Leadership

Kourpias, who vigorously opposes any privatization scheme that would permit investment of Social Security funds in the stock market through individual retirement accounts, served as one of the 13 members of the Social Security Advisory Commission appointed by President Clinton. After two years of study and debate, he was one of six members of the panel who endorsed a common sense approach to "fine tuning" the Social Security system to make it solvent for the next 75 years.

As Alliance President, Kourpias is continuing to fight efforts to privatize the nation's retirement program. "The welfare of older men and women is a serious issue for all Americans," notes Kourpias. "Unfortunately, most workers do not have the investment skills necessary to ensure a safe, secure investment for the future. The good news is that Social Security has always provided that security and should do it for the foreseeable future."

Under Kourpias' leadership, other key objectives of the Alliance include: the enactment of a prescription drug benefit under Medicare and the preservation of the traditional fee-for-service Medicare program under which all seniors get the same set of comprehensive benefits.
Kourpias, who served as NCSC president from 1998 through 2000, began his long involvement with the organization in 1966. As IAM president, Kourpias strengthened the union and built on his early work with national field staff, mobilizing the union's older workers and retirees into an effective, cohesive force to help advance pro-worker, pro-senior programs and legislation.

Kourpias is a native of Sioux City, Iowa, where he first joined the IAM in 1952. He served his union in a variety of appointed and elected positions, culminating with his election to International President in 1989. He was subsequently re-elected in 1993. In addition to serving on the Social Security Advisory Commission, Kourpias was appointed by President Clinton to the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, the first union official ever to serve on that body. He also served on the board of Northwest Airlines.