Posted: March 18, 2008
By
Larry Darby
When I was hired by PG&E General Construction Gas Department in 1967, my wage was $106 a week. Boy was I happy. I as well as many others hit the road, working through out PG&E territory, not as much as others but more than some. Throughout my employment I had many people that were older than myself, who I respected for their work habit and their knowledge of their job. They all showed not just me, but all new hires how to get the job done.
This still goes on today, the more senior employees teaching the new employees not just what to do, but how to do it safely, and I hope it is still done with pride. Have you ever in your years of service kept track of the men who were your teachers of work safety and kept most of you out of trouble? When they retired some of you donated some money for a gift or maybe just signed a retirement card. Have you ever wonder how those men and women are doing? Are they well? Are they still living in the area where they use to call home? Or did they move so their money would go farther?
Well, to tell you the truth our older retirees (who helped make PG&E and who helped groom you for the jobs that you are doing now) are getting a monthly pension check of around $600-$1000. People who retired later--whether you were in the labor force as most of us are or the ones in management--most people who I know are getting paid anywhere from $1200-$3000 a month for the rest of their life, and if they pass away some of their spouses will be getting less than that.
Stand back, take a minute of your valuable time and look at all the people who you knew that retired and ask yourself, “I wonder how they are doing?” I do keep in contact with some of them. The older you and I get, most of the time you’re able to at least give that old fellow co-worker (that you once worked side by side with) the last respect at his grave site services.
I was one of the lucky few to be on the Negotiations Committee. We were able to get some of the oldest retirees a pension increase in 1999 and in 2004 workers voted in a new contract and the retirees received $7500 to help pay for their monthly medical premium, that lasted at an average of 2-3 years and ran out. In 2007 retirees and the union were able to get the retirees a pro-rated $3600 to help with their medical premium. We know that this will last some just over one year.
I hope you will attend your monthly union meeting and this year in negotiations try to get some language in the contract that will get somewhat of a pay adjustment for all retirees every year. Just remember, you too will be in our shoes. I can stand back and say as an active worker that I helped to get two increases in my 37 years and one health adjustment. Now, as a retiree I am working with others trying to help out our older retirees get a higher pay increase. Remember you will be there soon and now is the time to get some language voted on, for you and your spouse in the future.
Larry L. Darby
Fremont, Ca