St. Joseph Pensioner Quinn Worked 34-Years and Now Facing Cuts to Her $500 a Month Payment
Monday, October 30, 2017
Kathy Quinn is like a lot of the 2,800 former and present St. Joseph Hospital employees. She worked 34 years as a medical secretary and as a host of other roles at the hospital and she now receives a monthly pension benefit of $500 — before any proposed cuts. Now, the pension fund is a bust.
Quinn was one of about 75 retirees, dressed in purple shirts who traveled by school bus to attend yet another hearing at Providence Superior Court. The purple T-shirts read, “Save Our Pensions!
Quinn, who uses a walker, said she is “heartbroken” and so disappointed with the Diocese of Providence for its lack of action and communication.
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At Friday’s hearing before Judge Brian Stern, Quinn and others heard the news that receiver Stephen Del Sesto would be made permanent and that the group of 2,800 plus retirees would be carved into subgroups.
The proposed 40 percent across the board cut, that was made when the pension fund was thrust into receivership in August, is on hold. They are told cuts are coming in 2018, but don't know how much she may be impacted.
Older retirees -- those in their 80s and 90s -- have signed on with former Rhode Island Attorney General Arlene Violet, who has taken on about 300 or so in the group and is working for them pro bono.
The union will represent those union members that are still working. Other “classes” will likely be determined and then a committee will be created to advise Del Sesto. Some may be cut more than others.
Next Steps
In the meantime, Quinn and her other fellow pensioners live with the daily stress of not knowing — not knowing how much will their pensions be slashed.
They are frustrated that key players in Rhode Island’s largest pension collapse are “lawyered up” and refuse to give answers — key decision-makers like Bishop Thomas Tobin who historically had never seen a press microphone he did not want to run to, and is now, mute.
Or, Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Kilmartin who was the regulator in charge of reviewing the sale of St. Joseph/CharterCARE to Prospect of California — like Tobin has issued one statement on the collapse and refuses to explain how thousands of pensioners could face this fate.
Now, Quinn and others have to wait. Wait for a brutally long and stressful legal process to play out and to spend days worrying about how 34 years of service and her $500 a month pension payment could have been treated with so little respect.
Quinn and the others will be at the next hearing. Quinn will wear her purple T-shirt and use her walker. She will have to fight for what she rightfully deserves and hoping and praying that this time people will do the right thing.
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