Catherwood LibraryILR School

General Motors retirees flocked to a packed auditorium at United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 659 last week in the lastest of a number of union meetings and rallies concerned about retirees health care and benefits. Many retirees attend the meetings in a search for clarity - confused about the changes in the coverage, and scared to lose it altogether. Under GM's new plan, retirees pay more for prescriptions and out-of-pocket expenses, lose their vision and dental coverage, and must pick up a $76 monthly Social Security fee once paid by the company. Pension plans remain unchanged, and benefits will stay at current levels. Union leadership says it is an extremely stressful time for retirees, but acknowledges also that union members would probably be in worse shape if the cuts hadn't been made, as more jobs would have been lost and more plants idled.