I'm going to take your word for it that this is real and true.
A couple things to remember: 1)When we talked about the multi employer concept, many wanted us to believe we were going into Central States. 2) We were also talking in terms of all, or at least a large percentage, of FXFE being involved.
Negotiating as a stand alone center (or even 4), it MIGHT be beneficial to join in with an good existing plan, rather than establish a pension plan with only 200 (or 400) drivers. One, or even four centers, can't negotiate to reshape the entire FedEx plan, right?
Next, we must consider the process. It might be a reasonable negotiation tactic to start at the $4.25/hr contribution rate. Have you figured the current contribution at an hourly rate? I also don't know the position of the Company on MEPFs. In the past the discussion was always about Central States. THAT was certainly a no go.
Now, since you brought it up, let's look briefly at WCTPF.
http://www.wctpension.org/forms-documents-webcasts/plan-documents/funding-status
90% funded is quite strong. I seem to recall, the FXFE plan being funded at around 88%, last time we checked. So, was that a horrible option under the circumstances?
As Dick pointed out, the members would have to agree
and the Company would have to agree. Nothing like this gets slipped in secretly.
Certainly an interesting topic, and an idea with some merit.