Posts tagged Pension
Teachers union flexes on New York state budget: pension boosts or bust
April 1, 2026 // The UFT and other teacher unions are focused on lowering the age when someone can retire without penalty. Under Tier IV, public employees including teachers can retire at 55 if they’ve worked for 30 years. Under Tier VI, an employee must work until 63 in order to retire without losing half of their pension award. Opponents say there’s scant evidence that pensions are contributing to recruitment and retention challenges. Tier VI required employees hired after its 2012 enactment to contribute to the cost of their retirement for the duration of their employment, instead of just the first 10 years. It also set a later retirement age — all measures that are saving state and local governments an estimated $80 billion through 2042.
Connecticut: Lamont’s Golden Age; Commentary
March 19, 2026 // A few days ago, CT Mirror reported that “The administration recently reached tentative, four-year agreements with 10 [union bargaining] units that collectively represent nearly 20,000 state employees [almost half the workforce].” Lamont released only wage increase information, nothing about reform of COVID-era remote work privileges. Lamont’s spokesman said “Because these negotiations are still underway, we are unable to provide additional comment.” Lamont wants union members to know he aims to give them four more years of robust 4.5% annual pay raises comprised of a 2.5% general wage increase (GWI) plus a 2.0% “step increase,” a deal identical to the one he gave them four years ago, which followed two years of 5.5% increases. These ten increases compound to about 60%.
JBS workers confirm March 16 strike at Greeley meat processing plant over labor practices
March 10, 2026 // Workers at the largest meat supplier in the world will strike at its Greeley plant, according to the workers' union, which said 99% of workers at the plant approved the strike over "poverty-level" wages.
Nurses at 7 New York hospitals reach tentative deals, cancel strike notice
January 8, 2026 // NYSNA-represented nurses at New Hyde Park, N.Y.-based Northwell Health’s Huntington, Plainview and Syosset hospitals also delivered 10-day strike notices Jan. 2 and are set to strike Jan. 12 if tentative agreements are not reached.
SEPTA strike averted after workers’ union, transit agency reach new contract
December 10, 2025 // The Philadelphia-based transit authority and TWU Local 234 tentatively agreed to a new contract Monday to stave off what could have been a devastating strike for thousands of riders. TWU Local 234 members have been working without a contract since Nov. 7, and members voted to authorize a strike last month. The union, the largest representing SEPTA employees, serves 5,000 subway, trolley and bus operators and mechanics.
Wyndham Hotel workers go on strike amid contract negotiations in Center City
November 11, 2025 // Workers are pushing for higher wages, better staffing levels, and improvements to both health care and pension plans.
America Doesn’t Have Enough Weapons for a Major Conflict. These Workers Know Why.
October 28, 2025 // Historically, in the fight against their bosses, unions have had only one real weapon to wield: their numbers. The primary goal of a labor strike is to blockade production and inflict pain on the company so that it will negotiate better terms. But in Orlando, it was hard for the union to enlist enough workers for the fight. Florida is a “right to work” state, meaning that union membership is optional. Workers in an organized factory are free to return to their stations and get back to work, leaving everyone else on the picket line to fight for a contract that would eventually apply to everyone.
Union Fights to Revive $3.5M Pension Win Against Jones Lang LaSalle
October 21, 2025 // In a Friday petition for rehearing, the pipe fitters and plumbers’ union — alongside several benefit funds and trustees — urged the Third Circuit to reconsider or rehear the case en banc, arguing that the panel’s split September ruling misinterpreted the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and ignored key principles set forth by the Supreme Court. At the Heart of the Battle: What Counts as “Hours Paid”? The dispute stems from a 2020 ERISA lawsuit accusing Jones Lang LaSalle Americas Inc. (JLL) of failing to properly account for overtime pay when calculating pension contributions. The Delaware district court initially sided with the union in 2024, awarding $3.5 million in unpaid contributions, audit costs, liquidated damages, and interest.
Marriott, Hilton workers strike in Philadelphia
October 7, 2025 // Union employees at the Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown and the Hampton Inn Philadelphia Center City are calling for higher pay and improved benefits.
Fred Rogers Prod. & Spiffy Pictures Animation Writers Unionize Under WGA East-PBS Contract
September 15, 2025 // The Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) announced Friday that children’s entertainment studios Fred Rogers Productions and Spiffy Pictures have both recognized the organization for collective bargaining for animation writers working on their public television programs. The move achieves unionization for writers on future seasons of PBS KIDS favorites Alma’s Way, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood and Carl the Collector.