Partial Victory on Strike Benefits--Let's Finish the Job

(Reprinted from Teamsters United)

Fred Zuckerman’s action plan to improve strike benefits is paying off for Teamster members. 

strike_benefits_thumb.jpg

Hoffa has frozen strike benefits for 14 years. Fred Zuckerman and Teamsters United proposed an amendment to the IBT Constitution to improve benefits—and Hoffa blinked.

Today, the Constitution Committee approved a proposal to increase strike benefits and reduce the time that striking members have to wait to get benefits.

The Striker Security Package will increase weekly strike benefits from four times to five times the members’ dues and increase the minimum strike benefit to $150 per week.

The increase in strike benefits is a victory for all Teamsters. But more can be done. 

Fred Zuckerman’s plan would provide strike benefits starting the first week of a strike, including in strikes for union recognition and first contracts. Hoffa’s plan does not.

The proposals will go to the floor of the Teamster Convention for a vote by the delegates.

Teamsters United will support the Striker Security Package and ask delegates to approve an additional improvement to provide strike benefits beginning the first week of a strike. 


Related Articles

Fred Zuckerman Statement on the IBT Election

[Re-posted from Teamsters United]

As the ballots were tallied this week, we shocked the employers and the Hoffa-Hall slate and won the majority of the vote from Teamsters in the United States. Hoffa-Hall overtook our lead when the Teamsters Canada ballots were counted.

Teamster Election Update

Fred Zuckerman has won the majority of the vote cast by Teamsters in the U.S. The votes from Teamsters Canada are now being counted and they will determine the election. Follow the local-by-local returns from Teamsters Canada as the race comes down to the wire. 

Corruption, Obstruction & the IBT Election

When Hoffa-Hall’s top lieutenant in the West Rome Aloise was charged with racketeering, they used members’ dues money to cover up the corruption, obstruct investigators and crack down on members’ right to vote. Now, the results of the International Union election may hang in the balance.

Teamsters United Sweeps the Central

Fred Zuckerman has overtaken Hoffa based on the overwhelming win in the Central Region where Teamsters United won with over 58% of the vote. The vote count has resumed and the ballots are being counted in the Western Region. Follow local-by-local results for the West here. Over 50,000 ballots remain to be counted. This race is a nail-biter and we have a long way to go. 

How Hoffa-Hall Tried to Steal the Vote in the South

Hoffa-Hall tried to steal the election in the South before it happened. They even rigged elections to get their way. How grassroots organizing saved the right to vote and paved the way for the Teamsters United victory in the South.

Get Advice Join TDU Donate

Recent News

IBT Settles Lawsuit Alleging Discrimination

It’s been widely reported that the IBT settled a lawsuit with 13 African American and Latino organizers for $2.9 million. Settling the case avoids long, expensive litigation. What’s behind the lawsuit and settlement and what does it mean for our union’s future?

Fight Layoffs with Contract Enforcement

UPS executives and Wall Street investors are crying because the company made “only” $9.9 billion in profits last year. The company will lay off 12,000 full and part-time managers as a result. Unlike management, Teamsters can fight layoffs. Here’s how.

View More News Posts