March 8, 2004

New Organization Formed to Defend Benefits of UA Retirees

The University of Alabama Retirees Association (TUARA), formed this past October, aims to protect the benefits promised to retired faculty and staff of the state's institutions of higher learning.

"The UA retirees who have formed this group sense a real threat to the benefits we have been promised and that are in danger of being taken away," said Dr. William Stewart, professor emeritus of UA's political science department and newly elected president of TUARA. "We feel a need for collaborative action among the University's retirees.

"We fear that the government may reduce our cost of living adjustments, as well as lower benefits on the Public Education Employees' Health Insurance Plan. Although Gov. Riley has said he's not in favor of taking away benefits, there is a real need to maintain contact with our legislators."

This new advocacy group for retired employees of The University of Alabama has recently been recognized as an official unit of the Alabama Education Retirees Association (AERA), formerly Alabama Retired Teachers Association.

"We plan to acquaint the government and the public with the problems and needs of retired persons. The group also promotes continuing support of the University's scholarly and professional goals for the future," added Stewart.

More than 300 members have already signed on to the new organization. Other officers are Martha Still Rogers, vice president; Gloria Keller, secretary, and Bobby Ray Hicks, treasurer.

Board members at-large include Doris Burton, Dale Cramer, Pat Green, Claude Hutcherson, Glenda Guyton, Robert Riley, M.L. Roberts, Frankie Thomas and Nancy Williams.

The group plans its first annual meeting in Tuscaloosa in April. Anyone interested in finding out more about TUARA or in joining may call 556-4043.

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