Change The World, Never Give Up

In Remembrance of Jack Casparriello

Jack Casparriello, SOAR Emeritus Executive Board Member was presented with the first Lynn Williams Award in May, 2013. He passed away in December 2014, after a lengthy illness. He was 82.

Jack retired in 1987, after 25 years of service from the United Steelworkers. He served our union members as a Staff Representative and Sub-District Director.

Brother Casparriello started his union career after he was discharged from the Army. He served four years active duty in Korea and two years in the reserves. He worked for Continental Can in Baltimore, Maryland and was a member of Local 4340. While there, he held numerous positions for his local; including grievance committee chair and president.

Jack became involved with SOAR shortly after he retired. He served as treasurer of Chapter 8-1 and represented District 8 on the SOAR Executive Board from 1988 until USW International President Leo W. Gerard appointed him Emeritus member in 2013. SOAR Director Jim Centner stated that, “Jack was a true trade unionist. He felt very strongly that workers and retirees needed a voice in both the workplace and in the political arena. Jack also had a real knack for raising money and was one of the best at collecting PAC (Political Action Committee) dollars. At every board meeting you could always locate Jack. He would be the one selling PAC raffle tickets.”

What Is PPA? Primary Progressive Aphasia

GLUE: Gorgeous Ladies Unionizing Everywhere

Gary Service Department retired

Members of SOAR who used to work for nipsco in the Gary service department and many of which are also members of SOAR Chapter 30-18 meet every other Thursday for breakfast but also an annual Christmas lunch.

I'm going to try to get their names straight and maybe even spelled correctly. Let's begin with the front row. Left to Right are: Jane Eaton, Jim Myers, Tonie Sheffer, Blanca Aranda, John DeVaney, Elaine DeVaney, Kathy Cochran and Janice Kleinstick.

In the Back row Left to Right are: Tammy Wood, Bill Eaton, Elaine Myers, Joe Romaniak, George Sheffer, Steve Romaniak, Helen Campbell, Leroy Campbell, Violet Sistovaris, John Bires, Ray Eck, Delphine Eck, Cindy Mundell, Bob Mundell, Nick Meyer, Sam Kolczak, Greg Kleinstick, Vi Kolczak and Cindy Admave.

Meet The fleet 1940

Penmanship

Columbia Gas and NiSource get grilled

USW Rapid Response

A Brighter Future for Retirees in 2019

Retirees Can Look Forward to a Brighter 2019

by Robert Roach, Jr.

In a sure sign that things may be looking up for retirees, new leadership is about to take control of the U.S. House of Representatives.

In rejecting Senator Mitch McConnell’s mid-October pledge to cut Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security to pay for the deficit created by last year’s tax cuts for the wealthy, voters sent a clear signal that voters are against cuts to these critical programs.

Democrats also captured governorships in seven formerly Republican-held states and more than 300 Republican-held legislative seats across the country. This will be important when congressional districts are redrawn following the 2020 census. In addition, Idaho, Utah and Nebraska voted to expand Medicaid, increasing access to affordable health care for over 320,000 Americans.

This past year we survived attempts to decimate the Affordable Care Act and take away protections for Americans with pre-existing conditions. We also withstood the stated intention of several elected leaders and their top lieutenants to go after our hard-earned Social Security and Medicare benefits.

Now we must go on the offensive. We must press Congress to bring drug prices down and make health care more accessible and affordable. As our leaders strive to expand Social Security, we must strengthen and protect our existing benefits so that the burden of saving for retirement isn’t so cumbersome.

If we continue to speak truth to power we can carve a better path for current and future retirees.

Robert Roach, Jr. is president of the Alliance for Retired Americans.  He was previously General Secretary‐Treasurer of the IAMAW.  For more information, visit www.retiredamericans.org.

And the Winners Are....

And the Winners Are...

Women were the big winners in the November 2018 mid-term election with a record number of at least 113 females expected to be seated in the 116^th Congress beginning in January. There also may be another less talked about winner because of November’s popular vote – America’s infrastructure. 

The success of women congressional candidates has created a Democrat majority in the U.S. House of Representatives where 103 women are expected to be sworn in (when all results are certified). Women have never held more than 84 of the 435 seats in the House and will now comprise nearly one-quarter of the members of the lower chamber. 

When elected in 2016, President Trump promised an aggressive infrastructure policy, but implementation has been unsuccessful during the first two years of his administration. With Republicans maintaining their hold of the Senate, the president will now be forced to work diligently with both parties to advance his infrastructure agenda. 

On the heels of the women’s election wave, Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) will once again become Speaker of the House and has expressed a willingness to work with the administration on finally funding America’s infrastructure. When the president took office in 2017 he proposed an infrastructure plan of nearly $1.5 trillion but it was to be funded with a paltry $200 billion federal stipend with the remaining investment coming from privately-held companies.

Both Democrats and Republicans have been longing to repair America’s failing roads, bridges, transportation systems, electrical grids, water systems, airports and more for years. The President and members of our next Congress are showing signs of working together to return America’s infrastructure to one that is the envy of the Western world.

Pelosi has already had conversations with the president and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, both of whom expressed a willingness to work with the Democratic House on a major infrastructure package.

“Those infrastructure initiatives will create good-paying jobs and will also generate other economic growth in their regions,” said Pelosi. “Hopefully we can work in a bipartisan way.” Polling overwhelmingly suggests elected representatives of both parties and most Americans support repairing and rebuilding our aging infrastructure.

It’s time for compromise and there are initial signs that our newly-elected Congress can get it done. It’s what is good for all Americans. Both men and women.

Jeff Bonior, Staff Writer for the Alliance for American Manufacturing

Celebrate the Union Wave

Celebrate the Union Wave but Beware of the Grinch

Voter turnout hit a 50-year high in the midterm elections which concluded on November 6.  Looking at the outcomes, it appears many Americans (or at least enough to determine election outcomes) are unconvinced by the policies of the current administration and are still looking for answers.  

There is no denying that many union-dense states with economies that rely on manufacturing jobs took a chance in 2016, and voted overwhelmingly for Donald Trump over the candidate endorsed by their union.  However on November 6, 2018, the vast majority of those states went against the president’s endorsements, and instead voted for numerous first-time and labor-backed candidates.

Voters in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Illinois knocked out incumbent governors, and opted for leaders who pledged to put an end to anti-worker “Right to Work” laws that have been passed since 2010.

In states like Pennsylvania, Kansas, and Minnesota, labor-endorsed candidates won when they ran on a platform of strengthening unions, reigning in corporations, refusing corporate campaign contributions, and protecting our right to health care and Social Security.  Labor-friendly candidates also came incredibly close to pulling off historic upsets in Texas (U.S. Senate) and Georgia (Governor).  

According to a report by the AFL-CIO, more than 743 union members ran for office and won election up and down the ballot; including the Governorship in Minnesota, and in Congressional Districts, State Legislatures and local governments from California to New Jersey.  Additionally, union election campaigns accounted for nearly 2.5 million door knocks, 5 million worksite fliers, and more than 12 million mail pieces.  

However, we shouldn’t become complacent with the elections being over.  Many of the candidates who won an election on November 6, defeated incumbents who seized on “lame duck” sessions in 2010 to rush through controversial, anti-union measures before newly-elected legislators took office in January 2011.  

It is important for us to keep in mind how legislators have used “lame duck” sessions as an opportunity to do some very bad things while voters are complacent and focused on their busy holiday routines.  We should certainly enjoy our holiday season, but be prepared and watchful just in case the Grinch decides to come early.

Julie Stein, SOAR Director

Keeping Our Guard Up

Keeping Our Guard Up 

While I believe that the stock market should not be the measure of how well we are doing in America, retirees who receive a pension should be concerned on the recent drop in the stock market. Downward movement in the market impacts the stability of the company pension fund and may require additional contributions to the fund which in turn impacts the financial stability of the company. The increase in the unfunded liability of pension funds in both private and public sectors is becoming an issue and one we should pay attention to.

On top of all the other issues, we need to pay attention to the fact that more and more states are claiming a hardship in their ability to maintain stability in their state-run pension funds. If the states ever begin to get relief from their obligation to properly maintain their pension funds, you can be sure that the private-sector employers will soon begin lobbying for relief from their pension obligations as well.

We need to make sure people understand that pensions are the workers way of saving for retirement. We have negotiated with employers that a piece of our wages is taken at a later time, when we retire, instead of being given to us now. This was a benefit to the employer who receives tax advantages by putting the money into a pension fund and to us by receiving a portion of our pay later in life. It is not simply their money they provide for a benefit, it is ours.

To all in the family of SOAR, I hope you enjoy a safe and happy holiday season and get ready of what may be a very active year for SOAR.

Bill Pienta, SOAR President

Mother Nature

The Real Root of our Problem

U.S.A. For Africa - We Are The World

Why is Manufacturing so Important?

Let Me Warn You

Victory At Sea

U.S. Navy In Vietnam

Voter Suppression Puts Racism Before Democracy

Canada's Missing and Murdered Women

Think!

When I grow up.

When I grow up, I want to be a little boy.
-Joseph Heller

How to Make a Picket Sign

What's The Matter

Retirees to Receive a Much Needed COLA

Social Security beneficiaries will receive a much-needed, 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2019 – providing a $39 bump to the average monthly retirement benefit. The 2019 COLA is higher than 2018’s (2.0%), which was partially offset by an increase in Medicare Part B premiums for many beneficiaries. With Medicare Part B premiums anticipated to rise minimally for most beneficiaries next year, most Social Security recipients will be able to keep the lion’s share of the cost-of-living increase.

“This COLA is good news for seniors living on fixed incomes. Every extra dollar helps. But the current COLA formula (the CPI-W) is inadequate because it does not account for seniors’ rising expenses – especially housing and health care. COLAs could be improved by adopting the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), which is based on retirees’ actual spending habits rather than those of the general population,” – Max Richtman, President and CEO of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare.

There is legislation in Congress, including Rep. John Larson’s Social Security 2100 Act and Rep. John Garamendi’s CPI-E Act of 2017, which would require the use of the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly to determine COLAs for a broad array of federal retirement programs, including Social Security. November’s elections may breathe new life into these bills after languishing under the current Congressional leadership.

Source: NCPSSM

The Women of Steel: Stepping Up

SS Future Depends on November Elections

On Social Security’s 83rd Anniversary

Program’s Future Depends on November Elections

After eight decades of paying benefits to multiple generations of retired workers – and keeping them out of poverty – one would think Social Security’s legacy would be apparent and its promise secure. Yet, here we are in 2018, with Social Security under threat from conservatives who clearly don’t believe in that promise. Using the misleading label “entitlement reform,” they want to cut benefits, raise the retirement age, and privatize the program. They attempt to break the compact by dividing the generations with the specious argument that any “reforms” wouldn’t affect current retirees, only future ones – who, in reality, won’t need Social Security any less. Don’t worry, we’re only cutting your children and grandchildren’s benefits – not yours!

Source: NCPSSM Blog

It's Important to Vote

It is Important to Vote

I know you heard this before that this is the most important election and you need to vote. I have to say that since I have been voting, for several decades and reviewing the impact and results of the last election, this really is the most important election for the middle – working class. Let me explain why I say that.

Take an objective review of what is happening with our government. Our various regulatory agencies, including the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), are being run by the appointment of individuals who do not even agree with the purpose and function of the agencies they have been appointed to. For example, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) is reducing various protections regarding pollution and the environment, etc. Regulations that were intended to protect workers’ rights by the NLRB are being taken away, an Education Secretary that does not support all of the functions and the purpose of the agency, and now we see the attempt to appoint a Supreme Court Justice that is supported by conservative big money and business interests. 

The recent tax cut legislation that provides most of the benefits to big business and the wealthy is estimated to increase the US Government deficit over a trillion and a half dollars. Some legislators are using this expected deficit as the basis for cutting Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid benefits. The list could go on and on. 

What is happening with our government will, and can adversely affect us, our children and grandchildren. Elections have consequences, make sure you are registered and vote.

Bill Gibbons, PACE Representative

We Are Steelworkers

Expanding Social Security

The “Expand Social Security” Caucus: Sign of Growing Momentum in Congress 

Too many older Americans struggle to make ends meet. We’ve told politicians in Washington for years that an average monthly Social Security benefit of $1,413 is not enough to ensure a dignified retirement. In fact, it puts the average retiree just above the poverty level. 

This fact hasn’t stopped politicians from looking to cut or privatize Social Security time and again. And throughout 2018 we’ve heard near-constant threats, from top GOP officials both inside and outside the administration, to slash so-called “entitlement” spending in order to rein in federal deficits caused by the tax scam Congress passed in 2017. 

Retirees know how important Social Security is to our quality of life, and that it needs to be protected for us and for future generations. We have earned these benefits, and we will not let anyone take them without a fight.

The newly formed Congressional Expand Social Security Caucus is comprised of more than 150 Democrats from the House and Senate who are committed to protecting, strengthening, and expanding Social Security. 

In the Senate, the Expand Caucus is chaired by Senators Bernie Sanders (VT) and Elizabeth Warren (MA). In the House, co-chairs include Representatives Debbie Dingell (MI), Raúl Grijalva (AZ), Conor Lamb (PA), John Larson (CT), and Terri Sewell (AL).

Expanding Social Security will help all retirees, present and future, to have the secure retirement they worked a lifetime to achieve. We must support elected officials, like the members of this caucus, who understand that Social Security must be expanded to keep pace with retirees’ actual expenses. 

Robert Roach, Jr. is president of the Alliance for Retired Americans.  He was previously General Secretary‐Treasurer of the IAMAW.  For more information, visit www.retiredamericans.org.

Most Americans Agree on Fair Trade

Most Americans Agree on Fair Trade

Americans across the country stand firm in their belief that anybody who is part of the political system in Washington, D.C. can’t agree on anything.

This is unfortunate, because when you put partisan politics aside, many Americans agree on a variety of issues that would help move our country forward.

When asked to share your opinion on major policies of the federal government, it doesn’t matter if you are a Democrat, Republican or Independent. These three groups agree on exponentially more policies when you take away their political party affiliation ideologies.

One example, from a recent poll conducted for the Alliance for American Manufacturing by the Mellman Group Inc., and Public Opinion Strategies suggests that most of the never-miss-an-election voters are more concerned about addressing China’s unfair trade practices than the potential for a trade war. When asked to get tough on China and other countries that practice unfair trade, a whopping 81 percent of poll respondents agreed with the statement, “We must be willing to get tough with trade restrictions on countries like China who cheat in international trade.”

Republicans led the way with 94 percent in agreement, but 78 percent of Independents and 70 percent of Democrats were in favor of a tougher trade stance, too. These numbers would likely be similar if partisan politics was not a factor.

The startling support of 94 percent of Republicans would decrease but the party faithful is supporting their man in the White House. The number of Democrats in favor would most likely increase but progressives are against anything and everything the president stands for. The Democrats are giving him  the same treatment Republicans bestowed on President Obama.

So, maybe the number of Americans greatly concerned about fair international trade is closer to the 78 percent of Independents. This is still a stunning number of Americans that agree on one federal government policy. 

This is overwhelming evidence that most Americans agree about correcting unfair trade and the current administration seems bound and determined to level the playing field.

AAM President Scott Paul said, “Even in this era of upended politics, pushing back against unfair trade practices is an issue that largely unites American voters.”

Jeff Bonior, Staff Writer for the Alliance for American Manufacturing

S.S. Future Depends on November Election

On Social Security’s 83rd Anniversary

Program’s Future Depends on November Elections

After eight decades of paying benefits to multiple generations of retired workers – and keeping them out of poverty – one would think Social Security’s legacy would be apparent and its promise secure. Yet, here we are in 2018, with Social Security under threat from conservatives who clearly don’t believe in that promise. Using the misleading label “entitlement reform,” they want to cut benefits, raise the retirement age, and privatize the program. They attempt to break the compact by dividing the generations with the specious argument that any “reforms” wouldn’t affect current retirees, only future ones – who, in reality, won’t need Social Security any less. Don’t worry, we’re only cutting your children and grandchildren’s benefits – not yours!

Source: NCPSSM Blog

Tax Cuts for the Rich are Threatening Our Retirement Security

Tax Cuts for the Rich are Threatening Our Retirement Security

The Joint Committee on Taxation, a non-partisan Committee of the United States Congress, originally established under the Revenue Act of 1926, and is Congress’ official estimator of tax legislation, reported that a lopsided 38 percent of the benefits of the tax bill that the president signed in December 2017 (H.R. 1) will go to households making more than $1 million per year (approximately 3 of every 1,000 Americans who file taxes). ¹

Though backers of the law said the tax cuts would pay for themselves, a new analysis by the Congressional Budget Office shows that under the new tax law the nation’s debt could spike by $33 trillion over the next ten years, potentially resulting in another debt crisis. ²

With wages being stagnant for nearly three decades, you might be asking yourself how hard-working Americans are going to find the money to pay for this expensive law which benefits so few.  

The answer – according to some in Congress – cuts to Social Security and Medicare, of course!  As Pennsylvania Republican Senator Pat Toomey explained, “(t)hese big spending programs that are growing faster than the economy,”…“you’ve got to make some curbs.”  That’s easy to say when the people who funded his campaign are the ones seeing the biggest benefit from H.R. 1. ³  

However, not everyone is on board with the idea.  On September 23, 2018, it was announced that 19 U.S. Senators and 140 House members have added their name to a new Expand Social Security Caucus being led by Senators Bernie Sanders (VT), Elizabeth Warren (MA), and Democratic Reps. John Larson and Debbie Dingell of Michigan. ⁴

As union members, we believe every American deserves a secure retirement.  We also understand that Social Security and Medicare are programs that workers have paid into our entire lives.  We won’t forget this when we vote in the pivotal midterm elections which conclude on Tuesday, November 6.  

Sources:

 https://www.cbpp.org/research/federal-tax/joint-committee-on-taxation-distribution-tables-confirm-skewed-priorities-of

² https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/09/us/politics/federal-deficit-tax-cuts-spending-trump.html

³https://community.aarp.org/t5/Politics-Current-Events/GOP-Speaker-Ryan-Cuts-OUR-Social-Security-gets-85-000-pension-at/td-p/2045985

⁴https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/406495-more-than-150-democrats-launch-expand-social-security-caucus  

Julie Stein, SOAR Director

Let’s Get Active!

The SOAR International Executive Board recently held their annual meeting in Pittsburgh. At that meeting, we welcomed two new Board members, John Patrick of District 13 and Jay McMurran of District 2.

It is at this meeting that we discuss various issues pertaining to SOAR, give District reports, as well as discuss ways of making SOAR more relevant to the locals and to strengthening our chapters. It is during listening to the District reports that we hear just how much SOAR contributes to the union and the communities in which we live. I think, for me, it is the most interesting and enjoyable portion of the meeting. I want to thank all the SOAR chapters that choose to become involved and contribute so much to what makes SOAR the institution that it is. It comes as no surprise that the chapters that are the most active are seeing the most growth; while other chapters are having a difficult time maintaining membership levels.

In an attempt to help the SOAR chapters grow and become more active, the Executive Board is supporting a proposal in which at-large members, those that belong to SOAR, but for one reason or another do not belong to a chapter, will be given an opportunity to join a chapter in their area. No one will be forced to join a chapter they do not desire to join; nor, will a chapter be compelled to accept new members.

After identifying chapters that are willing to accept members, we will be notifying the at-large members in the chapters’ area to see if something can be worked out. There are over 5,000 members of SOAR who are listed as at-large and reducing this number while growing the membership of area chapters should turn into a benefit for all.

Bill Pienta, SOAR President

Meghan McCain, The Funeral of Senator John McCain

Crash Course in Economics

Manufacturing is Vital to National Defense

Steelworkers are "United Together for Kids"

Why 10% of Floridians Can't Vote

The Plight of Multiemployer Pension Plans

Los Planes de Pensiones de Aplazamiento de Empleadores Múltiples

Me refiero a una parte de un artículo, “La crisis de pensiones de empleados múltiples”, de Aliya Wong, Directora Ejecutiva de la Política de Retiro de la Cámara de Comercio de EE. UU., Recientemente publicada en The Hill, sobre la difícil situación de los planes de pensión de múltiples empleadores para ayudar a llevar este problema a ligero.

Los planes de pensiones de beneficios negado han sido favorecidos durante mucho tiempo para la jubilación porque prometen un nivel garantizado de ingresos.  Es una forma indolora para que los jubilados disfruten sus años dorados.  Es decir, a menos que el plan fracase.

Desafortunadamente, esa es la condición en la que se encuentran varios planes de pensiones, especialmente los llamados planes de beneficios definidos de “multi - empleadores”.  No es exagerado decir que estos planes enfrentan una crisis.  Actualmente hay un déficit de más de $124 mil millones en estos planes.  Aproximadamente 1.141 de estos planes, que cubren 1.3 millones de trabajadores, enfrentan una escasez de $36 mil millones y es probable que comiencen a declararse en quiebra en tan solo cinco años. 

Uno podrá pensar que los empleadores en estos planes simplemente podrían pagar mas para apuntalarlos, pero las cantidades son tan grandes que podrían

Hacer que muchos empleadores se declaren en quiebra, sin mencionar que el gobierno respalda estos planes – Se prevé que la Corporación de Garantiza de Beneficios de Pensiones (PBGC, por sus siglas en inglés) regirá en el año 2025.

Para abordar este problema, el congreso decidió establecer un comité bipartidista encargado de elaborar la legislación antes de fin de año.  La Cámara de Comercio de EE. UU. Y el Comité Nacional de Coordinación Planes de Empleadores Múltiples (NCCMP) han emitido un conjunto de principios conjuntos para ayudar al comité en su trabajo.

Faltan de este grupo los Sindicatos, cuyos miembros son los destinatarios principales de estos beneficios.

Sin una reforma sustancial y oportuna del plan de multiempresa ríales, las empresas se irán a la quiebra, los trabajadores se quedarán sin beneficios, y los contribuyentes pueden enfrentar una factura considerable.

Para leer el articulo de la Sra. Wong, en su totalidad vaya a:http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/labor/391953-the-multiemployer-pension-crises

Bill Pienta, Presidente de SOAR

SOAR, Rapid Response,

We Owe it to Them

I have written before about the impact that court appointees can and will have on all of us and our children and grandchildren. A decision by the Supreme Court that was recently handed down in a case referred to as “Janus” by a 5 to 4 decision, illustrates this. The President’s recent appointee made the difference that upended a decade of precedent regarding public employees paying a “fair share” to their unions.

It is clear that this decision is anti-union and anti-worker and is intended to reduce funding to the union. These employees will receive all the benefits that the Union negotiates and are protected by the terms of the collective bargaining but don’t have to pay their fair share -“freeloaders.”

Isn’t it ironic that the same people who oppose individuals receiving something for nothing, are okay with individuals getting the benefits of unions and collective bargaining without having to pay to support getting those benefits? Further, they rationalize in the decision that it has something to do with “free speech” and the First Amendment. Think about that. Such logic could be argued that I shouldn’t have to pay taxes passed by politicians I disagree with. How absurd. 

But, we know the real reason is to undermine unions and worker rights. We are already dealing with the adversity of right-to-work laws.

This is just a further example of the number of adverse issues that the current political situation is creating and why we must stand up and fight back. And we must protect retirement benefits, Medicare and Social Security.

I am impressed with what Rapid Response, Next Generation and SOAR are doing to stand up and fight back. Please get involved; these organizations give us the structure to be active and organized to confront these anti-union, anti-worker attacks. We owe it to our children and grandchildren.

Bill Gibbons, PACE Representative

Retire to your Passions

Retiring to Our Passions 

Just one day before finalizing this edition of SOAR Chapter Connection, I came across an article that, in its title, perfectly summarized what I wanted to write about in this column.   The article – titled “Don’t call it retirement. Call it 'transitioning to a new chapter’” – discussed how changing the way we think about our “post-work” years can have a direct impact on our physical and mental wellbeing.  

As suggested in the article, we should think about our “post-work” years not as retirement, but as a transition where we can “retire to our passions rather than just from our previous jobs or careers.” 

In addition to being an opportunity for USW members to continue our involvement in our great union, SOAR is a chance for each of us to improve our mental and physical health through community service, engaging with others, and educating our friends and families about issues that are important to us as retirees.  

On a number of occasions, we’ve highlighted the “Protect Retirement Security” postcard campaign, which has been the focus of SOAR and Rapid Response activists; resulting to date in the delivery of more than 20,000 postcards to legislators urging them to protect retiree security.  Additionally, SOAR activists traveled to Columbus, Ohio, on July 12, to urge Congressional action to protect millions of active and retired workers covered by multiemployer pensions facing insolvency over the next ten years.  

We know that our SOAR chapters will be actively involved in planning and coordinating activities over Labor Day weekend; I implore you all to contact your USW district office to get plugged into our union’s political program and election activities.  Or, reach out to your state’s AFL CIO or Alliance for Retired Americans to get involved in voter registration drives and voter outreach in support of union-endorsed candidates this fall.  For more information, visit www.aflcio.org or www.retiredamericans.org 

These activities, and more are ways SOAR members are “transitioning to a new chapter” by  following our passions to stay connected to the union - as we continue the fight to protect and enhance the quality of life of retirees and working families.

Julie Stein, SOAR Director

The Plight of Multiemployer Pension Plans

The Plight of Multiemployer Pension Plans

I refer to a portion of an article, “The Multiemployer Pension Crisis” by Aliya Wong, Executive Director of Retirement Policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, recently published in The Hill, regarding the plight of multiemployer pension plans to help bring this issue to light:

Defined benefit pension plans have long been favored for retirement because they promise a guaranteed level of income. It’s a painless way for retirees to enjoy their golden years. That is, unless the plan goes bust.

Unfortunately, that’s the condition a number of pension plans are close to being in, particularly so-called “multiemployer” defined benefit plans. It is no exaggeration to say that these plans face a crisis. There is currently a shortfall of more than $124 billion in these plans. Roughly 1,141 of these plans, covering 1.3 million workers, face more than $36 billion in shortfalls and are likely to start going bankrupt in as little as five years.

One might think that employers in these plans could simply pay more to shore them up, but the amounts are so large that they could cause many employers to go into bankruptcy; not to mention, the government backstop for these plans – the Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation (PBGC) – is itself predicted to go bust by 2025.

To address this issue, Congress has decided to establish a bipartisan committee tasked with drawing up legislation by the end of the year. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Coordination Committee for Multiemployer Plans (NCCMP) have issued a set of joint principles to aid the committee in its work.

Missing from this group are Labor Unions, whose members are the primary recipients of these benefits. 

Without substantive and timely multiemployer plan reform, businesses will go broke, workers will be left without benefits, and taxpayers may face a hefty bill. 

To read Ms. Wong’s article, in its entirety go to: http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/labor/391953-the-multiemployer-pension-crisis

Bill Pienta, SOAR President