June 6, 2005

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

As stated previously, medical coverage for June will be covered through our membership assessment for all locked-out brothers and sisters. Through previous correspondence, we outlined the procedures for being eligible for lock-out coverage. To be eligible, all locked-out members were to fill out the Local One Lock-Out Coverage Election Form and return it to the Benefits Office by May 28th.

For those who have not filled out the Election Form you have been extended a GRACE period in which you may do so. If you have not filled out the Election Form and want to elect coverage for May and beyond, you still have until June 15th to do so. You can go to www.neibenefits.org and click on "NEWS" at the top of the page, then click on “Local One Lock-Out Eligibility Information.” You can print out the form and then send it in immediately.

For those who did fill out the Election Form, you will be receiving a bill from the Benefit Plan in the mail. It should state that your coverage will be picked up by your Local Union; however, you are still required to pick up your dental and vision coverage yourself if you so choose. For the month of June, dental and vision will be $10 for a single member and $35 for family coverage.

I hope this clarifies the procedures set forth for Lock-Out Medical Coverage. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our Hall.

In Solidarity,

Anthony J. Carudo
Secretary-Treasurer

May 8, 2005

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

This is to advise you that you will soon, if you have not already, receive from the National Elevator Industry Benefit Plan a “Special Notice Regarding Eligibility for Participants Affected by the Lock-Out in Local One” and a “Lock-Out Coverage Election Form”. You will note that the form states that it must be completed and received by the NEI Benefits Office within thirty days of the date of the notice (April 28, 2005) if you want to elect Lock-Out Coverage.

Local One, through our membership assessment, is going to pay for the costs of Medical Coverage only for the month of May for our members affected by the lock-out. Medical coverage includes prescription coverage. It is not necessary to submit payment for Medical Coverage for the month of May. However, you must still fill out the Election Form and send it in within the thirty day period as indicated above! If you have already sent payment for medical coverage the Benefits Office will return it to you.

If you want to elect dental and vision coverage for the Month of May, you must send a check to the Benefits Office by May 28th to cover the cost. The costs for the month of May will be $9.00 for single participants and $30.00 for family coverage.

If you are otherwise covered by your spouse’s health insurance you are strongly urged to verify your coverage with the other plan along with the terms of the coverage before you decide whether or not to elect lock-out coverage from the NEI Health Benefit Plan.

If you and your spouse both work for employer’s signatory to Local One and only one of you are affected by the lock-out, you may still be eligible under the Plan as an eligible dependent. Again, you are strongly urged to contact the Plan and verify your eligibility before you choose whether or not to choose Lock-Out coverage.

Please carefully read the note at the bottom of the “Lock-Out Election Form” that states if you do not elect lock-out coverage within the thirty day period you may not elect it at a later date. Even though Local One is paying the cost of medical coverage for May 2005 you must still complete and return the Election Form to the Benefits Office within the thirty day period specified. The Benefits Office must know what type of coverage you choose. If you fail to elect lock-out coverage for May, you will only be eligible for the much more expensive COBRA coverage in the following months.

If you have any additional questions, please contact our union hall or the Benefit Plan Office at 800-523-4702.

In Solidarity,

Anthony J. Carudo
Secretary-Treasurer