“If the pension legislation had not passed, it would have affected all of us Local 114 Bakers Union retirees, and I do not deserve to live on less. It would be a disgrace after all the years I worked hard for my pension. I gave up wages so I would have my pension.” — Local 114 retiree Daniel Berg worked at the Safeway Clackamas bread plant for 36 years before retiring in 2006. “I’ve appreciated collecting my...
Simply stated, the American Rescue Plan helps keep the promise of a secure retirement for millions of working Americans who have earned, and deserve, nothing less. Here are some important points on the American Rescue Plan which protects the B&C Plan and more than 10 million hardworking Americans who participate in multiemployer plans: ● Elections have consequences. In the American Rescue Plan (ARP), President Biden and our pro-worker allies in Congress delivered $86 billion in...
On March 26, Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) hosted a virtual celebration with Ohio workers and retirees to discuss the importance of securing the multiemployer pension measure in the American Rescue Plan. BCTGM Local 57 member Kate Hughes, a worker at Bimbo Bakeries in Zanesville, Ohio was invited to participate in the event called, “The Virtual Dignity of Work Celebration: Keeping Our Pension Promises.” Senator Brown called on each worker to discuss why the pension measure was important. “I’m...
This week, House Democrats passed the American Rescue Plan Act, a $1.9 trillion bill to help fight the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Yesterday, President Biden signed the law, which will provide significant assistance to the American people during this unprecedented crisis. The American Rescue Plan is a victory. As we wrote yesterday, this historic legislation saves multiemployer pension plans like the B&C Pension Fund. The legislation provides the funding necessary for long-term solvency without forcing reductions...
Today, President Joe Biden signed the American Rescue Act, finalizing $1.9 trillion in relief funding. Included in the package is $86 billion for multiemployer pension funds, like the B&C Pension Fund. The legislation provides the funding necessary for long-term solvency without forcing reductions in participants’ hard-earned pension benefits. The pandemic exacerbated the multiemployer pension crisis. This bill will save the pensions of more than 1.3 million hard-working Americans. The package also provides long-term stability for single-employer plans. Yesterday,...
Legislation Secures Retiree Pension Benefits BCTGM International President Anthony Shelton issued the following statement following the enactment of the American Rescue Plan Act on March 11, 2021: “The BCTGM commends President Biden and the Democrats in Congress for making the American Rescue Plan Act the law of the land. The American Rescue Plan Act is a bold policy that takes strong action to tackle the enormous ongoing economic problems challenging working families because of the COVID-19 pandemic.“No...
On February 26, the House of Representatives passed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief proposal that includes multiemployer pension relief and major components of the AFL-CIO's America’s Five Economic Essentials. Call Your Senators The package, according to The New York Times, "includes more than $400 billion to combat the pandemic directly, including money to accelerate vaccine deployment and to safely reopen most schools within 100 days. An additional $350 billion would...
The BCTGM applauds the House passage of the American Rescue Plan, which includes multiemployer pension relief that would protect the hard-earned retirements of more than million American retirees. The BCTGM is part of the AFL-CIO Retirement Security Working Group, which has worked tirelessly over the last several years fighting for multiemployer pension relief legislation. The following statement was issued following passage of the American Rescue Plan by the House on February 27: After a lifetime of hard...
Last week, updated COVID-19 relief legislation was introduced by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The new measure is a promising, good-faith effort to push negotiations on long-overdue COVID-19 relief forward. It is geared toward helping the people who need it most: front-line workers, the unemployed, the uninsured, retirees and all those who rely on critical public services like schools, fire and emergency medical services, sanitation, and child care. Tell the Senate: Pass the HEROES ACT! This legislation...
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to upend our lives and our economy. This crisis is showing that we cannot have a healthy economy without a healthy workforce. Working people are among the hardest hit, and our senators must act with urgency to pass the HEROES Act, which will put our country on the path to recovery. The HEROES Act includes an effective, comprehensive solution to the multiemployer pension funding crisis that would provide long-term security for pension...
Across the country, BCTGM members are taking action to pressure the U.S. Senate to pass the HEROES Act. It is the legislation we need to get America back on track. The HEROES Act includes an effective, comprehensive solution to the multiemployer pension funding crisis that would provide long-term security for pension funds, including the B&C Fund, and for beneficiaries. Tell the Senate: Pass the Heroes Act! Additionally, the HEROES Act would protect frontline workers, make vital investments,...
In Cincinnati, BCTGM Local 253 leaders and International Representative Lisa Gregory joined with Cincinnati Federation of Teachers outside the home office of Ohio’s Senator Rob Portman (R) to urge his support for critical pieces of the House-passed HEROES Act in the next COVID-19 relief bill. Click Here to Call Your Senator In the coming days, union members across the country will be attending events designed to hold all senators accountable for passing the strong, comprehensive legislation in...
On May 15, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the HEROES Act (H.R. 6800), powerful legislation to address the economic emergency facing the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The HEROES Act includes an effective, comprehensive solution to the multiemployer pension funding crisis that would provide long-term security for pension funds, including the B&C Fund, and for beneficiaries. The BCTGM was actively involved in labor’s effort to get this proposal included in the legislation. The Republican-controlled U.S....
Congress is currently working on the next Coronavirus Emergency Relief legislation. Democratic leaders in the House and Senate have pledged to include a comprehensive and effective multiemployer pension relief plan that will provide long-term solvency for pension plans, such as the B&C Plan, with no benefit cuts for beneficiaries. TAKE ACTION NOW! CALL 844-551-6921 Call your U.S. Senators today and tell them to include multiemployer pension relief in the next stimulus and recovery legislation! Democratic...
Now is Time to Act to Strengthen Both Systems The following statement was issued by Richard Fiesta, Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans, regarding the Trustees reports issued today on the Social Security and Medicare Trust Funds: “Social Security remains strong and solvent with enough money to cover all payouts and expenses until 2035, and the Medicare Trust Fund for hospital care has sufficient funds to cover its obligations until 2026. The projections for both...