Q. So...what's the OEA class action lawsuit all about?

A. Benefits that were taken away from former OEA employees who were retired.

There are many pages in the settlement and it would require significant time to read the entire settlement. I will relate a "summary" that is included in the definitions that pretty well sums up the reason for and outcome of this settlement. Yes, it is an out of court settlement and supposedly there are no winners as guilt is not established. The bottom line.... when your side has to fork over millions of dollars as part of the settlement (as the OEA will have to) .....I know who the loser is in my mind...how 'bout you? I wonder if the dues will go up next year?

John

"The Class Representatives [OEA retirees] claim in the lawsuit that the OEA is not entitled to modify or terminate the medical or prescription drug benefits (hereinafter referred to as "health benefits") of Class Members. OEA claims that these health benefits are neither vested nor guaranteed and that it has the contractual and legal right to change, modify or terminate these benefits at its discretion.

In 2004, OEA announced its intention to discontinue providing health benefits to Class Members beyond their 65th birthday. The Class Representatives then filed this lawsuit challenging the OEA's actions in the U.S. District Court in Columbus. The Court previously

granted summary judgment to OEA, finding that OEA had the right to terminate the benefits and that the Collective Bargaining Agreements did not require OEA to provide the benefits the Class Members claim. The Court's decision was reversed by the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, and remanded to the Court for further proceedings."

The above two paragraphs were taken from pages 2 and 3 of the document that can be viewed by clicking on the following link.

http://www.praterclassactionsettlement.com/PRA_Detailed_Notice_2.12.10.pdf
From John Curry, April 19, 2010