Local 1 Retirees Newsletter Spring 2010

LOCAL 1
RETIREE CHAPTER
NEWSLETTER
SPRING 2010
Stronger Together
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A message from Tom Balanoff
President, SEIU Local 1
With the start of a new year of Retiree Chapter activities I would like to take this
opportunity to thank all Local 1 retirees for your continued involvement in Local 1.
For many years you worked and supported SEIU to help make it the largest union
in North America with over 2,000,000 members. But your involvement should not
stop with retirement. The union needs you now more than ever before. Unions are
facing some of the toughest challenges. As you know yourself, it is through difficulties and challenges that the union movement becomes stronger. The retirees
are a great resource of information and can provide an expertise in many areas. The union needs to draw on your experiences to help in areas from organizing to
politics.
Local 1 is strongly committed to the Retiree Chapter in making it one of the strongest in SEIU. This is the
first issue of the retiree newsletter. It will provide a link for you to keep abreast of the activities and information of the Retiree Chapter and the union. I would like to congratulate the newly elected officers and
commend them on taking the responsibility of leadership. I look forward to seeing many familiar faces
not only at retiree meetings and activities but at Local 1 activities. In Solidarity,
Tom Balanoff
President
SEIU Local 1
Schedule of Local 1 Retiree
Chapter Meetings for 2010
Local 1 Retiree Chapter meetings take place on the second Tuesday of the month at Poretta’s Banquets
located at 3718 N. Central Avenue in Chicago.
April 13
May 11
June July 13
August 10
September 14
October 12
November 9
December 14
Doors open at 11:30am with lunch served at noon. Free parking.
Local 1 Retiree Chapter Executive Board
On November 11, 2009 elections were held for the newly created Executive Committee of the Retiree
Chapter. President Tom Balanoff appointed a committee of Local 1 Executive Board members to help
strengthen our Chapter. The first order of business was to create an Executive Committee that comprises
five officers and to set a date for an election. The following Local 1 retirees were elected: President – Joan Baumeister
1st Vice President – Bill Wire
2nd Vice President – John Maliszewski
Treasurer – Miguel Garay
Recording Secretary – Vanda Glassi
The officers of the Retiree Chapter and the Local 1 Executive Board Committee will be planning the activities of the Chapter. We hope that you will participate and encourage your Local 1 friends to join. I am
encouraged to see that there are so many individuals who are committed to the Local 1 Retiree Chapter. I
look forward to seeing you at all of our activities this year.
Joan Baumeister
President
Local 1 Retiree Chapter
2010 Retiree Dues
Dues for retirees are $36.00 for the year. Dues can be paid at the monthly meeting or by sending your
check payable to SEIU Local 1:
SEIU Local 1 Dues Department
111 East Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60601
If you have a question please call 312-240-1600 and ask to be transferred to the Dues Department.
CENSUS 2010
In the next several weeks census forms will be arriving in the
mail. We all know the importance of returning a completed cen-
sus questionnaire and the impact it will have on all communities. Also arriving in the mail are
forms titled “National Census of Senior Citizens”. If you receive such a form beware: it is not
a genuine U.S. Government form. Do not complete the questionnaire or make any contact with the
senders. It is a scam. An official looking envelope labeled the “Council for Retirement Security”
arrives with an eight page form that seeks to obtain credit card and other financial information as well as
asking for a $14.58 fee. If you receive this destroy the envelope and form by shredding it or disposing it
in the trash. Also beware of census takers who come to your home and ask for a Social Security number
or credit card or banking information. Do not provide any financial information because it is not required
on the 2010 census forms. Retiree Benefits
As a member of the Local 1 Retiree Chapter you are entitled to the benefits of Local 1’s Member Programs and Union Plus. Both programs offer members valuable discounts on a wide range of products and
services as well as coupons and consumer information. To find more information log on to Local 1’s
website at www.seiu1.org and click on the Member Programs window or www.unionplus.org . Utilizing our collective strength, Local 1 members gain consumer strength. Retirees who are on a fixed
income can benefit with these discounts during these strained economic times. If you do not have a computer at home, ask your grandchildren to go on the internet with you or go to your local public library. You
can also call Local 1 for information.
Important Telephone Numbers and Addresses
SEIU Local 1
SEIU National Industry Pension Fund
111 East Wacker Drive
11 Dupont Circle, N.W. – Suite 900
Chicago, IL 60601
Washington D.C. 20036-1202
312-240-1600
800-458-1010(Toll Free)
Local 25 Pension Fund
Local 1 Pension Fund
111 East Wacker Drive
630-288-6868
Chicago, Il 60601
ATPA 1211 West 22nd Street – Suite 406
312-240-1600
Oakbrook, IL 60523
SEIU Local 1 Retiree Chapter
Joan Baumeister, President
773-728-6065
Russ Greco
As we beginning our retiree activities for the upcoming year, let us look back
and remember the activities of the chapter from the past. One of the reasons our
Chapter is successful is because of the work of Russ Greco. Russ was President
of the Chapter for many years. His dedication and efforts are clearly seen today. Whether he was recruiting retirees for a political rally, supporting Local 1 in a
campaign, or just encouraging retirees to attend the monthly meetings, Russ was
always enthusiastic and full of energy in making sure that the Local 1 retirees
were active, visible and appreciated. The newly elected officers of the Local 1
Retiree Chapter are committed to continue the work that Russ was committed to so that our Chapter is one
of the most successful in SEIU.
2009 RETIREE CHRISTMAS PARTY
The Local 1 Retiree Chapter Christmas Party took place
on December 8 at Poretta’s Banquets. Over 100 retiree
members, guests and Local 1 officers and staff were in
attendance. All retirees received a Christmas ornament as
holiday gift. Local 1 Vice President Vince Pesha thanked
the retirees for their dedication to the Chapter and wished
all a happy holiday season. Photos provided by Lorena Gonzalez