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Pension and Benefits

Massive Losses in Local 804 Health Fund

June 20, 2008: A report by Local 804 members reveals that the union’s health fund lost nearly $18 million from 2003 to 2007. During that time, the fund lost 55 percent of its assets.


Pension Protection Act: Brought to You by UPS

June 20, 2008: Right after the Pension Protection Act was passed in 2006, the New York Times warned “the new Pension Protection Act will do little to protect most Americans.”


Central States Fund’s Letters Stir Concerns

May 1, 2008: Hundreds of thousands of working Teamsters and retirees received a startling letter from the Central States Pension Fund in early April saying that the fund is in critical status.


New England Pension Fund in the Red Zone

May 1, 2008: The New England Teamsters and Trucking Industry Pension Fund has put members on notice that the fund will be in critical status (the “Red Zone”) when its funding classification is


What Does the New Pension Law Mean for Your Benefits?

March 27, 2008: What’s in store for Teamster pension funds under the Pension Protection Act?


New England Pension Fund Plans More Cuts

March 27, 2008: The third largest pension fund in the Teamsters Union is reportedly planning new benefit cuts.


New Jersey Local 641: Pension Act Delivers Pension Cuts

March 27, 2008: Teamsters in New Jersey Local 641 were hit with major pension and health and welfare cuts on March 10—just nine days after the Local 641 pension fund announced it was in critical


The Pension Protection Act: What It Means for You

March 27, 2008: In April, hundreds of thousands of Teamsters will be getting a report from their pension fund on its funding status.


The Teamster Pension Divide

January 10, 2008: A study of major Teamster pension plans reveals a growing “Benefit Divide,” with the new UPS Pension Plan paying the worst benefits in the country.


Central States Fund Director Reports Average Retirement Age Goes Up

January 10, 2008: The Director of the Central States Pension Fund, Thomas Nyhan, told over 100 local union officers in December that he did not want UPS to split off from the Fund, but could not st


Pension Grab Affects All Teamsters

October 17, 2007: By late November, we will know if UPS has succeeded in breaking out of the Teamster Central States Pension Plan.


UPS Wants Control to Keep Lid on Our Pensions

September 27, 2007: As October 1 approaches, the National Negotiating Committee is preparing to cave in to the company's demand to break out of the Central States Pension Fund.


Letting UPS Withdraw Would Weaken Our Union’s Power

August 23, 2007: The assets of the Central States Pension Fund are on the rise and our union will lose long-term power in dealing with management if we let UPS split from the fund.


Save Our Pensions

July 12, 2007: In June ABF CEO Bob Davidson circulated a letter to all Teamster employees saying that members should dump their Teamster pensions for a company 401(k).


UPS Moves To Break Up Central States Fund

June 8, 2007: UPS management has put a dangerous proposal on the table: to pull UPS Teamsters out of the Central States Pension Fund, the plan that covers 42,000 full-timers in 25 states.


Will Hoffa Let UPS Split Up the Central States Pension Fund?

May 9, 2007: Management has put a proposal on the table to pull UPS Teamsters out of the Central States Pension Plan – the plan that covers 42,000 full-timers in 25 states.


Will We Make UPS Deliver Pension Improvements?

May 9, 2007: Ken Hall has promised that the UPS contract will improve pensions and send a message to all employers that our union won’t stand for pension and benefit cuts.


Western Conference: Will Record Contributions Win Back Our Pensions?

May 9, 2007: Hundreds of thousands of Teamsters covered by the Western Plan are still facing a nearly 40 percent pension cut even though the fund is 100 percent funded.


The Time Is Right to Win Pension Improvements

April 2, 2007: Since 2003, our Teamster benefits have been under attack. But the coming year gives our union the opportunity to take the offensive.


Central States Fund Expands to $21 Billion

April 2, 2007: The Central States Pension Fund ended 2006 with a $1.4 billion gain in assets, reaching $20.7 billion—up from just $15 billion a few years ago.


Local 814 Movers Smacked with Healthcare Cuts

April 2, 2007: Commercial movers from Teamster Local 814 in New York City have been hit with healthcare cuts—following a concessionary contract that diverted millions of dollars in contributions


Pension Cuts Hit Flagship UPS Local

December 5, 2006: Just two months into early negotiations with UPS to protect Teamster benefits, the company has cut the pensions of thousands of UPS Teamsters in New York City.


Local 355 Fund Refuses to Answer Questions

July 16, 2008: Ever since the Baltimore Local 355 fund cut the pension accrual rate was cut to zero, members have been asking for answers.


Local 804 Members Threaten Lawsuit: Pension Fund Refuses to Turn Over Info

June 20, 2008: A pension attorney representing Local 804 members has warned trustees at the Local 804 Pension Fund that they are in violation of federal law for refusing to comply with members’ r


Baltimore Members Meet to Get Pension Facts

June 14, 2008: Local 355 Teamsters came from UPS, U.S. Foods, Sysco, Giant, and DHL on Sunday, June 8 to discuss the pension freeze in the Local 355 fund.


Central States Cuts in Place Until 2028?

May 16, 2008: The Central States Pension Fund plans to extend the 2002 pension cuts until approximately 2028, according to plan documents obtained by Teamsters for a Democratic Union (TDU).


Petition Drive, Pension Movement Grow in Baltimore

May 1, 2008: Two months after their fund froze working members’ pension accrual, the movement to protect Teamster pensions is growing in Baltimore Local 355.


Uniting Teamsters to Strengthen Our Pensions

April 17, 2008: Teamsters for a Democratic Union is a movement of Teamsters who want to make our union stronger and more accountable to working and retired Teamsters.


Local 355 Members Get Answers on Pension Questions

April 9, 2008: After two months of demanding more information about the pension cuts in Local 355, members are finally getting some answers.


Hoffa Lies Again About ‘No Pension Cuts’

March 27, 2008: How many times have officials in the Hoffa administration sold a contract by promising—in writing—that Teamster pensions will be “maintained and possibly improved,” only to


Central States Fund in the Red Zone

April 18, 2008: “‘Red Zone’—Why it is better than the ‘Yellow Zone’”: That’s the surprising headline that appeared in a newsletter issued by the Central States Fund in March.


Local 804 Teamsters Prepare for Bylaws Vote on Contracts and Pensions

March 27, 2008: Teamsters in New York Local 804 will vote this month on bylaws changes that will put more pension and contract information in the hands of the membership.


Local 355 Pension Cuts Accrual to Zero

March 14, 2008: Trustees in the Maryland Local 355 Pension Fund have cut the fund’s annual accrual rate down to zero.


UPS Posts Quarterly Loss—But Don’t Cry for the Company Just Yet

January 30, 2008: UPS reported a quarterly loss on Wednesday due to its $6.1 billion one-time payment to the Central States Pension fund.


Teamsters Have New Rights to Pension Info

January 22, 2008: As of January 1, Teamsters in pension plans have new, expanded rights to obtain information from their pension fund.


Pensions: Why Is Your Accrual Rate Important?

January 10, 2008: Many Teamster pension funds have shifted their benefit structure to one based on an annual accrual, or multiplier.


YRC Gains Labor Flexibility as ABF Threatens Pension Pullout

December 26, 2007: The trucking industry association is bragging about new concessions in the tentative deal at Yellow/Roadway.


Potential Pension Threat in the Future

December 5, 2007: The removal of 44,000 UPS full-time Teamsters from Central States opens the door to lower pensions for all Teamsters down the road—not just in the Central States.


Q&A: Pension Protection Act Takes Effect

December 5, 2007: This is the second part of our series on the impact of the Pension Protection Act (PPA), which takes effect on January 1, 2008.


Western Conference Pensions Rise

December 5, 2007: The Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Fund, which covers most Teamsters in the Western Region, is ending cuts in pension accruals that were imposed in July 2003.


Pension Rights Center Honors TDU Activist

October 25, 2007: The Pension Rights Center is honoring Frank Bryant for his efforts to fight anti-worker pension legislation and stop UPS's Central States pension grab.


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Freight Division: Different Strategy from UPS Talks

October 17, 2007: The Freight Division is taking two very different strategies from others in the Hoffa administration.


Central States Pull-Out: The Proposed New UPS Pension Plan

October 17, 2007: The proposed tentative agreement would pull 44,000 full-timers out of the Central States Pension Plan and put them into a new UPS Plan.


The Future Under a UPS Plan: A Smaller Pension

October 17, 2007: Management and some union officials are selling the UPS Pension Plan in the Central States areas on the basis that it offers unreduced 25- and 30-and-out benefits of $2,000 and $3


The Facts About the Pension Protection Act

October 17, 2007: Rumors are flying about the Pension Protection Act, the pension legislation that starts to take effect on Jan. 1.


BNA Daily Labor Report: UPS Tries to Shortchange New Jersey Health and Welfare Fund

October 5, 2007: From the BNA Daily Labor Report: Officers and members of a local Teamsters union must arbitrate with United Parcel Service of America Inc.


Bloomberg: Teamsters Ink Deal with UPS

October 1, 2007: United Parcel Service Inc.'s five-year tentative contract agreement with the Teamsters will allow it to pay $6.1 billion to gain greater control of some pensions and will provi


Wall Street Journal: UPS, Teamsters Near Pension Deal

September 29, 2007: United Parcel Service Inc. and the Teamsters union are closing in on a labor agreement that would restructure and possibly lower the company's pension obligations.


Hoffa Announces Central States Deal

Pension Grab

August 31, 2007: Chief negotiators James Hoffa and Ken Hall announced today they will let UPS break out of the Central States Pension Fund in an early deal to be inked by October.


Hoffa Announces He Will Cut Central States Deal

Hoffa Announces He Will Cut Central States Deal


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Will the Real Teamster Leaders Please Stand Up?

August 23, 2007: “It is the Teamsters’ pension—and particularly the multi-employer plan—that gives the union much of its draw and power, industry observers say.” —Traffic World Magaz


Rising Employer Contributions Mean Higher Pension

August 23, 2007: If UPS or ABF or any other corporation says they will do better than a $3,000 pension at 30 years, keep in mind that with the increased funding, that’s not hard to do.


On Pension Fund Split: Your Voice is Your Vote

August 23, 2007: Sometimes, your vote is your voice. But on the issue of splitting UPS from the Central States Pension Fund, you won’t get a vote, unless you work at UPS.


UPS Split From Central States Would Weaken Union, Experts Say

August 20, 2007: Industry experts say that pension assets are up, but our union’s power will be down if UPS is allowed to break out of Central States.


Central States Pension Assets Up $700 Million

August 13, 2007: The assets of the Central States Pension Fund have jumped $700 million in the first six months of this year, reaching $21.4 billion, and could reach $22 billion by the end of 2007.


Would $4 Billion from UPS Fix Central States?

July 18, 2007: Some defenders of management’s pension proposal claim that a $4 billion withdrawal liability payment from UPS would fix Central States and safeguard members’ benefits.


Pension Rights Center: Pension Bill Introduced in Senate

June 28, 2007: At a press conference today, Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) introduced the Restoring Pension Promises to Workers Act of 2007, which contains a number of provisions “to help ensure Ame


Pensions Dominate Teamsters’ Talks with UPS, Freight Carriers

June 26, 2007: Logistics Management says there is good news for shippers in our union's current round of bargaining with UPS, and in the upcoming NMFA negotiations.


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Traffic World: Playing the Freight Card

June 18, 2007: By John Gallagher, for Traffic World - Pension benefits are in play as never before in the current round of negotiations between UPS and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters,


On Pension, UPS’s Actions Speak Louder Than Words

June 8, 2007: UPS management has been trying to win control over our pensions for years.


Pension Hike or Pension Freeze in NY and NJ?

June 8, 2007: As negotiators for UPS and our union square off over the pension issue, members in the Eastern Region’s two largest UPS locals want to know whether early bargaining will deliver a r


Western Fund: Restore the Cuts

“That fund is not 100 percent funded. When that fund gets to 100 percent based on their rules, they’ll do the right thing.”


Ken Hall Video: Don’t Mess With Our Members’ Pensions

May 16, 2007: Jim Hoffa and Ken Hall promised that early negotiations would send a message to every Teamster employer not to mess with our pension funds.


ABF CEO Calls for Quitting Teamster Pension Plans

May 11, 2007: “We believe there is an opportunity in this negotiating cycle to withdraw from some or all of these [Teamster pension plans] and provide benefits directly


Traffic World: ABF Wants Out of Pension Funds

May 11, 2007: by John Gallagher in Traffic World Online --Arkansas Best Corp.


Central States: Restoring Early Retirement

May 9, 2007: Teamsters in the Central States were told that the 2002 “Best Contract Ever” would protect our benefits for the life of the contract.


Three Demands That Can Help Defeat the Cuts

April 2, 2007: UPS’s $4 billion profits and new pension fund rules mean the company will pay record contributions toward our benefits in the 2008 contract.


Money There to Restore Our Pensions in the West

April 2, 2007: Assets at the Western Conference of Teamsters (WCT) Pension Trust now top $29 billion and the trust is 100 percent fully funded.


Connecticut Teamsters Organize for Healthcare Reform

April 2, 2007: Healthcare costs are skyrocketing, putting union members on the defensive at the bargaining table.


Arming Teamsters with Information to Fight for Our Pensions

April 2, 2007: The 2008 UPS and Freight contracts are our chance to win the contributions we need to protect and increase our benefits.


Funds Have Told Hoffa What We Need to Win in Bargaining to Increase Benefits

April 2, 2007: President James Hoffa has been briefed by the different Teamster benefit funds on what we need to win in the UPS and freight contracts to increase our benefits.


Re-employment Rules Still Unfair

February 27, 2007: While most Teamster pension plans have some type of “re-employment rule” that prohibits retirees from drawing a pension while performing certain work, the biggest problems wi


Central States Puts Stock in Wal-Mart

February 27, 2007: The Central States Pension Fund has invested $54 million in Wal-Mart, a notorious union-buster.


Bargaining Stronger Benefits

January 26, 2007: These contract improvements would restore and strengthen our pensions:


UPS Plan Would Weaken Our Pensions

January 26, 2007: First UPS demanded benefit cuts in out major Teamster pension plans.Now, management is trying to convince us that they have the solution to our pension problems.With our pension a


In West Pension Multiplier Goes Up, But 38% Pension Cut Remains

December 5, 2006: When is an increase actually a cut? Teamsters in the Western Conference Fund are finding out the hard way.


TDU Will Continue to Oppose Benefit Cuts and Fight to Strengthen Teamster Benefits

December 5, 2006: While Hoffa can boast of a 65 percent winning margin overall in the IBT election, he would be well advised to look at the big groups of Teamsters who voted for a change of directi


Member Action Wins Greater Accountability From Central PA Fund

October 18, 2006: For years the Central Pennsylvania Teamsters Fund was plagued with questionable administration and benefits inferior to many other Teamster Funds.


The Pension Protection Act: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

October 18, 2006: The misnamed “Pension Protection Act” of 2006 will go into effect in 2008. Here we provide a summary of some of its impact on Teamsters.

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Road Ahead for Pension Justice

October 18, 2006: It’s up to Teamster members to lead the fight for pension justice.

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UPS Management Wins On Pension Bill

UPS won critical new leverage in their campaign to take over our pension funds when the House and Senate passed the misnamed Pension Protection Act.


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Coming Soon: After Election Central States Cuts to H & W

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 Souther

Red Zone Delegation Report Back

July 17, 2006: In May, a delegation of Teamster local officers and members, some of them pictured above, converged on Washington to meet with Congressional reps about dangers for Teamsters in pendi


Michigan Freight Teamsters’ Health Benefits Slashed

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 S


Teamsters in West Measure Pension Cuts

June 6, 2005: Teamsters covered under the Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Trust received a statement in May detailing how much benefit they earned in 2004.


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Contact Senators Kennedy and Enzi Today!

March 16, 2006: The key senators to contact about the dangerous Red Zone Amendment are the ranking members of the Senate Health Education Labor and Pensions Committee, Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Mike E


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Senate Considering Bill With a Dangerous Provision

Teamster members are taking action now to protect our pensions from dangerous proposed legislation that makes it easier for multi-employer plans to cut retirement benefits.


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Is ‘Full Funding’ the Answer?

The Western Conference Pension Fund has announced a big cut in pension accruals, effective July 1.


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Pension Movement Wins on UPS Reciprocity

The pension justice movement has won an important victory for UPS Teamsters in the Central States Pension Fund.


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Court Rules Against Retiree Rights

September 15, 2005: The federal Court of Appeals in Chicago ruled on Sept. 8 against Teamster retirees who were fighting to broaden their right to work to supplement their Central States pension.


Pension Cuts Take A Human Toll

March 16, 2006: When the Central States Pension Fund trustees, led by chairman Fred Gegare, made drastic cuts two years ago, Teamsters knew their futures were not as secure as they once assumed.


Central States Funds Change Benefits

December 6, 2005: Teamster and employer trustees of the Central States Funds agreed to changes in benefits to keep the overburdened multi-employer pension fund from collapsing, a Teamsters faction rep


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Hoffa Adopts TDU Position on Pension Law

December 5, 2005: For nearly a year, the Hoffa administration has been lobbying for legislation that would allow Teamster benefit plans to cut members’ previously guaranteed pension benef


IBT Needs Plan for Countering Employer Attacks on Benefits

December 5, 2005: Employers across North America are attacking the pension and medical benefits of working Americans.


Central States Fund Trustees Keep Pension and Health Care Cuts In Place

December 5, 2005: Hoffa’s PR Man dismisses the impact of the trustees’ actions: “Leebove said the changes at Central States and other pension funds should not be looked at as benefit cuts, since


Battle Against Cut-Back Provision Will Move Into 2006

December 5, 2005: In November, the Senate passed a version of pension reform that did not include provisions for cutting accrued benefits.


Central States Cuts Locked in Place for Year

December 1, 2005: The Union Trustees of the Central States Pension Fund have announced an agreement with employers and the IRS that will lock the 2003 pension cuts in place for years to come.


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Teamster Leader Beats Employer Move to Slash Pensions

November 1, 2005:When employer and union trustees colluded to cut their pensions, Teamster members in New York Local 805 fought back.


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Pension Legislation on Senate Rollercoaster

October 18, 2005: Pension reform legislation was approved by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee in early September and appeared to be on a fast track.


Member Action on Pension Pays Off

September 15, 2005: Fighting pension cuts can make a difference.


Pension Movement Fights on New Fronts

September 15, 2005: The fight for pension justice has focused on the U.S.


Pension Reform Debate Leaves Out Families, Future of Pension System

August 28, 2005: The current debate in Congress over pension “reform” tends to leave out the most important issues: protection of pension benefits for families, and protection of our pension syste


Uproar Wins Changes to Pension Cuts in New England

August 28, 2005: The recently announced pension cuts in New England went over like a Yankees victory in Fenway Park.


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CSPIC Members Lobby Congress About Pension Bill

August 28, 2005: TDU member Frank Bryant wrote to tell us, “As you advised in your article ‘Taking Action to Protect Your Pension’ in the July/August issue of Convoy Dispatch, a group of my Rank


Pension Cuts Hit New England

July 27, 2005: The Union Trustees on the New England Teamsters Pension Fund have agreed to new pension restrictions—including eliminating 25-and-out and 30-and-out pensions before age 57.


New England Teamsters Hit with Pension Cuts

July 27, 2005: Teamsters in New England reacted angrily when the New England Pension Fund announced new benefit restrictions—including eliminating 25-and-out and 30-and-out pensions before age 57.


Hoffa Pushes Pension Bill That Could Cut Your Benefits

July 27, 2005: On June 29, a congressional committee passed a pension bill that would endanger Teamster pensions by making it easier for multi-employer plans to cut retirement benefits.


Teamster Pension Funds Could Be Strengthened

June 6, 2005:It's no secret that United Parcel Service wants to pull all their employees out of Teamster pension funds.


Central States Spin

May 4, 2005: Members of Local 407 received the letter below from their local. It’s a short summary of information provided to the local by the Central States Pension Fund.


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From UPS Management and Anti-Teamster Group: Misinfomation about Teamster Pensions

April 29, 2005: The recently announced pension cuts in New England went over like a Yankees victory in Fenway Park.


Official Testifies that IBT Approved Mid-Contract Concession in New England

February 17, 2005: Boston Local 25 President Ritchie Reardon told Joint Council 10 that the IBT Parcel Division approved a mid-contract giveback to UPS that violates language in the New England sup


Federal Judge to Central States Trustees: Open More Info to Members!

January 28, 2005: On December 9 Judge James B Moran directed the trustees of the Teamster Central States Pension Fund to turn more documents over to participants in th


Teamsters Find Pensions at Risk

November 15, 2004: In the 1960's and 1970's, the Teamsters' huge Central States pension fund was a wellspring of union corruption.


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Teamster Trustees Avert Pension Cuts...For Officers!

November 4, 2004: Teamster members have been pushing for trustees to protect pension benefits, and to win higher employer contributions to make up for the stock market downfall following September


Teamster Pension Benefits Cut in West

February 28, 2003: “I’m planning to retire in three years.


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How to Calculate Your Pension

February 27,2003: In the Western Conference Pension Plan, each year you work, and your employer makes contributions to the plan, your pension benefit grows.


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Shake-Up at Central States: Executive Director Replaced, What's Next?

November 5, 2002: The Central States Pension Fund, in a bulletin to all local unions dated November 2002, has finally made a comment on the sudden remo


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Central PA Pension Reformers Continue Struggle

July 15, 2002: The pressure is on!


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Teamster Pensions: What You Need To Know

July 15, 2002: Many Teamsters rely on their pension benefits to provide for a secure retire


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Central PA Pension Fight Continues

April 30, 2002: The latest wrinkle in the fight to salvage decent pensions from the troubled Central Pennsylvania Pension Fund is a proposed merger with t


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