April 8, 2014: The Northeast Ohio Committee to Protect Pensions (NOCPP) is organizing to defend retirement security.   

The committee was formed at a pension meeting on March 8 in Richfield, Ohio, and consists of retired and active Teamsters working together to protect our Teamster pensions.

“Our first organizing meeting was very focused, commented Mike Walden, a YRC retiree from Akron Local 24. “There were a few TDU guys and other retired Teamsters who volunteered at our Richfield meeting. We are all working together because we know how important it is to protect our pensions.” Walden arranged the meeting at Post 102 of the Army-Navy Club in Akron.

The committee set up a phone tree and email list to inform other Teamsters. Assignments were made and taken to contact Teamster retiree clubs, Teamster locals in the area, and Congressional offices. The plan is to send delegations to various meetings and offices to inform and advocate around the issue. The committee also decided to investigate the cost of securing rental vans or buses for a trip to Washington to lobby and speak out on pension rights.

The committee discussed a number of goals: educating active and retired Teamsters on the pension issues; building unity among all Teamsters to defend our pensions; make sure that Congress understands the impact of potential pension cuts on the economy; engage the media on this issue; work with the AARP and veteran groups; reach out to other unions and members who are also under attack; and continue to research and explore other alternatives and solutions to pension cuts.

If you are interested in getting involved in the Northeast Ohio committee or would like to organize a meeting or committee in your local or area, contact TDU.