Union Trustees Prevail - Expedited Arbitration Ordered

Today, November 9, 2009, your union trustees were victorious in their pursuit of the requested arbitration.  In an affirming decision by federal courts, the employer trustees were forced to enter expedited arbitration with the union trustees. We are pleased with the courts decision and believe that this will allow us to continue protecting the membership as a whole.

We have had many struggles over the last year, and today gives us a great example of how taking a stand on important issues that affect our members, while not always the easy or fast thing, is the right thing to do.

Your pension is overseen by a board of trustees. These trustees include five employer trustees and five union trustees.  Over the last year the employer trustees have refused pension relief offered by the federal government which would allow more time to deal responsibly with the financial problems of today brought on by the current economic climate.

Your union trustees have actively encouraged the employer trustees to do the right thing and accept the assistance provided through the WRERA. Unfortunately the employers have refused to make decisions that are in the best interest of the membership as a whole. Further, the employer trustees have refused to allow a neutral third party to resolve this dispute as has been the custom for Pension plans.  On your behalf, your union trustees filed suit against the employer trustees to force arbitration that will allow for the two sides to resolve this issue in the best interest of those covered under the pension.