Erie-Niagara County Alliance for Retired Americans Erie-Niagara County Alliance for Retired Americans Bob McCleery, President
(Retired Member/UAW Local 774)
Email: rmcc356@yahoo.com Stephen Muscarella, President
NYS PEF Retirees
Email: sjmuskie@roadrunner.com

Info

With more than 500,000 retired Union Members living across New York State today, including more than 100,000 in its representational district across Western New York, WNYLaborToday.com is proud to be working with representatives of the Erie-Niagara County Alliance of Retired Americans (ENCARA) in order to provide Union Retirees with a variety of news and information they need.

Here in Western New York, ENCARA serves as the base for providing Union retirees a voice that can be heard. Bob McCleery, a retired member of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 774 serves as the group’s president, while Stephen Muscarella serves as President/State Public Employees Federation (PEF) Retirees.

For more information on the Erie-Niagara County Alliance of Retired Americans and how you can get involved here in Western New York, contact either ENCARA President Bob McCleery at rmcc356@yahoo.com or Stephen Muscarella at sjmuskie@roadrunner.com.

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An Open Letter To Western New York Union Retirees From The Erie-Niagara Alliance For Retired Americans

ENCARA Trustee Stephen J. Muscarella Invites All Union Retirees & Community Groups To Join Erie-Niagara Group

Published Thursday, November 19, 2009 3:00 pm
by Stephen J. Muscarella, ENCARA Trustee

The Erie-Niagara Alliance for Retired Americans (ENCARA) - a coalition of member retiree organizations that is dedicated to protecting Senior Rights and Benefits in retirement - invites all Senior Groups across Western New York to join us in this effort.

ENCARA was established in June 2003 to promote senior welfare, both social and political, in the Erie-Niagara county region. We coordinate with the New York State Alliance for Retired Americans (NYSARA) and the national Alliance for Retired Americans (ARA). Our predecessor organization, National Council of Senior Citizens, was established in 1961 - giving us 48 years of service to the senior community.

Today, the senior population is growing and demographics are on our side.

The older population increased 11.2% from 1997 to 2007.  Americans age 65 and older now number 37.9 million.  On average, we retire at 64 and can expect to live another 16 years, and its estimated there's more than 500,000 Union Retirees in New York State. 

As such, we can be a formidable agent for good government and Senior Rights in our community if we work together.

To help attain our goals, ENCARA hosts semi-annual meetings where all affiliated groups, their members and friends are welcome.  Attendance ranges from 150 to 200.  Our meetings feature public officials who discuss pertinent topics of the day and we always include an action step that involves letter-writing to our elected officials expressing our concerns on issues that impact retirees.

Affiliated retiree organizations are allowed three delegates that are invited to attend Executive Board meetings.  This group assembles most months on the third Wednesday.  At that time, we discuss topical issues and concerns and the priorities of the organization.

Our priorities have included actions to protect Social Security, Medicare, retiree pensions and Health Care benefits. We've also walked picket lines and attended Labor Rallies with our Union Brothers and Sisters, lobbied our legislators on behalf of senior issues and participated at area Labor Federation meetings and other political functions

In the end, the power of dedicated retirees cannot be underestimated.

Retirees have the time, energy and ability to provide visible support for Union and community activities.  We can act as community ambassadors and effectively promote the needs and interest of retirees and Working People.  In addition, seniors are respected and have outstanding voting records.

In conclusion, ENCARA invites all retirees' Union and community groups to join with us as we work together for good government practices and the rights, benefits and respect of seniors in the Erie-Niagara area.  For more information, contact President Robert McCleery at (716) 837-6522 or myself, Steve Muscarella, at (716) 636-8844.  

Thank You.

 

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