Mission Statement

The intent and purpose of the Local Lodge 1725 Legislative Committee is to actively be involved in the process of political education. This is done in a nonpartisan way, to ensure that the interests of our members, the working class of our country, are being best served by our elected officials on Local, State, and Federal levels.
  
Several areas are involved. Goals range as simple as a left turn arrow at the intersection of West Blvd and Billy Graham Parkway, to interviewing candidates running for office, to reviewing bills from the House and Senate. Issues addressed stay within the agenda of items affecting health & safety, human rights, issues affecting jobs, etc. The committee remains clear of personal issues, as well as issues that really have no bearing on members of our Local as a whole.

MNPL

The MNPL scrutinizes each candidate thoroughly. We ask tough questions such as their positions on trade, labor law reform, economic conversion, transportation policies, and enhancement of the U.S. manufacturing base.

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Legislation information you can use

In 1974, "ERISA" was created. ERISA stands for Employee Retirement Income Security Act. This gives participants in pension plans certain rights that are governed by Federal law. As many members of our Local are in a "defined pension program", after we are vested, we are then covered further by a federal agency named the PBGC, or Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.

First, the ERISA legislation. After 4000 auto workers at Studebaker lost their pension benefits in 1963, Congress enacted ERISA to protect pensions. There are rules for a company to follow that ensures the employees retirement funds stay protected, such as the fiduciary's obligations to invest money prudently, rules that require adequate funding of the plan, and penalties for companies who do not comply with set guidelines, rules, laws, etc.. Basically, ERISA establishes standards for pension in the private business sector, allowing protection to us as employees to ensure that are pensions are intact when we retire. If you desire to learn more about ERISA, contact the regional Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration office in Atlanta at 404-562-2156, or http://www.dol.gov/dol/pwba

The PBGC, Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, was established under the ERISA legislation. Basically, the PBGC is the Federal agency that insures the pensions of American workers covered by the private defined benefit pension plans.  With the PBGC, the Department of Labor is responsible for overseeing that pension plans are properly operated, while the IRS is responsible for pension plan funding, tax laws, and vesting requirements. The PBGC may be reached at 202-326-4000, or at http://www.pbgc.gov

This is intended to give a basic knowledge of some laws that affect our pensions. Tom Regan covers this, and more, in his retirees workshop that he holds from time to time at our Local. There is no way to cover all situations for all people, but we do need to take time to familiarize ourselves with these, and many other, laws that deal with our lives, such as COBRA, Social Security, ADA, etc. A Federal website that is easy to use, and with many free informational pamphlets, is: http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov
This is the government agency in Pueblo, CO, that will mail you different booklets describing many different topics. Their phone number is 1-800-FED-INFO, if you do not have a computer, call them to be sent a publication listing what they offer. The majority of these are free, with some costing 50 cents, or a dollar. Your tax dollars enable this agency to make information available to who ever seeks it. Knowledge is good, especially knowledge that affects you and your family.

Mark O'Bryant (Retired)


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We all need to become more aware of what happens in our Government. These web sites are a good place to start for you and your family to learn more about the Federal Government. Leave the TV off one night, and take the teenage kids to the computer and start exploring, one never knows what might be found.

E Mail Your Representatives Here

thomas.loc.gov
This site is kept by the Federal Government. To find out about Congressional bills and other activity in both the House and Senate, go here.

www.opensecrets.org
Put in place by "The Center for Responsive Politics". This is not a Government web site, but does contain useful information. Find the search box, put a Politician's name in, and find where their campaign money comes from.

www.dol.gov
U.S. Department of Labors web site. Hit the "quick guide" and there are many interesting items.

www.access.gpo.gov
The Government Printing Office web site. The place to order publications, information, etc..

www.house.gov www.senate.gov
These web sites go directly into the House and Senate. Find your Senator or Representative. Much information is in these two sites, check it out.
 

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