Seniors unite to create one powerful voice
Retirees have 'the time, the power and the ability to take action'

Massachusetts Retirees United (MRU) began a couple of years ago as a small group of concerned senior citizens. In just the past year, the retiree chapter has grown from about 400 members to more than 1,200.

Concern over Social Security, Medicare, pensions, healthcare and other issues has brought seniors in the state together, says MRU co-founder and information coordinator Marie Ardito.

“We are not united by a school building or where we work,” she says. “Members of MRU are united by our issues. Most seniors do not fear aging. Rather we fear the process, the aches and pains and illnesses, the loneliness after losing our partner. Most of all, we fear the uncertainty of the future,” she explains.

The purpose of MRU, which is affiliated with AFT Massachusetts, is to educate current and future retirees on issues pertinent to their retirement, and give them the ammunition to speak out on these topics. “Most people don’t speak up because they are not well-informed on the issues,” says Ardito, who under the auspices of MRU regularly holds seminars for public employees on preparing for retirement.

The goal, says MRU president Helen Barnett is to be proactive rather than reactive. So the retirees try to “stay ahead of the issues and not let bad things happen through ignorance.”

MRU keeps in close touch with its members through newsletters, mailings, e-mail and its Web site, says Barnett. Staying active appeals to members, she adds. “We have the time, the power and the ability to take action.”

The organization, which received its AFT charter this past May, makes it known that it is not just for retirees. Membership is open to “every senior citizen and every citizen who hopes to become a senior someday,” says Ardito. And MRU isn’t just for teachers or public employees or anyone who has retired from an AFT Massachusetts local. “MRU is for everyone who is concerned about maintaining a good quality of life for our senior Americans,” explains Ardito.

“Everyone needs to be informed on retirement issues,” adds Barnett. “These are issues that will affect you now or in the future.”

Ardito, Barnett and other founding members of MRU worked closely with AFT Massachusetts to get the retiree group together. The group felt it was important to reach out to active teachers as well as retirees. 

“Unless we unite to bring about positive change, there will be nothing left by the time active teachers retire,” says Ardito.