Members of the West Virginia Coalition of Retired Public Employees (CORPE) will gather at the state Capitol Thursday, March 2, to remind legislators of the benefits owed to the thousands of retired public employees who are struggling to get by.

“Public retirees are hurting more than ever,” noted CORPE spokesman Ernest “Spud” Terry. “Our pensions are stagnant and it’s been many years since we’ve had a Cost of Living Increase – now there are draconian cuts to PEIA.”

The coalition includes the West Virginia Association of Retired School Employees, West Virginia Public Retirement System Association and West Virginia chapters of the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees; Communication Workers of America; National Active & Retired Federal Employees; American Federation of Teachers, and National Education Association.

Among the legislative goals CORPE members will discuss with legislators are a cost-of-living pension increase, tax exemptions and funding for the Public Employees Insurance Agency.

Legislators are invited to an 8 a.m. breakfast meeting in the Capitol Cafeteria, located in the basement. Members of the media are also welcome to attend and interview participants.

Who: Coalition of Retired Public Employees

What: Annual CORPE Day Breakfast Meeting

When: Thursday, March 2, 2017

Where: Capitol Cafeteria, basement of state Capitol Main Building