We did it! 🎉 Thanks to DOC members across the State demanding a more secure retirement, we were able to clear the last major hurdle on our Teamsters-sponsored supplemental retirement bill, HB 1069.

Today, HB 1069 passed the Senate floor on a vote of 31-18. Lawmakers in the House had already voted to pass the bill last month. Now, the bill will undergo a concurrence process to reconcile the House and Senate versions before it is sent to the Governor's desk for signature. 

This is a game-changer for Teamsters at the DOC. It allows our Union to negotiate with the State over supplemental retirement benefits, including medical benefits. This sets us up to address the primary obstacle to retirement for many long-serving DOC members - the high cost of healthcare.

We will be scheduling statewide meetings to answer your questions about the bill and discuss what it might mean for you and your family. This will also give us an opportunity to develop strategies for DOC contract negotiations later this year.

Thank you to everyone who has spoken up about the need to improve retirement options at the DOC. No one should be forced to work longer than they are physically able because they are unable to access affordable medical care. This bill is designed to change that for DOC Teamsters.

We will keep you updated as the bill moves through the legislature's concurrence process. Stay tuned in the event that we need to ask you for your participation in one final push to get the bill across the finish line.