By: Robert W. Henderson

Robert W. Henderson — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 21:31:46 +0000

I agree with Ken Murphy that his pension is a COMPLETE INJUSTICE AND INSULT for anyone who worked as a DOE contractor for 22 years.
I’m still hopeful that something positive will be done for all those persons who retired under this plan. I know that if time and effort by more than just a few persons will “actually help” then something will be done. I know of one retiree 85 years old who spends untold hours each day reading about analyzing and reporting on the injustice and has done so for the past 5-6 years. I know several of the CORRE board members who have spent hundreds of hours working toward getting pension adjustments for all the retirees.
On the other hand, there are obviously persons who are spending lots of time and effort in providing misinformation to our elected government officials to attempt to keep from having to do what is right and just for our Tennessee retirees. Those DOE contractor retirees from CA, NM and other states are being treated as human beings who contributed to this country during their working careers. Those retirees in Oak Ridge are being ignored and neglected while the current employees are receiving enhanced benefits, some to come, upon retirement, out of the same pot of money that any increase in pension for Mr. Murphy or others would come.
DOE says there isn’t sufficient funds in the Pension Fund to provide increased pensions for the retirees, but permits enhancements to the pensions for those yet to retire. Of course, neither DOE nor the contractors are putting new dollars into that fund, nor have they since 1984.
I am somewhat perplexed when I see Senator Alexander and DOE officials and Contractor management laud the “Fairs” that are held to attempt to attract new employees to Oak Ridge in Math, Science, and Engineering and yet those who served well in those fields for up to 30-40 years are being shunted aside. Would Mr. Murphy’s grandkids elect to study Math, Science, or Engineering and work in Oak Ridge if they learn how he is being treated in retirement?
I noted today that Dr. Thomas Zacharia of the ORNL has been named vice president for science and technology at the University of Tennessee. I’m happy for Tom and feel he has well earned the position. What will he be able to say to students at UT when they ask him if they will be treated like their retired grandparents are being treated today should they choose to major in science and consider working at ORNL or Y-12 in the future. Will he say, oh, no, you can earn $250,000 per year like I am doing working at ORNL and at UT, or will he say, well, I know of persons who spent their careers in Oak Ridge who are destitute because of the practices of UT-Battelle and DOE and the way they treat past retirees.

Comments on: DOE Should Be Ashamed

By: Robert W. Henderson