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. 

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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. 


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