The Bell Effect

Retired FDNY Chief Richie Alles and 9/11 Legal Advocate Michael Barasch address retirees about benefits they may be entitled to if they were in New York City on or after 9/11 at the Association of BellTel Retirees at their annual member meeting 2021.

The Association of BellTel Retirees are dedicated to promoting the protection and enhancement of the pensions and benefits for all retirees and the current and future beneficiaries of the companies derived and evolving from the original Bell System.

You can find more information on our website: BellTelRetirees.org

Send any questions to [email protected]

Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/associationofbelltelretirees

We continue our miniseries highlighting speakers from the Association of BellTel Retirees 2021 Annual Member Meeting. This next speaker is Laura Whitlock, Interim Executive Director of the Pioneers, a Retiree non-profit volunteer organization, pledges partnership with The Association of BellTel Retirees to boost each other's membership and support each other's interests.

The Association of BellTel Retirees are dedicated to promoting the protection and enhancement of the pensions and benefits for all retirees and the current and future beneficiaries of the companies derived and evolving from the original Bell System.

You can find more information on our website: BellTelRetirees.org

Send any questions to [email protected]

Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/associationofbelltelretirees

Thousands of members have participated so far in the Association of BellTel Retirees 2021 virtual annual membership meeting. The full presentation is available for viewing on the BellTel YouTube Channel.

In the next few episodes, we will be highlighting key speakers from this year's meeting. The first of the key speakers from the event is Jack Cohen who is introduced by Acting Association Chairman Lionel Brandon, who respectfully addresses the sudden and tragic loss of our wonderful and dedicated Board Chair Jack Cohen.

In his final State of the Association Address, Mr. Cohen details the Association’s ongoing mission and unmatched 25-year record of accomplishment. He implored all of us retirees to keep up the fight in 2022 to preserve and protect our earned pensions and health benefits, along with other commitments made in our working years.

The Association of BellTel Retirees are dedicated to promoting the protection and enhancement of the pensions and benefits for all retirees and the current and future beneficiaries of the companies derived and evolving from the original Bell System.

You can find more information on our website: BellTelRetirees.org

Send any questions to [email protected]

Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/associationofbelltelretirees

Join BellTel Chairman Jack Cohen as he previews the upcoming Fall Months, including the 2021 Members Meeting, which will be held "virtually" on October 13th! 

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This year, we are planning to hold a virtual Q&A session where you, the members, can ask questions to the Board about the key issues and concerns that you want answered the most.   To participate in the Q&A portion, please submit questions before September 20, via email. We will then contact as many as possible with follow-up questions. Please send questions and your details to [email protected]

In this spotlight of one of our retirees, we sat down with AT&T retiree, John Suhr, as he discussed his story starting with the company at a young age and many of the career similarities and concerns that come with being a Bell System retiree.

Highlights from this newsletter, which should arrive in mailboxes by mid June,  include 2021 proxy season results and BIG TIME national media impact including front page coverage in Crain's New York Business, Marketwatch and others, a piece on what to do if you are thinking about retiring, a call for YOU to get involved in YOUR Association, and continuing to look back on our 25th anniversary!

At this year's Verizon Annual Shareholders Meeting, YOUR Association presented two proposals, and recommended a vote on a 3rd. Tune in to hear from Chairman Jack Cohen and Assistant Treasurer and VP of Union Relations Tommy Steed present the two proposals, Items #5 and #6.  

The new year is fully underway, and your Association is celebrating a milestone 25th anniversary. We are feeling more confident than ever regarding our 2021 proxy proposals for the “Virtual” Verizon Annual Shareholders Meeting on May 13, 2021.     To help you preview the Spring 2021 BellTel Newsletter, which is arriving in mailboxes soon, Jack touches on some of the highlights, including the upcoming proxy campaign, alarming CEO compensation packages, and a moving tribute to former BellTel leader Jack Brennan. Plus, we must not forget the upcoming deadline to file for the  federal 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund

Association of BellTel Retirees Chairman Jack Cohen joins the podcast to help us kick off the new year - also OUR 25TH ANNIVERSARY . Jack looks back on the last 25 years and ahead to the upcoming proxy fight, including a big potential partnership. Jack also  hints at an important year for retirees, especially in the wake of the Thole v. U.S. Bank Supreme Court decision.  Tune in and don't forget to share with your friends and look out for the accompanying video soon.

Jack Cohen rejoins the podcast to discuss the latest newsletter, due out the first week of September.   Jack highlights important articles, including a new survey with interesting results, pension risk transfer, the popularity of Medicare Advantage Plans, and highlights the timely new cartoon depicting how retirees get hurt when companies go bankrupt, yet executives get richer.