Disabled Systems Engineer with a total of over 12 years working on the Space Shuttle (Rockwell) and the International Space Station (McDonnell-Douglas) denied benefits at last minute.
Approximately 2-3 months before turning 65, I had a lengthy conversation with two Managers of Boeing benefits - One located in WA (First Name "Ber&") and the other in MO (First Name "Chr—"). This was a documented/transcribed conference call and a transcript is available to attorneys. I have left their full names off THIS report purposely out of respect for their privacy, and in case of eventual subpeona (s).
The reason for the requested call was to establish, once and for all, (and before we made important financial decisions) that my Boeing-paid Aetna secondary-to-Medicare Insurance WOULD continue beyond age 65 for me AND my Diabetic wife would continue to have the company-paid Aetna Health insurance until SHE turned 65 (she was 60 then) AND she would go onto the same secondary plan as I was to be on after SHE turned 65 or became Medicare-eligible for some reason.
In said documented conversation, my Wife and I were absolutely assured that all of the above was DEFINITELY the case, and she and I would be covered for life. I had them repeat that AGAIN directly to my Wife, who had been deeply concerned about her health coverages, and once again, we were assured the coverages WOULD continue for Life, as mentioned above.
Ever the skeptic in such manners, I requested a letter from Boeing CONFIRMING the conversation above and the guarantees we were given as they had stated: "there was no better place or person to provide the answers, and I had been given bad information if it contradicted the above promises" (paraphrased).
A few days later, said letter (With the WA manager's Card) was received and it DID confirm that we WERE covered for life, as stated and promised by BOTH Managers in the above call! Joy!
A few day later: No Letter, but a Phone Call from the St. Louis Office saying that the promises above were incorrect and everything ends for BOTH my wife and I when *I* turn 65. I darn near collapsed with High Blood pressure and Angina, went to bed and actually wept - not so much for me, as for my wife, who is on strong antidepressants treatment now. - They had killed our future security with a curt phone call.
This is summarized, and a copy OF the guarantee letter is linked to on my Web Page at "boeingbenefits", a domain they didn't own, but that I do now. Satisfaction attempts on the part of Senator Graham and the Dept. Of Labor, have resulted in multiple mailings of useless and non-relevant photocopies of financial aspects (which I never sought), and a disregard for the above-referenced and above-described Phone conversation and letter. I think one calls that "stone-walling" and "obfuscation", if I am correct.
We do NOT seek Pension (s) - That has NEVER been the point. We seek the promised Company-paid and company-EARNED Health and Medication Benefits PROMISED and done so in writing, as well as the documented/transcribed TELCON.
NASA-KSC, recognizing the frequent change of Launch Processing personnel insisted that Contractors thereon ensure the qualified and highly-trained Launch-Processing personnel would not be lost in company transitions, by requiring "Portability-of-Benefits" between these Contractors.
Rockwell kept me on their books from 1978 - 1989, terminating me from the "portability" status when I worked for McDonnell-Douglas from 1989 - 1997, when they summarily terminated me while out on DISABILITY from Work-related Heart and Stress problems! BOEING owns (bought) both companies and with them, their benefits obligations.
However, they seem fit to decide to IGNORE that aspect and to NOT "bridge" these KSC employs, robbing us of our due benefits.
This, dear people, is where the rip-off SHOUTS for attention, and we solicit your input and help!
Kathryn at Cape Canaveral You have a Rip-off page here regarding YOUR disabilty grief with BOEING - Please visit my wep page (boeingsux.com) and get in touch with me so we may, perhaps, join hands in righting these wrongs - there are 50-60 other folks who have indicated interest in a Class-action suit, as the on-line survey ndicates.
God Bless all who seek righteousness in mending Corporate affronts to their workers...
Rtm
Raymond
Kennedy Space Center area, Florida
U.S.A.
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