From: M. Cohen [mailto:mlcohen@rcn.com]

Sent: Wednesday, August 04, 2004 8:21 AM

To: russo@lucent.com

Cc: Ken Raschke; maryward@lucent.com; jaffe@lucent.com

Subject: Re: Lucent Retiree Benefit Reduction

 

Pat Russo

CEO

Lucent Technologies

 

Dear Ms. Russo,

 

I am a former Lucent management employee.  I was a system engineer for

nearly 19 years. In this capacity, I focused on strategic market planning for optical,

wireless and internet applications.

 

I am writing to you to briefly voice my sentiment regarding the 2005 healthcare

negotiation with CWA.  I fully understand the tough healthcare issues facing Lucent

and CWA.  Last year, I lost my healthcare benefit for my family.  I was given the option to pay for group coverage.

 

Losing these benefits was painful.  I constantly worry about what the future will bring

and how Lucent will manage healthcare benefits and their rising costs.

 

Because many management employees lost their healthcare benefits last year, I ask

that this burden now be shared fairly with other retiree groups.  This includes equal treatment for CWA and other non-management retirees.

 

I frequently think about Lucent and I hope this great company will one day again become an industry giant.  I wish you success in your endeavors.

 

Rgds, 

 

Merrick Cohen

mlcohen@rcn.com

Brookline, MA
 
 

From: Russo, Patricia (Patricia) [mailto:pfrusso@lucent.com]

Sent: Thursday, August 12, 2004 6:03 PM

To: 'mlcohen@rcn.com'

Cc: Ward, Mary (Mary); Jaffe, Jeffrey M (Jeff); 'kraschke@triad.rr.com'

Subject: Re: Lucent Retiree Benefit Reduction

 

Dear Mr. Cohen,

Thank you for your note and your kind wishes for Lucent. As you know, Lucent, its market and the general economy have changed dramatically over the past few years, and we have had to make some very difficult but unfortunately necessary decisions to remain a competitive, viable player in the industry. 

 

The fact is the cost of healthcare for both formerly represented and management retirees is more than the company can afford.  Compounding the problem for us is the fact that most of Lucent's domestic and international competitors have no material liability for retiree health claims.  This is a national problem that impacts Lucent specifically and significantly, and this company has no choice but to solve it. 

  

We will begin our negotiations with the unions in October and will discuss the crucial issue of retiree healthcare.  We look forward to reaching an agreement that recognizes the contributions of our represented employees and supports our ability to succeed in this competitive market.  To do that, we have to address and resolve the issue of the cost of providing healthcare benefits for retirees. 

 

Sincerely,

Patricia Russo