WE ARE ONE: MINNESOTA AND DAKOTAS RETIREES UNITED
By Retiree Council Board Member Mike Nelson
On May 21, 2024, the AFSCME Retiree Chapters representing retirees of Council 5 and Council 65 merged to become MINNESOTA AND DAKOTAS RETIREES UNITED. After a 10-week process of weekly Unification Committee meetings, multiple drafts of a proposed constitution, and preparations for a Unification Convention, Chapter 5 delegates approved the amended constitution. Delegates from old chapter 65 were upgraded and we became one organization. This larger, stronger, more effective organization now represents all AFSCME retirees in Minnesota and the Dakotas. The group’s membership jurisdiction now includes any public employee eligible for a MSRS or PERA pension or the spouse of that employee.
The convention elected officers for 2024-2026 with Jeff Birttnen elected for a 2-year term as President; Mike Nelson as First Vice president, Lana Feddema as Second Vice-president, Alex Livadaros as Treasurer and Marcia Provost as Secretary. Elected to the executive board representing subchapters were Randy Nelson, Nick Ayala, Michael Windey, Tammy Oachs, Judie Atkins, Deb Strohm.
Resolutions were passed supporting increased cost of living increases for retirees, adequate employer pension contributions to meet the required actuarial contributions to the plans, and a resolution to support the AFSCME Strong program for AFSCME retirees.
A lineup of speakers included Rose Roach, speaking on the importance of Medicare to our health care system and the difference between traditional Medicare and the private insurer’s Medicare Advantage offerings. Jonathan Rose informed us about the activities of All Elders United for Justice. Erin Leonard and Doug Anderson updated delegates on MSRS and PERA legislation. Erin Parrish from AARP spoke about legislation affecting seniors passed in the recent session.
Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan brought greetings from herself and the governor, highlighting worker issues that passed during the session. Maureen Dunn from The Alliance for Retired Americans talked about activities at the federal level to improve Social Security & Medicare. There were also presentations from AFSCME Council 5 Executive Director, Bart Anderson, AFSCME International Executive Board VP for MN, ND and SD Shannon Douvier, AFSCME Retirees United Secretary, Sue Conard, MN AFL-CIO Sr. Council President Ken McInnis, MN AFL-CIO President Bernie Burnham, Council 5 Political Director, Kent Ekin and Council 5 Legislative Director, Ethan Vogel.
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