Retiree Meeting
May 12, 2025 
Monday 11:00 am
American Legion Post 15
Decatur, AL

We have been fortunate to enjoy some of the best health care coverage in the Country.  It is the continued hope that our coverage continues throughout our Golden Years. Coverage that has not only protected our members, it has also been there for the spouses and dependents.

The reason I raise this issue, on numerous occasions, I run across our members or co-workers who think General Motors still provides our health care. 
Although we identify as General Motors, our Health Care has long been provided by our independent V.E.B.A. (Voluntary Employee Benefit Association).

After the General Motors/Delphi bankruptcies in 2009, our V.E.B.A. was established. The V.E.B.A. was made possible by the bridge loans, which provided the necessary assistance for General Motors, the opportunity to restructure and continue in business.  The loans were approved on a vote of the United States Senate.  The vote in the Senate was 50 Democrats voting YES and 50 Republicans voting NO. Vice President Joe Biden cast the tie-breaking vote; he voted YES. Our V.E.B.A. is now a part of our history.

Former President of the UAW, Walter Reuther's statement, " The ballot box and the bread box are one and the same."

It doesn't only count that we vote, it is also important who we vote for.

We know; we have members who say they don't come to the Retiree Meetings because of politics. Well, I believe this; I think God for those who do and want to have a better understanding of the needs of our members.  They understand it is a continued battle to keep our family from the possibility of enduring the financial struggles that so many others have gone through. 

We have a great health care program because of one vote.

How many of you have looked at your E.O.B.s and thought; what would we have done without our insurance?  Like 80% of the people in the United States, most likely you would have been in bankruptcy or depleted your savings.  Maybe you would have to decline the treatment you needed.

We will be attending our Region 8  Retiree Conference, May 5-9, hopefully when we return for our meeting on May 12, we can provide you with an update on the future outlook of all our benefits.

We thank Lynn and Jeff Layton Chevrolet for their long-time support of our Retiree Chapter.  The door prizes they provide are a nice bonus for some who show up and are lucky enough to have their ticket drawn.

Lynn and Jeff appreciate our continued business.  If you are in the market for a new or used vehicle or your vehicle needs repair work or service, they welcome the opportunity to assist you.

Hope to see you and the meeting. It is much more enjoyable than running into you at the funeral home.

Take care, stay safe.
 In Solidarity.
Chuck McDonald, Chairman
256-874-0850