Bell
System
Heritage
Chapter

The Bell System was a system of telecommunication companies, led by the Bell Telephone Company and later by the American Telephone and Telegraph Company (AT&T) that dominated the telephone services industry in North America for over 100 years from its creation in 1877 until the breakup of the Bell System when AT&T settled a massive antitrust lawsuit with the U.S. Department of Justice. Divestiture officially took effect on January 1, 1984, splitting the company into seven regional holding companies (the “Baby Bells”) and AT&T Corporation.

The “Baby Bells” were known as Ameritech, Bell Atlantic, BellSouth, NYNEX, Pacific Telesis, Southwestern Bell, and US West. The National Retiree Legislative Network has provided a voice in Washington, D.C. for the retirees of these companies. AASBCR® (AT&T Ameritech/SBC Retirees) and CenturyLink Retirees (former US West states of Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming) are two of the NRLN’s longest Association members. The NRLN’s first Chapters in January 2013 were the other former US West states of Arizona, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.

Now with the formation of the Bell System Heritage Chapter retirees from other former Bell System companies who have signed up individually, as NRLN members over the years will now have their own Chapter. These include former ACER (AT&T Caring Employees and Retirees), Bell Atlantic, Bell South, BellTel, Southern New England Tell, Pacific Bell (TelCo), and Verizon.

The Heritage Chapter combined with our current Associations, Chapters and all other NRLN members enables an NRLN unified advocate voice in Washington, D.C. protecting Pensions, Social Security, Medicare / Medicaid, and Prescription Drug pricing.