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Medicare Agent in Odessa, TX
Trying to pick a health insurance plan can be a chore for anyone. For many people, just mentioning the word "open enrollment" sends shivers down the spine. It seems like there's always a nagging feeling that you're wasting money, choosing a plan with poor in-network care, or both. One would think that health insurance gets easier as you approach retirement age, but the truth is that picking an initial Medicare coverage plan can be daunting.
Unfortunately, the confusing process of signing up for Medicare causes many seniors to forego healthcare coverage altogether. After all, Medicare enrollment can involve several federal agencies, including the Social Security Administration (or SSA) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (or CMS).
At Senior Medicare Insurance Services, our passion is guiding seniors through the confusion of Medicare. That way, they can enjoy retirement with peace of mind knowing they are protected and ready for life after 65. We work with dozens of insurance companies, giving our clients the chance to choose a plan that best fits their lifestyle.
We choose to design our senior insurance plans with a focus on optimal benefits structure, lower costs, and personalized service. Some independent insurance agencies see their aging customers as nothing more than a financial transaction waiting to happen. In contrast, we treat each of our clients with respect and dignity as we help them navigate the confusing waters of Medicare. Combined with individualized service, we help older Americans make well-informed decisions about insurance. Whether you're in need of senior Medicare Supplement Plan insurance in Odessa, TX or simply have questions about signing up for Medicare, our team is here to help.
- Helping Seniors Make Better-Informed Medicare Decisions
- What is Medicare?
- The amount of money you pay for your health care depends on several factors, including
- Senior Medicare Supplement Plan Insurance in Odessa, TX
- Important Information About Senior Supplement Plan Insurance
- Medicare Agent in Odessa, TX
- How Medicare Advantage Plans Work
- Medicare Advantage Plan Insurance Rules
- Paying for Your Medicare Agent
- The Senior Medicare Insurance Services Commitment
What is Medicare?
If you're approaching the golden years of your life, it's important you understand what Medicare is if you don't already.
Medicare is a federal health insurance program reserved for people older than 65 who have worked full-time for at least ten years. The Medicare program is paid for by a combination of worker payroll tax, premiums paid by Medicare enrollees, and the U.S. government.
There are four parts of Medicare:
This type of Medicare is free for most U.S. citizens. Medicare Part A helps older adults pay for care in a nursing facility, hospital visits, and some forms of in-home senior care.
This tier costs around $100 per month. It covers different outpatient services like lab tests, preventative care, doctor's visits, mental health care, clinical trials, and some forms of surgery.
This type of Medicare is most often called Medicare Advantage. This tier of Medicare allows seniors to choose health plans provided by insurance companies like Senior Medicare Insurance Services. Individuals who use Medicare Advantage commonly use Medicare supplement plan insurance to help pay for health care costs that Original Medicare won't cover, like coinsurance, deductibles, and copayments.
Sometimes called "PDPs," these plans add drug coverage to standard Medicare, some Medicare Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS), some Medicare Cost Plans, and Medicare Medical Savings Account Plans (MSA).
The amount of money you pay for your health care depends on several factors, including:
- What kind of care you need, and how often it is needed.
- The type of Medicare coverage you choose.
- Whether there are alternative insurance policies that will help fill gaps in your coverage
- Whether a doctor agrees to charge you the same amount that Medicare will cover for a medical service
At Senior Medicare Insurance Services, we offer a number of health insurance solutions for seniors. Two of our most used services include Medicare Advantage plan insurance and Medicare supplement plan insurance.
Senior Medicare Supplement Plan Insurance in Odessa, TX
Sometimes called Medigap, the purpose of Medicare Supplement Insurance is to help fill in "gaps" that might not be covered by Original Medicare. You can think of a Medigap policy as a supplement for your Original Medicare benefits.
Private companies like Senior Medicare Insurance Services sell this type of insurance right here in South Carolina. While Original Medicare will pay for much of the cost associated with health care services you need, it may not cover all of your expenses. Generally, Medigap policies do not cover costs stemming from eyeglasses, private-duty nurses, dental care, hearing aids, or long-term care.
Depending on the Medicare Supplement Plan that you choose, it may cover out-of-the-country medical services when you travel abroad. Assuming you have Original Medicare coverage, your policy will cover its share of Medicare-approved health care costs. Once your Original Medicare coverage reaches its limit, your Medigap policy will pay its share of the fees.
Our Medigap policies are drafted to meet your specific needs, and can help cover remaining health care costs such as:
Deductibles
Copayments
Coinsurance
Important Information About Senior Supplement Plan Insurance
To dispel some confusion, you should know that a Medigap policy is not the same as a Medicare Advantage Plan. The latter helps you receive Medicare benefits, while the former supplements the benefits you obtain through your Original Medicare plan. As you begin to explore Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans, keep the following important information in mind:
As you begin to explore Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans, keep the following important information in mind:
- To qualify for a Medigap policy, you must first have Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B.
- Payments on your Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan will be made to the private insurance company that you choose, like Senior Medicare Insurance Services. These payments are made every month and are paid in addition to the monthly payment you make for Medicare Part B.
- If you are the holder of a Medicare Advantage Plan, it is illegal for an insurance company to sell you a senior Medicare Supplement Policy. If you plan on switching back to an Original Medicare plan, you may be able to purchase a Medigap policy.
- If you have health problems as you age, your standardized Medigap policy is guaranteed to be renewable. So long as you pay your monthly premium, your insurance provider cannot cancel your policy.
- Medigap policies only cover one person. If you have a spouse or family member that would like coverage, they must purchase a separate policy.
- You may only buy a Senior Medicare Supplement Plan from an insurance agent that is licensed to sell them in your state. Senior Medicare Insurance Services has been licensed to sell Medigap policies in South Carolina for years. We have helped countless seniors get the Medicare coverage they need and continue to do so to this day.
- In the past, Medigap policies were able to cover costs related to prescription drugs. As of January 1st, 2006, prescription drug coverage is not available on Medicare Supplement Plans. The best way to get coverage for your prescription drugs is to join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan, often called Part D. Contact our office today to learn more about paying premiums on Medigap and Medicare plans.
For many people, the best time to buy senior Medicare Supplement Plan Insurance in Odessa, TX is during the 7 months Medigap Open Enrollment Period. This period starts the day you turn 65 years old, so long as you hold Medical Insurance (Medicare Part B). Generally, during the enrollment period, you get more policy choices and better pricing. Once the enrollment period is over, you may not be able to purchase a Medigap policy. Contact Senior Medicare Insurance Services today to determine if you qualify for a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan.
Medicare Agent in Odessa, TX
A Medicare Advantage Plan is a kind of Medicare health coverage designed to provide seniors with all their Part A and Part B Medicare benefits. Many Medicare Advantage Plans will often include coverage of the following:
- Preferred Provider Organizations
- Special Needs Plans
- Private Fee-for-Service
- Medicare Medical Savings Account Plans
- Health Maintenance Organizations
In addition, most Medicare Advantage Plans give seniors coverage for their prescription drug needs. When you enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan through Senior Medicare Insurance Services, your Medicare benefits are covered through your plan and will not be paid for by traditional Medicare.
How Medicare Advantage Plans Work
Sometimes called "MA Plans" or "Part C," Medicare Advantage Plans are considered an "all in one" solution to Original Medicare. Senior Medicare Advantage Plans are only offered by private companies that are approved, like Senior Medicare Insurance Services. Seniors who enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan are still on Medicare. However, these individuals enjoy bundled plans that give seniors the benefits of hospital insurance (Medicare Part A), medical insurance (Medicare Part B), and sometimes drug coverage (Part D).
Medicare Advantage Plans are very popular because they cover all Medicare services and make life a little easier for seniors who have trouble understanding the nuances of Medicare.
When you contact Senior Medicare Insurance Services to choose your Medicare Advantage Plan, ask your agent about Medicare prescription drug coverage. Unless you already have drug coverage (Part D), you should seriously consider Part D coverage to help reduce costs associated with prescription drugs. You may also want to consider a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan to help fill gaps in coverage that Original Medicare will not cover.
Medicare Advantage Plan Insurance Rules
Medicare works by paying a set amount of money to the companies that offer Medicare Agent in Odessa, TX. That money is used to pay for the care services that you need. Because Medicare Advantage Plans are different, you should expect out-of-pocket costs to vary depending on the plan you choose.
Different plans have different rules for how you receive services, such as:
If you must go to facilities, suppliers, or doctors that belong to your Advantage Plan for non-urgent and non-emergency care.-
Whether you must get a referral to see a specialized doctor
Companies that offer Medicare Advantage Plans must follow strict rules, which are set by Medicare and can change every year.
Paying for Your Medicare Agent
How much you pay for your Medicare Advantage Plan varies and depends on a few different factors. In most cases, if you need a kind of medical service, you will need to rely on the doctors and providers in your plan's service area and network to pay the lowest amounts. In some cases, if you choose to use a service outside of your plan's network of coverage, you may have to pay out-of-pocket.
We encourage you to contact our office today to learn more about Medicare Advantage Plans, how they work, what your options are, and how often you will have to pay out-of-pocket, if at all.
The Senior Medicare Insurance Services Commitment
Since our company was founded, we have led the insurance industry by providing our clients with the most valuable, helpful insurance solutions available. We are fully committed to our current and prospective clients by:
Choosing to focus on personalized, one-on-one service. When you work with our team, know that we will always design your health insurance plan with your best interests in mind.-
Listening to your specific needs. -
Responding to all inquiries and questions promptly and with a friendly attitude. -
Providing you with the best customer service in the senior health insurance industry, whether you have questions or are ready to move forward with a Medicare plan.
Our mission is to help give seniors the best Medicare assistance available so that they may understand the Medicare process and make an informed health coverage decision. We have the knowledge, skills, and experience to assist anyone interested in Medicare. Our personal goal is to become a lifetime resource for our clients and give them greater confidence in choosing their insurance plans.
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 8 organizations which offer 57 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.
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Latest News in Odessa, TX
UTPB welcomes record freshman class as enrollment continues to grow
Odessa Americanhttps://www.oaoa.com/local-news/utpb-welcomes-record-freshman-class-as-enrollment-continues-to-grow/
The University of Texas Permian Basin is welcoming its largest-ever first-time-in-college class this fall, with 699 new freshmen choosing UTPB. Overall, UTPB’s Fall 2026 enrollment is up 5.8% from last fall, with 5,976 students enrolled this semester.The record-breaking freshman class is one of several signs that more students are choosing UTPB as their first-choice institution.“Seeing more students choose UTPB, from our record freshman class to the continued growth of our graduate programs, reflects the strength an...
The University of Texas Permian Basin is welcoming its largest-ever first-time-in-college class this fall, with 699 new freshmen choosing UTPB. Overall, UTPB’s Fall 2026 enrollment is up 5.8% from last fall, with 5,976 students enrolled this semester.
The record-breaking freshman class is one of several signs that more students are choosing UTPB as their first-choice institution.
“Seeing more students choose UTPB, from our record freshman class to the continued growth of our graduate programs, reflects the strength and momentum of this University,” UTPB President Sandra Woodley said in a news release. “We are proud to provide an affordable, high-quality education that connects students to opportunities in the Permian Basin and beyond. As UTPB grows, our commitment remains the same: to help every student find their path and prepare for a successful future.”
In addition to the freshman class, the university saw growth across every other student population this fall, including transfer, continuing undergraduate, dual credit, post-baccalaureate and graduate students, the release detailed.
Fall 2026 enrollment highlights include:
“UTPB is focused on serving the Permian Basin, and beyond, with programs that prepare students for high-demand careers,” Dr. Becky Spurlock, senior vice president for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, said in the release. “From Falcon Free to the Falcon Fast-Track pathways, we’re creating opportunities for students at every level, including high school, undergraduate, and graduate students. I also want to give a huge congratulations to our hardworking Enrollment Management, Graduate Studies, and Student Success teams, whose dedication makes all this possible.”
Prospective undergraduate students and families are invited to visit campus during Falcon Day on one of the following Saturdays: November 14, February 20, and April 10. Guests will explore life as a Falcon, learn about academic programs, hear from current students, and get important details on financial aid, housing, and more. The event is free to attend. Register at utpb.edu/falcondays. Visitors are also welcome to tour campus any time during daily tours at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
UT Permian Basin continues to expand opportunities for students while meeting the workforce needs of West Texas. To learn more or apply today, visit utpb.edu/apply.
How many jobs were added in Odessa, TX area last month?
USAFactshttps://usafacts.org/answers/how-many-jobs-were-added-in-the-us-last-month/metro-area/odessa-tx/
It gained 600 jobs in July 2026. Those figures come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ state and local employment report, which tracks monthly job changes. Job numbers can swing month to month as local economies expand or contract, but over the past five years the Odessa, TX Metro Area has averaged about 223 new jobs per month. These figures are often revised in later months as more complete data rolls in.+600month to month change in number of jobs (July 2026)Source: Bureau of Labor StatisticsThe Od...
It gained 600 jobs in July 2026. Those figures come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ state and local employment report, which tracks monthly job changes. Job numbers can swing month to month as local economies expand or contract, but over the past five years the Odessa, TX Metro Area has averaged about 223 new jobs per month. These figures are often revised in later months as more complete data rolls in.
+600
month to month change in number of jobs (July 2026)
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
The Odessa, TX area job growth of 200 in June 2026 was smaller than the 500 jobs gained in May 2026.
During the latest five-year period (August 2021 to July 2026), the Odessa, TX area gained jobs in 42 out of 60 months. July 2026 had the ninth-highest job growth during this period. The highest gains during this period occurred in July 2022 (+1,600) while job growth was weakest in December 2022 (-700).
Monthly change in nonfarm employment in the Odessa, TX area
How has the Odessa, TX area's job growth changed over time?
In 2025, the Odessa, TX area has gained an average of 17 jobs every month. That's lower than the 2024 average monthly increase of 150. The 2025 average ranks as 14th-highest in job growth since 2007.
When excluding the two pandemic-affected years of 2020 and 2021, job growth ranged from a loss of 792 every month in 2015 to a gain of 633 every month in 2018.
Average monthly change in the number of jobs in the Odessa, TX area, seasonally adjusted
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Methodology
USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.
Page sources
USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.
Air quality index (AQI⁺) and PM2.5 air pollution in Odessa • 2.6K Followers • 09:00, Oct 06 Local time
iqair.comhttps://www.iqair.com/air-quality/usa/texas/odessa
AddWorld/USA/Texas/OdessaAir quality in OdessaData attribution1 station from Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)13US AQI⁺GoodMain pollutant:PM2.52.3 µg/m³24°6 km/h61 %Hourly forecastOdessa air quality index (AQI⁺) forecastNow1324°6km/h 61%12:002226°5km/h 52%13:00...
Add
World/USA/Texas/Odessa
Air quality in Odessa
Data attribution
1 station from Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
13
US AQI⁺
Good
Main pollutant:
PM2.5
2.3 µg/m³
24°
6 km/h
61 %
Hourly forecast
Odessa air quality index (AQI⁺) forecast
Now 13 24° 6 km/h 61% | 12:00 22 26° 5 km/h 52% | 13:00 21 26° 5 km/h 50% | 14:00 23 27° 5 km/h 48% | 15:00 25 27° 6 km/h 46% | 16:00 19 28° 6 km/h 44% | 17:00 20 28° 7 km/h 44% | 18:00 21 27° 10 km/h 44% | 19:00 14 26° 11 km/h 47% | 20:00 14 24° 9 km/h 56% | 21:00 14 23° 7 km/h 60% | 22:00 17 23° 7 km/h 61% | 23:00 17 22° 7 km/h 65% Wed | 00:00 17 21° 8 km/h 70% | 01:00 28 20° 9 km/h 76% | 02:00 28 19° 8 km/h 83% | 03:00 28 19° 8 km/h 88% | 04:00 18 18° 7 km/h 90% | 05:00 18 18° 6 km/h 89% | 06:00 18 18° 4 km/h 91% | 07:00 17 18° 3 km/h 91% | 08:00 17 18° 2 km/h 93% | 09:00 17 19° 2 km/h 85% | 10:00 52 23° 8 km/h 72% | 11:00 52 25° 9 km/h 61% | 12:00 52 26° 7 km/h 53% | 13:00 43 27° 7 km/h 46% | 14:00 43 28° 9 km/h 42% | 15:00 43 29° 9 km/h 38% | 16:00 25 29° 8 km/h 36% | 17:00 25 29° 8 km/h 34% | 18:00 25 29° 8 km/h 36% | 19:00 17 27° 7 km/h 39% | 20:00 17 26° 7 km/h 43% | 21:00 17 25° 8 km/h 47% | 22:00 22 24° 7 km/h 51% | 23:00 22 24° 6 km/h 52% Thu | 00:00 22 23° 5 km/h 55% | 01:00 22 22° 7 km/h 64% | 02:00 22 21° 10 km/h 76% | 03:00 22 20° 9 km/h 79% | 04:00 17 20° 8 km/h 83% | 05:00 17 19° 8 km/h 85% | 06:00 17 19° 5 km/h 85% | 07:00 31 19° 4 km/h 86% | 08:00 31 21° 7 km/h 64% | 09:00 31 22° 7 km/h 62% | 10:00 62 23° 8 km/h 58% | 11:00 62 24° 7 km/h 53% | 12:00 62 25° 8 km/h 48% | 13:00 65 26° 9 km/h 44% | 14:00 65 27° 12 km/h 40% | 15:00 65 27° 16 km/h 37% | 16:00 44 28° 15 km/h 32% | 17:00 44 28° 12 km/h 29% | 18:00 44 28° 9 km/h 28% | 19:00 23 27° 3 km/h 34% | 20:00 23 25° 6 km/h 37% | 21:00 23 25° 7 km/h 37% | 22:00 31 25° 6 km/h 36% | 23:00 31 23° 9 km/h 36% Fri | 00:00 31 22° 12 km/h 37% | 01:00 11 21° 14 km/h 39% | 02:00 11 20° 13 km/h 40% | 03:00 11 20° 14 km/h 44% | 04:00 23 19° 15 km/h 49% | 05:00 23 19° 13 km/h 52% | 06:00 23 19° 10 km/h 55% | 07:00 20 18° 10 km/h 56% | 08:00 20 18° 10 km/h 60% | 09:00 20 19° 9 km/h 59% | 10:00 56 22° 11 km/h 57% |
Daily forecast
Odessa air quality index (AQI⁺) forecast
| Today | 22 | 28° 18° | 11 km/h | 61% | |
| Wed | 27 | 29° 18° | 9 km/h | 56% | |
| Thu | 35 | 28° 19° | 16 km/h | 48% |
Air pollutants
What is the current air quality in Odessa?
| PM2.5Fine particles (≤ 2.5 µm)2.3µg/m³ |
PM2.5 concentration currently meets the WHO annual PM2.5 guideline.
Health recommendations
Enjoy outdoor activities |
Open your windows to bring clean, fresh air indoors Get a monitor |
Pollen
What is the pollen count in Odessa today?
Index
Low
Tree None | 0% |
Grass None | 0% |
Weed Low | 25% |
Source:
wetter.com
Pollen forecast in Odessa
Most polluted locations near Odessa
Worldwide AQI⁺ ranking
Get comprehensive data about air quality in Odessa
Begin your journey for cleaner air #IQAir
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Whitney Laine Parrott
Dignity Memorialhttps://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/san-antonio-tx/whitney-parrott-13060909
Whitney Laine Parrott, 40, of Odessa, Texas, passed away on October 1, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas. She was born on January 1, 1986, in Casper, Wyoming.Whitney lived the first part of her life in Riverton, Wyoming, before making Odessa, Texas, her home for the second half of her life. Wherever she was, though, home was never really a place to Whitney. Home was the people she loved.If you knew Whitney, you knew her laugh. It was contagious—the kind of laugh that could make everyone around her smile, whether they knew what ...
Whitney Laine Parrott, 40, of Odessa, Texas, passed away on October 1, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas. She was born on January 1, 1986, in Casper, Wyoming.
Whitney lived the first part of her life in Riverton, Wyoming, before making Odessa, Texas, her home for the second half of her life. Wherever she was, though, home was never really a place to Whitney. Home was the people she loved.
If you knew Whitney, you knew her laugh. It was contagious—the kind of laugh that could make everyone around her smile, whether they knew what was funny or not. She had a smile that could light up an entire room, and she had a gift for making people feel welcome. Whitney truly never met a stranger. She could talk to anyone, laugh with anyone, and somehow make you feel like you had been friends forever.
But more than anything, Whitney loved her family. She loved them fiercely, completely, and without hesitation. Her family was woven into every part of her heart. She was a daughter, a sister, a mother, an aunt, a niece, a cousin, and soon-to-be grandmother—and every one of those roles meant something deeply special to her.
Her greatest legacy will always be her children, Braxton Derington and Markus Parrott. The love Whitney had for her boys was immeasurable. They were a part of her heart that will never be separated from her, and the love she gave them will continue to live on through them.
Whitney was preceded in death by her great-grandparents, Max Dudley, Alta Moore, Roland and Frieda Peltz; her grandfathers, Jack Parrott, Sr., Roy Neukam, and Earl Weatherford; and her aunt, Kirstan Neukam.
She leaves behind a family who loved her deeply: her father, Jack Parrott, Jr., and his wife, Katrina Parrott; her mother, Tamra Parrott, and her husband, Alan Woffard; her sister, Jordan Parrott, and her fiancé, Kevin Dean; her niece, Cymbree; and her nephew, Brooks; her brother, Christian Parrott; her grandmothers, Jacquelyn Weatherford and Barbara Parrott; her uncle, Corky Neukam; and her aunts, Tina Lyle and her husband, David Lyle; Shelly Boner and her husband, Shain Boner; Debbie Morton; Stacy Babcock; and Leslie Parrott. She also leaves behind many beloved cousins and extended family members whose lives were made brighter simply because Whitney was part of them.
One of the sweetest joys Whitney was looking forward to was becoming a grandmother. She was eagerly awaiting the arrival of her first grandson—a little boy who will grow up hearing stories about the grandmother who already loved him before she ever got the chance to hold him. Although Whitney will not be here to watch him grow, he will forever be part of her story and her legacy.
There are some people who leave this world quietly, and there are others whose absence can be felt in every room they once filled.
Whitney was one of those people.
There will be moments when someone laughs a little too loudly and everyone will think of her. There will be smiles that remind her family of her smile. There will be stories that begin with, “Remember when Whitney…” and end with everyone laughing and crying at the same time.
And there will always be an empty place where she should be.
But Whitney’s story does not end here.
She lives on in her children.
She lives on in the family she loved so fiercely.
She lives on in the nieces and nephews who will grow up hearing about her.
She lives on in the grandson she was so excited to meet.
She lives on in every person she made laugh, every stranger she welcomed, and every heart she touched.
Her time here was far too short, but the love she gave was bigger than a lifetime.
Until we meet again, Whitney.
May your laugh always be heard in our memories,
may your smile always shine in our hearts,
and may the love you gave so freely continue through every generation that comes after you.
You were loved. You are missed.
And you will never, ever be forgotten.
West Texas tradesmen rally for better pay at ‘Wage Wobble’ movement in Monahans
Luke Johnsonhttps://www.firstalert7.com/2026/09/30/west-texas-tradesmen-rally-better-pay-wage-wobble-movement-monahans/
MONAHANS, Texas (KOSA) - Hundreds of West Texas tradesmen gathered Wednesday to advocate for better pay after years of stagnant wages.The journey for a group of Odessa welders advocating for themselves after 20 years of no change started at the Ector County Coliseum. Eric Marquez, a welder in Odessa, said with the rising rates of inflation, pay needs to rise with it.“We haven’t seen a change in over 20 years, I started in 2008, I broke out in 2008 fresh out of high school, and I started 65-60 dollars an hour, we&rsq...
MONAHANS, Texas (KOSA) - Hundreds of West Texas tradesmen gathered Wednesday to advocate for better pay after years of stagnant wages.
The journey for a group of Odessa welders advocating for themselves after 20 years of no change started at the Ector County Coliseum. Eric Marquez, a welder in Odessa, said with the rising rates of inflation, pay needs to rise with it.
“We haven’t seen a change in over 20 years, I started in 2008, I broke out in 2008 fresh out of high school, and I started 65-60 dollars an hour, we’re still the same,” Marquez said.
Marquez was part of a group caravanning to Monahans. He said with the back-breaking work they do, they deserve better.
“We’re the ones that get in the line of fire, we’re the ones getting in the hole, we’re the ones putting things together that are on fire sometimes,” Marquez said. ”We’re doing the hard work, and I feel it’s time we get compensated,”
Following the 45-minute drive, over 300 workers showed up at the Ward County Event Center for the Wage Wobble movement. The movement targets pipeline and rig welders, operators, foremen and laborers across the oil and gas industry. Organizer Nathan Montes said the movement belongs to the workers themselves.
“I want to make something extremely clear, nobody owns this movement but the people, not me, not a union, not a contractor,” Montes said. Wage Wobble belongs to the people who decided it’s finally time to have this conversation.
Montes reinforced that without the people in the room, the country simply won’t thrive.
“America’s energy infrastructure doesn’t get built or maintained without the working man and woman who knows how to do these jobs,” Montes said. This isn’t unskilled labor, these industries don’t move without skilled people.”
Union leaders, including Justin Wallace with Pipeliners Union 798, joined Montes on stage for a question-and-answer session. The event also included time for workers to network with each other and a group lunch. Organizers say they hope to bring the event back year after year until change is made.
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