If the spouse passes away before the pensioner, the pension will be increased to the amount of benefit had no Joint Survivor Option been elected. Garhartt, David George Sr. ALBANY David George Garhartt Sr., 73 of Rotterdam, passed away peacefully at home on March 19, 2020, with his loving family by his side. Cuts to the New York Teamsters Pension Fund were instituted five years ago after pension officials said the fund was facing long-term insolvency due to declining Teamster union membership. March 29, 2022 - Horizon Security Breach. A memorial will be held at a later date. I stood shoulder to shoulder with our union workers and promised them if I became majority leader, I would not stop fighting till they got the relief they needed and to keep their hard-earned pensions and benefits, and today I can finally say a promise made is a promise kept to the tune of over $960 million for over 33,000 Teamsters across New York State, said Senator Schumer. Question 15: A phone with a value of $175 was scrapped. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Executive Board of Local 294 for appointing me as President to lead our Local into the future. Firing the PATCO workers is widely viewed as a turning point in the national decline of union strength. Our younger members are the future. We watched coworkers, close friends and family members fall ill and sadly mourned the loss of those taken away. He was a great friend and he will be sorely missed.". He has always been an advocate for his fellow members and retirees. Does N.Y. already have authority to bust illegal pot shops? For months, now, some 500 employees of the old bankrupt Remington gun factory in Ilion and their union, the United Mine Workers of America, have been haggling with RemArms, the new company that purchased the plant out of bankruptcy court. This window will not reappear for 1 hour after closing. Recently, I have had the opportunity to speak with several young Teamsters who are in the process of obtaining their CDL A through our training program and it was exciting to hear their stories. Has previously covered education and state government and wrote about natural resources and state government in Colorado and Maine. He worked for United Parcel Service (UPS) and Local 294 for over 35 years before he retired in 1999. Teamsters LU No 29 Secretary-Treasurer: William M. Martin tel: 5402481200 Local Website 12 Cedar Park Lane Verona VA, 24482 1mattmartin@gmail.com Divisions/Conferences: Food Processing Division , Freight Division , Industrial Trades Division , Package Division , Warehouse Division Teamsters LU No 30 President: Eugene P. Bosetti tel: 7245271523 Frequently Asked Questions . It was all of you that every community could count on to get the essential work done. Go to the Local 804 Fund website for information on your Health, Dental, Prescription and Optical benefits, as well as for Annuity Fund details. Federal officials also wanted the fund operators to make a more optimistic assumption about their annual rate of return, which was pegged at 6.75 percent for the next decade. The family would like to send a special thank you to all the staff at St. Peter's Oncology Department and Community Hospice for their kindness, compassion and extraordinary care they provided to David and the family. This asset was fully depreciated at 12/31/2022. Deaf man killed on Ballston road remembered as funny, loving, Waterford man sentenced for trying to pay for sex with child, New York's 'free' college tuition still costs students, Nearly five years later, Schoharie limo families ready for trial. He also is survived by several nieces and nephews. How was the retiree representative selected? 294 in Albany. Over 33,000+ NY Teamsters Families Were Victims Of A Pension System That Collapsed On Itself After 2008 Crash; Without Action, Many Could Not Retire Or Would Have Little Benefits Remaining- But Schumer Promised To Restore Their Hard-Earned Pensions And Give Union Families The Relief They Needed, After Years Of Fighting, In Schumers First Major Bill As Majority Leader, The American Rescue Plan, The Senator Secured The Critical Fix To Multiemployer Pension Plans To Give Teamsters The Benefits They Earned, Now Local Unions From Long Island, Buffalo, Rochester, Albany, Syracuse , Utica, Binghamton And Beyond Will Get Payout To Restore Lost Funds So Members Can Lead Quality Lives In Retirement AND Get Back Pay For Those Who Had Benefits Cut, Schumer: Restoring FULL Pensions For Tens of Thousands of Union Workers Will Give These Families The Desperately-Needed Economic Security They Rightfully Earned. MPRA requires the Trustees to select an independent retiree representative to advocate on behalf of retirees, beneficiaries and deferred vested participants during the development and submission of the PPP. Teamsters Local 294 General Membership Meetings will resume on October 2, 2022 at 10am. 2016 Dave Lucas. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to either the local animal protective foundations, Mohawk Hudson Humane Society or, 2023 Teamsters Care Scholarship Applicatiobn, Relief Available to Workers Under NYS Law, Relief Available to Workers Under Federal Law, 2018 National Master Agreement and Upstate/West NY Supplement, Notice of Local Union Election Plan Submission Form, MOMs Organic Market Employees Want Customers Looped In On Union Efforts, Harry BelafonteThe Activist Artist Who Influenced the Labor Movement, A group of Amazon drivers just joined one of the biggest unions in the US, Hollywood, both frantic and calm, braces for writers strike, OSHA cites Amazon for failing to adequately aid injured workers, Postal Service workers to protest in Twin Cities as a part of nationwide union effort, LA unemployed workers could see benefits cut in half, Herkimer County DPW workers join Teamsters Local 294, Update on the NYS Teamsters Conference Pension & Retirement Fund, Teamsters Care 2021Scholarship Recipients, South Colonie School Ratifies New Contract, Empire Merchants Administration Ratifies 1st Contract. The new administration makes no difference one way or the other to these discussions, UMWA spokesman Phil Smith said. You showed up consistently to keep roads cleared, waste hauled, students bused, packages (many containing PPE and vaccines) delivered and so much more when it was needed the most and got the job done! New York State Teamsters Benefit Funds. You can reach him at rkarlin@timesunion.com or 518-454-5758. Do you want to find out how? Question 21 (a) - members pay dues ranging from $32 t0 $156 per month. Deaf man killed on Ballston road remembered as funny, loving, Waterford man sentenced for trying to pay for sex with child, New York's 'free' college tuition still costs students, Nearly five years later, Schoharie limo families ready for trial. President John Bulgaro says "Our Local lost a good solid Teamster. As our newly elected International General President Sean O'Brien says, "We need to get Bigger, Faster, and Stronger". (The actuarial reduction is based on the age of the pensioner and the spouse at the time of retirement.). This page is to inform members and also for members to post appropriate items of information and mat Friends of Teamsters Local 294 | Albany NY The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (the "PBGC") will send payments directly to eligible multiemployer pension plans to restore the funds to financial health and reverse some benefit cuts. Capital Communications Federal Credit Union Phone Numbers IBT (202) 624-6800 NYS Teamsters Benefit Funds (315) 455-9790 UPS HelpLine The decades-long deregulation and de-unionization of the trucking industry has hit other employee-administered union funds. For a full list of member benefit calculations, see our Table of Benefits Form. With Biden expected to appoint labor-friendly Democrats, that will change in August when one of the Republicans terms expires. Thousands of upstate retired Teamsters have dodged a potential pension cut at least for now thanks to a recent decision by the federal government. If the member lives to 85, they would collect $275,184 in pension payments. The massive Rescue Plan contains $82 billion to help shore up pensions in general. May 27, 2022 - Notice of Withdrawal and Refile. Teamsters Local 294 Purchase a NodeFire License. "A lot of retirees are very nervous about this," said Joellen Leavelle, communications and outreach director at the Pension Rights Center, a Washington, D.C.-based organization that advocates for pensioners. Teamster Alliance for Pension Protection Local 294 Web Site IBT Web Site NYS Teamsters Benefit Funds Web Site Upstate NY Teamsters Pension Committee UPSers.com Teamsters-UPS 401 (k) Online Account Mgmt. Now they are being restored. Albany, New York 12206-1632. In February, the Trustees appointed Tom Baum as the Retiree Representative. By Posted sevier county septic records In patton state hospital rn salary The online retailer has been in the news lately with efforts by the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, or RWDSU, to unionize the companys Bessemer, Alabama fulfillment center. Dave was a pillar of strength for the 294 Teamster community, Dave was best known for his proud work with countless students to improve their ability to pursue a career as a Class A driver. "The company is working with stakeholders to explore legislative solutions which could help minimize the impact of required restructuring of multi-employer plans facing critical funding problems," he said in a statement. ALBANY An estimated 11,000 retired Teamsters across upstate New York will have a lot to celebrate Jan. 1. Saratoga Springs firefighters want chief out, USS Slater kept afloat by shrinking number of volunteers, Three more Rensselaer County officials charged in FBI probe, Churchill: Former FBI agent won't talk about Shahed Hussain. Critics of the American Rescue Plan say it goes beyond the needs created by the pandemic. Now active Teamsters working towards a pension will be made whole and our retirees can lead a good life with the pensions and benefits they earned and deserved.. PLEASE JOIN FRIENDS OF John A. Bulgaro President of Teamsters Local 294 & Joint Council 18 in Honor if His Retirement THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2023 5:00 PM Cocktails 6:00 PM Dinner 6:45 PM Remarks Crowne Plaza Albany The Desmond Hotel 660 Albany-Shaker Road Albany, New York That means that many of the most endangered plans need to eventually devise a proposal for benefit cuts that the Treasury Department agrees with. Biden's nominee for Secretary of Labor is Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, who before politics was an official in building trades and labor unions in the Boston area. Multiemployer plans are created through agreements between employers and a union, with plans typically involving multiple employers in a single industry or related industries. schneider funeral home mt vernon in obituaries teamsters local 705 scholarships. Today, thanks to Schumers dogged advocacy, over 33,000 NY Teamsters from every corner of New York will have over $960 million dollars in benefits restored. I realize the void that needs to be filled and I am up for the challenge. "Since the Upstate New York Teamsters pension crisis began to unfold in 2008, we've always believed in a shared responsibility approach for fixing the problem," stated Greene. The changes will affect active and retired Teamsters who are covered by the New York State Teamsters Conference Pension and Retirement Fund. Read More Union Benefits Under the current plan, cuts would vary based on a worker's length of service and age, as well as disabilities. John Bulgaro - President / PEO / Business Agent. Recent prolabor decisions at the Nations highest level, like the replacement of an anti-union, sitting general counsel at the NLRB and a Secretary of Labor choice who comes right out of the labor movement have all gotten this year off on the right foot. Contact Us ; Local Unions. Ultimately, our goal is to ensure that our members, new or longstanding, are treated with dignity and receive the pay, benefits, and workplace protections they deserve because we all know this country was not built by CEOs. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to either the local animal protective foundations, Mohawk Hudson Humane Society or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Mr. Baum is not paid for being the Retiree Representative. If the pensioner chooses a Joint and Survivor Benefit Option at the time of retirement, their spouse can continue receiving a monthly benefit for the remainder of their life in the event the pensioner dies. You may leave a . We tallied the votes from this years Best of the Capital Region contest in 100 categories. To get "Stronger and Faster" we have to involve our younger generation of Teamsters to get involved. They should range from a hike of $300 to more than $1,000 a month. Union members earn better wages and benefits than workers who aren't union members. The Teamsters have 1.2 Million active members nationwide, what the Teamsters need is 1.2 Million Active members that are registered voters and that get to the polls. Deaf man killed on Ballston road remembered as funny, loving, Waterford man sentenced for trying to pay for sex with child, New York's 'free' college tuition still costs students, Nearly five years later, Schoharie limo families ready for trial. number of Teamster funds will be eli-gible to receive relief under the act, includingthe Central States Pension Fund, the WesternPennsylvania Pension Fund, the New YorkState Teamsters Pension Fund, the Mid-Jer-sey Trucking and Local 701 Pension Fund,the New England Teamster & Trucking In-dustry Fund, and the Road Carriers Local707 Pension Fund David was also a member of the Teamster Care Program for over 35 years. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. That means the pension, held by the union, followed each individual driver if they moved from company to company over the course of their careers. Labor unions gi Teamsters Local 294 | Albany NY In 2019 they abruptly abandoned plans to build a second national headquarters in Queens, amid opposition by local politicians and activists who believed the Seattle-based firm was getting too many tax subsidies and that the move would drive up housing costs. He proudly served in the United States Army and he was a member of Teamster Local 294 for 50 years serving as vice president and senior driving instructor for their driving school. After a year like no other, a year that has tested us all; we, as brothers and sisters, stood together to fight through the challenges this pandemic has created. president of Teamsters Local 294, which covers the Capital Region. It would also enact a $10 monthly employee fee. Which Teamster pension funds are eligible? For example, if our pensioner was receiving $1000/month and then dies, their spouse will receive $670/month for the rest of their life. Regardless of what may or may not happen in Schodack, Connor agreed with Baum that Bidens election would be good for the union movement in general. Union officials across the state have several long-running campaigns that, even if not directly impacted by the Biden Administration, are expected to enjoy a morale boost. "It's still possible, however, that the new proposed cuts will be deeper than 31 percent.". But not one word was said about the pension cut threat at the last Local 294 membership meeting even though the letter was already in the mail. As our country now looks to reopen and rebuild after this unprecedented pandemic, maintaining the solvency of the multiemployer pension system is key to economic recovery. 15 were here. Dave was a dedicated and loyal 50+ year member who exemplified what it means to be a Teamster. New York State Teamsters Conference Pension & Retirement Fund. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer today announced that, after years of advocacy to secure relief for ailing multiemployer pension plans for union workers, New York Teamsters will receive a pension-fix payout from the American Rescue Plan at over $960 million for more than 33,000 union beneficiaries and their families across Upstate New York, Long Island, and New York City. Many are or were truck drivers or other employees of UPS, as well as drivers who worked for car haulers transporting new vehicles from train depots to auto dealerships across the region. I have been a part of this organization for a long time, starting as a shop steward at UPS, Recording Secretary, Business Agent, Secretary Treasurer and now your President. The law created the Special Financial Assistance program administered by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) to protect benefits for millions of workers, reverse harsh pension cuts, and put existing plans on a path to solvency through 2051. You can reach him at rkarlin@timesunion.com or 518-454-5758. He worked for United Parcel Service ("UPS") and Local 294 for over 35 years before he retired in 1999. Some are looking at pensions dropping from $3,400 to $2,400 per month. Now those workers are choosing to organize to voice their complaints about their safety, pay and working conditions. Local Union 294. Like a number of private sector unions, the Teamsters over the years have seen their membership dwindle due in part to federal deregulation of the trucking industry. The American Rescue Plan provided the most significant effort to protect the solvency of the multiemployer pension system in almost 50 years and it is now delivering almost a billion dollars in benefits directly to hard working New Yorkers. rkarlin@timesunion.com 518 454 5758 @RickKarlinTU. The Board of Trustees of the New York State Teamsters Conference Pension and Retirement Fund ("Fund") has developed the Pension Preservation Plan (PPP) to save the Fund. Under Trump, Republicans held three seats on the five-member board with one vacancy and one Democrat. AND Get Back Pay For Those Who Had Benefits Cut. Rehabilitation services are available through Teamster Center Services. ROTTERDAM Tom Baum and about 16,000 other retired Teamsters got some good news recently. Because they are retroactive to October 2017, those payments could be six figures for some retirees who had long careers. He also is survived by several nieces and nephews. Today it represents less than 150. You can reach him at rkarlin@timesunion.com or 518-454-5758. RWDSU, like most unions, doesnt publicly speak about specific sites where unionization efforts are starting. Senator Schumer fought to include the Butch Lewis Act in the American Rescue Plan securing pension solvency in his very first major bill as majority leader. 2022 Scholarships Awards Teamsters Local 294 Purchase a NodeFire License. Utica Office . David was also a member of the Teamster Care Program for over 35 years. This is a carousel. Thousands of upstate New York retired Teamsters have dodged a potential pension cut, . Bidens election comes at a crucial time for unions, including in the greater Capital Region, where there have been a number of labor-management fights over the past few years and where one of labors biggest targets, Amazon, has a newly expanded footprint. Rick Karlin covers the environment and energy development for the Times Union. 890 Third StreetLabor TempleAlbany, New York 12206-1632Phone: (518) 489-5436FAX: (518) 453-9251, John Bulgaro - President / PEO / Business AgentGeorge Coffey, III - Vice PresidentTom Quackenbush - Secretary Treasurer / Business AgentJohn Kenney - TrusteeJoseph Mahar- TrusteeMichael Sidoti - TrusteeRafael Nicosia - Recording SecretaryMichael Degano - Business AgentCharles Greenfield - Business AgentRocco Losavio - Business AgentBenjie Dwyer - Assistant to the PresidentPhyllis Kozel - SecretaryPina Szepek - SecretaryStanley Koniszewski - Field RepresentativeDavid Garlock - Field Representative, Find more information about NY Teamsters Benefit Funds, 2022 New York State Teamsters Benefit Funds, NYS Teamsters Council Health & Hospital Fund, NYS Teamsters Council UPS Retiree Health Fund, NYS Teamsters Conference Pension & Retirement Fund. Saratoga Springs firefighters want chief out, USS Slater kept afloat by shrinking number of volunteers, Three more Rensselaer County officials charged in FBI probe, Churchill: Former FBI agent won't talk about Shahed Hussain. But pension experts say the cuts or some alternative need to happen soon if plans like this one are to remain solvent. Before the American Rescue Plan over 200 multiemployer plans were on pace to become insolvent in the near term, risking benefits for millions of workers and their families. For pension information, call 1 (800)643-4442. teamsters local 705 scholarships. Price Chopper/Market 32 is non-union while the United Food and Commercial Workers International union represents about 10,000 Tops employees. . David married his high school sweetheart Caroline in 1964. Are you registered to vote? Teamsters Local 294 Purchase a NodeFire License. TEAMSTERS LOCAL 294. An active member becomes eligible for a disability benefit at any age if: The member would then be eligible for a monthly disability benefit equivalent to what the normal retirement pension benefit would be, reduced by 3% for each year before 65. He said in a statement, These scholarships are providing students the financial assistance and community support they need to attend college and pursue their dreams. Pensioner receives an actuarial reduced pension until death, thereafter, the surviving spouse receives two-thirds of the reduced pension benefit. One of the big changes, she said, will come with the National Labor Relations Board, the federal agency which hears and rules on private sector labor disputes. Frank DeRiso, president of UFCW Local 1, which represents Tops, said their contract with Tops stores in the Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse areas still has about two years remaining. Teamsters and their families who rely on these plans could have lost the benefits they earned over a lifetime of work, through no fault of their own putting their financial security, retirements, and families futures at risk. The UPS plan, though, would give no preference to disabled retirees. Stay involved. In the meantime, UPS has offered a plan of its own which would enact across-the-board cuts of 20 percent rather than the deeper cuts contemplated in the recently rejected proposal. We hope to see you there. In the last 75 years, we have had three Presidents. This program is meant to be an important supplement to your Social Security and other sources of retirement income. (630) 752-8400, The member becomes totally and permanently disabled, The member has made at least $1,300 of contributions to the Plan. To get "Stronger and Faster" we have to involve our younger generation of Teamsters to get involved. Are you registered to vote? April 24, 2023 << April 2023 Member Resources Member Home Member Payments Teamsters Care Support Member Benefits 2023 Teamsters Care Scholarship Applicatiobn Officers/Staff Contract Enforcement Weingarten Rights History of Weingart Rights Grievance Forms PDF FMLA LOCAL 294 STORE UPS MEMBERS As you are aware, the recent retirement of John Bulgaro has left a void to fill and I appreciate the opportunity to serve you. Throughthe efforts of Business Agent Stan Koniszewski, we have secured two grants totaling $250,000 that will be used to buy a truck and expand our CDL training program to Class B. The TMRP is a monthly retirement Plan developed for Teamsters by Teamsters, and has existed since 1950. . If you have questions about your plan contact your Union Representative today. But employers during the past few years have typically appealed decisions they dont like to the national board, where many cases have languished, said Connor. Toggle Navigation Menu. This country was built by hard-working Americans like our Teamster Local 294 brothers and sisters, who, throughout all the chaos and confusion, continued to provide vital, essential services to keep our economy going. If you have questions about your plan contact your Union Representative today. This will enable us to get "Bigger". This must-pass legislation was a personal goal for US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer since he visited our local office back in 2018. . Does N.Y. already have authority to bust illegal pot shops? He recognized then that a pension protection package was essential and fought to ensure that it continued to remain alive. Frequently Asked Questions about the New York State Teamsters Pension Preservation Plan. Local Union 294 . . 455 Kehoe Boulevard, Suite 100, Carol Stream, IL 60188 Leavelle said U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont has proposed cutting tax loopholes to help shore up pension funds. That was a big one, said Baum, who had worked to try and ease the cuts back in 2017. After 2008, there were gut wrenching stories of workers who put money in every week to their pension only to see it disappear overnight. Of the over 33,000 beneficiaries, Teamsters can be found in local branches that represent nearly every corner of the Empire State, including: Local Union 118 - Rochester Local Union 264 - Cheektowaga Local Union 294 - Albany-Utica Local Union 317 - Syracuse-Binghamton Local Union 449 - Buffalo Local Union 687 - Potsdam Local Union 812 - Great Neck the volunteer retiree representative to the local's pension board. There are many people out there who are happier than a six-dollar bill, retired UPS driver and Teamster Tom Baum said. Garhartt, David George Sr. ALBANY David George Garhartt Sr., 73 of Rotterdam, passed away peacefully at home on March 19, 2020, with his loving family by his side. The death benefit is equal to the full amount of the members contributions less any pension benefits paid. I have been a part of this organization for a long time, starting as a shop steward at UPS, Recording Secretary, Business Agent, Secretary Treasurer and now your President. While a number of important details are left for later regulatory guidance, which may not be issued for several months, it is important to know that the Trustees of our Pension Fund will closely monitoring legislative developments and the potential impact on the Fund and will update participants oncethey have moreinformation. But the company has steadily expanded its presence in New York, with several local depots in addition to the Schodack center in Schodack. The Office of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS) requires unions to report how they spent their money in a number of categories. rkarlin@timesunion.com 518-454-5758 @RickKarlinTU. Under MPRA, the Retiree Representative has the right to hire independent legal counsel and actuaries, and the Fund is legally required to pay their fees. December 12, 2022 - Notice of Filing of Supplemented SFA Application, October 14, 2022 - Frequently Asked Questions, October 11, 2022 - NYS Pension Participant Communication Update, September 13, 2022 - NYS Pension Participant Communication Update, July 21, 2022 - SFA Revised Application Filed, July 7, 2022 - NYST Update SFA Application, July 6, 2022 - FACT SHEET: President Biden Announces Historic American Rescue Plan Pension Relief for Millions of Union Workers and Retirees, June 22, 2022 - NYS Pension Participant Communication Update, May 27, 2022 - Notice of Withdrawal and Refile, January 28, 2022 - Notice of Filing SFA Application, August 11, 2021 - PBGC ARP Regulations Letter of Comment, August 11, 2021 - P&R Fund Comments on PBGC Interim Final Rule, July 28, 2021 - Webinar 2 - Special Financial Assistance Program for Financially Troubled Multiemployer Plans, July 28, 2021 - Webinar 1 - Special Financial Assistance Program for Financially Troubled Multiemployer Plans, July 13, 2021 - NYS Pension Participant Communication Update, March 17, 2021 - NYS Pension Participant Communication - EPPRA Pension Reform, New York State Teamsters Conference Pension & Retirement Fund, Albany Office890 Third StreetLabor TempleAlbany, New York 12206-1632Phone: (518) 489-5436 FAX: (518) 453-9251, Utica Office130 Lomond Ct.Utica, NY 13502Phone: (315) 724-3111 FAX: (315) 724-6481, John Bulgaro - President / PEO / Business AgentGeorge Coffey, III - Vice PresidentTom Quackenbush - Secretary Treasurer / Business AgentJohn Kenney - TrusteeJoseph Mahar- TrusteeMichael Sidoti - TrusteeRafael Nicosia - Recording SecretaryMichael Degano - Business AgentCharles Greenfield - Business AgentRocco Losavio - Business AgentBenjie Dwyer - Assistant to the PresidentPhyllis Kozel - SecretaryPina Szepek - SecretaryStanley Koniszewski - Field RepresentativeDavid Garlock - Field Representative, He cared about his brothers and sisters and would unselfishly do what was needed to be done and helped out in anyway that he could. A memorial will be held at a later date. Read More Union Benefits Life & Accident Insurance These Teamster Privilege insurance plans help to provide financial security for you and your family. Critical Status David is survived by his wife of55 years, Caroline Garhartt; daughter Kimberly Tompkins (Tom); son David Garhartt Jr. (Jen); and grandchildren, David Garhartt III, Samantha Tompkins, Dylan Garhartt and Delaney Garhartt. please fill out the form, and a TMRP representative will contact your Local IBT leader. George Coffey, III - Vice President. Unions are encouraged and pleased so far with how the Biden Administration is treating them. As you are aware, the recent retirement of John Bulgaro has left a void to fill and I appreciate the opportunity to serve you. But other Teamster units across the country also saw cuts over the past few years. In closing, I would like to say I'm excited for the future of our International Union as well as our Local Union and look forward to working with you. Mr. Baum established a website to share his communications to retirees and additional information about the PPP. Any cuts, though, must be approved by the federal Treasury Department. As that happened, and as fewer drivers were Teamsters, the fund was depleted. Unlike most other Plans, the TMRP is designed to last as long as your retirement does.