ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø

Leaders of Teamsters Local 830, whose members load, drive and deliver drinks from breweries and soda plants in the Philadelphia area, said members are ready to strike to preserve their pensions as tough negotiations with Coca-Cola’s new regional affiliate face an impasse over continued funding for the workers’ pension plan.

The largest union for U.S. truck drivers, which has taken a cautious view of autonomous vehicles, called for stronger safeguards after a self-driving SUV operated by Uber Technologies Inc. killed a pedestrian in Phoenix on March 18.

Contract negotiations between UPS Inc. and the Teamsters Union began in January with the union and the package delivery firm taking a measured approach to reaching a deal before the July 31 deadline.

Cuts made last year in the pension payments to retired Teamsters could be restored under federal legislation being touted by U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer.

A year ago, Teamsters Local 707 retirees suffered a fate that could soon hit hundreds of thousands of union workers: Their pension fund crashed.

Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith met with retired Teamsters on Jan. 6 to talk about a proposed solution to the problems facing their pensions.

Sen. Chuck Schumer and Rep. Peter King joined Long Island Teamsters Jan. 2 in calling for union pension shortfalls to be funded through Treasury bonds tied to the federal budget.

Retired Teamsters around the nation who are facing dramatic cuts to their monthly pensions are keeping their fingers crossed that proposed federal legislation will keep them from financial ruin.

ABF Freight, the less-than-truckload carrier operated by ArcBest, announced that ABF and the Teamsters National Freight Industry Negotiating Committee have agreed to exchange initial proposals on Dec. 18 and 19, and begin negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement the week of Jan. 7.