Editor:

I’m concerned about our pension fund. I have been forced into early retirement due to a medical illness and after 38 years in this union, I’m only going to receive $1,275 a month. This is ridiculous. I only became aware that it’s not a well-funded national pension in the last 4 or 5 years and am very disappointed about its critical status! I am concerned that my wife will, at best, only receive $750 a month after my passing; it frightens me to leave her with so little after all my years of service.

If the Butch Lewis Act is passed, how will it affect me? Will it raise the amount after retirement or rein- state the younger full pension retirement age restrictions? My concerns lie with my wife’s future!

Please show me that this Union actually cares and fix this issue now, I busted my ass all my life and don’t believe that we should be screwed this way.

Rick Locklin

Local 1101, Retired