Congressman Earl Pomeroy knows that the United States is experiencing a crisis in retirement security.  It's a crisis that affects retirees, older workers and every person who works for a living.  It's a crisis that jeopardizes our economic recovery.  It's a crisis that cannot continue to go unfixed.

Right now, many pension funds don't have enough money long-term to provide the security retirement promised to millions of Americans.  The largest U.S. pension funds had only 79 cents for every dollar owed to current and future retirees at the end of 2008.  Median 401(k) account balances for workers in their fifties were less than $60,000 even before the stock market plunged.

That's why an estimated 40 percent of wage earners recently said they plan to delay retirement.  This means fewer "golden years" for Teamsters nearing retirement.  It also means fewer jobs opening up for Teamsters who are looking for work.

Fortunately, Congressman Pomeroy has a plan to address requests from both unions and employers to stabilize pension plans.  He has introduced the Preserve Benefits and Jobs Act (H.R. 3936), which would provide relief to our nation's defined benefit pension plans. 

This legislation will not pass -- and pensions will remain in jeopardy -- unless you do your part.  Contact your Senators and Representatives at (202) 224-3121 to voice your support for H.R. 3936.  Click below for some help on communicating your concerns about pension protection and retirement security. 

Caucuses aren't as complicated as many people think.  By design, they are a quick and easy way of exercising your democratic rights.  If your interested in a preview of the process, take a look at one or both of these videos:

What are precinct caucuses?
A caucus is a neighborhood meeting of DFLers. On February 2nd there will be thousands of meetings all over the state.  Local 120 members are urged to attend and to wear Teamster shirts, jackets and hats.

At caucuses, people will vote in a nonbinding straw poll for who they want to be Governor. Local 120 has endorsed R.T. Rybak because he has a proven record of standing up for Teamsters.  People also will elect people to represent them as delegates to Senate District and County Unit Conventions.  Local 120 members are strongly encouraged to become delegates to their Senate District Conventions.

Who can caucus for R.T.?
Caucusing is easy, fun and brief. Anyone can participate in caucuses, as long as they will be eligible to vote on November 2, 2010. If you’re not already registered to vote, you can register at Caucuses.

When are caucuses?
February 2, 2010, starting at 7pm.  It’s best to show up about 6:30pm so that you are registered and ready to go by the time the meeting starts.

Where will the caucuses be held?
Caucus locations are in neighborhoods all across Minnesota. Look HERE for your caucus location.

Local 120 members attending caucuses, particularly those who become delegates to Senate District Conventions, are asked to e-mail Rhys Ledger at rledger@teamsterslocal120.org. 

Have you ever walked into the voting booth in November wishing you had better choices? Do you know someone who didn't vote because none of the candidates seemed like they would actually change things for the better?

Don't let 2010 be a year like that.

There are many months before the November election that will decide Minnesota's next Governor.  But February 3rd is too late to get involved. That's because February 2nd is Precinct Caucus night.  And on that night thousands of Minnesotans will take the first step in deciding who will be the DFL endorsed candidate for Governor.

We want that person to be R.T. Rybak. R.T. believes so strongly that democrats need to unite to win that he has agreed to abide by the DFL endorsement. This means he needs to win the DFL endorsement so we can all vote for him in November.

Go to www.rtrybak.com to learn more about Local 120's endorsed candidate for Minnesota governor.

Local 120 couldn't help but notice that President Obama failed to mention the Employee Free Choice Act in his State of the Union address.  Senator Harkin also took note.  As a champion of EFCA and the Chair of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, it's great that he's paying attention and hasn't forgotten Democrats pledge to reform labor law.  Click below for Harkin's update on EFCA.