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November 15, 2004 Barry L. Posterick 11437 Couch Bottom DR Harrison, AR 72601 The Honorable George W. Bush President of the United States 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20500 Dear Mr. President, I wish you well toward the resolution of your major concerns and our nation's major problems with your new term of office. I would like to illuminate a problem that should not have to be elevated to your level. It is a problem that can be resolved with action or attention of the US Department of Labor (DOL). I am a member of the Lucent Retiree's Organization (LRO) that has been attempting to engage the assistance of the DOL in protecting our retirement interests with the Lucent Technologies Corporation. An un-named spokeswoman for the DOL has stated retired workers "aren't our constituents anymore." This is not an appropriate response and is in direct conflict with the current DOL mission statement. Reasonable written inquiries from Mr. Ken Raschke, president of the Lucent Retirees Organization (LRO) have gone unanswered by the Secretary of Labor, Elaine Chao. It is clear Secretary Chao is not performing in accordance with her own mission statement, the best interests of our economy, labor, retired employees or your administration. DOL's lack of action points to an attitude not consistent with your administration the DOL function/mission and is indicative of the need to replace Secretary Chao. While Secretary Chao is certainly qualified, she is not performing. It has the appearance that Secretary Chao's inaction benefits corporations that are now demonstrating a history of not only unethical activities, but illegal activities. Lucent Technologies is an example. Secretary Chao may subscribe to the old government employee notion of not causing waves, avoiding corporate discontent and keeping your job. There have been violations of law, and the corporate law departments rely upon the delay of justice to extract corporate profits today while the retirees die without seeing monetary justice. We need a Secretary of Labor that embraces change, action, and proactive policies that will benefit our economy, jobs and retired citizens. The Department of Labor surely represents the interests of retired employees and should respond to appropriate inquires and most importantly take action. Please replace Ms. Elaine L. Chao as Secretary of Labor. We need someone of honest action. Kind regards, Barry L. Posterick Enclosure - Exhibit 1 DOL Mission Statement Copies to: Ms. Elaine L. Chao, Secretary of Labor U.S. Department of Labor 200 Constitution Avenue NW Ken Raschke, LRO President EXHIBIT 1 Department of Labor Mission Statement--------------------------------------------- Our Mission The Department of Labor fosters and promotes the welfare of the job seekers, wage earners, and retirees of the United States by improving their working conditions, advancing their opportunities for profitable employment, protecting their retirement and health care benefits, helping employers find workers, strengthening free collective bargaining, and tracking changes in employment, prices, and other national economic measurements. In carrying out this mission, the Department administers a variety of Federal labor laws including those that guarantee workers' rights to safe and healthful working conditions; a minimum hourly wage and overtime pay; freedom from employment discrimination; unemployment insurance; and other income support. This email was cleaned by emailStripper, available for free from http://www.papercut.biz/emailStripper.htm |