GE Retirees' Justice Fund

Co-Chair Helen Quirini. Retired from General Electric Company in 1980 after thirty-nine years of service. As a member of Local #301, Helen served as shop steward, executive board member, recording secretary, and treasurer. As president of Local #301 IUE-AFL-CIO's Retiree Council for the past 14 years Helen is also a representative on a number of community agencies, and active in several senior citizen groups. In 1978 she was recipient of the "Joseph A. Beirnie Award" from the national United Way to honor outstanding labor leaders.

H. Quirini

Co-Chair Kevin D. Mahar. Retired from GE after 33 years service. Former President of IUE Local 201 and elected for 21 years as a full-time representative of Local 201 members. Kevin holds the distinction of being the longest serving elected president of Local 201. He is President Emeritus of the AFL-CIO North Shore Labor Council and past Vice-President of AFL-CIO Massachusetts State Labor Council. Kevin is an activist who continues to work for his community, serving on many board of directors such as the YMCA.

K. Mahar

MISSION: 1. Persuade GE to share our huge pension fund and its $15.8 billion dollar surplus. 2. Provide a lump sum make-up for the lack of past cost-of-living increases. 3. Provide annual, automatic COLAs to assure retirees maintain their purchasing power. 4. Designate a retiree/union representative on the GE pension trust fund to assure adequate retiree representation. 5. Remain vigilant to defeat corporate sponsored legislation that would diminish or delete our pension funds or health insurance, and to advocate for legislation for the availability, protection and improvement of pensions.

CURRENT ISSUES: Our retirees will continue demonstrations for an annual COLA which GE has not contributed to our pension fund since 1987. That year our fund value was $17.2 billion; in 1997, it was worth $38.7 billion; and as of the beginning of 1999, the GE fund had soared to $43.447 billion. THE CURRENT SURPLUS ESTIMATES ARE ALMOST $16 BILLION AND GROWING! Without any cost to its Treasury, all GE retirees' pensions could be elevated on an ongoing basis to ensure their purchasing power.

DONATIONS: Donations of $12, or more if you can afford it, are being sought. Make donations to "GE RETIREES' JUSTICE FUND," c/o Helen Quirini, 23917 Hamburg Street, Schenectady, NY 12303