Norwich bulletin., 1912-11-11

In common with the Southern New England Telephone company employees all over the state, those connected with the Norwich exchange are probably soon to come under the provisions of a general pension, benefit and insurance plan which the company is likely to adopt Announcement of such a plan for the employees of the Bell system and associated interests was made on Sunday.
 In reference to participation by the Southern New England Telephone company in the plan. Vice President and General Manager James T. Moran makes the following statement:
 "The Southern New England Tele- phone company will without doubt put the proposed plan into effect on Jan. 1st, 1913, and its provisions will be available for the employees of the con- pany, now numbering about 2,600. The plan has been favorably considered by the executive committee and will be formally acted upon by the board of directors at an early meeting.
 This comprehensive and generous plan for employees benefits could not have been undertaken by our company without the cooperation of the Amer ican Telephone and Telegraph com
 
 The Norwich exchange employs from S5 to 40 people, of whom only a small proportion have notably long terms of service. Statistics covering age, length of service and other points have been secured by the company from it's em ployes which can form a basis for put ting the pension and insurance plan Into operation.
 S1oooO,Oo0 Fund,
 By the plan adopted for the Bell system and associated interests a fund of S1OO00, 900 for pensions. sick bene- fits and life insurance will be available after Jan. 1st for their 175,000 employees and their families and dependents, amounting altogether to more than a quarter of million people. This $10,- 100000 fund will be made good from year to year by annual appropriations on the part of the companies interest ed.
 The plan for the distribution of this fund has been characterized as the most liberal, comprehensive and ideal ever inaugurated. President T. N. Vail has provided combined benefits for su- perannuation, sickness, accident and death for an industrial army more than twice as large as the standing army of the United States.
 Costs Employees Nothing.
 This provision is made entirely at the expense of the various companies interested, without contributions of any kind from the employees them selves. The application of these varied benefits will be strictly democratic and will be for the benefit of all employees of every rank. The plan will provide for free change of employment from one company to another. with full credit for combined terms of service.
 The Bell system and associated in terests provide employment for about 175,000 people. Of this number 130,000 are employees of the Bell telephone system. The total yearly pay for the whole group is about s115, 900, something over $S0, 100000 being paid out in wages by the Bell telephone system alone.
 The terms by which provision is made for the needs of age, illness, ac- cidents and death may be summarized as follows:
 Pensions.
 Male employees who have reached the age of 60 years and who have been 20 years or more in service may retire on pensions. They may be retired at the option of the company when they have