New Jersey Local 641: Pension Act Delivers Pension Cuts
March 27, 2008: Teamsters in New Jersey Local 641 were hit with major pension and health and welfare cuts on March 10—just nine days after the Local 641 pension fund announced it was in critical status (the “Red Zone”). Effective June 1, the pension accrual will be slashed to one percent—the lowest amount allowed for plans in the Red Zone. The minimum retirement age was raised to age 57 with stiff annual reductions for pension...
Central States Fund in the Red Zone
April 18, 2008: “‘Red Zone’—Why it is better than the ‘Yellow Zone’”: That’s the surprising headline that appeared in a newsletter issued by the Central States Fund in March. Most pension funds want to stay out of the Red Zone. But Thomas Nyhan, the director of the Central States Fund, told union officials last December that he wanted to steer the fund’s documents so that it would end up in the Red Zone. Now he...
The Pension Protection Act: What It Means for You
March 27, 2008: In April, hundreds of thousands of Teamsters will be getting a report from their pension fund on its funding status. A new law, the Pension Protection Act (PPA) of 2006, requires that these reports be mailed to members that participate in pension plans that are less than 80 percent funded. Get the facts on your funding notice and what your pension plan’s funding level could mean for your benefits. What information will...
Local 804 Teamsters Prepare for Bylaws Vote on Contracts and Pensions
March 27, 2008: Teamsters in New York Local 804 will vote this month on bylaws changes that will put more pension and contract information in the hands of the membership. The first bylaws change will require the Local 804 Executive Board to include a report on the Local 804 benefit funds at every general membership meeting. For ten years, the Local 804 pension fund earned dramatically substandard investment returns—resulting in a $100 million shortfall in...
$14/Hour Jobs Posted on YRC Websites
March 27, 2008: Before the new contract took effect, and with thousands of Teamsters still laid off, Yellow, Roadway and USF Holland started advertising for $14 per hour casuals. YRC management has made no secret of their intent to make use of the contract language that allows for the influx of part-time dock workers at the low rate. With respect to laid off Teamsters, it’s important to check the language for your supplement. The Central...
Racking up Organizing Wins at UPS Freight
March 27, 2008: As we go to press, the International Union has reached a tentative agreement for a national contract at UPS Freight. UPS Freight Teamsters will get to vote on the new contract, and they need to take a close look at the agreement and make an informed choice. All Teamsters can be proud of the impressive organizing taking place at UPS Freight. These brothers and sisters are joining our ranks to ensure a...
DHLers Debate Contract
March 27, 2008: DHL Teamsters are voting on their future. The deal has sparked opposition from a broad network of stewards and members. In mid-April some 8,000 DHL Teamsters will get ballots to vote on a proposed national contract that would allow the company to hire an unlimited number of low-wage part-timers. The deal has generated opposition, not from a few dissidents, but from a broad network of stewards and long-time Teamsters who have held...
On the Road to Union Power?
March 27, 2008: The IBT leadership argues that we need to give DHL concessions to help the company compete in the future with UPS and with FedEx. But many Teamsters are asking what these concessions will mean for our future and our union’s. The proposed contract will let DHL convert over time to a company where the majority of the jobs are low-wage, dead-end jobs. History has shown that these concessions will increase company profits....
Members in Chicago Work to Build a Stronger Local 743
March 27, 2008: After years of apathy and neglect, members and new officers in Chicago Local 743 are working together to turn their union around. Last year, the Local 743 president resigned and his replacement was indicted for stealing the 2004 election. In October, the membership of Local 743 elected a reform slate of officers to the union’s top spots. “For years, members got no information from our union. No one ever talked to them....
Members Help Protect Family and Medical Leave
March 27, 2008: The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is once again under fire from Corporate America. On Feb. 11, the Department of Labor issued proposals for changes that would open up new loopholes for employers to deny leave to workers who need to take time off for an illness or to take care of a family member. These new rules are not a done deal. We have until April 11 to make our...