Your Guide to Union Benefits

Benefit News

Life with Dues increase

The Executive Board of Local 853, effective November 1, 2008, raised the Life with Dues amount to $10,000 for the death of a member, and $2,000 for the death of a member's spouse.

WCT Pension Plan Q&A

On the second Wednesday of every month, a representative from the Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Administrator comes to Local 853's San Leandro office to answer your pension questions. Call 510-895-8853 or 800-400-1250 for an appointment.

SIP 401(k) Enrollment

Most Local 853 members are eligible for the SIP 401(k) Plan. If you are not yet enrolled, or wish to increase your pre-tax deferred amounts -- check with your business agent, your company's HR department, or call 1-800-4-PRETAX [1-800-477-3829].

Health and Welfare

• Teamster Benefit Trust: 800-533-0119 -- 510-796-4676
  FAX 510-795-0680
  
• Teamster Managed Trust: 800-924-1226 --- 925-426-3555
  FAX 925-426-3565
• Workers' Compensation Issues
  Boxer & Gerson, Attorneys at Law LLP:
  510-835-8870 -- FAX 510-835-0415

Pensions

Increased pension allocation

It's official. The Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Plan allocation rate for the year 2008 will be raised to 2.0% (and to 2.65% for active participants with 20 years or more). According to Secretary-Treasurer Rome Aloise, who serves as a Trustee for the WCT plan, this increase reflects the trustees' commitment to reinstating the accrual rates as responsibly and prudently as possible. With no withdrawal liability, ours is one of the country's most financially healthy and secure plans.

• Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Funds:
  800-632-4640 --- 650-570-7300
• Automotive Industries Pension Trust Fund:
  1640 S. Loop Road, 510-836-2484
• SIP 401(K) Plan: 800 4-PRE TAX

Printers' Benefit Plans

• San Francisco Lithographers Pension Trust:
  800-700-4248 -- 415-546-7800 -- FAX 415-227-0552
• GCC/IBT Supplemental Retirement & Disability Fund:
  630-871-7733 -- FAX 630-871-0666
• Graphic Arts Industry Joint Pension Trust:
  202-466-2507 -- FAX 202-530-1210
• Inter-Local Pension Fund:
  630-752-8400 -- FAX 630-752-8490
• GCIU Employer Retirement Fund:
  800-322-1489 -- 562-463-5010-- FAX 562-463-5993
• C.W.A.-I.T.U. Negotiated Pension Plan:
  719-473-3862 or 719-473-3863 -- FAX 719-473-3134

Teamsters Assistance Program

• Drug / Alcohol / Counseling Program: 510-562-3600

Educational Opportunities

• Northern California Teamsters Apprentice Training and Educational Trust Fund
• Commercial Drivers Education Program: 510-568-5278

Credit Union (only Hayward)

• Bay Cities Credit Union: 510-861-8866

Other Teamster Benefits

• Bright Now (Dental Care): 510-770-0393
• Teamster Privilege
• Union Plus