Happy Mother’s Day. We would not be here without them.

I miss mine every day, and I know she would be proud of what we are doing collectively. And yes, my mother was UFT – and I know she supports us!

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there!

Friday Night UpdateRetiree Advocate Election UpdateUFT Paras support Retires and are fighting for equity.UFT RTC ELECTION. HOW TO VOTE. CLICK TO WATCH!

Donations are Needed! TO DONATE TO THE ORGANIZATION

Donation Instructions to Support Our Organization and our Fight To Protect Our Retiree Healthcare:

We worked decades for our benefits! Let’s make sure the City and the MLC don’t take them away!

A suggested $25 Donation* will help start the fight to keep our current benefits.

*Give more if you can, and/or often! If you cannot meet the minimum suggested donation, we appreciate whatever you can give towards this fight for our benefits. We also added the option to make your donation recurring (monthly) as was requested.

We are incorporated as a 501c5, Non-Profit, but not tax deductible. ALL proceeds go to fund the organization and its legal challenge. Volunteer retirees are running this effort.

TO DONATE, HERE ARE 4 SIMPLE WAYS!

1.Zelle using email NYCOrgofpublicserviceretirees@gmail.com YOU CANNOT USE THE ZELLE APP! You must use Zelle via your online banking. In some cases you cannot use the Zelle via the bank app either. So if you’re finding trouble, use the computer and make the payment via Zelle from your online banking.

2. Make your check out to:
NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
c/o JSH Accounting Services LLC
PO Box 143538
Fayetteville, GA 30214
(this is the organization’s accounting professional DO NOT MAKE THE CHECK OUT TO THEM!)

3. Or click on this Paypal link:
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=Q4VWJEYVJ9HTW&Z3&fbclid=IwAR0pEOc51x9xhc-CBb8vqAIkX97Bgg1Z02f1r9gQh9S3dOsVmAdob5jBbw84. VENMO OUR Venmo Name changed! Please take note!

VENMO is a Phone App or can be used on a PC or Tablet
You can download and install the Phone App from the Android Play Store or Apple App Store. There may be fees involved using this method.

Our NEW ID is: @NYCRetirees2

If you are on this list, it is because you subscribed to hear what we are doing as an organization that represents all NYC Municipal workers in protecting their Health benefits in retirement. Currently, we have a FACEBOOK page located here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/888622578669131

If you are not on FACEBOOK, we will be updating you here. And Check our website for FAQ www.nycretirees.orgThank you for signing up for our newsletter and pass this to a friend to sign up too!

Dear Retirees & Retirees In Training –

Happy Sunday,

There is always something! We began our Friday Night Live! only to learn Facebook stopped allowing third party apps from streaming, so we chose to continue and live stream direct to YouTube. We think we found a workaround, but stay tuned. If this happens again, we will stream to YouTube again and post the link in FB.

This Friday we introduced some of the Retirees involved in the Delaware fight. It was great to see them since we helped get them started! Hear about their struggle. The video is in this email.

**************

We started our May Fundraiser to prepare for the upcoming filings and oral arguments in the Campion and CoPay cases. What are these? Campion: was about what is the meaning of 12-126, the administrative code that provides our health benefits. The CoPay case: copays were instituted as a means of cost transfer to retirees and as a tool to deter you from choosing senior care and violated the contract. Our last case, that you saw oral arguments on in March is Bentkowski: this was called the “nuclear option” case because the Mayor and the MLC chose to eliminate ALL plans except the Medicare Advantage plan to force us into it. FUNDRAISING for preparation for these starts now! You can donate in several ways as noted on our website www.nycretirees.org

********************

The UFT Retired chapter election is upon us. We have some very talented bloggers that we want to share with you if you are UFT.

In regards to the UFT Retiree Chapter is Arthur Goldstein, “Union Matters” and his most recent post titled, ‘On the UFT Unity Approach to “Activism.’ Click here to read it.

Another popular blogger is Daniel Alicea of Educators of NY, and his recent post, Call to Action: Our ‘Get Out The Vote’ homework for upcoming UFT & TRS elections. Click here to read Educators of NY. We can’t stress enough, how important it is if you are a UFT retiree, you support the slate that supports protecting your healthcare! Retiree Advocate is fighting the Unity caucus Tom Murphy who had no problem forcing you into Medicare Advantage and diminishing your health benefits.

Several of their caucus members even testified it was ok that YOU are forced into it, they wanted a choice of plans and were willing to pay for it because they could! Not only did that position violate the law, but it also shows that because they could afford the cost, they didn’t care what happened to you or the promises made to you. That old adage, “I got mine, too bad for you.” (video coming!)

Help put people in positions so this does not happen again! USE YOUR POWER!

SHARE THIS MESSAGE & DONATE!

Friday Night Update! CLICK TO WATCH! #3 Mulgrew Lies to retirees – MulgrewCare is not special

Donations are Needed! TO DONATE TO THE ORGANIZATION

Donation Instructions to Support Our Organization and our Fight To Protect Our Retiree Healthcare:

We worked decades for our benefits! Let’s make sure the City and the MLC don’t take them away!

A suggested $25 Donation* will help start the fight to keep our current benefits.

*Give more if you can, and/or often! If you cannot meet the minimum suggested donation, we appreciate whatever you can give towards this fight for our benefits. We also added the option to make your donation recurring (monthly) as was requested.

We are incorporated as a 501c5, Non-Profit, but not tax deductible. ALL proceeds go to fund the organization and its legal challenge. Volunteer retirees are running this effort.

TO DONATE, HERE ARE 4 SIMPLE WAYS!

1.Zelle using email NYCOrgofpublicserviceretirees@gmail.com YOU CANNOT USE THE ZELLE APP! You must use Zelle via your online banking. In some cases you cannot use the Zelle via the bank app either. So if you’re finding trouble, use the computer and make the payment via Zelle from your online banking.

2. Make your check out to:
NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
c/o JSH Accounting Services LLC
PO Box 143538
Fayetteville, GA 30214
(this is the organization’s accounting professional DO NOT MAKE THE CHECK OUT TO THEM!)

3. Or click on this Paypal link:
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=Q4VWJEYVJ9HTW&Z3&fbclid=IwAR0pEOc51x9xhc-CBb8vqAIkX97Bgg1Z02f1r9gQh9S3dOsVmAdob5jBbw84. VENMO OUR Venmo Name changed! Please take note!

VENMO is a Phone App or can be used on a PC or Tablet
You can download and install the Phone App from the Android Play Store or Apple App Store. There may be fees involved using this method.

Our NEW ID is: @NYCRetirees2

If you are on this list, it is because you subscribed to hear what we are doing as an organization that represents all NYC Municipal workers in protecting their Health benefits in retirement. Currently, we have a FACEBOOK page located here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/888622578669131

If you are not on FACEBOOK, we will be updating you here. And Check our website for FAQ www.nycretirees.orgThank you for signing up for our newsletter and pass this to a friend to sign up too!

Dear Retirees & Retirees In Training –

We have more videos for you continuing to share the disinformation coming out of 52 Broadway. Michael Mulgrew should have learned the truth by now.

Note, if you are hearing impaired, please be advised, you can still watch these videos on YouTube. Please click the little “cc” on the YouTube screen so closed captioning appears. These captions are auto generated. You can click “…more” under the video and click “show transcript” and you can read that too if preferred. Hope it helps.

**************

We will be starting our May Fundraiser to prepare for the upcoming filings and oral arguments in the Campion and CoPay cases. We still do not have a decision in the oral arguments in the Bentkowski case from March. We have had a little break in the fundraising campaign and time to ramp it up again! See donation options below to kick off the May 2024 Fundraising Campaign! AND THANK YOU!
#2 Mulgrew Lies about Not Knowing About the HiP RateThis video is a little longer, but Is a MUST see. When loyalty is used to lie to your own members and retirees, it’s time for you BOTH to step down. SHARE THESE WITH ALL RETIRED UFT!

Donations are Needed! TO DONATE TO THE ORGANIZATION

Donation Instructions to Support Our Organization and our Fight To Protect Our Retiree Healthcare:

We worked decades for our benefits! Let’s make sure the City and the MLC don’t take them away!

A suggested $25 Donation* will help start the fight to keep our current benefits.

*Give more if you can, and/or often! If you cannot meet the minimum suggested donation, we appreciate whatever you can give towards this fight for our benefits. We also added the option to make your donation recurring (monthly) as was requested.

We are incorporated as a 501c5, Non-Profit, but not tax deductible. ALL proceeds go to fund the organization and its legal challenge. Volunteer retirees are running this effort.

TO DONATE, HERE ARE 4 SIMPLE WAYS!

1.Zelle using email NYCOrgofpublicserviceretirees@gmail.com YOU CANNOT USE THE ZELLE APP! You must use Zelle via your online banking. In some cases you cannot use the Zelle via the bank app either. So if you’re finding trouble, use the computer and make the payment via Zelle from your online banking.

2. Make your check out to:
NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
c/o JSH Accounting Services LLC
PO Box 143538
Fayetteville, GA 30214
(this is the organization’s accounting professional)

3. Or click on this Paypal link:
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=Q4VWJEYVJ9HTW&Z3&fbclid=IwAR0pEOc51x9xhc-CBb8vqAIkX97Bgg1Z02f1r9gQh9S3dOsVmAdob5jBbw84. VENMO OUR Venmo Name changed! Please take note!

VENMO is a Phone App or can be used on a PC or Tablet
You can download and install the Phone App from the Android Play Store or Apple App Store. There may be fees involved using this method.

Our NEW ID is: @NYCRetirees2

If you are on this list, it is because you subscribed to hear what we are doing as an organization that represents all NYC Municipal workers in protecting their Health benefits in retirement. Currently, we have a FACEBOOK page located here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/888622578669131

If you are not on FACEBOOK, we will be updating you here. And Check our website for FAQ www.nycretirees.orgThank you for signing up for our newsletter and pass this to a friend to sign up too!

Dear Retirees & Retirees In Training –

You sent us videos – we broke them down and fact-checked them. Many more coming!

You’re Welcome. Union leaders are held to a higher standard & should not misrepresent the truth as an excuse to claw back your Medicare benefits.#1 Medicare Retirees healthcare did not increase by $500,000 #2 Mulgrew Lies about Not Knowing About the HiP RateHenry Garrido admits the 2014 MLC Agreement was bad

Donations are Needed! TO DONATE TO THE ORGANIZATION

Donation Instructions to Support Our Organization and our Fight To Protect Our Retiree Healthcare:

We worked decades for our benefits! Let’s make sure the City and the MLC don’t take them away!

A suggested $25 Donation* will help start the fight to keep our current benefits.

*Give more if you can, and/or often! If you cannot meet the minimum suggested donation, we appreciate whatever you can give towards this fight for our benefits. We also added the option to make your donation recurring (monthly) as was requested.

We are incorporated as a Non-Profit, but not tax deductible. ALL proceeds go to fund the organization and its legal challenge. Volunteer retirees are running this effort.

TO DONATE, HERE ARE 4 SIMPLE WAYS!

1.Zelle using email NYCOrgofpublicserviceretirees@gmail.com YOU CANNOT USE THE ZELLE APP! You must use Zelle via your online banking. In some cases you cannot use the Zelle via the bank app either. So if you’re finding trouble, use the computer and make the payment via Zelle from your online banking.

2. Make your check out to:
NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
c/o JSH Accounting Services LLC
PO Box 143538
Fayetteville, GA 30214
(this is the organization’s accounting professional)

3. Or click on this Paypal link:
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=Q4VWJEYVJ9HTW&Z3&fbclid=IwAR0pEOc51x9xhc-CBb8vqAIkX97Bgg1Z02f1r9gQh9S3dOsVmAdob5jBbw84. VENMO OUR Venmo Name changed! Please take note!

VENMO is a Phone App or can be used on a PC or Tablet
You can download and install the Phone App from the Android Play Store or Apple App Store. There may be fees involved using this method.

Our NEW ID is: @NYCRetirees2

If you are on this list, it is because you subscribed to hear what we are doing as an organization that represents all NYC Municipal workers in protecting their Health benefits in retirement. Currently, we have a FACEBOOK page located here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/888622578669131

If you are not on FACEBOOK, we will be updating you here. And Check our website for FAQ www.nycretirees.orgThank you for signing up for our newsletter and pass this to a friend to sign up too!

Copyright © 2024 NYCRETIREES, All rights reserved.

Our DONATION mailing address is:
NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
c/o JSH Accounting Services LLC
PO Box 143538
Fayetteville, GA 30214

View this email in your browser

TRANSIT Retirees call AETNA about a Continuity of Care Form for providers NOT in the Network. This would affect EVERYONE ON AETNA INCLUDING NYC RETIREESCourt Argument and commentPost Court YouTube Live recap and Q&AYankees vs Kansas City Royals 1983Dear Retirees & Retirees In Training –

Here is the week’s recap!

There are FOUR videos above! Enjoy!

IMPORTANT DATES!

ALBANY TRIP Monday, April 15th. Please sign up here if you plan on attending, we need to plan logistics. We are holding a rally for our State legislation! The buses will about 8 am, one may be around LIE exit 49.

Donations are Needed! TO DONATE TO THE ORGANIZATION

Donation Instructions to Support Our Organization and our Fight To Protect Our Retiree Healthcare:

We worked decades for our benefits! Let’s make sure the City and the MLC don’t take them away!

A suggested $25 Donation* will help start the fight to keep our current benefits.

*Give more if you can, and/or often! If you cannot meet the minimum suggested donation, we appreciate whatever you can give towards this fight for our benefits. We also added the option to make your donation recurring (monthly) as was requested.

We are incorporated as a Non-Profit, but not tax deductible. ALL proceeds go to fund the organization and its legal challenge. Volunteer retirees are running this effort.

TO DONATE, HERE ARE 4 SIMPLE WAYS!

1.Zelle using email NYCOrgofpublicserviceretirees@gmail.com YOU CANNOT USE THE ZELLE APP! You must use Zelle via your online banking. In some cases you cannot use the Zelle via the bank app either. So if you’re finding trouble, use the computer and make the payment via Zelle from your online banking.

2. Make your check out to:
NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
c/o JSH Accounting Services LLC
PO Box 143538
Fayetteville, GA 30214
(this is the organization’s accounting professional)

3. Or click on this Paypal link:
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=Q4VWJEYVJ9HTW&Z3&fbclid=IwAR0pEOc51x9xhc-CBb8vqAIkX97Bgg1Z02f1r9gQh9S3dOsVmAdob5jBbw84. VENMO OUR Venmo Name changed! Please take note!

VENMO is a Phone App or can be used on a PC or Tablet
You can download and install the Phone App from the Android Play Store or Apple App Store. There may be fees involved using this method.

Our NEW ID is: @NYCRetirees2

If you are on this list, it is because you subscribed to hear what we are doing as an organization that represents all NYC Municipal workers in protecting their Health benefits in retirement. Currently, we have a FACEBOOK page located here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/888622578669131

If you are not on FACEBOOK, we will be updating you here. And Check our website for FAQ www.nycretirees.orgThank you for signing up for our newsletter and pass this to a friend to sign up too!

Copyright © 2024 NYCRETIREES, All rights reserved.

Our DONATION mailing address is:
NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
c/o JSH Accounting Services LLC
PO Box 143538
Fayetteville, GA 30214

Our Correspondence ONLY Address is:
PO Box 424
Sharpsburg, GA 30277

Friday Nite Update on the Judicial Hearing of the DC37 Retirees Association.

You can voice your issues with DC37 AFCME administrator AWidger@afscme.org

If you need the DC37 Retirees Association office 212-815-1793

If they don’t call you back or help you, contact the REAL Retirees that you know and love!
DC37Retirees@gmail.com    Let Neal, Aurea, Julie, et al, know what’s going on!Dear Retirees & Retirees In Training –

Here is Friday’s recap!

IMPORTANT DATES!Court is Thursday, March 21st. Right now, be there no later than 1:30PM We will have an update tonight or tomorrow on time. Remember the location is 27 Madison Ave and the entrance is on 25th St. If you cannot walk up a few steps, you need to enter at 41 Madison Ave at 26th St to go through security there. Let’s pack the Court like last time! Bring a snack! If for some reason several thousand of you show up 🙂 you will have to meet us in the park for the update after! The Judges need to see the Retirees!!

ALBANY TRIP Monday, April 15th. Please sign up here if you plan on attending, we need to plan logistics. We are holding a rally for our State legislation!

Are you a Retiree living in NJ? We have a survey for you. Only reply if you live in NJ!!
SURVEY

Donations are Needed! TO DONATE TO THE ORGANIZATION

Donation Instructions to Support Our Organization and our Fight To Protect Our Retiree Healthcare:

We worked decades for our benefits! Let’s make sure the City and the MLC don’t take them away!

A suggested $25 Donation* will help start the fight to keep our current benefits.

*Give more if you can, and/or often! If you cannot meet the minimum suggested donation, we appreciate whatever you can give towards this fight for our benefits. We also added the option to make your donation recurring (monthly) as was requested.

We are incorporated as a Non-Profit, but not tax deductible. ALL proceeds go to fund the organization and its legal challenge. Volunteer retirees are running this effort.

TO DONATE, HERE ARE 4 SIMPLE WAYS!

1.Zelle using email NYCOrgofpublicserviceretirees@gmail.com YOU CANNOT USE THE ZELLE APP! You must use Zelle via your online banking. In some cases you cannot use the Zelle via the bank app either. So if you’re finding trouble, use the computer and make the payment via Zelle from your online banking.

2. Make your check out to:
NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
c/o JSH Accounting Services LLC
PO Box 143538
Fayetteville, GA 30214
(this is the organization’s accounting professional)

3. Or click on this Paypal link:
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=Q4VWJEYVJ9HTW&Z3&fbclid=IwAR0pEOc51x9xhc-CBb8vqAIkX97Bgg1Z02f1r9gQh9S3dOsVmAdob5jBbw84. VENMO OUR Venmo Name changed! Please take note!

VENMO is a Phone App or can be used on a PC or Tablet
You can download and install the Phone App from the Android Play Store or Apple App Store. There may be fees involved using this method.

Our NEW ID is: @NYCRetirees2

If you are on this list, it is because you subscribed to hear what we are doing as an organization that represents all NYC Municipal workers in protecting their Health benefits in retirement. Currently, we have a FACEBOOK page located here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/888622578669131

If you are not on FACEBOOK, we will be updating you here. And Check our website for FAQ www.nycretirees.orgThank you for signing up for our newsletter and pass this to a friend to sign up too!

Copyright © 2024 NYCRETIREES, All rights reserved.

Our DONATION mailing address is:
NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
c/o JSH Accounting Services LLC
PO Box 143538
Fayetteville, GA 30214

Our Correspondence ONLY Address is:
PO Box 424
Sharpsburg, GA 30277

You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

View this email in your browser

Marianne And Neal discuss AFSCME Hostile Takeover! See how YOU can help!Dear Retirees & Retirees In Training –

We changed the format a little tonight!

Tonight’s guest was Neal Frumkin from DC37 Retirees Association.

See the article below, we believe DC37 Retirees were punished because they supported the litigation we lead and donated to it.

Neal is trying to rally those who are also DC37 Retirees or AFSCME members to watch the Judicial Hearing they are compelled to attend to defend themselves. AFSCME is denying them representation or allowing them to bring their own attorney.

If you wish to attend on ZOOM, you MUST complete this form and return it to Ms Shaun Plum of AFSCME (her email address is below) BEFORE SUNDAY MARCH 10th at MIDNIGHT!!!

AND you MUST Register on the link below to join as well. PLEASE DO BOTH BUT ONLY if YOU ARE DC37 Retiree or AFSCME affiliated!

You are invited to a Zoom meeting.
When: Mar 14, 2024 10:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIkcO2rrDItGtHrexzzlrKsguXApTqWNXtM

AFSCME video policy is in the above link, this must be completed in order to attend, and it is due by March 10, 2024 at 11:59 PM EST.

You can dial in or be on video.

The hearing is March 14th, 10 am.

Ms. Shaun Plum
Judicial Panel Assistant
SPlum@AFSCME.org
AFSCME
Judicial Panel
1625 L St NW
Washington, DC 20036

202-429-1211

If you qualify to attend please do so to show your support. If they silence one of us, they silence us all.
************ DC 37 Retirees Association taken over by AFSCMETax issue cited, but opposition to Medicare switch could also be a factor
District Council 37’s Retirees Association, which has about 40,000 members, was placed under administratorship by AFSCME Thursday. In a note on the association’s website, an AFSCME official said that the union took over the association because it failed to file taxes for the last six years, and had not had an outside audit since at least 2017.
MICHEL FRIANG/THE CHIEF
Posted Saturday, February 24, 2024 3:50 pm
BY CRYSTAL LEWISThis story was updated Saturday afternoon to include comments from the Retirees Association’s president.District Council 37’s Retirees Association has been put under administratorship for allegedly failing to file tax returns for the last six years. The association’s president and others, though, say its opposition to the city’s effort to switch municipal retirees to a Medicare Advantage plan was an overriding factor in the takeover. Ann Widger, the international retirees director for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, informed members Thursday that AFSCME President Lee Saunders has placed the Retirees Association under “emergency administratorship” and that she would serve as the association’s administrator. Terri Brady, AFSCME’s retirees field coordinator, will serve as deputy administrator.“The International Union recently became aware that the DC 37 Retirees Association was not following AFSCME’s Financial Standards Code or Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requirements, which jeopardized the Retirees Association’s funds and assets,” Widger’s message notes. “Unfortunately, the IRS has revoked the Association’s tax-exempt status for failure to file its annual tax return for the past six years.”The association has reportedly also not conducted an outside audit “since at least 2017,” according to the international.“These are serious failings. In pursuing these matters with the Association, it became clear that there was no significant effort or progress being made to correct them,” Widger wrote. “While there is no evidence of any individual financial wrongdoing, these matters cannot go unaddressed.”In a letter to the Retirees Association’s executive board obtained by The Chief, Saunders stated that the association’s officers were suspended and must turn over all records, funds, books and property belonging to the group, citing “an emergency situation … in that dissipation or loss of funds or assets is threatened.”DC 37 represents approximately 80,000 retired city workers. The Retirees Association counts more than 25,000 members who typically pay $36 in annual dues that are deducted from their monthly pensions.A spokesperson for DC 37 declined to comment on the announcement. AFSCME did not immediately return a request for comment inquiring why the international was unaware the association allegedly had not filed its taxes or been audited for several years.Several officers of the Retirees Association, including the recording secretary, Bruce Heigh, and a former president, Edward Hysyk, who served in the position from 2018 until 2022, did not immediately return requests for comment.Did Medicare Advantage play a role?A source who wished to remain anonymous said there was another reason for the administratorship — notably the Retirees Association’s $2,000 monthly payments to the NYC Organization of Retired Public Servants, which is leading the fight against the city’s effort to switch retired municipal workers’ health-care coverage to a Medicare Advantage plan.In a June email message obtained by The Chief, Widger wrote to the association’s president, Bob Gervasi, and cited a portion of the international union’s constitution that notes, “no property of any subordinate body … shall be given, contributed, assigned, donated or result to … any seceding, dual or antagonistic labor organization group … which is in violation of the International Constitution.” The email did not reference the association’s failure to file its taxes.Speaking to The Chief Saturday, Gervasi said the Retirees Association had in fact been making the monthly contributions to the retirees’ organization. Out of caution, though, he asked for the NYC Organization of Retired Public Servants’ financial statements and eventually decided to stop making the contributions. He also sent the language in AFSCME’s constitution to members of his executive board. But several board members pointed to the Retirees Association’s own constitution, which requires them to protect the retirees’ health care. The board voted in December to resume payments to the organization.Gervasi said he found out that the association had lost its tax-exempt status soon afterward. “If AFSCME had called me up and told me ‘You have 30 days to fix this,’ I would have done so. The tax exemption could have been fixed — we would have paid our penalties. It’s really a shame it had to go down this way,” he said.Gervasi added that he was told that other DC 37 locals using the same accountant as the Retirees Association reportedly had a similar problem with their tax status, and had fired the individual. He did not indicate which locals those were.He believes that the association’s loss of its tax-exempt status was an excuse for the administratorship. “In my opinion, this is all about the resumption of the payments to [the retiree group],” he said. “Now AFSCME has control of the association’s money, and it all stops. That was the ultimate goal.”Ray Markey, the former president of DC 37’s Local 1930, and a former DC 37 staffer, Gregory Heires, said in a statement on social media on behalf of Labor for Traditional Medicare, a group within the NYC Organization of Retired Public Servants, that “the true reason for the takeover” was because of Retirees Association’s support of the fight against the city’s Medicare Advantage effort.“We condemn the [blatant] takeover of the retirees association by its national union, AFSCME. It’s an outrageous anti-democratic and anti-union power grab,” the statement said.Widger, though, denied that AFSCME’s decision to place the association under administrationship was tied to the Medicare Advantage matter.“I realize that some will say this is about the current debate around retiree health care for New York City retirees. Make no mistake: It is not,” the message reads. “It is about serious violations of AFSCME’s Financial Standards Code and the International Constitution, which has resulted in the IRS revoking the Retirees Association of DC 37’s tax-exempt status.”Gervasi said he was angered by the way AFSCME officials came into the association’s office Thursday morning. “They were rude to my staff, who were in that office everyday during Covid helping people, and they changed the locks,” he said. “My employees didn’t deserve that.”He added that, “Nobody did anything wrong. Nobody’s money is in danger.”Gervasi blamed the mayor, the Municipal Labor Committee and former labor Commissioner Bob Linn for the rollout of Medicare Advantage. “I’m not totally against the Medicare Advantage plan, but I want choice,” he said. “The city picked the most vulnerable people to pick on. Our retirees, they need help. My concerns have always been for the retirees and their benefit.”

Donations are Needed! TO DONATE TO THE ORGANIZATION

Donation Instructions to Support Our Organization and our Fight To Protect Our Retiree Healthcare:

We worked decades for our benefits! Let’s make sure the City and the MLC don’t take them away!

A suggested $25 Donation* will help start the fight to keep our current benefits.

*Give more if you can, and/or often! If you cannot meet the minimum suggested donation, we appreciate whatever you can give towards this fight for our benefits. We also added the option to make your donation recurring (monthly) as was requested.

We are incorporated as a Non-Profit, but not tax deductible. ALL proceeds go to fund the organization and its legal challenge. Volunteer retirees are running this effort.

TO DONATE, HERE ARE 4 SIMPLE WAYS!

1.Zelle using email NYCOrgofpublicserviceretirees@gmail.com YOU CANNOT USE THE ZELLE APP! You must use Zelle via your online banking. In some cases you cannot use the Zelle via the bank app either. So if you’re finding trouble, use the computer and make the payment via Zelle from your online banking.

Dear Retirees & Retirees In Training –

Please see the video from Friday night for this week’s update and submit your comment to Medicare (CMS) about Medicare Advantage.

************ Context: Right now, the Biden Administration is considering how much to increase payments to insurance companies that offer Medicare Advantage. We already know that these companies are overpaid by $140 Billion every year, and that we shouldn’t be handing over more money for them to provide inadequate care to seniors and people with disabilities.

What you can do: submit a comment to the Biden Administration urging them not to hand over more of our money to CEOs and shareholders. It’ll take three easy steps:

Step 1: go to https://www.regulations.gov/commenton/CMS-2024-0006-0001

You do NOT need to click a comment category

Step 2: Copy this sample comment, and submit it as is or personalize it if you want.

At tremendous cost to taxpayers and people with Medicare, the government has overpaid Medicare Advantage plans tens of billions of dollars for more than a decade and is projected to overpay them by more than $1 trillion in the next decade.
Just as the government recoups overpayments to individuals it should be recouping Medicare Advantage overpayments, not rewarding them with greater revenues. In addition to driving up costs for everyone with Medicare, it is eroding the Medicare Trust Fund. Our retirees in these MA plans are being harassed by insurers to let them into their homes of course to upcode! Retirees around the country are also fed up being forced into Medicare Advantage. Insurers get rich and we lose access to care. Many of our Drs and hospitals don’t accept these plans, but Secretary Becerra allows us to be auto enrolled into them against our will!

We urge you to reduce MA rates to a level commensurate with Traditional Medicare and recoup all overpayments and stop allowing employers/unions to auto-enroll retirees into MA.

Step 3: Enter your contact information and click “Submit”

All in all this should only take 2 minutes, and it is a powerful way to make your voice heard on this specific issue. The White House actually tallies comments submitted through regulations.gov and uses that to inform their decision making. Comments are due by March 1st! Please submit your comment before then, or reply back if you have questions or need some help!

Thank you for being in this movement and fighting to Reclaim Medicare from corporate greed!
Friday Night Video Update

Donations are Needed! TO DONATE TO THE ORGANIZATION

Donation Instructions to Support Our Organization and our Fight To Protect Our Retiree Healthcare:

We worked decades for our benefits! Let’s make sure the City and the MLC don’t take them away!

A suggested $25 Donation* will help start the fight to keep our current benefits.

*Give more if you can, and/or often! If you cannot meet the minimum suggested donation, we appreciate whatever you can give towards this fight for our benefits. We also added the option to make your donation recurring (monthly) as was requested.

We are incorporated as a Non-Profit, but not tax deductible. ALL proceeds go to fund the organization and its legal challenge. Volunteer retirees are running this effort.

TO DONATE, HERE ARE 4 SIMPLE WAYS!

1.Zelle using email NYCOrgofpublicserviceretirees@gmail.com YOU CANNOT USE THE ZELLE APP! You must use Zelle via your online banking. In some cases you cannot use the Zelle via the bank app either. So if you’re finding trouble, use the computer and make the payment via Zelle from your online banking.

2. Make your check out to:
NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
c/o JSH Accounting Services LLC
PO Box 143538
Fayetteville, GA 30214
(this is the organization’s accounting professional)

3. Or click on this Paypal link:
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=Q4VWJEYVJ9HTW&Z3&fbclid=IwAR0pEOc51x9xhc-CBb8vqAIkX97Bgg1Z02f1r9gQh9S3dOsVmAdob5jBbw84. VENMO OUR Venmo Name changed! Please take note!

VENMO is a Phone App or can be used on a PC or Tablet
You can download and install the Phone App from the Android Play Store or Apple App Store. There may be fees involved using this method.

Our NEW ID is: @NYCRetirees2

If you are on this list, it is because you subscribed to hear what we are doing as an organization that represents all NYC Municipal workers in protecting their Health benefits in retirement. Currently, we have a FACEBOOK page located here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/888622578669131

If you are not on FACEBOOK, we will be updating you here. And Check our website for FAQ www.nycretirees.orgThank you for signing up for our newsletter and pass this to a friend to sign up too!

Dear Retirees & Retirees In Training –

The below email is from our Labor for Traditional Medicare Team. Following their update is the recent article from The Chief Leader on this issue. There will be more news coming!

*************
Statement on ASFCME Trusteeship of the Retirees Association of DC 37

We are alarmed by the decision of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees to put the Retirees Association of District Council 37 under trusteeship today. Several AFSCME officials arrived unannounced at the association’s Manhattan office, and they took over the facility. They informed the association’s staff that they were suspended, took control of records, including email lists, and changed the locks.

The national union posted a letter about the takeover on the association’s website and released the names of the AFSCME representatives who will be running the association. ASFCME claims the trusteeship was carried out because the association failed to file certain tax records, something the national union knew about for some time but failed to act upon.

In fact, the true reason for the takeover is that the Retirees Association has supported a lawsuit against the city over its attempt to force city retirees into a profit-seeking Aetna Medicare Advantage plan. That change will result in the loss of their traditional Medicare coverage.

The association has supported the NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees’ lawsuit with a $2,000 monthly contribution. DC 37 Executive Director Henry Garrido has been one of the most outspoken municipal labor leaders backing Mayor Eric Adam’s privatization scheme.

Ironically, at annual conventions, AFSCME has opposed Medicare Advantage, and its flagship affiliate DC 37 opposed Medicare Advantage in its former official publication, Public Employee Press, years ago.

Retirees, who joined the city workforce with a promise that they would be taken care of with modest pensions and comprehensive health-care coverage in their golden years, feel betrayed by union leaders and the city.

In contrast to traditional Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans place restrictions on coverage, have bureaucratic loopholes to get through for treatment, and more frequently deny coverage. And they may have costly drug plans. Studies have pointed to billions of dollars in waste and corruption in Medicare Advantage plans. For retirees, preserving their traditional Medicare coverage is a matter of life and death.

We condemn the blatant takeover of the retirees association by its national union, AFSCME. It’s an outrageous anti-democratic and anti-union power grab.

Gregory N. Heires
Ray Markey
Labor for Traditional Medicare

************ DC 37 Retirees Association taken over by AFSCMETax issue cited, but opposition to Medicare switch could also be a factor
District Council 37’s Retirees Association, which has about 40,000 members, was placed under administratorship by AFSCME Thursday. In a note on the association’s website, an AFSCME official said that the union took over the association because it failed to file taxes for the last six years, and had not had an outside audit since at least 2017.
MICHEL FRIANG/THE CHIEF
Posted Saturday, February 24, 2024 3:50 pm
BY CRYSTAL LEWISThis story was updated Saturday afternoon to include comments from the Retirees Association’s president.District Council 37’s Retirees Association has been put under administratorship for allegedly failing to file tax returns for the last six years. The association’s president and others, though, say its opposition to the city’s effort to switch municipal retirees to a Medicare Advantage plan was an overriding factor in the takeover. Ann Widger, the international retirees director for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, informed members Thursday that AFSCME President Lee Saunders has placed the Retirees Association under “emergency administratorship” and that she would serve as the association’s administrator. Terri Brady, AFSCME’s retirees field coordinator, will serve as deputy administrator.“The International Union recently became aware that the DC 37 Retirees Association was not following AFSCME’s Financial Standards Code or Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requirements, which jeopardized the Retirees Association’s funds and assets,” Widger’s message notes. “Unfortunately, the IRS has revoked the Association’s tax-exempt status for failure to file its annual tax return for the past six years.”The association has reportedly also not conducted an outside audit “since at least 2017,” according to the international.“These are serious failings. In pursuing these matters with the Association, it became clear that there was no significant effort or progress being made to correct them,” Widger wrote. “While there is no evidence of any individual financial wrongdoing, these matters cannot go unaddressed.”In a letter to the Retirees Association’s executive board obtained by The Chief, Saunders stated that the association’s officers were suspended and must turn over all records, funds, books and property belonging to the group, citing “an emergency situation … in that dissipation or loss of funds or assets is threatened.”DC 37 represents approximately 80,000 retired city workers. The Retirees Association counts more than 25,000 members who typically pay $36 in annual dues that are deducted from their monthly pensions.A spokesperson for DC 37 declined to comment on the announcement. AFSCME did not immediately return a request for comment inquiring why the international was unaware the association allegedly had not filed its taxes or been audited for several years.Several officers of the Retirees Association, including the recording secretary, Bruce Heigh, and a former president, Edward Hysyk, who served in the position from 2018 until 2022, did not immediately return requests for comment.Did Medicare Advantage play a role?A source who wished to remain anonymous said there was another reason for the administratorship — notably the Retirees Association’s $2,000 monthly payments to the NYC Organization of Retired Public Servants, which is leading the fight against the city’s effort to switch retired municipal workers’ health-care coverage to a Medicare Advantage plan.In a June email message obtained by The Chief, Widger wrote to the association’s president, Bob Gervasi, and cited a portion of the international union’s constitution that notes, “no property of any subordinate body … shall be given, contributed, assigned, donated or result to … any seceding, dual or antagonistic labor organization group … which is in violation of the International Constitution.” The email did not reference the association’s failure to file its taxes.Speaking to The Chief Saturday, Gervasi said the Retirees Association had in fact been making the monthly contributions to the retirees’ organization. Out of caution, though, he asked for the NYC Organization of Retired Public Servants’ financial statements and eventually decided to stop making the contributions. He also sent the language in AFSCME’s constitution to members of his executive board. But several board members pointed to the Retirees Association’s own constitution, which requires them to protect the retirees’ health care. The board voted in December to resume payments to the organization.Gervasi said he found out that the association had lost its tax-exempt status soon afterward. “If AFSCME had called me up and told me ‘You have 30 days to fix this,’ I would have done so. The tax exemption could have been fixed — we would have paid our penalties. It’s really a shame it had to go down this way,” he said.Gervasi added that he was told that other DC 37 locals using the same accountant as the Retirees Association reportedly had a similar problem with their tax status, and had fired the individual. He did not indicate which locals those were.He believes that the association’s loss of its tax-exempt status was an excuse for the administratorship. “In my opinion, this is all about the resumption of the payments to [the retiree group],” he said. “Now AFSCME has control of the association’s money, and it all stops. That was the ultimate goal.”Ray Markey, the former president of DC 37’s Local 1930, and a former DC 37 staffer, Gregory Heires, said in a statement on social media on behalf of Labor for Traditional Medicare, a group within the NYC Organization of Retired Public Servants, that “the true reason for the takeover” was because of Retirees Association’s support of the fight against the city’s Medicare Advantage effort.“We condemn the [blatant] takeover of the retirees association by its national union, AFSCME. It’s an outrageous anti-democratic and anti-union power grab,” the statement said.Widger, though, denied that AFSCME’s decision to place the association under administrationship was tied to the Medicare Advantage matter.“I realize that some will say this is about the current debate around retiree health care for New York City retirees. Make no mistake: It is not,” the message reads. “It is about serious violations of AFSCME’s Financial Standards Code and the International Constitution, which has resulted in the IRS revoking the Retirees Association of DC 37’s tax-exempt status.”Gervasi said he was angered by the way AFSCME officials came into the association’s office Thursday morning. “They were rude to my staff, who were in that office everyday during Covid helping people, and they changed the locks,” he said. “My employees didn’t deserve that.”He added that, “Nobody did anything wrong. Nobody’s money is in danger.”Gervasi blamed the mayor, the Municipal Labor Committee and former labor Commissioner Bob Linn for the rollout of Medicare Advantage. “I’m not totally against the Medicare Advantage plan, but I want choice,” he said. “The city picked the most vulnerable people to pick on. Our retirees, they need help. My concerns have always been for the retirees and their benefit.”

Donations are Needed! TO DONATE TO THE ORGANIZATION

Donation Instructions to Support Our Organization and our Fight To Protect Our Retiree Healthcare:

We worked decades for our benefits! Let’s make sure the City and the MLC don’t take them away!

A suggested $25 Donation* will help start the fight to keep our current benefits.

*Give more if you can, and/or often! If you cannot meet the minimum suggested donation, we appreciate whatever you can give towards this fight for our benefits. We also added the option to make your donation recurring (monthly) as was requested.

We are incorporated as a Non-Profit, but not tax deductible. ALL proceeds go to fund the organization and its legal challenge. Volunteer retirees are running this effort.

TO DONATE, HERE ARE 4 SIMPLE WAYS!

1.Zelle using email NYCOrgofpublicserviceretirees@gmail.com YOU CANNOT USE THE ZELLE APP! You must use Zelle via your online banking. In some cases you cannot use the Zelle via the bank app either. So if you’re finding trouble, use the computer and make the payment via Zelle from your online banking.

2. Make your check out to:
NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
c/o JSH Accounting Services LLC
PO Box 143538
Fayetteville, GA 30214
(this is the organization’s accounting professional)

3. Or click on this Paypal link:
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=Q4VWJEYVJ9HTW&Z3&fbclid=IwAR0pEOc51x9xhc-CBb8vqAIkX97Bgg1Z02f1r9gQh9S3dOsVmAdob5jBbw84. VENMO OUR Venmo Name changed! Please take note!

VENMO is a Phone App or can be used on a PC or Tablet
You can download and install the Phone App from the Android Play Store or Apple App Store. There may be fees involved using this method.

Our NEW ID is: @NYCRetirees2

If you are on this list, it is because you subscribed to hear what we are doing as an organization that represents all NYC Municipal workers in protecting their Health benefits in retirement. Currently, we have a FACEBOOK page located here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/888622578669131

If you are not on FACEBOOK, we will be updating you here. And Check our website for FAQ www.nycretirees.orgThank you for signing up for our newsletter and pass this to a friend to sign up too!

Copyright © 2024 NYCRETIREES, All rights reserved.

Our DONATION mailing address is:
NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
c/o JSH Accounting Services LLC
PO Box 143538
Fayetteville, GA 30214

Our Correspondence ONLY Address is:
PO Box 424
Sharpsburg, GA 30277

You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

Dear Retirees & Retirees in Training,

A group of retired teachers chose to take back their retiree chapter! Let’s support them and if you are available to support them in a kick off in front of UFT HQ, join them for a day of celebration to kick off their campaign!

Retiree Advocate/UFT announces its run in the spring 2024 UFT Retired Teachers Chapter Election

Retiree Advocate/UFT, a caucus of retirees within the United Federation of Teachers, will open its campaign to win control of the 60,000-member UFT Retired Teachers Chapter in the spring chapter elections. Candidates will be introduced at the press event and will greet the public immediately following, at the White Horse Tavern, 25 Bridge Street, New York, NY.

Retiree Advocate/UFT is fighting to preserve the Medicare benefits that UFT President Michael Mulgrew, the Municipal Labor Committee, and the NYC Office of Labor Relations are trying to take away from NYC municipal retirees.

What: Retiree Advocate/UFT Campaign kick-off event

When: Friday, February 16, 1pm

Where: 52 Broadway, New York, NY – in front of the UFT

Regards,

The NYC Retirees

***************************Your friends, and retirees in SOLIDARITY…

The NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
************** Donations are Needed! TO DONATE TO THE ORGANIZATION

Donation Instructions to Support Our Organization and our Fight To Protect Our Retiree Healthcare:

We worked decades for our benefits! Let’s make sure the City and the MLC don’t take them away!

A suggested $25 Donation* will help start the fight to keep our current benefits.

*Give more if you can, and/or often! If you cannot meet the minimum suggested donation, we appreciate whatever you can give towards this fight for our benefits. We also added the option to make your donation recurring (monthly) as was requested.

We are incorporated as a Non-Profit, but not tax deductible. ALL proceeds go to fund the organization and its legal challenge. Volunteer retirees are running this effort.

TO DONATE, HERE ARE 4 SIMPLE WAYS!

1.Zelle using email NYCOrgofpublicserviceretirees@gmail.com YOU CANNOT USE THE ZELLE APP! You must use Zelle via your online banking. In some cases you cannot use the Zelle via the bank app either. So if you’re finding trouble, use the computer and make the payment via Zelle from your online banking.

2. Make your check out to:
NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
c/o JSH Accounting Services LLC
PO Box 143538
Fayetteville, GA 30214
(this is the organization’s accounting professional)

3. Or click on this Paypal link:
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=Q4VWJEYVJ9HTW&Z3&fbclid=IwAR0pEOc51x9xhc-CBb8vqAIkX97Bgg1Z02f1r9gQh9S3dOsVmAdob5jBbw84. VENMO OUR Venmo Name changed! Please take note!

VENMO is a Phone App or can be used on a PC or Tablet
You can download and install the Phone App from the Android Play Store or Apple App Store. There may be fees involved using this method.

Our NEW ID is: @NYCRetirees2

If you are on this list, it is because you subscribed to hear what we are doing as an organization that represents all NYC Municipal workers in protecting their Health benefits in retirement. Currently, we have a FACEBOOK page located here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/888622578669131

If you are not on FACEBOOK, we will be updating you here. And Check our website for FAQ www.nycretirees.orgThank you for signing up for our newsletter and pass this to a friend to sign up too!

Copyright © 2024 NYCRETIREES, All rights reserved.

Our DONATION mailing address is:
NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
c/o JSH Accounting Services LLC
PO Box 143538
Fayetteville, GA 30214

Our Correspondence ONLY Address is:
PO Box 424
Sh

Deat Retirees & Retirees in Training,

WE HAVE A COURT DATE FOR BENTKOWSKI v CITY OF NY!

Mark your calendars! WE NEED YOU ALL THERE!

We have a date for oral argument in the First Department: March 21 at 2 pm. See the Docket below:

https://www.nycourts.gov/courts/ad1/calendar/24Calendars/March/Mar21.pdf

Let’s fill this courtroom & be a part of Justice!

Details:
If you are disabled and cannot go up 6-8 steps (wheelchairs/walkers) you will need to enter via 41 Madison Ave. A security guard will need to be called over to screen you and then escort you to our court area. Give yourself time. In furtherance of this goal, this Court has designated Margaret Sowah, Deputy Clerk of the Court, to serve as its ADA liaison, to be contacted, in advance, if possible, when reasonable accommodations on the basis of disability are needed. Ms. Sowah may be contacted by email at AD1ADALiaison@nycourts.gov, or by telephone, at 212-360-4987. An accessible entrance to the courthouse is available at 41 Madison Avenue, 2nd Floor, New York, New York.

Everyone else can enter via 27 Madison Ave for security screening.

We are LAST on the docket. The courtroom opens at 1:45.

Bring a snack as we will be there a while! We want to see thousands of you there!

There are sitting areas where you can have a drink while waiting.

Regards,

The NYC Retirees

***************************Your friends, and retirees in SOLIDARITY…

The NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
************** Donations are Needed! TO DONATE TO THE ORGANIZATION

Donation Instructions to Support Our Organization and our Fight To Protect Our Retiree Healthcare:

We worked decades for our benefits! Let’s make sure the City and the MLC don’t take them away!

A suggested $25 Donation* will help start the fight to keep our current benefits.

*Give more if you can, and/or often! If you cannot meet the minimum suggested donation, we appreciate whatever you can give towards this fight for our benefits. We also added the option to make your donation recurring (monthly) as was requested.

We are incorporated as a Non-Profit, but not tax deductible. ALL proceeds go to fund the organization and its legal challenge. Volunteer retirees are running this effort.

TO DONATE, HERE ARE 4 SIMPLE WAYS!

1.Zelle using email NYCOrgofpublicserviceretirees@gmail.com YOU CANNOT USE THE ZELLE APP! You must use Zelle via your online banking. In some cases you cannot use the Zelle via the bank app either. So if you’re finding trouble, use the computer and make the payment via Zelle from your online banking.

2. Make your check out to:
NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
c/o JSH Accounting Services LLC
PO Box 143538
Fayetteville, GA 30214
(this is the organization’s accounting professional)

3. Or click on this Paypal link:
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=Q4VWJEYVJ9HTW&Z3&fbclid=IwAR0pEOc51x9xhc-CBb8vqAIkX97Bgg1Z02f1r9gQh9S3dOsVmAdob5jBbw84. VENMO OUR Venmo Name changed! Please take note!

VENMO is a Phone App or can be used on a PC or Tablet
You can download and install the Phone App from the Android Play Store or Apple App Store. There may be fees involved using this method.

Our NEW ID is: @NYCRetirees2

If you are on this list, it is because you subscribed to hear what we are doing as an organization that represents all NYC Municipal workers in protecting their Health benefits in retirement. Currently, we have a FACEBOOK page located here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/888622578669131

If you are not on FACEBOOK, we will be updating you here. And Check our website for FAQ www.nycretirees.orgThank you for signing up for our newsletter and pass this to a friend to sign up too!

Copyright © 2024 NYCRETIREES, All rights reserved.

Our DONATION mailing address is:
NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
c/o JSH Accounting Services LLC
PO Box 143538
Fayetteville, GA 30214

Our Correspondence ONLY Address is:
PO Box 424
Sharpsburg, GA 30277

You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

Deadlines are fast approaching. If you live in NYC, get on your Community Board!

Read how and the deadlines!

A great way to help effect change!

Regards,

The Retirees Friday Night Update
***************************Your friends, and retirees in SOLIDARITY…

The NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
************** Donations are Needed! TO DONATE TO THE ORGANIZATION

Donation Instructions to Support Our Organization and our Fight To Protect Our Retiree Healthcare:

We worked decades for our benefits! Let’s make sure the City and the MLC don’t take them away!

A suggested $25 Donation* will help start the fight to keep our current benefits.

*Give more if you can, and/or often! If you cannot meet the minimum suggested donation, we appreciate whatever you can give towards this fight for our benefits. We also added the option to make your donation recurring (monthly) as was requested.

We are incorporated as a Non-Profit, but not tax deductible. ALL proceeds go to fund the organization and its legal challenge. Volunteer retirees are running this effort.

TO DONATE, HERE ARE 4 SIMPLE WAYS!

1.Zelle using email NYCOrgofpublicserviceretirees@gmail.com YOU CANNOT USE THE ZELLE APP! You must use Zelle via your online banking. In some cases you cannot use the Zelle via the bank app either. So if you’re finding trouble, use the computer and make the payment via Zelle from your online banking.

2. Make your check out to:
NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
c/o JSH Accounting Services LLC
PO Box 143538
Fayetteville, GA 30214
(this is the organization’s accounting professional)

3. Or click on this Paypal link:
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=Q4VWJEYVJ9HTW&Z3&fbclid=IwAR0pEOc51x9xhc-CBb8vqAIkX97Bgg1Z02f1r9gQh9S3dOsVmAdob5jBbw84. VENMO OUR Venmo Name changed! Please take note!

VENMO is a Phone App or can be used on a PC or Tablet
You can download and install the Phone App from the Android Play Store or Apple App Store. There may be fees involved using this method.

Our NEW ID is: @NYCRetirees2

If you are on this list, it is because you subscribed to hear what we are doing as an organization that represents all NYC Municipal workers in protecting their Health benefits in retirement. Currently, we have a FACEBOOK page located here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/888622578669131

If you are not on FACEBOOK, we will be updating you here. And Check our website for FAQ www.nycretirees.orgThank you for signing up for our newsletter and pass this to a friend to sign up too!Copyright © 2024 NYCRETIREES, All rights reserved.

Our DONATION mailing address is:
NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
c/o JSH Accounting Services LLC
PO Box 143538
Fayetteville, GA 30214

Our Correspondence ONLY Address is:
PO Box 424
Sharpsburg, GA 30277

You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

Good Afternoon Retirees and Retirees in Training!

We posted a survey on Facebook last week asking those on Medicare and GHI Senior Care how many times you saw your providers in January. IF YOU TOOK THE SURVEY THERE, DO NOT TAKE IT AGAIN! Just share it with friends. Thank you!

CLICK HERE FOR CO PAY SURVEY

Regards,

The Retirees Friday Night Update

***************************Your friends, and retirees in SOLIDARITY…

The NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
************** Donations are Needed! TO DONATE TO THE ORGANIZATION

Donation Instructions to Support Our Organization and our Fight To Protect Our Retiree Healthcare:

We worked decades for our benefits! Let’s make sure the City and the MLC don’t take them away!

A suggested $25 Donation* will help start the fight to keep our current benefits.

*Give more if you can, and/or often! If you cannot meet the minimum suggested donation, we appreciate whatever you can give towards this fight for our benefits. We also added the option to make your donation recurring (monthly) as was requested.

We are incorporated as a Non-Profit, but not tax deductible. ALL proceeds go to fund the organization and its legal challenge. Volunteer retirees are running this effort.

TO DONATE, HERE ARE 4 SIMPLE WAYS!

1.Zelle using email NYCOrgofpublicserviceretirees@gmail.com YOU CANNOT USE THE ZELLE APP! You must use Zelle via your online banking. In some cases you cannot use the Zelle via the bank app either. So if you’re finding trouble, use the computer and make the payment via Zelle from your online banking.

2. Make your check out to:
NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
c/o JSH Accounting Services LLC
PO Box 143538
Fayetteville, GA 30214
(this is the organization’s accounting professional)

3. Or click on this Paypal link:
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=Q4VWJEYVJ9HTW&Z3&fbclid=IwAR0pEOc51x9xhc-CBb8vqAIkX97Bgg1Z02f1r9gQh9S3dOsVmAdob5jBbw84. VENMO OUR Venmo Name changed! Please take note!

VENMO is a Phone App or can be used on a PC or Tablet
You can download and install the Phone App from the Android Play Store or Apple App Store. There may be fees involved using this method.

Our NEW ID is: @NYCRetirees2

If you are on this list, it is because you subscribed to hear what we are doing as an organization that represents all NYC Municipal workers in protecting their Health benefits in retirement. Currently, we have a FACEBOOK page located here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/888622578669131

If you are not on FACEBOOK, we will be updating you here. And Check our website for FAQ www.nycretirees.orgThank you for signing up for our newsletter and pass this to a friend to sign up too!

Copyright © 2024 NYCRETIREES, All rights reserved.

Our DONATION mailing address is:
NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
c/o JSH Accounting Services LLC
PO Box 143538
Fayetteville, GA 30214

Our Correspondence ONLY Address is:
PO Box 424
Sharpsburg, GA 30277

View this email in your browser

Dear Retirees & Retirees In Training – the below email is from our Labor for Traditional Medicare Team. They initiated the petition and funding for the ads you will see in this email.

Here is their update.

*************

Dear sisters and brothers,

Thank you for your political and financial support! We have run two ads,
which include more than 4,000 of your names on the Labor for Traditional Medicare
statement opposing the city’s proposal to force municipal retirees into a
Medicare Advantage plan.

The first was a 4-page ad in the Brooklyn-based Indypendent on page 8 of its December 2023-January 2024 issue, circulation 60,000. The second ad came out in the January 24, 2024 issue of The Nation, page 19, circulation 75,000. Copies of those ads are attached to this email for your review.

Your contributions are paying for our media campaign and we are now busy working on another ad in the New York City based free daily newspaper AMNewYork. We expect these ads will rally trade unionists around the country to join the fight to protect the New York City retirees to keep their traditional Medicare.

We have included a link below for donations for new donors and others who
may wish to make an additional contribution.
In solidarity,

Labor for Traditional Medicare team

In solidarity,

Labor for Traditional Medicare

How You Can Help

Click the link below to pay by Paypal. You do not need a PayPal account to donate. If there is left over money after the ads are made, the remaining proceeds will go towards Protecting our Healthcare Fight at NYCOPSR!

CLICK TO DONATE!

Or Scan this QR Code with your Camera on your Cell!

Regards,

Labor for Traditional Medicare

Copyright © 2024 NYCRETIREES, All rights reserved.

Our DONATION mailing address is:
NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
c/o JSH Accounting Services LLC
PO Box 143538
Fayetteville, GA 3021

View this email in your browser

Good Afternoon Retirees and Retirees in Training!

Homework!

The NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees is partnering with Be a Hero on a campaign to reclaim Medicare. As a retiree and member of our organization, you are deeply aware of the problems with Medicare Advantage. We have an opportunity to impact decision making that is happening at the federal level, which will have a huge impact on our fight to stay on traditional, publicly administered Medicare.

The email tool is HERE
and
the call tool is HERE.

DO THIS TODAY & SHARE!

Share on SOCIAL MEDIA
&
Share this email!

Twitter FaceBook

Let’s Do This!

Regards,

The Retirees Make a Difference!

***************************Your friends, and retirees in SOLIDARITY…

The NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
************** Donations are Needed! TO DONATE TO THE ORGANIZATION

Donation Instructions to Support Our Organization and our Fight To Protect Our Retiree Healthcare:

We worked decades for our benefits! Let’s make sure the City and the MLC don’t take them away!

A suggested $25 Donation* will help start the fight to keep our current benefits.

*Give more if you can, and/or often! If you cannot meet the minimum suggested donation, we appreciate whatever you can give towards this fight for our benefits. We also added the option to make your donation recurring (monthly) as was requested.

We are incorporated as a Non-Profit, but not tax deductible. ALL proceeds go to fund the organization and its legal challenge. Volunteer retirees are running this effort.

TO DONATE, HERE ARE 4 SIMPLE WAYS!

1.Zelle using email NYCOrgofpublicserviceretirees@gmail.com YOU CANNOT USE THE ZELLE APP! You must use Zelle via your online banking. In some cases you cannot use the Zelle via the bank app either. So if you’re finding trouble, use the computer and make the payment via Zelle from your online banking.

2. Make your check out to:
NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
c/o JSH Accounting Services LLC
PO Box 143538
Fayetteville, GA 30214
(this is the organization’s accounting professional)

3. Or click on this Paypal link:
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=Q4VWJEYVJ9HTW&Z3&fbclid=IwAR0pEOc51x9xhc-CBb8vqAIkX97Bgg1Z02f1r9gQh9S3dOsVmAdob5jBbw84. VENMO OUR Venmo Name changed! Please take note!

VENMO is a Phone App or can be used on a PC or Tablet
You can download and install the Phone App from the Android Play Store or Apple App Store. There may be fees involved using this method.

Our NEW ID is: @NYCRetirees2

If you are on this list, it is because you subscribed to hear what we are doing as an organization that represents all NYC Municipal workers in protecting their Health benefits in retirement. Currently, we have a FACEBOOK page located here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/888622578669131

If you are not on FACEBOOK, we will be updating you here. And Check our website for FAQ www.nycretirees.orgThank you for signing up for our newsletter and pass this to a friend to sign up too!

Copyright © 2024 NYCRETIREES, All rights reserved.

Our DONATION mailing address is:
NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
c/o JSH Accounting Services LLC
PO Box 143538
Fayetteville, GA 30214

Our Correspondence ONLY Address is:
PO Box 424
Sharpsburg, GA 30277

Good Afternoon Retirees and Retirees in Training!

There are a few video updates for you!

Regards,

The Retirees Friday Night UpdateThank you RSA. What’s the difference between Traditional Medicare And Medicare Dis-Advantage?

***************************Your friends, and retirees in SOLIDARITY…

The NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
************** Donations are Needed! TO DONATE TO THE ORGANIZATION

Donation Instructions to Support Our Organization and our Fight To Protect Our Retiree Healthcare:

We worked decades for our benefits! Let’s make sure the City and the MLC don’t take them away!

A suggested $25 Donation* will help start the fight to keep our current benefits.

*Give more if you can, and/or often! If you cannot meet the minimum suggested donation, we appreciate whatever you can give towards this fight for our benefits. We also added the option to make your donation recurring (monthly) as was requested.

We are incorporated as a Non-Profit, but not tax deductible. ALL proceeds go to fund the organization and its legal challenge. Volunteer retirees are running this effort.

TO DONATE, HERE ARE 4 SIMPLE WAYS!

1.Zelle using email NYCOrgofpublicserviceretirees@gmail.com YOU CANNOT USE THE ZELLE APP! You must use Zelle via your online banking. In some cases you cannot use the Zelle via the bank app either. So if you’re finding trouble, use the computer and make the payment via Zelle from your online banking.

2. Make your check out to:
NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
c/o JSH Accounting Services LLC
PO Box 143538
Fayetteville, GA 30214
(this is the organization’s accounting professional)

3. Or click on this Paypal link:
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=Q4VWJEYVJ9HTW&Z3&fbclid=IwAR0pEOc51x9xhc-CBb8vqAIkX97Bgg1Z02f1r9gQh9S3dOsVmAdob5jBbw84. VENMO OUR Venmo Name changed! Please take note!

VENMO is a Phone App or can be used on a PC or Tablet
You can download and install the Phone App from the Android Play Store or Apple App Store. There may be fees involved using this method.

Our NEW ID is: @NYCRetirees2

If you are on this list, it is because you subscribed to hear what we are doing as an organization that represents all NYC Municipal workers in protecting their Health benefits in retirement. Currently, we have a FACEBOOK page located here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/888622578669131

If you are not on FACEBOOK, we will be updating you here. And Check our website for FAQ www.nycretirees.orgThank you for signing up for our newsletter and pass this to a friend to sign up too!

Good Morning Retirees and Retirees in Training!

HOMEWORK! MUST DO ASAP!

MUST DO THIS BEFORE WEDNESDAY the 24th! SO PLEASE SHARE!

Several US Senators signed onto the Medicare Advantage Industry Letter. Including Senators Gillibrand and Schumer.

WE MUST ACT!

These are one click links. EASY!

One for an email and one to make a call! THESE MUST BE DONE TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY – AND THEN IT WILL BE TOO LATE. MAKE THE CALLS DURING BUSINESS HOURS!

https://act.newmode.net/action/be-hero-fund/email-congress

  https://act.newmode.net/action/be-hero-fund/call-congress-reclaim-medicare-corporate-greed-0

LET’S TELL THESE US SENATORS NOT TO SIGN THE LETTER SUPPORTING MEDICARE ADVANTAGE AND IF THEY DID THEY NEED TO GET OFF!!!

**********

Regards,

The Retirees

***************************Your friends, and retirees in SOLIDARITY…

The NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
************** Donations are Needed! TO DONATE TO THE ORGANIZATION

Donation Instructions to Support Our Organization and our Fight To Protect Our Retiree Healthcare:

We worked decades for our benefits! Let’s make sure the City and the MLC don’t take them away!

A suggested $25 Donation* will help start the fight to keep our current benefits.

*Give more if you can, and/or often! If you cannot meet the minimum suggested donation, we appreciate whatever you can give towards this fight for our benefits. We also added the option to make your donation recurring (monthly) as was requested.

We are incorporated as a Non-Profit, but not tax deductible. ALL proceeds go to fund the organization and its legal challenge. Volunteer retirees are running this effort.

TO DONATE, HERE ARE 4 SIMPLE WAYS!

1.Zelle using email NYCOrgofpublicserviceretirees@gmail.com YOU CANNOT USE THE ZELLE APP! You must use Zelle via your online banking. In some cases you cannot use the Zelle via the bank app either. So if you’re finding trouble, use the computer and make the payment via Zelle from your online banking.

2. Make your check out to:
NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
c/o JSH Accounting Services LLC
PO Box 143538
Fayetteville, GA 30214
(this is the organization’s accounting professional)

3. Or click on this Paypal link:
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=Q4VWJEYVJ9HTW&Z3&fbclid=IwAR0pEOc51x9xhc-CBb8vqAIkX97Bgg1Z02f1r9gQh9S3dOsVmAdob5jBbw84. VENMO OUR Venmo Name changed! Please take note!

VENMO is a Phone App or can be used on a PC or Tablet
You can download and install the Phone App from the Android Play Store or Apple App Store. There may be fees involved using this method.

Our NEW ID is: @NYCRetirees2

If you are on this list, it is because you subscribed to hear what we are doing as an organization that represents all NYC Municipal workers in protecting their Health benefits in retirement. Currently, we have a FACEBOOK page located here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/888622578669131

If you are not on FACEBOOK, we will be updating you here. And Check our website for FAQ www.nycretirees.orgThank you for signing up for our newsletter and pass this to a friend to sign up too!

Good Afternoon Retirees and Retirees in Training!

HOMEWORK! MUST DO ASAP!
CLICK HERE to Send a letter to your US Senator!
An industry letter is being sent to Senators asking them to support Medicare Advantage. You can read the letter here.MUST DO THIS BEFORE WEDNESDAY the 24! SO PLEASE SHARE!

There are lots of videos and links in this edition!

**********

RETIRED TEACHERS!

This is an all call out to retired UFT members! The Retiree Advocate is seeking retirees to join their coalition to unseat Tom Murphy. They need 300 delegates so please join their fight to protect your benefits at the union level in the UFT RTC!

Click Here
Sign up to join their movement to take back retiree priorities!

********************

We have a series of videos on our YouTube Channel, Have you subscribed?

CLICK SUBSCRIBE!

We did a video asking if you are interested in running for City Council! Well? If you are, watch here and click the description of the video to sign up!

Regards,

The Retirees Michael Mulgrew – SupplantingMLK & MedicareHenry Garrido _ Broken PromisesAetna Smear CampaignMulgrew – Do as I say not as I do

***************************Your friends, and retirees in SOLIDARITY…

The NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
************** Donations are Needed! TO DONATE TO THE ORGANIZATION

Donation Instructions to Support Our Organization and our Fight To Protect Our Retiree Healthcare:

We worked decades for our benefits! Let’s make sure the City and the MLC don’t take them away!

A suggested $25 Donation* will help start the fight to keep our current benefits.

*Give more if you can, and/or often! If you cannot meet the minimum suggested donation, we appreciate whatever you can give towards this fight for our benefits. We also added the option to make your donation recurring (monthly) as was requested.

We are incorporated as a Non-Profit, but not tax deductible. ALL proceeds go to fund the organization and its legal challenge. Volunteer retirees are running this effort.

TO DONATE, HERE ARE 4 SIMPLE WAYS!

1.Zelle using email NYCOrgofpublicserviceretirees@gmail.com YOU CANNOT USE THE ZELLE APP! You must use Zelle via your online banking. In some cases you cannot use the Zelle via the bank app either. So if you’re finding trouble, use the computer and make the payment via Zelle from your online banking.

2. Make your check out to:
NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
c/o JSH Accounting Services LLC
PO Box 143538
Fayetteville, GA 30214
(this is the organization’s accounting professional)

3. Or click on this Paypal link:
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=Q4VWJEYVJ9HTW&Z3&fbclid=IwAR0pEOc51x9xhc-CBb8vqAIkX97Bgg1Z02f1r9gQh9S3dOsVmAdob5jBbw84. VENMO OUR Venmo Name changed! Please take note!

VENMO is a Phone App or can be used on a PC or Tablet
You can download and install the Phone App from the Android Play Store or Apple App Store. There may be fees involved using this method.

Our NEW ID is: @NYCRetirees2

If you are on this list, it is because you subscribed to hear what we are doing as an organization that represents all NYC Municipal workers in protecting their Health benefits in retirement. Currently, we have a FACEBOOK page located here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/888622578669131

If you are not on FACEBOOK, we will be updating you here. And Check our website for FAQ www.nycretirees.orgThank you for signing up for our newsletter and pass this to a friend to sign up too!

Good Afternoon Retirees and Retirees in Training!

THE TRANSIT RETIREES COURT HEARING HAS BEEN POSTPONED!

STAY TUNED!

If you are a TWU Retiree, or related to one, please share the message!

Transit is a quasi state agency and thus not protected by our litigation. They need to litigate themselves, unfortunately. So they are trying to reach Transit Retirees to organize and fundraise!
They have a website & Facebook Page

Meet Lloyd Archer, President of the TWU100R Retirees!

Regards,

The Retirees Meet Lloyd from the Transit Retirees! Help him share the message to Stop the MTA from forcing them into Aetna MAP! Mayor Lindsey legislated healthcare & almost died without itRun for City CouncilA series of videos to help NYC Transit Retirees going through the same thing!A call with MSK and a Transit RetireeTwo hours on a call with Aenta to answer ONE question for a Transit Retiree, will cancer care be covered?Transit Retiree – Dr Does not accept ANY MA plan.

***************************Your friends, and retirees in SOLIDARITY…

The NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
************** Donations are Needed! TO DONATE TO THE ORGANIZATION

Donation Instructions to Support Our Organization and our Fight To Protect Our Retiree Healthcare:

We worked decades for our benefits! Let’s make sure the City and the MLC don’t take them away!

A suggested $25 Donation* will help start the fight to keep our current benefits.

*Give more if you can, and/or often! If you cannot meet the minimum suggested donation, we appreciate whatever you can give towards this fight for our benefits. We also added the option to make your donation recurring (monthly) as was requested.

We are incorporated as a Non-Profit, but not tax deductible. ALL proceeds go to fund the organization and its legal challenge. Volunteer retirees are running this effort.

TO DONATE, HERE ARE 4 SIMPLE WAYS!

1.Zelle using email NYCOrgofpublicserviceretirees@gmail.com YOU CANNOT USE THE ZELLE APP! You must use Zelle via your online banking. In some cases you cannot use the Zelle via the bank app either. So if you’re finding trouble, use the computer and make the payment via Zelle from your online banking.

2. Make your check out to:
NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
c/o JSH Accounting Services LLC
PO Box 143538
Fayetteville, GA 30214
(this is the organization’s accounting professional)

3. Or click on this Paypal link:
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=Q4VWJEYVJ9HTW&Z3&fbclid=IwAR0pEOc51x9xhc-CBb8vqAIkX97Bgg1Z02f1r9gQh9S3dOsVmAdob5jBbw84. VENMO OUR Venmo Name changed! Please take note!

VENMO is a Phone App or can be used on a PC or Tablet
You can download and install the Phone App from the Android Play Store or Apple App Store. There may be fees involved using this method.

Our NEW ID is: @NYCRetirees2

Good Afternoon Retirees and Retirees in Training!

A group of retired unionists got together to stand up to protect Traditional Medicare. Here is their letter:
***********

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

We have exciting news. To date we have collected over 3,700 names of trade union activists from dozens of unions who have signed on to the statement supporting the 250,000 public-sector retirees under attack. Throughout the country, Medicare Advantage is under fire for restricting and denying coverage in addition to wasting billions. New York City has become the focus of the fight to preserve and expand traditional Medicare.

Our Media Campaign

The organizers of Labor for Traditional Medicare have pitched in $750 for our first ad that will run in the monthly newspaper The Indypendent, circulation of 30,000. Look for it. In the meantime, we are pleased to let you know that thanks to our supportive friends in Portside we have already published the statement in that digital platform, which has a circulation of 70,000.

Our next goal is to raise $10,000 for ads in amNew York, The Nation and as many other publications as we can afford. Ads in these publications will broaden our reach and strengthen our local message significantly.

We can’t do this without your continued help and support. We are working closely with Marianne Pizzitola and the NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees (NYCOPSR) to demonstrate that union activists support this fight. We thank you for spreading the word that protecting members’ health care is a major priority of labor.

We urge you to make a small contribution of 10, 20 or $25, or more if you can afford it, toward our campaign. Please send your contribution to the NYCOPSR. Your contributions will to help further publicize, build and support this campaign.

In solidarity,

Labor for Traditional Medicare

How You Can Help

Click the link below to pay by Paypal. You do not need a PayPal account to donate. If there is left over money after the ads are made, the remaining proceeds will go towards Protecting our Healthcare Fight at NYCOPSR!

CLICK TO DONATE!

Or Scan this QR Code with your Camera on your Cell!

Regards,

Labor for Traditional MedicarePlease listen to this video!

***************************Your friends, and retirees in SOLIDARITY…

The NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
************** Donations are Needed! TO DONATE TO THE ORGANIZATION

Donation Instructions to Support Our Organization and our Fight To Protect Our Retiree Healthcare:

We worked decades for our benefits! Let’s make sure the City and the MLC don’t take them away!

A suggested $25 Donation* will help start the fight to keep our current benefits.

*Give more if you can, and/or often! If you cannot meet the minimum suggested donation, we appreciate whatever you can give towards this fight for our benefits. We also added the option to make your donation recurring (monthly) as was requested.

We are incorporated as a Non-Profit, but not tax deductible. ALL proceeds go to fund the organization and its legal challenge. Volunteer retirees are running this effort.

TO DONATE, HERE ARE 4 SIMPLE WAYS!

1.Zelle using email NYCOrgofpublicserviceretirees@gmail.com YOU CANNOT USE THE ZELLE APP! You must use Zelle via your online banking. In some cases you cannot use the Zelle via the bank app either. So if you’re finding trouble, use the computer and make the payment via Zelle from your online banking.

2. Make your check out to:
NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
c/o JSH Accounting Services LLC
PO Box 143538
Fayetteville, GA 30214
(this is the organization’s accounting professional)

3. Or click on this Paypal link:
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=Q4VWJEYVJ9HTW&Z3&fbclid=IwAR0pEOc51x9xhc-CBb8vqAIkX97Bgg1Z02f1r9gQh9S3dOsVmAdob5jBbw84. VENMO OUR Venmo Name changed! Please take note!

VENMO is a Phone App or can be used on a PC or Tablet
You can download and install the Phone App from the Android Play Store or Apple App Store. There may be fees involved using this method.

Our NEW ID is: @NYCRetirees2

If you are on this list, it is because you subscribed to hear what we are doing as an organization that represents all NYC Municipal workers in protecting their Health benefits in retirement. Currently, we have a FACEBOOK page located here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/888622578669131

If you are not on FACEBOOK, we will be updating you here. And Check our website for FAQ www.nycretirees.orgThank you for signing up for our newsletter and pass this to a friend to sign up too!

Dear Retirees & Retirees In Training –

DC37 & AFSCME are punishing DC37 Retirees for supporting the litigation to protect our Medicare.

There is a Press Conference & Rally TOMORROW, Wednesday, March 6th & the 14th is their AFSCME Judicial hearing.

WE MUST STAND TOGETHER AND SHOW AFSCME & DC37 WE WILL NOT BE SILENCED FOR PROTECTING MEDICARE AND OUR RETIREES.

Please join us, and attend the rally to support them and Medicare.

If you are an AFSCME Member and want to attend or testify at their AFSCME JUDICIAL HEARING, send an email to SPlum@AFSCME.org asap! You must complete and return their policy agreement before March 10th. The hearing is March 14th at 10 am.
LET’S STAND TO SUPPORT THEM!

See our Press Statement below.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6th
75 Maiden Lane
11 AM
RAIN OR SHINE!

Bring a sign!

LET THERE BE A SEA OF RETIREES STANDING IN SOLIDARITY!FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees Stands in Solidarity with DC37 Retirees for A Press Conference and Rally in Protest to AFSCME Manhattan, NY, March 5, 2024 Outraged by the hostile takeover of the DC37 Retirees Association, the NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees stands in unwavering solidarity with our fellow retirees. For years, we’ve fought tirelessly to defend traditional Medicare, only to face betrayal from those who once swore to fight for us. Now, the DC37 Retirees, despite belonging to a supposedly powerful union with a long history of leadership, face draconian punishment for simply advocating for the exact cause we champion. Their supposed leaders, failing their fundamental duty, offered no support or guidance before seizing control of the DC37 Retirees Association. This outrageous double standard becomes even more egregious when considering other union groups with similar issues faced no such consequences. This betrayal goes beyond the takeover itself. In June of last year, a powerful AFSCME official, Ann Widger, threatened the DC37 Retirees Association for daring to support our legal fight to protect traditional Medicare. Her message: continued donations would result in receivership. Following through on her threat, the hostile takeover occurred when donations resumed. Unions, once beacons of dissent, now stifle these very voices and threaten those fighting for their fundamental rights. We are the backbone of the labor force who demand a swift return to the core values of unions: protecting workers and retirees, not silencing them. This attack on retirees trying to protect their earned Medicare benefits is shameful. AFSCME, once a champion for Medicare alongside Dr. Martin Luther King and President Johnson, now allows its largest district council to force retirees into a privatized, for-profit plan that weakens their access to doctors, denies care, is rejected by many of our healthcare providers, and puts seniors’ lives at risk. We thought we were UNION! PRESS CONFERENCE Join us on Wednesday, March 6th at 11 AM at 75 Maiden Lane as we fight for justice, our healthcare future, and the soul of the union movement!

Donations are Needed! TO DONATE TO THE ORGANIZATION

Donation Instructions to Support Our Organization and our Fight To Protect Our Retiree Healthcare:

We worked decades for our benefits! Let’s make sure the City and the MLC don’t take them away!

A suggested $25 Donation* will help start the fight to keep our current benefits.

*Give more if you can, and/or often! If you cannot meet the minimum suggested donation, we appreciate whatever you can give towards this fight for our benefits. We also added the option to make your donation recurring (monthly) as was requested.

We are incorporated as a Non-Profit, but not tax deductible. ALL proceeds go to fund the organization and its legal challenge. Volunteer retirees are running this effort.

TO DONATE, HERE ARE 4 SIMPLE WAYS!

1.Zelle using email NYCOrgofpublicserviceretirees@gmail.com YOU CANNOT USE THE ZELLE APP! You must use Zelle via your online banking. In some cases you cannot use the Zelle via the bank app either. So if you’re finding trouble, use the computer and make the payment via Zelle from your online banking.

2. Make your check out to:
NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
c/o JSH Accounting Services LLC
PO Box 143538
Fayetteville, GA 30214
(this is the organization’s accounting professional)

3. Or click on this Paypal link:
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=Q4VWJEYVJ9HTW&Z3&fbclid=IwAR0pEOc51x9xhc-CBb8vqAIkX97Bgg1Z02f1r9gQh9S3dOsVmAdob5jBbw84. VENMO OUR Venmo Name changed! Please take note!

VENMO is a Phone App or can be used on a PC or Tablet
You can download and install the Phone App from the Android Play Store or Apple App Store. There may be fees involved using this method.

Our NEW ID is: @NYCRetirees2

If you are on this list, it is because you subscribed to hear what we are doing as an organization that represents all NYC Municipal workers in protecting their Health benefits in retirement. Currently, we have a FACEBOOK page located here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/888622578669131

If you are not on FACEBOOK, we will be updating you here. And Check our website for FAQ www.nycretirees.orgThank you for signing up for our newsletter and pass this to a friend to sign up too!

Deat Retirees & Retirees in Training,

WE HAVE A COURT DATE FOR BENTKOWSKI v CITY OF NY!

Mark your calendars! WE NEED YOU ALL THERE!

We have a date for oral argument in the First Department: March 21 at 2 pm. See the Docket below:

https://www.nycourts.gov/courts/ad1/calendar/24Calendars/March/Mar21.pdf

Let’s fill this courtroom & be a part of Justice!

Details:
If you are disabled and cannot go up 6-8 steps (wheelchairs/walkers) you will need to enter via 41 Madison Ave. A security guard will need to be called over to screen you and then escort you to our court area. Give yourself time. In furtherance of this goal, this Court has designated Margaret Sowah, Deputy Clerk of the Court, to serve as its ADA liaison, to be contacted, in advance, if possible, when reasonable accommodations on the basis of disability are needed. Ms. Sowah may be contacted by email at AD1ADALiaison@nycourts.gov, or by telephone, at 212-360-4987. An accessible entrance to the courthouse is available at 41 Madison Avenue, 2nd Floor, New York, New York.

Everyone else can enter via 27 Madison Ave for security screening.

We are LAST on the docket. The courtroom opens at 1:45.

Bring a snack as we will be there a while! We want to see thousands of you there!

There are sitting areas where you can have a drink while waiting.

Regards,

The NYC Retirees

***************************Your friends, and retirees in SOLIDARITY…

The NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
************** Donations are Needed! TO DONATE TO THE ORGANIZATION

Donation Instructions to Support Our Organization and our Fight To Protect Our Retiree Healthcare:

We worked decades for our benefits! Let’s make sure the City and the MLC don’t take them away!

A suggested $25 Donation* will help start the fight to keep our current benefits.

*Give more if you can, and/or often! If you cannot meet the minimum suggested donation, we appreciate whatever you can give towards this fight for our benefits. We also added the option to make your donation recurring (monthly) as was requested.

We are incorporated as a Non-Profit, but not tax deductible. ALL proceeds go to fund the organization and its legal challenge. Volunteer retirees are running this effort.

TO DONATE, HERE ARE 4 SIMPLE WAYS!

1.Zelle using email NYCOrgofpublicserviceretirees@gmail.com YOU CANNOT USE THE ZELLE APP! You must use Zelle via your online banking. In some cases you cannot use the Zelle via the bank app either. So if you’re finding trouble, use the computer and make the payment via Zelle from your online banking.

2. Make your check out to:
NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
c/o JSH Accounting Services LLC
PO Box 143538
Fayetteville, GA 30214
(this is the organization’s accounting professional)

Good afternoon Retirees and Retirees in Training!

WE WON AGAIN!! REJOICE, AS WE FULLY EXPECT THE CITY TO APPEAL IN THE NEAR FUTURE!!

State Supreme Court Rules Against New York City’s Plan to
Strip City Retirees of Promised Medicare Benefits

Court Had Issued Preliminary Injunction in July; Today’s Ruling Permanently Bans City From Implementing Inferior Aetna Medicare Advantage Plan

NEW YORK, August 11, 2023 — Today, the New York County Supreme Court issued a final ruling permanently stopping the City from forcing a quarter-million elderly and disabled retirees off of their longstanding Medicare insurance and onto an inferior type of insurance called “Medicare Advantage.” Unlike Medicare—a public program that has protected City retirees for the past 57 years—the City’s new Aetna Medicare Advantage plan is a private, for-profit endeavor that would limit retirees’ access to their medical providers, prevent retirees from receiving care prescribed by their doctors unless Aetna deemed it “medically necessary,” and expose retirees to increased healthcare costs.

The Court had issued a preliminary injunction last month, with Supreme Court Justice Lyle E. Frank noting that the retirees “have shown by clear and convincing evidence” that implementation of the new Aetna Medicare Advantage plan would likely violate their rights in numerous ways. Justice Frank also ruled that “should this plan go forward, irreparable harm would result” to countless retirees.

Today the Court ruled in favor of the retirees on multiple grounds. Among them was the fact that, since the 1960s, the City has guaranteed every active and retired City worker—by statute and through written and verbal promises—that when they became elderly or disabled, they would be entitled to City-funded healthcare through a combination of Medicare plus Medicare “supplemental” insurance, which covers healthcare expenses that Medicare does not.

The decision is available here.

Jake Gardener, a partner at Walden Macht & Haran LLP, counsel to the retirees, says, “We are grateful to Justice Frank for again recognizing the multiple ways in which the health and healthcare rights of retired City workers would be imperiled by the City’s new Medicare Advantage plan. Because of Justice Frank’s well-reasoned decision, hundreds of thousands of senior citizens and disabled first responders will be able to continue receiving the medical care they desperately need and to which they are entitled.”

Marianne Pizzitola, President of the New York City Organization of Public Service Retirees, one of the lead plaintiffs, states, “This is now the third time in the last two years that courts have had to step in and stop the City from violating retirees’ healthcare rights. We once again call on the City and the Municipal Labor Committee to end their ruthless and unlawful campaign to deprive retired municipal workers of the healthcare benefits they earned. Knowing after every win, the City has found a way to go around the Judge’s decision, the City Council should support Intro 1099 sponsored by Councilman Charles Barron, and stop this administration from wasting taxpayer dollars appealing righteous decisions by the Court. NYC Retirees earned their right to Federal Medicare and we relied on the promise we would have this benefit through our lifetime. We hope this decision will help retirees nationwide stop their former unions and employer from privatizing the Federal Public Health Benefit of Medicare so we can live the rest of our lives in peace.”

Regards,

The Retirees THE COURT RULES FOR THE RETIREES

***************************Your friends, and retirees in SOLIDARITY…

The NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
************** Donations are Needed!  TO DONATE TO THE ORGANIZATION

Donation Instructions to Support Our Organization and our Fight To Protect Our Retiree Healthcare:

We worked decades for our benefits! Let’s make sure the City and the MLC don’t take them away!

A suggested $25 Donation* will help start the fight to keep our current benefits.

*Give more if you can, and/or often! If you cannot meet the minimum suggested donation, we appreciate whatever you can give towards this fight for our benefits. We also added the option to make your donation recurring (monthly) as was requested.

We are incorporated as a Non-Profit, but not tax deductible. ALL proceeds go to fund the organization and its legal challenge. Volunteer retirees are running this effort.

TO DONATE, HERE ARE 4 SIMPLE WAYS!

1.Zelle using email NYCOrgofpublicserviceretirees@gmail.com YOU CANNOT USE THE ZELLE APP! You must use Zelle via your online banking. In some cases you cannot use the Zelle via the bank app either. So if you’re finding trouble, use the computer and make the payment via Zelle from your online banking.

2. Make your check out to:
NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
c/o JSH Accounting Services LLC
PO Box 143538
Fayetteville, GA 30214
(this is the organization’s accounting professional)

3. Or click on this Paypal link:
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=Q4VWJEYVJ9HTW&Z3&fbclid=IwAR0pEOc51x9xhc-CBb8vqAIkX97Bgg1Z02f1r9gQh9S3dOsVmAdob5jBbw84.  VENMO OUR Venmo Name changed! Please take note!

VENMO is a Phone App or can be used on a PC or Tablet
You can download and install the Phone App from the Android Play Store or Apple App Store. There may be fees involved using this method.

Our NEW ID is: @NYCRetirees2

If you are on this list, it is because you subscribed to hear what we are doing as an organization that represents all NYC Municipal workers in protecting their Health benefits in retirement. Currently, we have a FACEBOOK page located here:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/888622578669131

If you are not on FACEBOOK, we will be updating you here. And Check our website for FAQ www.nycretirees.orgThank you for signing up for our newsletter and pass this to a friend to sign up too!

View this email in your browser

Good morning Retirees and Retirees in Training!

WE HAVE A FEW IMPORTANT ITEMS  1. EMAIL & call City Council to support Intro 1099

2. Register for the DC TRIP ONLY if you are sure you can make it, no cancellations or you will have to pay for the ticket, and are on Medicare and want to protect it from privatization. See the video below for details.

DEADLINE: WEDNESDAY, JULY 12th 5 pm. The trip leaves on July 25th, 645am from Penn Station and after a full day in DC, we leave and will return to Penn Station by 10 Pm. SPACE IS LIMITED!
Please do today’s homework: CALL & EMAIL City Council members who are not signed onto Intro 1099

EMAIL THEM HERE

When your emails and social media posts are done, start to call!
Carlina Rivera 212-788-7366
Erik Bottcher 212-564-7757
Keith Powers 212-788-7393
Julie Menin 212-788-6865
Gale A. Brewer 212-788-6975
Shawn Abreu 212-788-7007
Diana Ayala 212-788-6960
Carmen De La Rosa 212-788-7053
Eric Dinowitz 212-788-7080
Kevin C. Riley 212-788-6873
Marjorie Velazquez 212-788-7375
Pierina Ana Sanchez 212-788-7074
Oswald Feliz 212-788-6966
Althea Stevens 212-788-6856
Rafael Salamanca, Jr. 212-788-7384
Amanda Farias 212-788-6853
Sandra Ung 718-888-8747
Francisco P. Moya 212-788-6862
Tiffany Caban 212-788-6963
James F. Gennaro 212-788-6956
Julie Won 212-788-7370
Nantasha M. Williams 212-788-7084
Adrienne Adams 212-788-6850
Robert F. Holden 212-788-7381
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers 212-788-7216
Lincoln Restler 212-788-7348
Jennifer Gutierrez 212-788-7095
Crystal Hudson 212-788-7081
Chi Osse 212-788-7354
Sandy Nurse 212-788-7284
Rita Joseph 212-788-7352
Darlene Mealy 212-788-7387
Justin Brannan 212-788-7363
Kalman Yeger 212-788-7357
Farah N. Louis 212-788-6859
Mercedes Narcisse 212-788-7286
Kamillah Hanks 212-788-6972
David Carr 212-788-7159
Joseph C. Borelli 212-788-6989

We are now going to start a rally, to move more City Council Members on our legislation & get it to a hearing.

JOIN US, THURSDAY, JULY 13th, 12:30 PM!

Retiree Info Fax #10 of 2023 | July 7^th

Medicare Advantage Update
– July 7^th Court Ruling –

In regard to the Medicare Advantage Plan, a Temporary Restraining Order was issued by Judge Lyle E. Frank today, July 7^th, due to the ongoing lawsuit brought about by a city retiree group.

Due to this court ruling, everything is now on hold. Retirees do not need to do anything further at this time. As of now, you will remain in your current Medicare Plan.

Further, all opt outs are paused. There is no need to opt out by July 10. Even if you already opted out, you do not need to do anything at this time.

The official ruling from the Supreme Court of the State of New York – New York County can be found at the following link: ufanyc.org/download/555007/

The UFA is waiting for more information from the MLC and the City. We will keep you posted once we get further information.

In the meantime, the best website for official OLR information and updates continues to be: www.nyc.gov/site/olr/health/retiree/health-retiree-responsibilities-assistance.page.

Copyright © 2023 Uniformed Firefighters Association, All rights reserved.
Uniformed Firefighters Association Retired Members

Our mailing address is:
Uniformed Firefighters Association204 E 23rd StNew York, NY 10010-4628

Good morning Retirees and Retirees in Training!

WE WON

THE TRO!!!

DO NOTHING! SEND IN NO FORMS! MAKE NO CALLS TO OPT OUT! EVERYTHING STOPS!

IF YOU ALREADY GOT YOURSELF INTO A PLAN FOR SEPTEMBER 1, YOU NEED TO CALL AND FIND OUT HOW TO PAUSE IT OR WITHDRAW.

IF YOU ALREADY FILED YOUR WAIVER, NOTHING HAPPENS. YOUR CURRENT PLANS STAY IN PLACE!

We now have THREE full court cases running, so please make a donation and get your friends to do so too! Especially those who doubted us! We won EVERY TIME SO FAR!!

Regards,

The Retirees WE WON!

***************************Your friends, and retirees in SOLIDARITY…

The NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
************** Donations are Needed!  TO DONATE TO THE ORGANIZATION

Donation Instructions to Support Our Organization and our Fight To Protect Our Retiree Healthcare:

We worked decades for our benefits! Let’s make sure the City and the MLC don’t take them away!

A suggested $25 Donation* will help start the fight to keep our current benefits.

*Give more if you can, and/or often! If you cannot meet the minimum suggested donation, we appreciate whatever you can give towards this fight for our benefits. We also added the option to make your donation recurring (monthly) as was requested.

We are incorporated as a Non-Profit, but not tax deductible. ALL proceeds go to fund the organization and its legal challenge. Volunteer retirees are running this effort.

TO DONATE, HERE ARE 4 SIMPLE WAYS!

1.Zelle using email NYCOrgofpublicserviceretirees@gmail.com YOU CANNOT USE THE ZELLE APP! You must use Zelle via your online banking. In some cases you cannot use the Zelle via the bank app either. So if you’re finding trouble, use the computer and make the payment via Zelle from your online banking.

2. Make your check out to:
NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
c/o JSH Accounting Services LLC
PO Box 143538
Fayetteville, GA 30214
(this is the organization’s accounting professional)

3. Or click on this Paypal link:
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=Q4VWJEYVJ9HTW&Z3&fbclid=IwAR0pEOc51x9xhc-CBb8vqAIkX97Bgg1Z02f1r9gQh9S3dOsVmAdob5jBbw84.  VENMO OUR Venmo Name changed! Please take note!

VENMO is a Phone App or can be used on a PC or Tablet
You can download and install the Phone App from the Android Play Store or Apple App Store. There may be fees involved using this method.

Our NEW ID is: @NYCRetirees2

If you are on this list, it is because you subscribed to hear what we are doing as an organization that represents all NYC Municipal workers in protecting their Health benefits in retirement. Currently, we have a FACEBOOK page located here:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/888622578669131

If you are not on FACEBOOK, we will be updating you here. And Check our website for FAQ www.nycretirees.orgThank you for signing up for our newsletter and pass this to a friend to sign up too!

View this email in your browser

Good morning Retirees and Retirees in Training!

Court was Yesterday and the judge denied Aetna and the MLC from being parties in the case but granted amici status so they could participate like the last time.

We expect a decision on the restraining order today.

when it comes in we will announce it but no matter how it goes the merits of the case still must be heard.

prayers for a TRO commencing!

and we will see you about 830pm

Below you will find a series of videos. One shows you how to WAIVE your benefits to stay in traditional Medicare. Remember you lose Medicare B reimbursement too, have to buy a medigap if you can secure one, and your dependents lose their health benefits too. The form must be postmarked by July 10th. (yes that is an official update).

There is another video to OPT OUT of AETNA and into Hip VIP.

Here is also the NYC OLR site that explains the different scenarios as well. And all of this is IN CASE we lose the TRO.

We will update you after when know the courts decision.

Regards,

The Retirees

How to OPT out of Aetna to go into Hip VIPHow to WAIVE Your benefits to stay on MedicareFriday Nite Update

***************************Your friends, and retirees in SOLIDARITY…

The NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
************** Donations are Needed!  TO DONATE TO THE ORGANIZATION

Donation Instructions to Support Our Organization and our Fight To Protect Our Retiree Healthcare:

We worked decades for our benefits! Let’s make sure the City and the MLC don’t take them away!

A suggested $25 Donation* will help start the fight to keep our current benefits.

*Give more if you can, and/or often! If you cannot meet the minimum suggested donation, we appreciate whatever you can give towards this fight for our benefits. We also added the option to make your donation recurring (monthly) as was requested.

We are incorporated as a Non-Profit, but not tax deductible. ALL proceeds go to fund the organization and its legal challenge. Volunteer retirees are running this effort.

TO DONATE, HERE ARE 4 SIMPLE WAYS!

1.Zelle using email NYCOrgofpublicserviceretirees@gmail.com YOU CANNOT USE THE ZELLE APP! You must use Zelle via your online banking. In some cases you cannot use the Zelle via the bank app either. So if you’re finding trouble, use the computer and make the payment via Zelle from your online banking.

2. Make your check out to:
NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
c/o JSH Accounting Services LLC
PO Box 143538
Fayetteville, GA 30214
(this is the organization’s accounting professional)

3. Or click on this Paypal link:
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=Q4VWJEYVJ9HTW&Z3&fbclid=IwAR0pEOc51x9xhc-CBb8vqAIkX97Bgg1Z02f1r9gQh9S3dOsVmAdob5jBbw84.  VENMO OUR Venmo Name changed! Please take note!

VENMO is a Phone App or can be used on a PC or Tablet
You can download and install the Phone App from the Android Play Store or Apple App Store. There may be fees involved using this method.

Our NEW ID is: @NYCRetirees2

If you are on this list, it is because you subscribed to hear what we are doing as an organization that represents all NYC Municipal workers in protecting their Health benefits in retirement. Currently, we have a FACEBOOK page located here:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/888622578669131

If you are not on FACEBOOK, we will be updating you here. And Check our website for FAQ www.nycretirees.orgThank you for signing up for our newsletter and pass this to a friend to sign up too!

View this email in your browser

Greetings Retirees & Retirees In Training!
As we said yesterday, we CANCELLED the Rally for Today. The air quality is very bad and we are very concerned for your health and safety.

We have been advised that the legislation WILL NOT be introduced from the Council Stated Meeting as to keep Councilman Barron safe too!

We WILL RESCHEDULE THE RALLY for EITHER JUNE 20 or 22. STAY TUNED! POSTPONED!

***************************Your friends, and retirees in SOLIDARITY…

The NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
************** Donations are Needed!  TO DONATE TO THE ORGANIZATION

Donation Instructions to Support Our Organization and our Fight To Protect Our Retiree Healthcare:

We worked decades for our benefits! Let’s make sure the City and the MLC don’t take them away!

A suggested $25 Donation* will help start the fight to keep our current benefits.

*Give more if you can, and/or often! If you cannot meet the minimum suggested donation, we appreciate whatever you can give towards this fight for our benefits. We also added the option to make your donation recurring (monthly) as was requested.

We are incorporated as a Non-Profit, but not tax deductible. ALL proceeds go to fund the organization and its legal challenge. Volunteer retirees are running this effort.

TO DONATE, HERE ARE 4 SIMPLE WAYS!

1.Zelle using email NYCOrgofpublicserviceretirees@gmail.com YOU CANNOT USE THE ZELLE APP! You must use Zelle via your online banking. In some cases you cannot use the Zelle via the bank app either. So if you’re finding trouble, use the computer and make the payment via Zelle from your online banking.

2. Make your check out to:
NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
c/o JSH Accounting Services LLC
PO Box 143538
Fayetteville, GA 30214
(this is the organization’s accounting professional)

3. Or click on this Paypal link:
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=Q4VWJEYVJ9HTW&Z3&fbclid=IwAR0pEOc51x9xhc-CBb8vqAIkX97Bgg1Z02f1r9gQh9S3dOsVmAdob5jBbw84.  VENMO OUR Venmo Name changed! Please take note!

VENMO is a Phone App or can be used on a PC or Tablet
You can download and install the Phone App from the Android Play Store or Apple App Store. There may be fees involved using this method.

Our NEW ID is: @NYCRetirees2

If you are on this list, it is because you subscribed to hear what we are doing as an organization that represents all NYC Municipal workers in protecting their Health benefits in retirement. Currently, we have a FACEBOOK page located here:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/888622578669131

If you are not on FACEBOOK, we will be updating you here. And Check our website for FAQ www.nycretirees.orgThank you for signing up for our newsletter and pass this to a friend to sign up too!

Greetings Retirees & Retirees In Training!
Are you ready to RALLY for Legislation?

We are not resting and hope you will join us because the City Council thinks all retirees live in Florida!

Let’s show them we are NEW YORKERS!

ANOTHER RALLY!!! WE NEED YOU! TO ATTEND ANOTHER RALLY AT CITY HALL!

We will start at 12 PM, THURSDAY JUNE 8th
Broadway & Park Place

(Across from the Woolworth Bldg)

Bring a friend.. bring 10!

We will need Rally Marshalls. Let us know if you are able to participate! (help with the crowd)

**********

Because this is a stated meeting, access inside City Hall will be limited. BUT! We rented a truck to live stream the meeting for you and are trying to get chairs so you can sit. The Meeting, if it begins on time, starts at 1:30 PM.

CHECK DONATIONS:
Thank you for all the checks coming for donations. Make sure that you are making the checks out to OUR organization. Some are making them out to the accountant and we cannot cash those. Also, make sure you are putting the right date and year in the date section of the check! Oh… and remember to sign it too! LOL.

Greetings Retirees & Retirees In Training! RALLY!!! WE NEED YOU! TO ATTEND A RALLY AT CITY HALL!
(Broadway / Park Place) Across from the Woolworth Bldg at the end of the park We will start at 11AM. Bring a snack & water. We are in a shady area this time. We will have medical support on standby. They are providing us with police support and barriers to keep our area protected so as to not interfere with pedestrians. We want to show the Mayor not to steal from a retiree & demand the Speaker and the City Council pass our legislation!

Bring a friend.. bring 10! Let’s fill Broadway from corner to corner! This needs to be massive!

And reserve June 8th as well. We are coming back!

We will need Rally Marshalls. Let us know if you are able to participate! (help with the crowd)

**********

Here are some important things to keep in mind as we prepare for the upcoming litigation.
1. THERE ARE INSURANCE BROKERS WANTING TO SELL YOU A MEDIGAP PLAN! DO NOT BUY A PLAN YET! DO NOT PANIC AND REMOVE YOURSELF FROM THE CITY HEALTH PROGRAM YET! You will see these ads on your social media and some agencies are even emailing people or targeting your social media feeds. Know that THIS ORGANIZATION is the OFFICIAL organization in this fight, and we, as we did the last time, will be able to guide and educate you directly regarding what is happening in the litigation, legislation, and when you have to do something. Just DO NOT make a rash decision that could be irreversible or costly. And don’t panic or forward emails urging you to buy a plan! BREATHE!!! Learn about the process to apply, the cost, and possible withdrawal if we win. You need to know the time frame you need to apply IF you choose to waive your benefits from the City and apply for a Medigap if that is your choice. Be prepared. We don’t know how the courts will decide, and the City Council is not looking like it wants to protect us.

2. DO NOT complete and give AETNA the CONTINUITY OF CARE FORM YET! Be ready to if needed, but not yet.

3. The organization will advise you when to “opt-out or waive” your benefits if that is your choice pending our legal team securing a preliminary injunction like the last time. Right now this plan does not really exist as it is not registered yet by the Comptroller yet.

5. IF YOU DID NOT GET AN AETNA MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PACKET, BREATHE, that is being addressed! Be prepared to write us a statement if needed, and provide who you asked for it and how many times. (ie: AETNA or OLR)

6. On Page 8 of the mailed AETNA document it states to opt-out/waive your benefits, you have to register on their website. DO NOT do this yet. You are sharing your personal information with an insurance company in which you have no relationship yet and no contract exists!

CHECK DONATIONS:
Thank you for all the checks coming for donations. Make sure that you are making the checks out to OUR organization. Some are making them out to the accountant and we cannot cash those. Also, make sure you are putting the right date and year in the date section of the check! Oh… and remember to sign it too! LOL.

Friday Night Update

We won the appeal on our Class Action Co pay injunction appeal!

Greetings NYC Retirees residing IN NYS!DO NOT SHARE THIS EMAIL. THIS IS BEING SENT TO YOU BASED ON YOUR RESPONSES TO THE SURVEY. If you already received an email from Alexa from our legal firm (Pollock Cohen), please reply to her affidavit request and disregard this email.

You responded to our original affidavit questionnaire. Now, we would like you to complete the affidavit and send it to us to REVIEW. We are attaching a WORD document for you to download and complete.

THE AFFIDAVIT  << click here for the document

You can use your computer, laptop, android or Iphone/Ipad. If you don’t have a computer and prefer to use one, please go to your local library and log into your email there. Complete the affidavit and email it to us from there. We will review it, correct it, send it back to you to print.

IPHONE/IPAD USERS: OPEN THE AFFIDAVIT DOCUMENT IN SAFARI – NOT CHROME. It is the default IPHONE browser. If you’re not sure, put your finger on the “AFFIDAVIT” link and hold it until the option to copy the link opens. Then go to SAFARI, and paste it in the address bar and click DOWNLOAD. You can then open it in the files folder. You can also download the file to your IPhone/IPad and then open PAGES and open the file in there to edit.

If you have an IPHONE/IPAD, you can also download the app WORD by MICROSOFT – please click here and Download the app for free.  https://apps.apple.com/us/app/microsoft-word/id462054704?mt=12   or search for it in the Apple App Store.

If you have an ANDROID, go to the Play Store, and download WORD by Microsoft for free.  https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.microsoft.office.word&hl=en_US&gl=US&pli=1

Please view this short video below that explains how to complete this document.

Read the affidavit over for accuracy when completed, make sure there are no residual yellow highlights, save it to your computer and email it to us at the below email address.

When you complete it, please email us at nycretireesoos@gmail.com to review and reply with your full name, address, county you live in and phone number. (Try to get them to us by Friday May 5th to review)

We will return it to you to get notarized and then return to us signed.

If you cannot scan it, you can go to a Staples or UPS store and have them scan and email it to us. You can also take a photo of it in BRIGHT LIGHT, and make sure it is clearly legible, and send it via email.

If you have questions, you can attend one of our BRIEF seminars at the following times – just click the link on one of the listed days and be timely!

Tuesday – Thursday May 2nd-4th at 10 AM

The zoom link is below.

Thank you!
NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Affidavit Seminar NY Retirees NOT Residing IN NYS
Time: Tuesday May 2nd – Thursday May 4th, 10 AM EST

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86310951331?pwd=eGYwMzU4T2pXK0NUWHJXYmtQTEdpZz09

Meeting ID: 863 1095 1331
Passcode: 779869
One tap mobile
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Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbvVVcqtNX

How to complete your affidavit

Greetings Retirees & Retirees in Training!

Our homework is going to ramp up. You will probably get two emails a week from us. One, a Homework assignment, and the second an informational.

We are starting to prepare meetings for Council member constituents. Do you live in the 5 boros? If yes, click here and complete this. If NOT, jump down to the Homework section.
HOMEWORKTHIS IS YOUR HOMEWORK EMAIL. PLEASE DO THIS DAILY. Even if you already did it… please do it every day. ( No excuses! It does not matter where you live!)1. Click HERE to send a letter to the Comptroller Brad Lander and tell him to OBJECT to the AETNA Contract!

2. Click HERE to send a letter to ALL of City Council (It does not matter where you live to do this)
3. Call the Mayor! 212-639-9675 (yes it’s the 311 number) and tell him not to register the Aetna contract and give us Option C. (The offer of a medigap plan)

Tell him many Dr’s won’t take the plan and if we want to go back to traditional Medicare it may be impossible to get a medigap plan because of age and pre existing conditions. And of course prior authorizations will delay and deny your care. CALL HIM EVERY DAY, TWICE A DAY! (and if you’re bored call more and share another message). This is good because every time you call, the call taker is being educated too! They should be from Local 1549, ask! SPREAD THE WORD!

His decision to force us into one plan will harm retirees and violates the promise the City had with us that we would always have a CHOICE of plans and our Medicare.Friday Night UpdateLetter from A Retiree
***************************Your friends, and retirees in SOLIDARITY…

The NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
************** Donations are Needed!  TO DONATE TO THE ORGANIZATION

Donation Instructions to Support Our Organization and our Fight To Protect Our Retiree Healthcare:

We worked decades for our benefits! Let’s make sure the City and the MLC don’t take them away!

A suggested $25 Donation* will help start the fight to keep our current benefits.

*Give more if you can, and/or often! If you cannot meet the minimum suggested donation, we appreciate whatever you can give towards this fight for our benefits. We also added the option to make your donation recurring (monthly) as was requested.

We are incorporated as a Non-Profit, but not tax deductible. ALL proceeds go to fund the organization and its legal challenge. Volunteer retirees are running this effort.

TO DONATE, HERE ARE 4 SIMPLE WAYS!

1.Zelle using email NYCOrgofpublicserviceretirees@gmail.com YOU CANNOT USE THE ZELLE APP! You must use Zelle via your online banking. In some cases you cannot use the Zelle via the bank app either. So if you’re finding trouble, use the computer and make the payment via Zelle from your online banking.

2. Make your check out to:
NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
c/o JSH Accounting Services LLC
PO Box 143538
Fayetteville, GA 30214
(this is the organization’s accounting professional)

3. Or click on this Paypal link:
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=Q4VWJEYVJ9HTW&Z3&fbclid=IwAR0pEOc51x9xhc-CBb8vqAIkX97Bgg1Z02f1r9gQh9S3dOsVmAdob5jBbw84.  VENMO OUR Venmo Name changed! Please take note!

VENMO is a Phone App or can be used on a PC or Tablet
You can download and install the Phone App from the Android Play Store or Apple App Store. There may be fees involved using this method.

Our NEW ID is: @NYCRetirees2

If you are on this list, it is because you subscribed to hear what we are doing as an organization that represents all NYC Municipal workers in protecting their Health benefits in retirement. Currently, we have a FACEBOOK page located here:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/888622578669131

If you are not on FACEBOOK, we will be updating you here. And Check our website for FAQ www.nycretirees.orgThank you for signing up for our newsletter and pass this to a friend to sign up too!

Greetings Retirees & Retirees In Training!
Here are some important things to keep in mind as we prepare for the upcoming litigation.
1. THERE ARE INSURANCE BROKERS WANTING TO SELL YOU A MEDIGAP PLAN! DO NOT BUY A PLAN YET!! DO NOT PANIC AND REMOVE YOURSELF FROM THE CITY HEALTH PROGRAM YET! You will see these ads on your social media and some agencies are even emailing people or targeting your social media feeds. Know that THIS ORGANIZATION is the OFFICIAL organization in this fight, and we, as we did the last time, will be able to guide and educate you directly regarding what is happening in the litigation, legislation and when you have to do something. Just DO NOT make a rash decision that could be irreversible or costly. And don’t panic or forward emails urging you to buy a plan! BREATHE!!!

2. DO NOT give AETNA your personal information, or your Doctors information. DO NOT GIVE YOUR DOCTORS ANY AETNA MATERIALS. DO NOT! YOU DO NOT WORK FOR AETNA! They are making YOU do the outreach THEY should be doing. When you call AETNA they will say they want to “confirm” your information to safeguard your account… but they don’t have your information because you are not IN their system. YOU DO NOT have to give them ANY personal information. Ask your questions. They DO NOT need your contact.

2. DO NOT complete and give AETNA the CONTINUITY OF CARE FORM YET! Be ready to if needed, but not yet.

3. The organization will advise you when to “opt out/waive” your benefits if that is your choice pending our legal team securing a preliminary injunction like the last time. Right now this plan does not really exist as it is not registered yet by the City – which is why we keep asking you to email the Comptroller (see below)

4. We still need you to call and ask your doctor if they are in network for the AETNA Medicare Advantage PPO Plan, Are the in network for the City of NY (CONY) Medicare Advantage PPO plan, or will accept payment from them.

5. IF YOU DID NOT GET AN AETNA MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PACKET, BREATHE. WE WILL PROVIDE GUIDANCE ON THAT SHORTLY.

6. On Page 8 of the mailed AETNA document it states to opt out/waive your benefits, you have to register on their website. DO NOT do this yet. You are sharing your personal information with an insurance company in which you have no relationship yet.

General Housekeeping:

Thank you for all the checks coming for donations. Make sure that you are making the checks out to OUR organization. Some are making them out to the accountant and we cannot cash those. Also make sure you are putting the right date and year in the date section of the check! Oh… and remember to sign it too! LOL.
HOMEWORK1. Click HERE to send a letter to the Comptroller Brad Lander and tell him to OBJECT to the AETNA Contract!
2. Call the Mayor! Call the Mayor. 212-639-9675 (yes it’s the 311 number) and tell him not to register the Aetna contract and give us Option C. (The offer of a medigap plan)

Tell him many Dr’s won’t take the plan and if we want to go back to traditional Medicare it may be impossible to get a medigap plan because of age and pre existing conditions. And of course prior authorizations will delay and deny your care. CALL HIM EVERY DAY, TWICE A DAY! (and if you’re bored call more and share another message). This is good because every time you call, the call taker is being educated too! They should be from Local 1549, ask! SPREAD THE WORD!

His decision will harm retirees.AETNA is not less expensive1976 MOIUThey call you a nut when they can’t refute your factsFriday updateRALLY!!

***************************Your friends, and retirees in SOLIDARITY…

The NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
************** Donations are Needed!  TO DONATE TO THE ORGANIZATION

Donation Instructions to Support Our Organization and our Fight To Protect Our Retiree Healthcare:

We worked decades for our benefits! Let’s make sure the City and the MLC don’t take them away!

A suggested $25 Donation* will help start the fight to keep our current benefits.

*Give more if you can, and/or often! If you cannot meet the minimum suggested donation, we appreciate whatever you can give towards this fight for our benefits. We also added the option to make your donation recurring (monthly) as was requested.

We are incorporated as a Non-Profit, but not tax deductible. ALL proceeds go to fund the organization and its legal challenge. Volunteer retirees are running this effort.

TO DONATE, HERE ARE 4 SIMPLE WAYS!

1.Zelle using email NYCOrgofpublicserviceretirees@gmail.com YOU CANNOT USE THE ZELLE APP! You must use Zelle via your online banking. In some cases you cannot use the Zelle via the bank app either. So if you’re finding trouble, use the computer and make the payment via Zelle from your online banking.

2. Make your check out to:
NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
c/o JSH Accounting Services LLC
PO Box 143538
Fayetteville, GA 30214
(this is the organization’s accounting professional)

3. Or click on this Paypal link:
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=Q4VWJEYVJ9HTW&Z3&fbclid=IwAR0pEOc51x9xhc-CBb8vqAIkX97Bgg1Z02f1r9gQh9S3dOsVmAdob5jBbw84.  VENMO OUR Venmo Name changed! Please take note!

VENMO is a Phone App or can be used on a PC or Tablet
You can download and install the Phone App from the Android Play Store or Apple App Store. There may be fees involved using this method.

Our NEW ID is: @NYCRetirees2

If you are on this list, it is because you subscribed to hear what we are doing as an organization that represents all NYC Municipal workers in protecting their Health benefits in retirement. Currently, we have a FACEBOOK page located here:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/888622578669131

If you are not on FACEBOOK, we will be updating you here. And Check our website for FAQ www.nycretirees.orgThank you for signing up for our newsletter and pass this to a friend to sign up too!
***************************Your friends, and retirees in SOLIDARITY…

The NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
************** Donations are Needed!

Greetings Retirees & Retirees In Training!
THIS IS A CALL TO RALLY FOR US TO BE HEARD! TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE! AFTERWARDS, WE WILL BE ATTENDING THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING & URGING THEM TO INTRODUCE OUR PROPOSED BILL!!

BRING YOUR LOVED ONES, THIS AFFECTS THEM TOO! THIS RALLY IS FOR RETIREES AND RETIREES IN TRAINING (In-service/active workers). THIS IS YOUR HEALTHCARE THE MUNICIPAL LABOR COMMITTEE – DOMINATED BY THE UFT AND DC37, AGREED TO DIMINISH. ELIMINATING ALL OUR HEALTH PLANS AND FORCING US INTO MEDICARE ADVANTAGE IS ANTI LABOR AND UN-AMERICAN. MEDICARE IS A PUBLIC HEALTH BENEFIT!

BE THERE WITH US! Dress comfortable, bring a snack, and be prepared to be with us all day. We have the rally and then the Council meeting.

They are coming after ACTIVE worker healthcare we hear….

THANK YOU RETIRED FDNY URFA!!!! WE LOVE YOU!!!

Friday Night Update

Let’s do this together, and tell the MLC to stuff it.

Greetings Retirees & Retirees In Training!

Today we are emailing Comptroller Brad Lander and telling him to object to registering the AETNA Contract! An easy email, that goes to our new Action Network site! And then send one to City Council! THERE ARE LOTS OF LINKS OF HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS IN THIS NEWSLETTER!AND SAVE THE DATE! TUESDAY APRIL 11th,City HALL. More to follow! BE READY FOR A PROTEST/RALLY! AETNA has been sending out their mailers on the new plan. We are aware. The contract is NOT registered yet, and we still have litigation to file… BUT… you MUST call your doctors and hospitals to see if they will accept the AETNA Medicare Advantage PPO plan. You want to ask if they are in network and if not, would they accept the plan for payment. If your doctor is NOT in Network or advised they WILL NOT take it for payment, please
click here to complete our survey!
HOMEWORK BEGINS! CLICK HERE TO SEND BRAD A LETTER!

Click HERE TO SEND A LETTER TO THE CITY COUNCIL!*******************************************************************Whenever you receive documents or a package from OLR or AETNA, please mark it with the date it was delivered to you. Our attorneys are working on our case ahead. So please be patient, do your email assignments!LASTLY….. Are you an active or retired UFT member? If so, read this, if not, please disregard.From the NYC Educators:
We are tired of leadership’s unilateral decisions and givebacks that have hurt and diminished our health benefits since the ill-fated, non-transparent 2014 and 2018 labor contracts which bartered “cost savings’ to the City in exchange for our hard-earned healthcare. Moreover, there are sound alternatives they have refused to explore that would help bring down costs.As we approach a new labor contract deal, more givebacks have been negotiated away by the present leadership. Retirees are now being forced into a privatized Medicare Advantage plan with limited networks, life-threatening pre-authorizations and a labyrinth for seniors to seek reimbursements for any uncovered care. In addition, a new, undisclosed and “no-frills” cheaper plan is now being devised to replace the premium-free GHI plan most active members have relied on for decades.Our present and future healthcare, and the healthcare of our families, is not for sale.We say: LET US VOTE, NOW!
Click above for the full story and to sign the petition.They are coming after ACTIVE worker healthcare we hear….Friday Night UpdateLet’s do this together, and tell the MLC to stuff it.

***************************Your friends, and retirees in SOLIDARITY…

The NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
************** Donations are Needed!  TO DONATE TO THE ORGANIZATION

Donation Instructions to Support Our Organization and our Fight To Protect Our Retiree Healthcare:

We worked decades for our benefits! Let’s make sure the City and the MLC don’t take them away!

A suggested $25 Donation* will help start the fight to keep our current benefits.

*Give more if you can, and/or often! If you cannot meet the minimum suggested donation, we appreciate whatever you can give towards this fight for our benefits. We also added the option to make your donation recurring (monthly) as was requested.

We are incorporated as a Non-Profit, but not tax deductible. ALL proceeds go to fund the organization and its legal challenge. Volunteer retirees are running this effort.

TO DONATE, HERE ARE 4 SIMPLE WAYS!

1.Zelle using email NYCOrgofpublicserviceretirees@gmail.com YOU CANNOT USE THE ZELLE APP! You must use Zelle via your online banking. In some cases you cannot use the Zelle via the bank app either. So if you’re finding trouble, use the computer and make the payment via Zelle from your online banking.

2. Make your check out to:
NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
c/o JSH Accounting Services LLC
PO Box 143538
Fayetteville, GA 30214
(this is the organization’s accounting professional)

3. Or click on this Paypal link:
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=Q4VWJEYVJ9HTW&Z3&fbclid=IwAR0pEOc51x9xhc-CBb8vqAIkX97Bgg1Z02f1r9gQh9S3dOsVmAdob5jBbw84.  VENMO OUR Venmo Name changed! Please take note!

VENMO is a Phone App or can be used on a PC or Tablet
You can download and install the Phone App from the Android Play Store or Apple App Store. There may be fees involved using this method.

Our NEW ID is: @NYCRetirees2

If you are on this list, it is because you subscribed to hear what we are doing as an organization that represents all NYC Municipal workers in protecting their Health benefits in retirement. Currently, we have a FACEBOOK page located here:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/888622578669131

If you are not on FACEBOOK, we will be updating you here. And Check our website for FAQ www.nycretirees.orgThank you for signing up for our newsletter and pass this to a friend to sign up too!

Copyright © 2023 NYCRETIREES, All rights reserved.

Our DONATION mailing address is:
NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
c/o JSH Accounting Services LLC
PO Box 143538
Fayetteville, GA 30214

Our Correspondence ONLY Address is:
PO Box 260153
Bellerose, NY 11426

You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

Greetings Retirees & Retirees In Training!

Today we are emailing Comptroller Brad Lander and telling him to OBJECT the AETNA Contract! An easy email, that goes to our new Action Network site! We will send these quick assignments out almost daily now. So keep a watch on your emails! CORRECTION:
AND SAVE THE DATE! TUESDAY APRIL 11th, 10 AM City HALL. More to follow!AETNA will be sending out their mailer on the new plan. We are aware. Nothing to do with it yet, BUT… you MUST call your doctors, hospitals to see that they will accept the City of NY, AETNA Medicare Advantage PPO plan. You want to ask if they are in network and if not would they accept the plan for payment. We will be in touch shortly to tell you what to do with that information next!
HOMEWORK BEGINS! CLICK HERE TO SEND BRAD A LETTER!*******************************************************************Friday Night Update!Benny Boscio – Corrections OfficersUFA and UFOAHistory: What did Henry Garrido say about access to care and Privatization?

***************************Your friends, and retirees in SOLIDARITY…

The NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
************** Donations are Needed!  TO DONATE TO THE ORGANIZATION

Donation Instructions to Support Our Organization and our Fight To Protect Our Retiree Healthcare:

We worked decades for our benefits! Let’s make sure the City and the MLC don’t take them away!

A suggested $25 Donation* will help start the fight to keep our current benefits.

*Give more if you can, and/or often! If you cannot meet the minimum suggested donation, we appreciate whatever you can give towards this fight for our benefits. We also added the option to make your donation recurring (monthly) as was requested.

We are incorporated as a Non-Profit, but not tax deductible. ALL proceeds go to fund the organization and its legal challenge. Volunteer retirees are running this effort.

TO DONATE, HERE ARE 4 SIMPLE WAYS!

1.Zelle using email NYCOrgofpublicserviceretirees@gmail.com YOU CANNOT USE THE ZELLE APP! You must use Zelle via your online banking. In some cases you cannot use the Zelle via the bank app either. So if you’re finding trouble, use the computer and make the payment via Zelle from your online banking.

2. Make your check out to:
NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
c/o JSH Accounting Services LLC
PO Box 143538
Fayetteville, GA 30214
(this is the organization’s accounting professional)

3. Or click on this Paypal link:
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=Q4VWJEYVJ9HTW&Z3&fbclid=IwAR0pEOc51x9xhc-CBb8vqAIkX97Bgg1Z02f1r9gQh9S3dOsVmAdob5jBbw84.  VENMO OUR Venmo Name changed! Please take note!

VENMO is a Phone App or can be used on a PC or Tablet
You can download and install the Phone App from the Android Play Store or Apple App Store. There may be fees involved using this method.

Our NEW ID is: @NYCRetirees2

If you are on this list, it is because you subscribed to hear what we are doing as an organization that represents all NYC Municipal workers in protecting their Health benefits in retirement. Currently, we have a FACEBOOK page located here:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/888622578669131

If you are not on FACEBOOK, we will be updating you here. And Check our website for FAQ www.nycretirees.orgThank you for signing up for our newsletter and pass this to a friend to sign up too!

Greetings Retirees & Retirees In Training!

Today we are giving you the following assignments and video updates:A homework assignment to start Monday:EMAIL the Council Members to support our bill (see the PLEDGE CARD below)CALL the Council Members to get them to bring the bill to the floor (Sponsored by CM Farias). Remember to tell her: “Thank you!”Videos to watchHOMEWORK BEGINS!Send the pledge card for them to sign along with this short note: (feel free to add more to personalize it!)
Click here to Download the card to email and post on the Council Members’ social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram- if you are on those). Send this to every Council member. The deadline for them to sign and return the cards to us is THIS FRIDAY, March 24th. So start ASAP!

PLEDGE CARDS TO THE CITY COUNCIL*******************************************************************Dear Speaker Adams and City Council,We thank you for your support and standing with retirees in opposing Intro 874 in January. We now need your support in truly protecting choice for retirees. We ask you to sign this Pledge Card that we can post to show you stand with us like you said you would! Retirees are eager to know who is with us! Will you work with Council Member Farias to get this passed?

Sincerely,***********************************************The list of emails to City Council: (COPY PASTE into an email with the above note. Feel free to add your personal thoughts!)

CMarte@council.nyc.gov, CLRivera@council.nyc.gov, EBottcher@council.nyc.gov, KPowers@council.nyc.gov, JMenin@council.nyc.gov, GBrewer@council.nyc.gov, SAbreu@council.nyc.gov, DAyala@council.nyc.gov, KRichardson@council.nyc.gov, CDeLaRosa@council.nyc.gov, EDinowitz@council.nyc.gov, KRiley@council.nyc.gov, MVelazquez@council.nyc.gov, Psanchez@council.nyc.gov, ofeliz@council.nyc.gov, AStevens@council.nyc.gov, RSalamanca@council.nyc.gov, AFarias@council.nyc.gov, VPaladino@council.nyc.gov, Sung@council.nyc.gov, FMoya@council.nyc.gov, TCaban@council.nyc.gov, LLee@council.nyc.gov, JGennaro@council.nyc.gov, Skrishnan@council.nyc.gov, JWon@council.nyc.gov, NWilliams@council.nyc.gov, SpeakerAdams@council.nyc.gov, AEAdams@council.nyc.gov, LSchulman@council.nyc.gov, rholden@council.nyc.gov, sbrooks-powers@council.nyc.gov, JAriola@council.nyc.gov, LRestler@council.nyc.gov, JGutierrez@council.nyc.gov, CHudson@council.nyc.gov, COsse@council.nyc.gov, Snurse@council.nyc.gov, AAviles@council.nyc.gov, SHanif@council.nyc.gov, RJoseph@council.nyc.gov, DmMealy@council.nyc.gov, CBarron@council.nyc.gov, JBrannan@council.nyc.gov, KYeger@council.nyc.gov, FLouis@council.nyc.gov, MNarcisse@council.nyc.gov, AKagan@council.nyc.gov, Ivernikov@council.nyc.gov, Khanks@council.nyc.gov, DCarr@council.nyc.gov, JBorelli@council.nyc.gov
************************************************When your emails and social media posts are done, start to call.

Retiree Info Fax
|#4 of 2023 | March 15th |
On March 10, 2023, the Office of Labor Relations mailed a letter to all NYC Retirees regarding the implementation of the Aetna Medicare Advantage PPO Plan, anticipated to take effect September 1, 2023.

Please click HERE to access the letter and review the information provided by OLR.

Additionally, members can contact the Aetna dedicated call center at 1-855-648-0389 (Monday to Friday from 8:00am to 9:00pm) or visit their website at www.aetnamedicare.com/cony/en/index.html to learn more and to find answers on questions regarding benefits, networks, clinical transactions and more.

We advise members to continuously visit the OLR website at www.nyc.gov/hbp for the most up to date information.

Greetings Retirees & Retirees In Training!

On Thursday March 9th, the Municipal Labor Committee (MLC) voted to implement the Aetna Medicare Advantage plan for Medicare eligible retirees without ever seeing the contract. EVER. And never having a discussion as a committee on the features, or bringing in a Medicare Representative and Senior Care rep either. AETNA provided answers to their many questions on Monday night, and this vote was held Thursday without any discussion.They also eliminated all health plan options and said if we opt out of their dream plan, we opt out to nothing, and we lose our Medicare B reimbursement. Those not on a welfare fund drug plan who buy the city rider, lose that too. Several unions have said this was our fault because the City Council did not change the Admin Code to their proposed language. This, was actually THEIR doing but they refuse to own it. THEY broke the law, and tried to strip us from our benefits. If the union leaders used common sense, they would have realized retirees do not make their salaries, and could not afford to pay a starting premium of $200 per person per month! They would also realize that their proposed language was not offering a choice – It would for higher income retirees, but not the majority of us. And in a law that was founded in equality, this is not the way. The unions sold off retiree health care and choice, for their raises and maintaining THEIR premium free healthcare. Say it out loud, because that is what they did.The MLC under the leadership of Henry Garrido (DC37), Michael Mulgrew (UFT) and Harry Nespoli (SANITATION), Gloria Middleton (CWA 1180) and Greg Floyd (LOCAL 237) are attempting to keep us hostage in a plan that may not serve us, with no safety net options. It is their one plan or the highway. Our team is currently going through all the documents, and we will hopefully have an announcement or at least begin preparation for litigation shortly – and that will require some homework from you! Stay tuned! This fight is NOT over! In the meantime, we are working with our legal team and advisors and preparing for our next steps.The RetireesThe image below is an accounting of how the unions voted. A YES vote, was a vote to eliminate ALL healthcare choices and force retirees into Managed Medicare Advantage with NO choices. Make sure you thank them for selling off retirees to benefit themselves. The NO votes were unions that wanted to protect healthcare, ABSTAINED voters, are the ones that were there, but did not want to vote, and their presence did not count towards the weighted vote, and the NO SHOWS, is self explanatory. Remember the weighted vote in the MLC has DC37 and the UFT with the most members, and at 1 vote per every 250 members, they can pass a motion on their own. Why the other union did not whip the vote to block the, we will never understand.

*****************************************ALSO!!! WE HAVE A NEW PO BOX FOR DONATIONS! PLEASE SEE BELOW!! AND YES IT IS IN GEORGIA AND GOES STRAIGHT TO OUR ACCOUNTANT IN A SECURED BOX! WE ARE GROWING!!If you are on Twitter and Instagram, please comment and share our messages.
We also created an OPEN FaceBook Page https://www.facebook.com/NYCRetireesAnd Please send your donations in to continue this fight! We have THREE lawsuits running concurrently, and if the Mayor eliminates all health plans, we WILL have a 4th!! See below if you donate via VENMO, we changed our name.

The Unions pull the Nuclear Option

Unions, Wake Up!

The UFT is negotiating its own plan after screwing everyone else.

Laura Morand & Henry Garrido, how do you tell your members you sold off their benefits?

Debunking Laura Morand Local 2627 DC37

Greetings Retirees & Retirees In Training!

Today the MLC chose to move forward with the Nuclear Option – killing ALL health plan options and only allow you to use their new Medicare Advantage Plan AETNA (if the vote passes on March 9th) or HIP VIP (if you are in the NY Metro area). Their plot is to force us into Medicare Advantage to save the City money… and if you elect to opt out of their plot and Medicare Advantage, you waive your City health benefits and lose your Medicare B Reimbursement and IRMAA(if you qualify).  This is pure greed, vindictive and petty behavior. The Retirees will not stand to be stripped of our benefits. We have come up with a campaign to help get our word out there. HOMEWORK!
CALL & EMAIL CAMPAIGNS!DO THESE EVERY DAY! MAKE THEM HEAR YOU! (or twice a day!!)
ONE!!!!!Good Morning Retirees and Retirees in Training:
WE GOT A LOT OF HOMEWORK!!
1.
We will begin to call and email them DAILY & CALL YOUR FORMER UNION AS WELL!
DC37: Henry Garrido 212-815-1500, 212-815-1511
UFT: Michael Mulgrew or Tom Murphy 212-777-7500
Sanitation Local 831: Harry Nespoli 212-964-8900
Sanitation Local 444 Officers Joe Mannion 718 837-9832
Local 237 Greg Floyd (212) 924-1989
CSA: Henry Rubio 212-823-2020
NYC Mayor – In NYC 311 if calling from outside NYC 212-639-9675
Jumaane Williams – 212-669-7250Copy paste the email addresses below; and add ANY union leader you can think of! These are primarily DC37 Unions. TWICE A DAY! EMAIL THEM!Be polite, be professional!Tell them to be real labor leaders and not sell out their members and retirees! Medicare Advantage is NOT Medicare. And they should do whatever it is they have to, to protect traditional Medicare with a Medigap as a premium free option. Your doctor should dictate your care not your insurance company. Stand up for what is right! Medicare Advantage cannot be compared to traditional Medicare in access and service and ease of use! Remind them you EARNED AND PAID FOR YOUR BENEFITS!Next, you will email them the same message:EMAILS: ADD YOUR FORMER UNION TO THIS LIST!Dear Union Leader,
Real labor leaders re strong and fierce! And they do not sell out their members or retirees! Medicare Advantage is NOT Medicare. And they should do whatever it is they have to, to protect traditional Medicare with a Medigap as a premium free option. You cannot sell off retiree healthcare, or strip our access to Traditional Medicare. Your doctor should dictate our care not your insurance company. Stand up for what is right! Medicare Advantage cannot be compared to traditional Medicare in access and service and ease of use! That you still do not see the difference is disappointing.
We EARNED AND PAID FOR YOUR BENEFITS! And you are selling us off for contract and not being honest with your union members. Do the right thing. You are going to hurt people. DO NOT Support the MLC vote on March 9th. If you really wanted “choice” like you said, YOU would have demanded it and provided it. Labor leaders NEVER allowed the City to call the shots! WE ARE LABOR! FIGHT LIKE IT!
Sincerely,
NAME, RetireeMmulgrew@uft.org, tmurphy@uft.org, HAgarrido@dc37.net, jedwards@dc37.net, gfloyd@local237.org, stateoftheunion@dc37.net, henry@csa-nyc.org, LMcPherson@dc37.net, l154afscme@aol.com, robertramos01@gmail.com, awells@sseu371.org awells@sseu371.org, sfrancois@local372.org, lpaul.local374@gmail.com, beatlemania929@aol.com presidentl384@gmail.com, margaretglover23@gmail.com, President@local-420.org, local436@outlook.com, almadiamond407@gmail.com, fubar766@aol.com, cdeleonl768@gmail.com, HCampbell@dc37.net, 1joe1@msn.com, reneebalmar@aol.com, mgar11379@yahoo.com, leonard.davidman@gmail.com, francine1849@aol.com tomwolf64@hotmail.com, local1321@gmail.com, jt81172@gmail.com, dennisifill1954@gmail.com, local1407@gmail.com, mdemarco.local1455@gmail.com, barberron@gmail.com, RAUL.DOMENECH@yahoo.com, souffrant.wilson@yahoo.com, rcpresident1503@outlook.com, dilcy711@aol.com, e.gibson1506@gmail.com, danielpatrick.clay@gmail.com, musillo1508@gmail.com musillo1508@gmail.com, clebeau@mac.com, president1597@gmail.com, mrosario1655@gmail.com, afscme1740@gmail.com, dc37local1757@gmail.com, gee.aguilar@yahoo.com, debbieallm@gmail.com, president@local1931.com, dmeredithlocal2054@gmail.com, l2627president@gmail.com, jhennessey9395@gmail.com, JOshins@dc37.net, rkowalczyk@hotmail.com, local3621uemso@gmail.com, gerald.lezeau76@gmail.com, local3778president@gmail.com, local3778president@gmail.com, calcharlestongal59@gmail.com, lacewiz@aol.com,
MSantana@dc37.net, Burke@dc37.net, PointdujourJ@dc37.net, KMulligan@dc37.net, EDouglass@dc37.net, DBoyd@dc37.net, MKnight@dc37.net, MMenduina@dc37.net
************************************************TWO!!!2.
NEXT! MAYOR ADAMS CONTACT!
Click here to email the Mayor: Message Topic: QUALITY OF LIFE: Tell him your right to Federal Traditional Medicare should be preserved. And how the Medicare Advantage may save the City money but at the expense of your access to your doctors and medical care. Be polite but tell him how this will affect you and ask for a meeting!
https://www.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/mayor-contact.page
Message Topic: Quality of Life
Dear Mayor Adams:
My name is ________________________and I am a former employee of ___________________(name of where you worked). I served my time in government for over __________years as a ________________________(name of position). I am a retiree that cannot afford to spend extra money. I am on a fixed income that is based on a monthly pension. Please do not force me into a plan that is not going to help me stay alive. Not all doctors accept Medicare Advantage Medicare Advantage Plans regardless of it being a PPO. And we do not have prior authorizations now and should not have to deal with that process when we are older and ill. Traditional Medicare does not and we don’t need more stress! Please do not place me or my fellow retirees into a plan that will strip us of our dignity and life.Do not let the Unions convince you that this is the best option, they do not represent us. You call yourself the Mayor for the people, please consider yourself as a Mayor for the great seniors, who gave their time to serve this great city and sit with us. Our Drs will NOT all accept this plan, YOU have been lied to again. This came out in Court! This plan is YOUR future plan and they will add more and more obstacles into it so AETNA can increase profits. Sit with us, hear what we have to tell you. You will see OLR and OMB are lying to you. If you have to move forward with a Medicare Advantage Plan against our wishes, then all we can ask is that you grandfather all of the current retirees in our current plan. No change or added cost unto us. Most of us cannot afford to pay up for choice, and were were told we would always have premium free choices. Forcing us to pay for something we cannot afford is not a choice. And only offering ONE plan is NOT choice either.  Thank you!
XxxAND THEN EMAIL THE SCHEDULER for a MEETING!
And then email City Hall Scheduler and ask for a meeting! If they grant you one, we will come with you! GMiranda@cityhall.nyc.gov
THREE!!3. AND THEN DO THIS ONE! CALL THE MAYOR! **DAILY**
311 or 212-NEW-YORK outside NYC (212-639-9675) with the same message as above.
*****************************************ALSO!!! WE HAVE A NEW PO BOX FOR DONATIONS! PLEASE SEE BELOW!! AND YES IT IS IN GEORGIA AND GOES STRAIGHT TO OUR ACCOUNTANT IN A SECURED BOX! WE ARE GROWING!!If you are on Twitter and Instagram, please comment and share our messages.
We also created an OPEN FaceBook Page https://www.facebook.com/NYCRetireesAnd Please send your donations in to continue this fight! We have THREE lawsuits running concurrently, and if the Mayor eliminates all health plans, we WILL have a 4th!! See below if you donate via VENMO, we changed our name. Labor Is Selling US ALL Out! MLC Goes Nuclear! SELLS OFF HEALTHCARE!It Wasn’t MeTell the Active workers, DO NOT RATIFY YOUR CONTRACT UNTIL YOU READ IT! The last time they had a contract, they did not know the unions put an appendix that reduced their healthcare and increased copays.

Greetings! The City Council hearing on Monday went very well. We filled the Council chamber with about 250 retirees, plus we had about 300 people outside chanting, “Let us in!” Our government liaisons were able to get the retirees into 250 Broadway so they were warm and could hear the hearing. As people left the chamber, retirees were permitted to come across the street to the chamber to testify.We had retirees testifying until 9 pm! We were heard. We were also blessed to have Wendell Potter testify with us. Wendell, is a nationally known whistleblower in the insurance industry. Here is his newsletter about the hearing. The hearing lasted almost 12 hours long. If you want to hear the full testimony of the day click here. HEARING VIDEOWe have asked you all to NOT call City Council. We are allowing them to absorb this week quietly, and we will advise you to our strategy next week. Monday is a holiday, and we will be in meetings on Tuesday. We will advise you of our next steps soon. In the meantime, look back on all we accomplished together! You wanted to be heard, and boy did they hear you! Things are looking good… just give us a few days.. Be hopeful! WE ARE! Trust me when we say, doing nothing is the hardest thing we have been asked to do! We understand…Keep January 19th open, as we will update you as to the call to attend the hearing next week.
********************************************
Target Dates

January 19th @ 1:30pm City Hall: Stated Meeting ( we do NOT KNOW if they will vote on the bill yet)

If you are on Twitter and Instagram, please comment and share our messages.
We also created an OPEN FaceBook Page https://www.facebook.com/NYCRetireesAnd Please send your donations in to continue this fight! We have THREE lawsuits running concurrently, and if the Mayor eliminates all health plans, we WILL have a 4th!!
The NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees filed a lawsuit to stop the copays in the GHI Senior Care plan that the MLC (the UFT is a majority player in the MLC) and City imposed January 2022. WE, the retirees filed that suit!

Thank you to all the retirees who came to City Hall and fight Goliath to save our health care!
***************************Your friends, and retirees in SOLIDARITY…

The NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
************** Donations are Needed! If the Mayor pulls the “nuclear option” we will have 4 lawsuits going on at the same time! TO DONATE TO THE LEGAL FUND

Donation Instructions to Support Our Class Action Suit Against the City To Protect Our Retiree Healthcare:

We worked decades for our benefits! Let’s make sure the City and the MLC don’t take them away!

A suggested $25 Donation* will help start the fight to keep our current benefits.

*Give more if you can, and/or often! If you cannot meet the minimum suggested donation, we appreciate whatever you can give towards this fight for our benefits. We also added the option to make your donation recurring (monthly) as was requested.

The fundraiser group is incorporated as a Non-Profit. ALL proceeds go to fund the organization and its legal challenge. Volunteer retirees are running this effort.

TO DONATE, HERE ARE 4 SIMPLE WAYS!

1.Zelle using email NYCOrgofpublicserviceretirees@gmail.com

2. Make your check out to:
NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees PO Box 941
Venice, FL 34284 (our treasurer lives in FL)

3. Or click on this Paypal link:
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=Q4VWJEYVJ9HTW&Z3&fbclid=IwAR0pEOc51x9xhc-CBb8vqAIkX97Bgg1Z02f1r9gQh9S3dOsVmAdob5jBbw84. We Now Accept Donations via VENMO

VENMO is a Phone App or can be used on a PC or Tablet
You can download and install the Phone App from the Android Play Store or Apple App Store. There may be fees involved using this method.

Our ID is: @NYCRetirees

If you are on this list, it is because you subscribed to hear what we are doing as an organization that represents all NYC Municipal workers in protecting their Health benefits in retirement. Currently, we have a FACEBOOK page located here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/888622578669131

If you are not on FACEBOOK, we will be updating you here. And Check our website for FAQ www.nycretirees.orgThank you for signing up for our newsletter and pass this to a friend to sign up too!

Hello Everyone!
It appears the MLC has been working overtime like the Grinch.
This is a call to arms.Please reserve on your calendar the FOLLOWING dates: January 4, 9, 10, 19th. YOU MAY BE ASKED TO CONVENE AT CITY HALL ON EVERY ONE OF THOSE DATES. We will update you next week.PLEASE WATCH THE VIDEO IN THIS EMAIL.It explains that Council Member Carmen DeLaRosa, Chair of Civil Service & Labor and Speaker Adrienne Adams will bring the MLC Admin Code amendment to the floor on Wednesday January 4th.  YOU MUST ACT NOW and tell them NOT to amend the Administrative code and remind them the Scheinman paper they all think is arbitration is NOT.It was paid propaganda and his OPINION, and it is NOT legally binding. EMAIL EVERY COUNCIL MEMBER, a sample script is below!This is the list of Council Members. Click to open! Make sure you send emails to CM Carmen DeLa Rosa and Speaker Adrienne Adams when you email all the others!If you are on Twitter or Instagram find us and share our message. @NYCRETIREES
Next week we will advise you the next steps. SHARE THIS MESSAGE!Yours in TRUE Solidarity,
The NYC Organization of Public Service RetireesPS: In addition to our private FaceBook Group, we created a PUBLIC Page so you can share our messages! https://www.facebook.com/NYCRetireesIf you need a sample script when emailing or calling the Council.We have been advised that Civil Service and Labor Chair Carmen DeLaRosa and Speaker Adrienne Adams will be bringing the MLC Administrative Code Modification to the City Council floor on Wednesday January 4th at NOON. YOU HAVE HOMEWORK EMAIL City COUNCIL, especially CM DeLaRosa and Speaker Adrienne Adams (the Full list is here: https://mcusercontent.com/036ef3a3db4831f1dc593990d/files/df85df38-69ff-72b6-9621-fe82156dc2d4/Council_Member_List.pdf ) A sample Email: Hi! My name is_____________ and I am a retiree/ (if you are active/in-service say that!). We want you to know the Scheinman report is NOT a “ruling”, it’s an opinion and IS NOT BINDING! It’s paid propaganda and they’re hoping the city council falls for it… it is not a decision, it is not a ruling, it is not an award!! The retirees have identified at least $300 million in savings. OMB knows about some of these savings options, and has NOT implemented them NOR informed the city council… and OMB is unaware of others! Which is worse? HOW CAN THE MAYOR OR THE COUNCIL MAKE A DECISION IF THEY ARE NOT BEING PROPERLY INFORMED BY OMB? DO NOT MAKE ANY CHANGE TO THE AMINISTRATIVE CODE! Please reach out to the NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees for real facts! The MLC doesn’t want you to know they sold off ALL of our healthcare for raises! Yes, that includes you! Please remember this as we go into the New Year. Happy New Year! AND DO NOT AMEND THE ADMINISTRATIVE CODE 12-126!Signed, YOUR NAME AND YEAR/AGENCY YOU RETIRED or Where you work

URGENT MESSAGE!! YOU NEED TO ACT!
***************************Your friends, and retirees in SOLIDARITY…

The NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
************** Donations are Needed! It is fall, copays, inflation, etc, but we need to keep donations coming in to fund our October litigation! TO DONATE TO THE LEGAL FUND

Donation Instructions to Support Our Class Action Suit Against the City To Protect Our Retiree Healthcare:

We worked decades for our benefits! Let’s make sure the City and the MLC don’t take them away!

A suggested $25 Donation* will help start the fight to keep our current benefits. Give more if you can, and/or often! If you cannot meet the minimum suggested donation, we appreciate whatever you can give towards this fight for our benefits. We also added the option to make your donation recurring (monthly) as was requested.

The fundraiser group is incorporated as a Non-Profit. ALL proceeds go to fund the organization and its legal challenge. Volunteer retirees are running this effort. Our 501C3 is pending.

TO DONATE, HERE ARE 4 SIMPLE WAYS!

1.Zelle using email NYCOrgofpublicserviceretirees@gmail.com

2. Make your check out to:
NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees PO Box 941
Venice, FL 34284 (our treasurer lives in FL)

3. Or click on this Paypal link:
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=Q4VWJEYVJ9HTW&Z3&fbclid=IwAR0pEOc51x9xhc-CBb8vqAIkX97Bgg1Z02f1r9gQh9S3dOsVmAdob5jBbw84. We Now Accept Donations via VENMO

VENMO is a Phone App or can be used on a PC or Tablet
You can download and install the Phone App from the Android Play Store or Apple App Store. There may be fees involved using this method.

Our ID is: @NYCRetirees

If you are on this list, it is because you subscribed to hear what we are doing as an organization that represents all NYC Municipal workers in protecting their Health benefits in retirement. Currently, we have a FACEBOOK page located here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/888622578669131

If you are not on FACEBOOK, we will be updating you here. And Check our website for FAQ www.nycretirees.orgThank you for signing up for our newsletter and pass this to a friend to sign up too!

Hello Everyone!

We’ve been asked to provide a synopsis for the many new members who have joined our group.

Two weeks ago, the First Department Appellate Court affirmed the Supreme Court Decision of March 3, 2022. Unanimously. What does that mean? The Supreme Court found that the City and MLC violated the law when they attempted to charge Medicare eligible retirees to keep their current plans when opting out of the Medicare Advantage plan they were trying to force us into. The reason? The charge (the penalty premium) was under the statutory benchmark the City was required to pay up to. That statutory protection is provided by administrative Code 12-126. It states, in part, that the City must pay up to the HIP HMO rate (about $775 at the time) for employees, retirees and their dependents, and charging us $191 month was illegal, as it was under the benchmark amount. Let’s rewind. Why did the City and MLC want to force us into ONE plan? The Municipal Labor Committee entered into an agreement in 2014 with the City that stemmed from the 2014 United Federation of Teachers (UFT) contract. The UFT negotiated raises of 18% over 9 years but it was required to get the MLC to agree to convey $1Billion from the Health Insurance Stabilization Fund (HISF) to the City to pay for the negotiated raises and agree to healthcare savings. It is the first time to our knowledge that a single union negotiated raises to be partially funded by other unions. The HISF was primarily created to equalize the cost of GHI CBP to HIP HMO (the benchmark) to keep GHI CBP premium free for in-service and pre-medicare retirees.That agreement resulted in the 2014 and 2018 MLC agreements which increased healthcare copays, narrowed networks of providers in the GHI CBP plan for radiology, primary care providers, specialists and urgent care centers, and significantly increased copays for emergency room usage. They even agreed to lower the HIP HMO benchmark resulting in the City paying less for insurance, reducing which plans were under that cap and how much was transferred from the City into the Stabilization Fund. So what was deemed a “savings” by the City and MLC, is really cost transfer, merely passed along to employees and retirees.Medicare Advantage plans (MAPs) are federally subsidized. This means that the government pays the insurer so the City does not have to. The premium the insurer charges increases as enrollment decreases, and the profit sharing agreement in the contract decreases as enrollment decreases. In the City’s own communication with the Alliance in 2020 (the original provider of the “custom” MAPP created for NYC retirees), they admit that if choices are available to Medicare eligible retirees, the City will not see the savings they were hoping for (purportedly $600M). This makes it abundantly clear that the intention of the City and the MLC from the start was to eliminate choices of plans to Medicare eligible retirees. And that is what they did when they rolled out the plan in 2021.In the last few weeks, the MLC and many of its member unions, such as the UFT, DC37 and Sanitation, have been going to great lengths to get their in-service members to convince City Council to change the Administrative Code we won our case on as a means to circumvent the Judge’s order. They have been pitting in-service workers against Medicare eligible retirees and blaming us for defending benefits we have had for 55 years, that pay less than 20% of our health bills.. Why should we be blamed for protecting benefits we earned, paid for and were promised? And why shouldn’t we push back when the City and the MLC are willingly and wantonly selling off benefits for their raises and don’t think twice about forcing us into an inferior plan? Some of these unions have been threatening that an arbitrator will take away choices of plans and only leave us the MAP, yet, as previously stated, that was THEIR plan all along. They made a bad deal and blame us for not allowing the bus to drive over us. We stand together, to protect what we all have earned and paid for! What we hope everyone realizes is that not only are we protecting ourselves, we are protecting in-service and pre-Medicare retirees, as well. We are even protecting those very same union heads who fail to protect us, although they don’t seem to realize it. Because TWO courts and SIX judges affirmed the Retirees were correct, how does that make us wrong? It doesn’t. You are hearing gaslighting, and blame being placed on the victims.Further, going against the Judge’s decision, the City is charging copays on the GHI Senior Care plan which costs less than the benchmark. To further protect retirees, we filed a class action against the City for illegally charging co-pays on the Senior Care plan. As this case progresses, we will keep you informed. Lastly, it’s taken a year for the IRS to process our 501c3 application. Because we are focusing primarily on litigation and our work does not only benefit lower income retirees, we have been informed that the Organization does not qualify for 501c3 status. What this means is that contributions that are and have been made are not tax deductible to the contributor. We will be submitting an application for 501c5 status, which will allow the Organization to be tax exempt but not tax deductible to contributors.Our intention is to develop a 501c3 arm that will be tax deductible to contributors. The 501c3 will narrowly fund projects it specifically fundraises for that serve lower income retirees through education and advocacy. It will take a few months before we are able to put the 501c3 together since we are currently focused on the latest litigation. We will update you as the process continues.
***************************************************************
Homework continues. We ask you to make calls & email City council daily asking them to protect retirees and to protect 12-126 and ensure we are not forced into a Medicare Advantage plan. We have some help on our website to assist you in that process.

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Dear Employees & Retirees,
Last week, the Appellate Court, First Department found for the retirees, like we thought! We said all along, we were going to win this case because the law is on our side, and we being retirees were very familiar with the statute and collective bargaining. The Court unanimously agreed with the Supreme Court, that the City must pay the full cost of healthcare up to the HIP HMO rate for EVERY EMPLOYEE, RETIREE and their dependents.We are retired City union labor. Many of us lobbied these laws, worked in offices where these laws were used over the decades. We know they protect active and retired labor EQUALLY. And have for over 55 years. Its not an “antiquated” or “outdated law.” And this retirees group that fought the City and MLC in this case, did what true labor does; organized, rallied, stood in solidarity, got out the word, hired good lawyers, won the support of some of our former unions, rallied, protested, and we won…every. step. of. the. way. The UFT & DC37 has been distributing emails to active or in-service workers and their retirees telling them to call City Council and demand they change the Code. They don’t want you to know you are demanding your own diminishment of healthcare! To the in service employees, have you researched the history of Administrative Code 12-126? Do you know why it exists and the protections it offers? Do you know if those protections exists anywhere else and why? Have you read either Court decision? Do you know the difference between Traditional Medicare and a managed Medicare advantage plan? If not, stop! And learn before you follow your peers “off a bridge” selling off your current and future health benefits. And tomorrow, thank a retiree for saving your benefits!The fact is, the Municipal Labor Committee negotiated a bad deal and got themselves in a hole. And they sold off retirees to pay their debt. You will be retired. Are you okay with having your retiree benefit sold off? We warned you all last year if this deal was permitted to go through, they were coming after you (active in-service workers) next. You didn’t listen. And today, they are threatening you with premiums and loss of plans and still blaming the retirees litigation to protect what is rightfully theirs and earned pitting employees against retirees. WE ARE UNION! WE ARE LABOR! WE ARE RETIREES! And we will continue to fight to protect ourselves, and you, if we must! We know the laws we are protected by. Get on board, before the MLC takes your health plan, and narrows the networks for providers you can see, and imposes so many co pays and prior authorizations, you will think you are in an HMO plan in 1980. Every time they agree to a $30 co pay, or you can only use a certain urgent care, or a certain radiology or a certain “network” or prevent you from going to a specific hospital, or requires approval for just about every test of procedure you physician wants, that is a GIVE BACK. They are limiting your access to your own healthcare. TODAY, Thank a retiree, because they just saved you. Now let’s hope the MLC chooses to get on the right side of the law and protect us all like they used to! COURT DECISION BREAKING NEWSAnd because we like a good ONE – TWO Punch…. Tonight we filed another lawsuit against the City over the GHI Senior Care Copays and violating the Judge’s order.
Read/follow that here!

Dear Current Employees (those on the job!) and Retirees,

We want you to know that the Municipal Labor Council has agreed with the City to sell off our protections and health benefits by trying to legislate a change to Administrative Code 12-126, the law that guarantees our healthcare and that we won our case on. If you think your union might be one of the ones not telling you the truth, you should read our brief fact sheet linked below and then head to our website and FaceBook page. We have a team of lawyers and generations of retirees, former union leaders, and commissioners, and attorneys, and deputies, behind us. Learn the truth behind the message you are hearing.

We are asking everyone who cherishes the healthcare benefits they earned to come to City Hall and let the City Council hear and see you!   Urge them NOT TO CHANGE Administrative Code 12-126 and protect us from those urging changes to a law that has protected us since 1967.

We then will head down the block to UFT HQ and tell Michael Mulgrew of the UFT to keep his hands off our benefits and stop selling them for his own wages!

We want full transparency in the accounting of the Health Insurance Stabilization Fund and the Retiree Health Benefit Trust! The time is now to stop using funds that were meant to protect us as slush funds.

PLEASE COME OUT on Wednesday, October 12^th, 12:15 pm at City Hall before we head to UFT HQ at 3:30.   See the attached flyer for detailed instructions.

IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE HAVE A STRONG SHOWING SO THE COUNCIL KNOWS WE MEAN BUSINESS!

LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU THERE!

Here is the RALLY INFO FLYER AND THE ISSUE FACT SHEET

We are also including our most recent videos on our YouTube Channel

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Information For Our Members

September 14, 2022

Hello John Henry

Mayor Adam’s admisistration is leaning on the City Council to amend a local law as part of a long-running effort to shift thousands of retired municipal workers into a controversial cost-cutting Medicare Plan. Retirees are infuriated, maintaining that such a switch would wreck their health coverage. This new Medicare Advantage Plan was scuttled in March when Manhattan Supreme Court Justice, Lyle Frank struck it down as unlawful.   Mayor Adams in a bid to circumvent Frank’s decision, authorized the issuance of a formal request for the council to rewrite the law in question, so it would become legal for the city to apply monetary penalties on Reitrees who don’t get on board with it’s preferred health plan.  At this point it is extreemly important for all Retirees living in the 5 boros or their family to write to their Council Person. Explain how wrong this is and ask them to vote against the measure.

Make every effort to attend the next Retirees meeting which has be changed from the 3rd Thurs. of the month to this one time event on the 5th Thurs., Sept. 29th at which time Marianne Pizzitola will be addressing our group with questions afterwards. Marianne is a reitireed EMT who is the spokesperson for the attorneys representing the Retirees in this case.

Email addresses of Council Members
Can be as simple as:  Mayor Adams’ administration is leaning on the City Council to amend a local law as part of a long-running effort to shift thousands of retired municipal workers into a controversial, cost-cutting Medicare plan. The Administration did not win in court, so now they are trying Plan B.      I am urging you to vote against amending this local law. It is an insult to all NY City Retirees. If the plan was any good, retirees would be looking to opt into it rather than out of it.Thank you for your time.
Joseph Borelli SI   borelli@council.nyc.gov
Kamilah Hanks SI  district49@council.nyc.gov
David Carr SI  dcarr@council.nyc.gov
Madam Speaker Adams  SpeakerAdams@council.nyc.gov
Deputy Speaker Madam Ayala district8@council.nyc.gov
Majority Whip Madame Brooks-Powers  district32@council.nyc.gov
Majority Leader K. Powers  kpowers@council.nyc.gov

Sample of a more detailed letter:

In 2021 retired city employees were notified that effective 4/1/22 New York City would be
offering a new health plan called NYC Medicare Advantage Plan. However, should retirees opt
out of this plan and choose to keep their medicare (primary) and GHI (secondary) including Blue
Cross & Blue Shield Insurance a charge of $191.51 per person, per month, would be deducted
from their pensions.
At present, retirees do not pay a fee for their coverage. This fee violates a NYC Council
ruling which states that NYC must provide free medical coverage to NYC retired employees.
In response to this violation an organization called the NYC Organization of Public Service
Retirees has been formed. As a result of their court actions the 4/1/22 date has been
postponed. The Mayor and municipal unions want the NYC Council to repeal the ruling
regarding free medical coverage. A court case is scheduled for this Fall.
We are asking Councilman Borelli and all NYC council persons to vote no on the Mayor’s
proposal and to support municipal retirees and long standing council law regarding free medical
coverage. See pages 2 & 3 of the 9/12/2022 NY Daily News.
Thank you for your attention and help in this matter. If you are in need of any other information
please contact me.

Do you know someone who may want to join our group then Click Here for a membership application which you can print out for them

Walter “woody” Wall, President
retirees@fdnysiretirees.org

Joe Choquette, Recording secretary

Good afternoon retirees!

We have some additional News! Anthem, the parent company of Blue Cross Blue Shield, which now identifies as ‘ELEVANCE,’ pulled out of the ‘Alliance’ with Emblem Health last week. This DOES NOT mean the MAP is dead. Sadly, the City, MLC and Unions are right now trying to find someone to take their place. Our case is going forward. We are still actively fundraising to continue our litigation. Our case will be headed to court about October.

You will see union newsletters flying around. Email them back and tell them how you feel as they are still seeking to put us in a Medicare Advantage plan. So far, we have seen emails from the UFT, DEA, LBA and CEA. What they show us, is that despite all the evidence this organization has distributed, they will stop at nothing to reap the ‘savings’ from stripping away our rights to our healthcare for their own value benefit in bargaining.

United WE stand…

11R of 2022 ·July 20th

Medicare Advantage Update

Members should be aware of the recent update regarding the Medicare Advantage Plan. A statement was released on behalf of the Municipal Labor Committee on July 18, 2022 informing us that despite continued negotiation efforts, Anthem/Empire will not continue with the program.

As stated on the New York City Office of Labor Relations (OLR) website:

“New York City was notified on July 15, 2022 that Anthem/Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield has withdrawn its participation in the NYC Medicare Advantage Plus Plan. The City and the Municipal Labor Committee continue to believe that a customized Medicare Advantage Plan provides the retirees, the City and its taxpayers with the best opportunity for high quality healthcare. We remain committed to moving forward with the program and are exploring alternative options.

All retirees will remain in their current plans until further notice.”

The Office of Labor Relations will post updates on their website when more details are made available. We recommend checking the OLR website frequently for new information and updates.

WELCOME! To the NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees Newsletter!
Hello Retirees! Today is Saturday, June 11th.

Marianne & Michelle are coming to Manhattan!
RETIREE BENEFIT RALLY!
Wednesday, June 15th 4:30 pm
Foley Square
Wear a Blue shirt, be comfortable and come look for us. Have your phones charged for photos and videos! Come find us! This is a great opportunity to be heard! Can’t wait to see you!
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There are no new legal updates yet. We are still scheduled to argue our appeal in fall. Our fundraising continues monthly, as we still have legal and operating costs. We have some new things in the works you will hear about shortly!

Thank you for supporting our work to maintain our benefits!

New YouTube videos
  Friday Q&A 6/10
Video for the Active Union workers (share this one with actives)

We are still advising retirees to continue opting out as long as the Alliance is accepting opt outs. This tells the City, “This plan stinks and we don’t want it!” If they ever do bring it back, the city will have to restart the implementation process.

If you need help please go to our website:  OPT OUT

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Your friends, and retirees in SOLIDARITY…

The NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
************** Donations are Needed!TO DONATE TO THE LEGAL FUND

Donation Instructions to Support Our Class Action Suit Against the City To Protect Our Retiree Healthcare:

We worked decades for our benefits! Let’s make sure the City and the MLC don’t take them away!

A suggested $25 Donation* will help start the fight to keep our current benefits. Give more if you can, and/or often! If you cannot meet the minimum suggested donation, we appreciate whatever you can give towards this fight for our benefits. We also added the option to make your donation recurring (monthly) as was requested.

The fundraiser group is incorporated as a Non-Profit. ALL proceeds go to fund the legal challenge. Volunteer retirees are running this effort. Our 501C3 is pending.

TO DONATE, HERE ARE 4 SIMPLE WAYS!

1.Zelle using email NYCOrgofpublicserviceretirees@gmail.com

2. Make your check out to:
NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees PO Box 941
Venice, FL 34284 (our treasurer lives in FL)

3. Or click on this Paypal link:
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=Q4VWJEYVJ9HTW&Z3&fbclid=IwAR0pEOc51x9xhc-CBb8vqAIkX97Bgg1Z02f1r9gQh9S3dOsVmAdob5jBbw84.  We Now Accept Donations via VENMO

WELCOME! To the NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees Newsletter!
Hello Retirees! Today is Friday, May 27th.

There are no new legal updates yet. We are still scheduled to argue our appeal in fall. Our fundraising continues monthly, as we still have legal and operating costs. Thank you for supporting our work to maintain our benefits!

New YouTube videos
  Friday Q&A

We are still advising retirees to continue opting out as long as the Alliance is accepting opt outs. This tells the City, “This plan stinks and we don’t want it!” If they ever do bring it back, the city will have to restart the implementation process.

If you need help please go to our website:  OPT OUT

****************
Your friends, and retirees in SOLIDARITY…

The NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
************** Donations are Needed!TO DONATE TO THE LEGAL FUND

Donation Instructions to Support Our Class Action Suit Against the City To Protect Our Retiree Healthcare:

We worked decades for our benefits! Let’s make sure the City and the MLC don’t take them away!

A suggested $25 Donation* will help start the fight to keep our current benefits. Give more if you can, and/or often! If you cannot meet the minimum suggested donation, we appreciate whatever you can give towards this fight for our benefits. We also added the option to make your donation recurring (monthly) as was requested.

The fundraiser group is incorporated as a Non-Profit. ALL proceeds go to fund the legal challenge and not to anyone in the Organization. Volunteer retirees are running this effort. Our 501C3 is pending.

TO DONATE, HERE ARE 4 SIMPLE WAYS!

1.Zelle using email NYCOrgofpublicserviceretirees@gmail.com

2. Make your check out to:
NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees PO Box 941
Venice, FL 34284 (our treasurer lives in FL)

3. Or click on this Paypal link:
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=Q4VWJEYVJ9HTW&Z3&fbclid=IwAR0pEOc51x9xhc-CBb8vqAIkX97Bgg1Z02f1r9gQh9S3dOsVmAdob5jBbw84.  We Now Accept Donations via VENMO

VENMO is a Phone App or can be used on a PC or Tablet.
You can download and install the Phone App from the Android Play Store or Apple App Store. Please follow the instructions to Sign Up. Please read and understand how VENMO works before you donate! There may be fees involved using this method.

Our ID is: @NYCRetirees

If you are on this list, it is because you subscribed to hear what we are doing as an organization that represents all NYC Municipal workers in protecting their Health benefits in retirement. Currently, we have a FACEBOOK page located here:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/888622578669131

If you are not on FACEBOOK, we will be updating you here. And Check our website for FAQ www.nycretirees.orgThank you for signing up for our newsletter and pass this to a friend to sign up too!

urfanyfd.org

Questions about your IRMAA or Medicare Part B Reimbursements?

Medicare Part B 2022 Reimbursement

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WELCOME! To the NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees Newsletter!

Hello Retirees!

Today is Tuesday, April 19th. LOTS OF NEWS!

We have homework for you!

Your friends, and retirees in SOLIDARITY…

The NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees

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Healthcare Updates

Questions about your IRMAA or Medicare Part B Reimbursements?

Medicare Part B 2022 Reimbursement

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WELCOME! To the NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees Newsletter!

Hello Retirees!

Today is Tuesday, April 19th. LOTS OF NEWS!We have homework for you!

Your friends, and retirees in SOLIDARITY…The NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees**************

Today is Tuesday, April 19th. LOTS OF NEWS!

We have homework for you!

Your friends, and retirees in SOLIDARITY…

The NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees

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