Episode Summary
Daniel spoke to retired educator and union activist, Bennett Fischer. Bennett, along with over 300 retirees, is running on the Retiree Advocate/UFT slate that is seeking to lead the retired teachers chapter within the United Federation of Teachers.
This upcoming spring retiree chapter (RTC) election may have an impact on its union leadership in regards to the fight to stave off attempts by the city to force all Medicare eligible city retirees into the highly litigated and much maligned Medicare Advantage plan.
In the second segment, Daniel interviewed Marianne Pizzitola, president of the New York Organization of Public Service Retirees. Her organization, comprised of NYC retirees from our city’s unions, has been leading the fight against the city and the top establishment union leadership who are partnering in cost savings healthcare givebacks that endanger the healthcare benefits of retired and active city workers.
She shared updates on the fight the NYC retirees are waging to preserve their hard earned benefits.
They also spoke about the upcoming RTC election and the history behind the misuse of the Healthcare Stabilization Fund.
Episode Notes & Links
The New York City Organization of Public Service Retirees
The Wire: UFT RTC election race launches with Retiree Advocate/UFT slate announced at UFT HQ
The Wire: Mulgrew and UFT Unity, Not MLC, Initiated Health Cuts
Talk Out of School: Conversations with Bennett Fischer and Marianne Pizzitola