401(k) RETIREMENT PLAN UPDATE By Susan Lancaster     As more employees become eligible for participation in our new 401(k) retirement plan, here are some important things to keep in mind: The following requirements must be met before you can enroll: * You must be at least 21 years old. * You must have completed one year of service (with at least 1,000 hours worked). * You may enroll the following July 1 or January 1 after your anniversary date. Information and forms will be sent to you in advance. The Company will match 100% of the first 3% you contribute. They will match 50% of the next 3% you contribute. (If you contribute 6%, the Company will contribute 4-1/2% max.). You can contribute a maximum of 15% of your earnings (annual maximum of $10,000). Your contributions are made on a pre-tax basis, which will reduce your taxable income for the year, as well as build a "nest egg" for your retirement. (It will be here before you know it)! You can change you deferral percentages at the beginning of each quarter. (Jan. 1, April 1, July 1, and Oct. 1). Just ask your supervisor to get a form from the Benicia office, complete it, and turn it in at least 10 days before the start of the next quarter. You can change your fund percentages at any time by calling the Hand Group at 1-800-925-401K. If you have access to a computer, you can change your funds on line and also check your current account balance. The Web Site for the Hand Group is www.handgroup.com. You will need your pin number to access your account either by phone or on line. The Hand Group mailed the pin number to you. If you have questions about any of the above, please call Susan Lancaster at the Benicia office at (707) 746-8800 (ext. 195).  Roger Buse Retires By Harry Robinson I first met Roger when I was the Southern California District Manager in 1975. Roger was one of our foremen and it was on a Saturday while I was jack-hammering concrete (old sidewalk slabs) that our Underground crew had dumped in our Irvine yard. The broken pieces were to be used for a retaining wall in my back yard. Roger showed up at the yard very early (later I was amused that I actually beat him to the yard on a non- working day) and asked what I was doing. I explained and asked if he would do something for me. When he asked what, I kiddingly said that I would love to have a beer. I told him that I had been breaking concrete for 2 hours and was thirsty. He actually believed me and said, "but it's only seven o'clock in the morning." That was the first day of a long relationship with Roger. From Irvine we traveled to Atlanta, Georgia, working for seven years on the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit (MARTA) projects. Roger was always the first with a joke, and the most knowledgeable when it came to home improvements. He was a great example to other Underground Construction employees; he was always there for you no matter what. When we completed our work in Atlanta, we were both transferred to the Pacheco Pumping Plant Project. He worked as the lead Civil Foreman on a $15 million dollar pumping facility for the Bureau of Reclamation on the San Luis Reservoir. From there his travels with Underground included Nashville, Tennessee, back to Atlanta, Georgia, then back to California to work on the Ukiah Hydroelectric project, Shell Refinery and various other projects throughout northern California. His last assignment was managing our Ukiah phone yard. We lost a good employee when Roger retired this year. Many of us share lasting memories of the good times we had with him. His 27 years of dedicated employment with Underground Construction is deeply appreciated and we hope his retirement brings him the happiness that he has brought to many of us through the years. Back to Top of Page