Whereas, The Retirement Coordinating Council is a coalition of 21 public school and state employee and retiree organizations; and

Whereas, The Retirement Coordinating Council is one of the most effective organizations in Lansing representing the needs of both school and state active and retired employees in terms of pension and health care improvements and protections, as well as oversight of school and state employees pension funds; and

Whereas, The Retirement Coordinating Council is funded by the voluntary dues of its supporting organizations and approximately 1600 individuals; and

Whereas, AFT Michigan has been a long time supporter and far and away the major financial contributor to the Retirement Coordinating Council; and

Whereas, AFT Michigan must make major reductions in its own budget for 2006-07, including a proposed 88% reduction in their contributions to the Retirement Coordinating Council; and

Whereas, This reduction will represent almost one-third of the current operating budget of the Retirement Coordinating Council; and NOW THEREFORE BE IT

RESOLVED: AFT Michigan encourage all of their locals to become organizational members of the Retirement Coordinating Council or to commit the local to an annual contribution to the Retirement Coordinating Council; and FURTHER BE IT

RESOLVED: AFT Michigan in cooperation with their locals encourages individual members of the locals to join the Retirement Coordinating Council; and BE IT FINALLY

RESOLVED AFT Michigan encourages all current AFT MI retirees to also join the Retirement Coordinating Council.