Verizon Retirees Hold Annual Meeting in Tarrytown

TARRYTOWN, NY - Verizon retirees recently gathered in Tarrytown April 19 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Association of BellTel Retirees.

Among the topics of discussion at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel were efforts to limit excessive executive golden parachutes and protecting earned benefits for 134,000 members who retired from Verizon or one of its predecessors.

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At the meeting, state Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins presented the group with a legislative proclamation honoring its two decades of advocacy.

Attorneys for the association addressed retirees’ questions about their pensions, ongoing federal litigation and legislation to add protection for retirees whose pensions have been converted to insurance annuities.

Read more: Verizon Strike 2016 Update: Unions Decline Company's 'Final Offer'

BellTel President John Brennan read the group a letter form Richard Speer, president/business manager of the IBEW Local 827, representing striking Verizon workers, thanking the association for its support.

Association members were also advised not to fill in for striking workers if they were asked.

Photo caption: New York State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins presents the Association with a proclamation awarding them for their advocacy. Photo credit: David Simmonds, director of the Association of BellTel Retirees.