There was not an empty seat in the house as over one thousand Teamsters packed the Kansas City Convention Center to participate in the last public hearing scheduled by the US Department of Treasury, and hosted by Special Master Kenneth Feinberg.  

(1000 Teamsters make their opposition known.)

Feinberg listened attentively as Teamsters addressed the horrors of this ill-conceived plan to cut retirees’ income. The Special Master did not disagree with any of the sincere comments of hardship and adversity that it would cause.

Some 30 of us had a chance to speak up, unanimously opposed to the CSPF plan. IBT vice president John Murphy was among the speakers. The Missouri – Kansas City Committee to Protect Pensions worked hard to spread the word and build the meeting and that work paid off. We accomplished our purpose of showing the depth of the opposition to this proposed pension theft with our numbers and stories.

(David Grant of Omaha speaking to the town hall meeting. 

Feinberg shared the stage with Missouri 5th District Congressman, Emanuel Cleaver II, who demonstrated his support for our cause with his compassionate commentary. Cleaver reported the numbers of affected members in his district and across the state of Missouri; then he addressed the subsequent economic impact of the proposed cuts on the community. He wrapped up with “These are real live human beings. These are people who worked all their lives…”

It seemed that every media outlet in the area was present to cover the story, with some indication that National media may have been present.

Report from Michael Savwoir, Local 41 retiree.