Archives: Stories
Steve F.
After layoffs and two hour commutes to save my job, I am facing a pension cut that I don’t deserve. Sometimes working conditions were difficult given cold, icy conditions. I saw a man die when he was pinned between two trailers, many times it was the promise of a pension that kept me going. Shortly […]
Jackie S.
The loss of one’s identity is a grouping of attributes, qualities, and values that define how many of us view ourself and perhaps how we think other people see us. Ben, my husband is losing his hard earned pension. Ben is a hard working family man that was a loyal employee who drove a flat […]
Richard R.
I worked for a company called Wolverine Tractor in Byron Center, MI. On December 22, 2009, I was informed that I would no longer have a job and that on January 1st, 2010, Wolverine Tractor would no longer exist. The company was “absorbed” by Alta Fork Lifts in Grand Rapids, a non-union company. I interviewed […]
Glenn J.
I got out of the Navy at age 23 and worked for 9 months in a plant. I realized I needed to have a better job. I got a Teamster job driving for McLean trucking after hearing you could retire with a pension for life when you reached retirement age. I worked there 2 years, […]
Norman K.
I worked 42.5 years for a Madison company. I committed myself to my job and paid into my pension retirement funds. Then I get a letter that says my pension retirement benefits are going to be cut by 50%. I already share 50% with my ex-wife who was also told her benefits would be cut […]
Sharon M.
Please do not cut our pension. This will be catastrophic for my family. I am on social security and unable to work. My income is needed to pay bills, and just survive in today’s economy. I also help with financial aid for my Mom who is in a nursing facility. I help buy supply other […]
Cindy O.
My husband, Dennis, was employed by Schnucks Warehouse for 38 years and paid into the Central States Pension Fund through Teamsters Local 688 the entire time. He retired in 2008, with the promise that he would receive his full pension. He received the dreaded letter a couple months ago and found that his pension benefit […]
Gretchen N.
This is my husband, Dennis Niles story. He grew up on a small, family owned ranch in Belton, TX. Everyone had to pitch in -so from about age 5, he worked in earnest. As he got older, the chores became more physically demanding. Bailing hay, loading it on trucks, and burning the spikes off of […]
Joseph U. Sr.
This is my second time putting a story line on this site; I really feel that this is so important to all Teamsters Union Retirees of Kentucky. I worked as an over-the-road and line haul driver for 35 years. My pension was 3 years ($3100.00) and was cut $1550.00, exactly 50%. I have wrote letters […]
Cynthia E.
My ex-husbands worked for the Hawaii Masons Unions, until he retired in 2009. We were married for 14 years and when he became ill, our son and I moved in with Eddie to help care for him. Our son Steven became Eddie’s primary care giver, actually his sole care provider, as Eddie’s parents were deceased […]
Robert M.
Mine was cut 30% this year and probably more to come. The real story is: CEO’s and overpaid Union officials will show huge savings to their respective boards, thus getting huge bonuses. By not requiring proper funding to pensions, Congress and the president have put the cost of reform to the taxpayer in the form of […]
Roger B.
Central States will arbitrarily take at half of my pension in July of 2016. The amount to be taken was only “estimated” as to be the proper amount. No proof can be offered as to this being the proper amount. They say it will take several decades, about 30 years or more to correct their […]
