pensions

  • How Dare You, Transit Striker!

    Hey, did you hear about the World Series fans that were nearly stranded in South Philadelphia due to a transit shutdown? Probably. See any stories on striking drivers or mechanics, or their struggles to endure? Probably not. The pressure on the union during Philadelphia's transit strike is relentless.

  • Pensions: The Next Casualty of Wall Street
    Mark Brenner
    Sep 25 2009 - 9:37pm

    Nobody wants to admit it, but the next casualty of the Wall Street meltdown will probably be your golden years. For years corporations have been trying to choke the life out of traditional pensions, working hard to get out from under the risk—and the cost—of providing for their retirees. Between last year’s credit crunch and changes to federal pension laws, they may get their wish.

  • Defined-Benefits Squeeze
    Mark Brenner
    Sep 14 2009 - 9:36pm

    Workers in defined-benefit pension plans used to be one-third of the private sector. Now they are a sixth—and those 20 million workers’ security is under serious threat.

    Consider the Central States Pension Fund. Once an anchor of retirement security for Teamsters in 29 states from Minnesota to Florida, the fund lost nearly a third of its assets during last year’s market meltdown. This only made an uncomfortable balancing act more precarious.

  • State and City Pensions Drenched in Red
    Mark Brenner
    Sep 14 2009 - 9:35pm

    The economic crisis has left 47 states in the red, with a combined deficit of $350 billion over the next two years. Pension benefits have been a highly visible target, pitting taxpayers against public workers in state and local governments.

    These struggles will only intensify, as swooning stock prices have left nearly two-thirds of all state and local government pension funds at least 20 percent shy of what they need to cover retirees.

  • Teamsters Trade Gains of 1997 UPS Strike for Deal to Organize Members at Freight Division

    Author(s):
    Mark Brenner

    Excerpt:
    In mid-November Teamsters at United Parcel Service approved a controversial five-year agreement, more than eight months before the expiration of their current contract. . . .

    Available Online:
    Yes

  • Opposition Swells Against Concessionary Auto Contracts

    Author(s):
    Tiffany Ten Eyck and Chris Kutalik

    Excerpt:
    Negotiations between the Big Three automakers and the United Auto Workers (UAW) were anything but predictable this year. Nationwide strikes at both General Motors and Chrysler, givebacks on an unprecedented scale, and the stirrings of a strong “vote no” opposition inside the union rocked the old auto pattern agreement playbook. . . .

    Available Online:
    Yes

  • UAW-General Motors Proposed Contract At a Glance

    Author(s):
    Dianne Feeley, Tiffany Ten Eyck

    Excerpt:
    After a brief two-day strike in late September, United Auto Workers (UAW) negotiators signed a tentative agreement with General Motors. Members began voting on the proposed contract local by local in early October. . . .

    Available Online:
    Yes

  • National Auto Strike Leaves Lingering Questions

    Author(s):
    Tonyia Young

    Excerpt:
    For the first time in 37 years the United Auto Workers (UAW) launched a two-day nationwide strike against General Motors in late September. More than 73,000 production workers poured out of GM plants after an 11 a.m. strike deadline was passed on September 24. . . .

    Available Online:
    Yes

  • Machinists Strike Boeing over Pensions, Health Care, Lost Jobs

    Author(s):
    Don Grinde

    Available Online:
    Yes

  • UAW Accuride Workers Vote No Again

    Author(s):
    by Jan Austin

    Excerpt:
    In what has become known as the UAW's modern-day David and Goliath story, the courageous members of UAW Local 2036 in Henderson, Kentucky voted overwhelmingly to reject the latest contract offer by their employer, Accuride. The Accuride plant is the nation's largest producer of steel wheels used on the big rigs.
    The latest ratification vote, organized by the UAW International, was nothing more than what the 400 members had already voted down several times in the past 45 months.

    Available Online:
    Yes