Pension Legislation Loss August 9, 2006. Late in the evening of August 3, the U.S. Senate voted to approve a piece of pension legislation which contains much of the “Red Zone” cut-back language that rank and file Teamsters have fought hard to get removed from the bill. President Bush is expected to sign it. Thanks to rank and file action, a portion of the red zone was cut that would have let funds cut benefits...

July 17, 2006: The big health care cuts that the Hoffa administration just slapped on Michigan freight Teamsters will spread to freight, UPS and carhaul Teamsters throughout the Central and Southern Regions. The Central States trustees are staying quiet about the cuts until after the election for International officers. Then the “surprise attack” will come down. For the third year in a row, the contractual August 60 cents per hour increase in employer contributions in...

July 17, 2006: Effective August 1, all Michigan cartage Teamsters covered by the NMFA will have major cuts in medical coverage, as a result of moneys diverted from their fund to the Central States Pension Fund. The Michigan Fund informed all affected members of the cuts in a July 3 letter. The Michigan Fund reported that the Hoffa freight leadership diverted money from health coverage over “emphatic objections” of the health plan. For the third...