A new labor group that represents 250,000 retired union workers will defend Social Security and fight for national health insurance and prescription drug coverage under Medicare.

Some 150 retiree activists gathered Oct. 29 at the NYC Central Labor Council to found the New York City Alliance for Retired Americans.

Leibowitz heads alliance

The delegates elected Stuart Leibowitz, president of the Retirees Association of DC 37, as chairperson. Mr. Leibowitz had also chaired the CLC's former retiree organization, the Senior Action Council.

The delegates also elected DC 37 Retirees Association Vice President Nancy Yost as the alliance's legislation director.
Throughout the country, the AFL-CIO is setting up ARA groups to encourage members and retirees to be lifetime union advocates. As the voice for 2.5 million retired union members and an advocate for all retired workers, the ARA aims to gain power in local, state and national politics.

"We want to reach out to the labor movement - public sector and private - to involve many more unions," Mr. Leibowitz said.

In recent months, Mr. Leibowitz encouraged the United Federation of Teachers, Service Employees International Union Local 32B-J, 1199 SEIU, Communications Workers of America and the Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees to join ARA. "We will also be working with community organizations that share our goals," he said.

Convention speakers included U.S. Rep. Jerrold Nadler and Brian M. McLaughlin, president of the NYC Central Labor Council. Ed Coyle, executive director of the national Alliance for Retired Americans, presented the local group with its charter. Steve Regenstreif, director of the Retiree Program of DC 37's national union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, was a guest at the convention.

"Brian McLaughlin and the CLC have given us tremendous assistance," Mr. Leibowitz said. "With the support of the CLC and its affiliates, we expect to be successful advocates for retired workers and seniors. To protect our retirement security, we will also work to prevent right-wing politicians and their conservative allies from driving a wedge between retirees and working families."