May 23, 2025
UAW SWFL Retiree Council Quarterly Summer Newsletter

Happy Summer!
 
We hope everyone has a very safe and healthy summer vacation.  We will resume our monthly meetings in September on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at 11:00 am at the Holiday Inn.

We will have a representative from Wreaths Across America speak about their organization and how they go about recognizing our fallen veterans at Christmastime.

We will also have Blue Cross and Blue Shield and United HealthCare at the meeting to answer any of your questions regarding your bills.  YOU MUST BRING YOUR PAPER BILL(S) WITH YOU!  They cannot assist you without them.  Joe will also be there to assist them.

As a reminder, the office will be permanently closing on July 31, 2025.  We will no longer have an office for you to come into and speak with us.  Joe Bigelow, Chairman and Jim Getts, Financial Secretary will be taking your calls temporarily on Wednesday and Thursday mornings from 9:00 am to 11:00 am.  Their cell phone numbers are as follows:  Joe Bigelow (Wednesdays) - 978-413-4888; Jim Getts (Thursdays) - 239-318-4892.  If we cannot answer your questions, here are two more people you can call.  They are with the International Retiree Department in Detroit, MI.  Here are their phone numbers:  Lisa Rink, Assistant Director, Retirees Department:  313-926-5099 OR Becky Bridgewater, Lisa's Assistant, Retirees Department:  248-302-1253.

As always, if you have any questions, you may call the office or come into the office, (with exception to the following:  The office will be closed due to shut down for the first two weeks of July) with all your information until July 31, 2025, and we can assist you with your paperwork.  The hours of operation are Wednesday's and Thursday's, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.  If you leave a message, please make sure to leave us your name and telephone number so that we can return your call.  This is very important.

We are attaching a copy of Important Telephone Numbers for your information.  Please use them as needed.
 
We look forward to seeing everyone at the September meeting!

In Solidarity,

Joe Bigelow, Chairman
Cindy Stachowski, Recording Secretary
Jim Getts, Financial Secretary

IMPORTANT TELEPHONE NUMBERS AND WEBSITES
Retiree Health Care Connect (RHCC)
1-866-637-7555 or go online at:  www.benefitsweb.com/rhcc
 
UAW Trust - 1-866-637-7555 or go online at:  www.uawtrust.org
 
Ford - 1-866-637-7555 or go online at:  www.benefitsweb.com/rhcc
 
GM - 1-866-637-7555 or go online at:  www.resources.hewitt.com/rhcc
 
Stellantis (Formerly Chrysler) - 1-866-637-7555 or
go online at:  www.resources.hewitt.com/rhcc
 
Silver Sneakers:   www.silversneakers.com
 
Blue Cross/Blue Shield – 877-832-2829 or  www.bcbsm.com
 
Davis Vision  - 888-234-5164 or  www.davisvision.com
 
Delta Dental – 800-524-0149 or  www.deltadental.com
 
Express Scripts – 866-662-0274 or  www.express-scripts.com
 
Legal Services Plan – 800-482-7700 or  www.uawlegalservices.com
 
TruHearing – 844-394-5420 or  www.truhearing.com/uawtrust
 
United Auto Workers – www.uaw.org
 
United Health Care – 844-320-5021 or www.retiree.uhc.com/uawtrust
 
LIFE INSURANCE CONTACT NUMBERS
FORD  MetLife – 833-552-FORD (3673)
STELLANTIS (formerly FCA/CHRYSLER) – 888-409-3300
GM MetLife – 888-543-3461
Social Security Administration – 800-772-1213  www.ssa.gov
Medicare – 800-Medicare (800-633-4227)  www.medicare.gov

Meetings are held at the following venue:
Holiday Inn Express
2431 Cleveland Ave (US-41), Fort Myers, FL 33901
(239) 332-3232

May 20, 2025
UAW SWFL Retiree Council Quarterly Newsletter

Greetings!
 
It was a pleasure seeing everyone who attended the May Monthly Meeting!  We hope everyone has an enjoyable and safe summer!

The following is the Quarterly Newsletter for our regional office.  If you have any questions, please contact us if you have any questions. 
 
Southwest Florida    Retiree Newsletter
This quarterly Newsletter will outline our upcoming Spring/Summer 2025 Meetings & Events.
All Membership Meetings are held at 11:00 A.M. as follows:
PLACE:            Holiday Inn
2431 Cleveland Avenue (41)
Fort Myers FL, 33901
(Across from Lee Memorial Hospital)
 TIME:               All Meetings Begin at: 11:00 A.M.
 
Counselors are on location at our Drop-In Center if you need help with your medical bills.  PLEASE bring all paperwork regarding your case.  They cannot help you without that important information.  If you are in doubt about a medical bill, do not pay it until you talk to one of the counselors or bring it to our Membership Meeting to speak with a counselor. 
Drop-in Center Information
*NOW Open Wednesdays and Thursdays*
9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.
 
Fort Myers
12811 Kenwood Lane, Suite 104
Fort Myers, FL  33907
Phone:  (239) 936-6715
Email:  swfluaw@gmail.com
 
Ft. Myers Counselors:
Joe Bigelow, Jim Getts, Cynthia Stachowski
There is an answering service available.  Please leave your name, phone number, and message.  Your call will be returned on a regularly scheduled Open day.
 
FUTURE MEETING SCHEDULES
          
September 9, 2024 – TBD
October 14, 2024 – TBD
November 11, 2024 – TBD
December 9, 2024 - TBD
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Harry Chapin Food Bank
Your continued support of the Harry Chapin Food Bank is greatly appreciated.  We ask you to bring non-perishable foods or real money to each of our meetings.  Again, for each $1 donated, they can purchase $8 worth of food.
______________________________________________________________________________
SIGN UP FOR OUR EMAIL LIST TO STAY INFORMED BY EMAILING YOUR EMAIL TO swfluaw@gmail.com
Check out our new website:  www.swfluawretirees.com
UAW Executive Board Council Officers:
Joe Bigelow………….President
Joe Stefanov……….1st Vice President
Cynthia Stachowski…....…. Recording Secretary
Jim Getts……………. Financial Secretary
Rob Hillier……………Trustee
Andy Medar………. Trustee
Jeff Brobst………Trustee
Tom Burdick……….Trustee
Michael Stachowski ………. Sargent-At-Arms
Diana Getts………Member-At-Large
 
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS AT-LARGE
Joe Bigelow, Chairman
SW Florida UAW Retired Workers Council
Presidents Report
 
I received a phone call from the Retired Workers Department on April 1, 2025, stating they were closing the Drop-In Center.  After I received that call, we had our monthly meeting, and I informed the membership that the Drop-In Center would be closing as of July 31, 2025.  They are closing the center due to lack of walk-ins and phone calls.

During the week of May 4th, I will be in St. Petersburg for a meeting with the IAC and the International Department.  There will be more information at our May meeting.  All the chairpersons will be there as well.
If you have any questions at the meeting, I will be able to answer them at that time.

I hope everyone has a good summer.  Do not be concerned about your questions regarding your bills, as we will still be able to get answers and take care of them for you.
 
In Solidarity,
 
Joe Bigelow
Chairman
 
 
 
Voluntary Retiree Dues
Retirees, spouses, and surviving spouses are encouraged to participate in Retiree Dues Checkoff.  Please know that these monthly voluntary dues ($3.00 or more) are vital to the survival of the Retired Workers Program and our Council.  If you are NOT currently participating, please consider doing so. Retiree dues check-off cards will be available at our monthly meetings. 
 
 
Associate Member Dues
We encourage spouses of UAW retirees to participate and join retiree chapters and councils as
Associate Members. Associate dues of $3 per month, or $36 per year, can be paid via check to the UAW Retired Workers Department or can be added as a deduction to the retiree monthly pension check.
 
V-CAP
The UAW is involved in political action because our ability to make progress for workers and retirees at the collective bargaining table is intertwined with our ability to elect pro-labor candidates to office. Federal, state, and local governments make countless decisions that have a major impact on the well-being and quality of life for all working Americans. We must remain actively involved in the political process to advance the interests of workers and retirees on issues like workplace health and safety, trade policy, the right to organize, the right to a fair collective bargaining process, pensions, Social Security, Medicare/Medicaid, and Civil & Human Rights.
 
Voluntary Community Action Plan (V-CAP)
The easiest way for us to do that is to support V-CAP through V-CAP checkoff. V-CAP is the UAW’s political action program, which includes the Union’s Political Action Committee (PAC). The PAC fund is made up of voluntary contributions from UAW members, both active and retired. The money is used to support pro-worker political candidates who have earned the endorsement of the UAW Community Action Program (UAW CAP). This voluntary contribution is usually made through automatic payroll deduction, called V-CAP checkoff, by law, union dues cannot be used to support any federal candidate.  V-CAP will give not only UAW sisters and brothers, but all men, women, and children, young and old a voice and hopes of leveling the playing field.
 
If you have any questions or concerns, you can either come into the Drop-In Center on Wednesday and Thursday from 9:00  a.m. to 1:00 p.m. or call us at 239-936-6715.  Thank you for your continued support.
 
The symbol that you see below is a scannable QR code which takes you directly to UAW.org, where you can find all the latest information regarding the UAW.
 
In solidarity,
Joe Bigelow, President
SW Florida IAC
 
 IMPORTANT TELEPHONE NUMBERS AND WEBSITES
Retiree Health Care Connect (RHCC) – 866-637-7555  www.benefitsweb.com/rhcc.html
UAW Trust – 866-637-7555  www.uawtrust.org
Ford -– General Motors – STELLANTIS (formerly FCA/Chrysler)
Blue Cross/Blue Shield – 877-832-2829  www.bcbsm.com
Davis Vision 888-234-5164   www.davisvision.com
Delta Dental – 800-524-0149   www.deltadental.com
Legal Services Plan – 800-482-7700   www.uawlegalservices.com
Silver Sneakers  –  (BC/BS Members) www.silversneakers.com
“New” Silver Sneakers  –  855-604-1588  (UnitedHealth Care Members) www.uhcrenewactive.com
TruHearing – 844-394-5420   www.truhearing.com/uawtrust
United Auto Workers – www.uaw.org
“NEW” UnitedHealth Care Medicare Advantage Plan (Medical Benefits)
844-320- 5021 www.retiree.uhc.com/uawtrust
“NEW” UnitedHealth Care Medicare Rx (Optum Rx - Prescription Drug Benefits)
855-409-0219 www.uawtrustpdp.com
 
LIFE INSURANCE CONTACT NUMBERS
FORD  MetLife – 833-552-FORD (3673)
STELLANTIS (formerly FCA/CHRYSLER) – 888-409-3300
GM MetLife – 888-543-3461
Social Security Administration – 800-772-1213  www.SSA.gov
Medicare – 800-Medicare (800-633-4227)  www.medicare.gov
 
 
Word/C:  Quarterly Newsletters/2nd Qtr. – 2025/cs

In Solidarity,

Joe Bigelow, Chair
Joe Stefanov, First Vice chair
Cindy Stachowski, Recording Secretary
Jim Getts, Financial Secretary
Rob Hiller, Trustee
Jeff Brobst, Trustee
Andy Medar, Trustee
Tom Burdick, Trustee
Mike Stachowski, Sargent-At Arms
Diana Getts, Member at Large

Meetings are held at the following venue:
Holiday Inn Express
2431 Cleveland Ave (US-41), Fort Myers, FL 33901
(239) 332-3232