2001 LOCAL CHAPTER AFFILIATES WITH FLORIDA ALLIANCE FOR RETIRED AMERICANS, INC.

CHAPTER MEMBERSHIP APPROVES AFFILIATION WITH THE FLORIDA ALLIANCE FOR RETIRED AMERICANS

The Retiree Chapter membership voted at the regular meeting on Sept. 18, 2001 in Holiday to approve the affiliation of the Florida Suncoast Retiree Chapter with Florida Alliance for Retired Americans, Inc., a state chartered advocacy group, to further energize our Retiree issues and legislation on all levels.

The National Alliance for Retired Americans was founded Jan. 1, 2001 and is supported by 64 international AFL-CIO unions, and now has over 3.2 million members nationwide. The Florida Alliance for Retired Americans has over 106,000 members statewide.

John Sardin, Jr. and Jack Gose, delegates at the Florida AFL-CIO Convention held in Lake Buena Vista, Fl. from Sept. 23-27, 2001 worked with Tony Fransetta, President, and John Coyne, Legislative Director, FLARA, and they were able to achieve a Retiree Solidarity at the Convention.

2001 FORMATION OF APWU OF FLORIDA STATE RETIREE CHAPTER APPROVED!

APWU OF FLORIDA LEADS THE NATION IN 2001 TO FORM AN APWU STATE RETIREE CHAPTER

The Executive Board of APWU of Florida approved unanimously the formation of an APWU State Retiree Chapter at a meeting in Orlando, Fl. on Sept. 13, 2001. Martha Shunn, Florida State President, has appointed Jack Gose as interim leader to help create the new Chapter.

Three (3) APWU Area Local Retiree Chapters are already organized in Suncoast, Broward County (Ft. Lauderdale), and Miami, Fl.

Efforts will be made to make a constitution and by-laws with interim officers at the APWU Spring Seminar at Hilton Hotel in Jacksonville, Fl. March 14-16, 2002.

Jack and Patsy Gose celebrated their fiftieth (50th) wedding anniversary on Sept. 15 while attending the Florida State Fall Seminar in Orlando!

2001 SUNCOAST FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH

FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH DISCOVERED BY CHAPTER MEMBERS AND FAMILIES LIVING ON THE SUNCOAST!

Of 104 Chapter Members, Family, and Guests attending our Florida Suncoast Retiree Chapter union meetings since October, 1998, only two (2) have become deceased. This is an amazing discovery, and we have tried to determine the cause of this miracle. Does anyone have the answer?

Could it be that we live only a few miles away from the healing, spa waters at Safety Harbor on Old Tampa Bay or the swirling, warm water currents off Clearwater Beach where doctors send their patients to recover? Write to us if you have a similar theory!

One of our health care professionals had a better analysis on this phenomenon. Union retirees who get out of the house and attend union retiree luncheon meetings with other retirees have a 103% better chance of living longer. Not only are their work experiences similar, but they share a desire to get involved in protecting their retiree and family benefits and to push for progressive legislation beneficial to all union families and seniors. Naturally, we agree! What is your opinion?