I hope that all of the various locals up and down the coast stick together on what is important in this contract. Beyond jurisdiction, my feelings are that it is extremely important that we improve the pension plan for the past retirees, both living, and their survivors first.
We need to bring their quality of life in retirement up to where the upcoming retirees will be getting. It is the right thing to do for more reasons than I could list here. To me, this is without a doubt, a strike issue. The current figures being talked about for the future retirees sound good.
Also the matching 401k is critical. There is so much more to be gained by an employer matching contribution in the long run over a pay increase. Let’s hope that the 401k matchback is discussed and settled before any pay increases are discussed.
Once wages get on the table, it will be hard to go back to this. We can always use an increase in hourly wage, but lets be realistic, we’re doing quite well with the current wage levels. Lets get all we can, but first, lets be smart and get the pension and 401k.
Brennan Hill
Local 63
40944
