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Updated: 10:12 AM Dec 4, 2008
Retirees Fight Windstream Plan To Cut Benefits
Windstream Corp. wants a federal judge to affirm its authority to reduce retiree benefits even when the people affected retired from other phone companies that Windstream acquired over the years Posted: 7:11 PM Dec 3, 2008Reporter: The Associated Press Email Address: desk@kolnkgin.com |
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7 Comments 
Windstream Corp. wants a federal judge to affirm its authority to reduce retiree benefits even when the people affected retired from other phone companies that Windstream acquired over the years.
But the retirees argue that Little Rock, Arkansas, based Windstream and the companies it acquired -- Lincoln, Nebraska based Aliant Communications and its predecessor Lincoln Telephone Company -- promised to maintain retirement benefits.
A federal judge will hear arguments in the case on December 15.
In court documents, Windstream argues it has an absolute right to make any changes it wants to the retiree benefit plans. The retirees counter that they earned those benefits by working for the company at least 15 years.
Attorney David Domina, who represents the retirees, the benefits should be considered vested and permanent.
An attorney for the company did not immediately respond to a message Wednesday and a Windstream spokesman declined to comment.
Latest Comments
When you take over a company, you aren't just taking over the profits. You are also taking the responsibility to take care of the employees. How many times already have we seen big companies cutting cost any way they can and raising profits and padding the wallets of the "Top Office" executives? It makes me sick to see people getting rich by cutting jobs and benefits. Who do they think actually made that money for them?
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Many retirees put money into retirement only to be told that what they were promised them is not theirs. If I where to make a deposit in a savings account, and the bank later told me that I couldn't get my money, as promised, I don't think I would be happy. If Windstream purchased these companies, you know they bought them with an eye to making a profit. More of their profit should have been set aside to make sure they could pay for their obligations. Just because I would like to pay less mortage than I said I would does not give me the right to call the bank and say oops I need more money so you get less. They made obligations, now they should stand by those obligations. They would expect you or I to stand by any obligations we made to their company, why shouldn't we expect the company to stand by their obligations.
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Aparently when a comppany offers you a buy out which includes health insurance it's ok in the minds of those who don't have that option that the company whould be able to do what they want and take it away. I wonder if this kind of business is ok for the whole work force in America!
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