Dan Beam has been a dairy worker and a Teamster member for 25 years. Instead of looking forward to retirement, he’s worried if he’ll be able to retire at all because the pension he’s paid into his whole career is on the verge of collapse. Brother Beam is not alone.

Thankfully, the Democratic leaders in Congress are moving forward with a plan to deliver on a promise to members and retirees that are relying on a fix to the multiemployer pension crisis.

Teamsters have fought for years to protect our pensions. Now we are closer than we have ever been and we have leaders in the House, Senate and White House to get the job done. However, we will need to stand together to deliver on this promise to Teamster retirees. This week, the House Ways and Means Committee is considering the Butch Lewis Emergency Pension Plan Relief Act of 2021 as part of the broader COVID relief package. Chairman Richie Neal (D-MA) has been a champion for this fix. We need to remind all committee members that protecting seniors’ retirements is not a partisan issue and encourage them to vote to include pension relief in this bill. Once the bill clears the committee, it will be voted on by the full House and then considered by the Senate as part of the full COVID relief stimulus package on its way to the White House for President Biden’s signature. Stay tuned because we will need to mobilize to make sure every member hears loud and clear that we expect them to deliver for us. The best way to stay informed is to sign the Build Back Stronger pledge by following the link below and be ready to do your part to save the pensions we’ve earned.

https://teamster.org/build-back-stronger

The retirements of more than 1.4 million members and retirees are on the line. We played by the rules, and are only asking for the promises that were made are kept. Thanks to the role Teamsters played in electing leaders that put workers first, we have the chance to protect our pensions once and for all. As America’s strongest union, we have the power to create real change. Pledge to Build Back Stronger and let’s deliver for working people!