PACE International Union and Retirees of Checker Motors Blast the Company For Stripping their Healthcare

KALAMAZOO, Mich., May 30, 2003 -- The Paper, Allied-Industrial, Chemical and Energy Workers International Union, PACE Local 6-0682 and retirees at Checkers Motors held a rally at Vanderburg Park in Kalamazoo, and marched down to corporate headquarters to protest the company's treatment of its retirees.

Health Insurance issues are a major concern for all working men and women, but no group is affected more than retirees and their families. Retirees expressed shock at the callous treatment afforded them by their former employer, Checker Motors Company of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Checkers manufactures parts for companies such as General Motors, to be used in production of Cadillac automobiles, among others.

Checkers recently stripped their worker-retirees of their much needed health insurance, but they spared their former executives. "These workers are being unfairly abandoned after years of loyal service -- not knowing if they can afford their prescription, or even the next visit to the doctor," said Mark Gaffney, President of the Michigan State AFL-CIO, "and God forbid if they were to suffer a serious injury because they would probably go bankrupt."

"I tell you, things are getting pretty tough to depend on nowadays," said Russ Curry, who retired in 1998. "I live on a fixed income and have to account for every cent. Now the company tells me I have got to figure out how to get healthcare and medications on my own, which I cannot afford. At least by coming here to the rally, I realize there are a lot of us in similar circumstances. Something has got to change and I am proud to stand here for my rights."

Checker Motors is currently in negotiations with PACE, but last year they implemented certain regressive conditions, which included the removal of retiree healthcare as well as wage freezes and pension cuts.

PACE Region Nine Vice President Bill Gibbons said, "We are bringing attention to a situation that affects those most vulnerable -- retired workers who have built these businesses and are now being left behind with healthcare they were promised after years of loyal service. The state of Michigan and our country is heading for a healthcare crisis and something must be done. We hope that Checkers Motors will do the right thing and accept the responsibility and promises it made to these retired workers that it is still providing to the executives and salaried employees."