From The General Chairman Michael Canino May 6, 2005 Dear Brothers and Sisters (All UTU Locals): Following the ratification of the last contract whereby the UTU obtained the new defined benefit pension plan for all post 1988 members, a dispute arose regarding employees who decide to leave the company with a reduced pension, in other words, not meeting service time requirements. I am pleased to announce that, on this day, the dispute has come to rest with a very favorable result for all UTU members in the new pension. The answer to the question is as follows: "If an employee leaves the company with a reduced pension, does he/she still continue to receive paid medical benefits?" The answer is YES! A person who retires at the minimum retirement age of 55 with at least 10 years of service, who is collecting a reduced pension benefit under the MTA Defined Benefit Plan, will continue to receive paid health insurance benefits until he/she reaches age 65 and is Medicare eligable. Once again, I am proud to say that the benefit of our efforts will apply to all represented employees on the Long Island Rail Road. Fraternally yours, Michael J. Canino