Dentists needed in Clearwater, Florida
I am now retired in the Clearwater area of Florida. Is there any chance we shall see any dentist participating in the union program on this side of the state, as on the East side? The same goes for the audiology program. We on the west side feel ignored, compared to the other side.

—WILLIAM MICKLEWRIGHT
Retired member, Local 374, N.Y.P.L .

Editor’s note: The DC 37 Health and Security Plan has tried unsuccessfully to solicit participating dentists on Florida’s Gulf Coast. They have had more success on the East Coast, where the population density of retired members is greater.

In addition, you are up against the law of supply and demand. In some regions, including areas on the Gulf Coast, there are fewer providers. With a “captive audience,” they have no need to attract patients by cooperating with the union dental plan and reducing their charges.

At this time, the Plan only offers the audiology program at 125 Barclay St. in New York City.


Thanks for the COLA, says a former leader
I would like to compliment Administrator Lee Saunders, DC 37’s Retirees Association and President Alma Osborne on the fine job they are doing.

DC 37’s long history of achievements has led to a better quality of life for all of us. The most recent was the COLA. And soon, I hope, we may see an improvement in Medicare Part B reimbursement, thanks to DC 37! It would be nice to see that the next big accomplishment for all our present and future retirees would be the passage of variable supplement legislation.

I have been a member of DC 37 since 1954 and served for a while as president of Local 1508 before I retired in 1991.

—VITO LOCASCIO
Local 1508

She calls for structural change at DC 37
I write because I am concerned that, after all the scandals and all the corruption, there seems no likelihood of any significant changes in the very structure of DC 37 which made those scandals possible.

In the past, that structure permitted a cozy relationship between the leaders of a few big locals and the executive director that allowed them to disregard the membership and to ignore or even cover up criminal activities.

Even though some positive steps have been taken under the administratorship, that basic structure remains. DC 37 decisions can still be made by deals among a few officials without regard for the membership.

How can we effect the necessary changes? Here we face a real Catch 22 situation. The power to elect DC 37’s top officers must be taken away from the delegates and turned over to the membership. But under our current constitution, no change can be made without the approval of 2/3 of those same delegates.

Will those incumbent delegates ever voluntarily vote to strip themselves of power? Not likely.

I know that this letter by itself will not change things. But I do want District Council 37 members to understand what the problem is. This defect of democracy in our union is of great concern to me, and I think it would be of concern to most members if they were aware of the facts.

—MARILYN SCHORR
Local 2627