The solution you have put forth is $5200 year 1, $3900 year 2, $2600 year 3 and $1300 for years 4 and 5. All total, $14300 times the number of employees 7,200 (purposely lower due to layoffs) would equate to $103 million in extra revenue specifically for the pension. An extra 100 million set aside specifically for retirees of ABF would absolutely make an impact on the pension. This assumes a wall of separation between ABF retirees and retirees who never worked at ABF which is similar to some of the reform the hybrid plan introduces. The complications come about with all the different pensions ABF contributes too which are not neccessarily in the financial trouble CSPF is in. Meaning the Trustees of these other pensions may not be very flexible considering the presidence that could be established by taking less especially if they still have others paying full price. One other significant factor in the equation of fixing our pension is the high number of ABF Teamsters within 5 years or less of retirement. Meaning the actuaries, (the guys who do a statistical analysis on every important number) would be slightly stumped if too many guys retired in a short period of time.
On the bright side, we are the only people sitting at the table and our contract can be almost anything the rank and file want it to be. This contract can be far outside the box of previous NMFA. It has been my perspective that Management is very professional and honorable in how they conduct themselves as a rule. Brent the Dispatcher in Little Rock is an exception to that rule though. Anyway this operation is night and day better than YRC. They expect you to do your job correct and in turn, they do their job well. I really like and appreciate the difference in management styles from YRC. I believe we have good folks sitting across the table.
Lastly, every Teamster has to ask themselves is this negotiation different than any of the others we have all gone through?. What is different about it? Or no it is any different, management vs. The Teamsters Union. They put on the boxing gloves and settle things in closed door negotiations.