Union Contract Local 2, OPEIU - WMATA.com

August 7, 2002Mr. Thomas L. O’ConnorChief Shop StewardLocal 2, OPEIU8455 Colesville Road, Suite 1250Silver Spring, MD 20910Re: Article XIX, Section 5(g)Dear Mr. O’Connor:LETTER OF UNDERSTANDINGThis letter will confirm the understanding reached by the parties duringthe 2000 negotiations regarding the effect of Article XIX, Section 5(g).During negotiations, the parties agreed to change the minimum age foran unreduced retirement benefit, for those plan participants whose ageand service total 83 years, to age fifty-five (55). However, the partiescontinue to disagree as to whether a prior agreement had changed thenormal retirement for those whose age and service actually total 83years to age sixty (60) or the prior agreement left the normal retirementage at sixty-five (65). This dispute is the subject of an outstandinggrievance.It is understood that both the Authority and Local 2 maintain theirpositions as set out in that grievance, and that such dispute is to be resolvedby arbitration of that grievance. It is also understood that:1. Notwithstanding any grievance or arbitration award regarding the“normal” retirement age under the WMATA Retirement Plan, thechange made in the most recent collective bargaining agreement willnot be construed as lowering or raising the normal retirement agebeyond the age fixed by such award. Rather, the parties agree thatthe most recent change to age fifty-five (55) is merely a change ofthe age a participant becomes eligible for an unreduced retirementbenefit under the WMATA Retirement Plan (and is not intended tochange the participants normal retirement age to fifty-five (55)).2. The parties have agreed that neither the terms of this letter, the provisionsof the 2000-2004 Collective Bargaining Agreement (insofar112