Pension Proposals

 Over the past two days the Company and Union Committees have met in an effort to resolve differences in the pension proposals reported on in the last bulletin.  As of today, we still remain in discussions over the IRS 420 Pension transfer into the Retiree Medical Plan and are having further discussions concerning wages.  In addition to those discussions, the Nuclear Business Unit has returned to negotiations to discuss the proposal which was removed from the table earlier concerning maintenance staffing at the St. Lucie Plant, which will also be discussed today as well. 

 As a result of these continuing discussions, the Company and Union were unable to finalize a complete contract proposal package in time for the Delegates review and consideration during the upcoming System Council Meeting next week.  This will result in a special called System Council Meeting in the future once the package is completed.

 On a different note, this week it was announced that Brother Mel Horton, Fifth District International Vice President, has announced his retirement effective March 1, 2005.  In his place International President, Edwin Hill has named International Representative and former System Council U-4 Business Manager, John Schantzen to the position effective the same date. 

 Please join with us in thanking Brother Horton for his many years of dedicated and distinguished service to the Brotherhood along with best wishes for a long, healthy and very happy retirement and our sincerest congratulations to Brother Schantzen

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