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. 

strike_benefits_thumb.jpg

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. 


Related Articles

Ohio Teamsters Gear Up for 2016 Election

February 5, 2015: Teamsters in Southern California held a packed meeting to build a campaign to elect new International Union leaders. Next up: Columbus and Cleveland, Ohio on Feb. 21-22. Teamsters in the Midwest have been hammered with contract concessions and the threat of pension cuts. Now members are coming together to organize for new leadership and a new direction for our union. Members are holding meetings to gear up for the International Union election...

A United Coalition for Change

January 8, 2015: Working Teamsters were hammered with concessions in 2014. Teamster leaders who showed how to fight for good contracts are building a coalition for change.   Teamster leaders who stood up for Teamster contracts and pensions in 2014 are helping to build a coalition for change in 2016.   Local 804 President Tim Sylvester united UPS Teamsters in New York City to win pension increases, grievance procedure reform, and 150 new full-time jobs.    “Other Teamsters were taking givebacks. But Tim showed us we can fight...

UPS Teamsters & the IBT Election

January 8, 2015: UPS Teamsters have the numbers and the network to make the difference in the International Union election. There are 250,000 UPS Teamsters. It takes 200,000 votes to elect new leadership in the International Union. Of course, not all UPS Teamsters are going to vote. But if even 40 percent of them vote, that’s half of the 200,000 votes needed to win. In the last International Union election, Hoffa carried the UPS vote in many locals. Many UPS Teamsters opposed Hoffa but the opposition vote was divided....
Get Advice Join TDU Donate

Recent News

ABF Teamsters Voting on Strike Authorization

More than 8,000 Teamsters at ABF are casting ballots in a strike authorization vote. The contract at ABF expires on June 30.

Central States Pension Fund is now 97.5% funded

It’s a rags-to-riches story: the Central States Pension Fund went from 14.5% funded and in critical and declining status to 97.5% funded and in healthy condition.

View More News Posts