September 11, 2009: This graph shows the decline in participants in the Central States Pension Fund during the 10-year reign of James Hoffa as Teamster president. The number of active participants has fallen from 185,000 in 1999 to 77,000 in 2009, a loss of well over 100,000 participants to the fund.

The number of participants dropped sharply in December 2007 when Hoffa let UPS pull 44,000 Teamsters out of the fund. During Hoffa’s tenure, an additional 64,000 members were lost.

In addition, the number will fall further, with the temporary withdrawal of YRCW from the fund.

The number of retirees has remained steady at about 212,000 for the past six years.

The answer lies in defending our contracts and pension plan, and new organizing to strengthen our union and pension fund.

Source of information: Central States Fund Financial and Analytical Report, available here.