Folks,
It didn't take long for this to be exposed on a national level? Some of us haven't even received the letter from UPS yet? Imagine what will play out in a short period of time with the UPS/Teamster Pension Plan after UPS paid the withdrawal liability to the Central States Pension Fund?
I feel 705RED could have gone into more detail with regard to the reason this Labor guy, D******* at UPS did this. However, he has exposed the heinous Dark Side Of Brown once more. Mr. D******* sure gets around? I also understand he is the only man to hear grievances for a particular Brother out of the Sharonville Hub, in OH. I'll bet a lot of you folks know about Mr. D******* and could relate to some other fine examples of his marvelous work?
In any case, Mr. P****** is doing the right thing and I'm extremely proud and confident he will prevail. There are other aspects of this issue that makes it illegal under ERISA and Labor Law? I don't believe Brown thought this one through. They may have the finest attorneys money can buy, but they are still attorneys who know how to generate more billable hours.
Granted, the $50.00 monthly premium for retirees of Local 705, was a token payment and not in line with present day medical costs. This token payment was determined many, many, years ago and agreed to in each succeeding CBA, and when the present CBA was negotiated back in July of 2008, after Mr. D******* was removed and a corporate representative came to Chicago at the last minute to make sure an agreement was reached. I wonder if that is the ulterior motive for Mr. D*******'s latest deplorable action? Nah.... UPS management doesn't attempt to retaliate, violate their code of conduct, or do other unscrupulous things do they?
This 300% to 800% increase is not equitable, and will definitely have a devastating effect on a great many UPS Retirees. What effect will it have on our Brothers and Sisters with 15, 20, 25 years and working towards retirement? I personally have not seen the 5500 forms that would show that the average benefits paid out is over $6,250.00, per participant as stipulated in the SPD? Besides, it is also my understanding that Local 705 wasn't notified of these increases even though UPS is/was obligated to do so, and actually show the Union how these exorbitant numbers were calculated?
There is/was according to Plan Documents in my possession over sixty (60) other Locals in this plan, as well as designated non-union retirees of UPS employed at one of their related enterprises? How many other Locals in the Plan are receiving the same increases proportionate to the $6,250.00 average per participant?
Bottom line is how many Teamster Locals would go to bat for their retirees. Its been my observance that after the UMWU, and the Auto Workers Union, no other union has taken stock of retiree issues let alone represent them once they are retired.
With all due respect to those UPS 705 retirees, I would humbly suggest you make these ludicrous new premium payments because if you don't, and you get dropped for non-payment, it will be extremely difficult to get your coverage reinstated after the fact. After this mess gets straightened out, the Brown Behemoth will have paid a huge number of dollars that could have increased their bottom line?
Oh yeah, Brown attempted to do the same thing to 705 retirees in 2007. The increase then for every retiree was to be increased to $137 + dollars. After Mr. Pocztowski stepped in Brown sent another letter stating the first letter was a mistake. Its curious that in that short time frame between then and now Brown tried to increase the premiums from a little under 300% for everyone, to from 300% to 800% for various participants? Go figure???
As an aside, I sure wouldn't want to be in Mr. D*******'s shoes when the dust settles?
Kudos to IBT Local 705, and Mr. P******.....
Douglas Page Chapman Sr
6619 Dralle Road
Monee, IL 60449-9431
708-534-0490-Home
Advocate PUPS Inc & NABER Inc [email protected]http://pupsinc.homestead.com/naber1.html
36-1/2 years member in good standing IBT Locals 705 & 710. Over 60 years experience UPS/BROWN, 30 years an employee, 18+ years when Dad was an employee, and retired Teamster 13 + years
This post has been edited by Cheryl to remove all full names posted.