is joining the teamsters worth it?

Something is better than nothing. Join the Teamsters, but stay out of the politics and break room gossip.
Even if you don't get the full amount of pension, when you get old, even a small amount helps.
Just keep it all in perspective and look out for yourself. It will be difficult to keep the whiny, crybabies from influencing you, but, try anyway.
One benefit is the good health insurance and a reasonable cost.
I'd still start another pension plan through a credit union as a backup plan and as additional income after retirement.

 

If it gets you into a good job that you like then it’s worth it, just make plans for your future that don’t rely 100% on their pension.

 

If you are in the Western States, the pension is funded around 94% and is good. If you would be in the Central States Pension it is expected to be bankrupt around 2025.

Where do you live?

 

Teamsters took my dues for 10 years, all i got back was what i put into my retirement plan. Long story short, 100 plus employees was pretty much on our own when the crap hit the fan. Some of those employees was 40 to 50 years deep into that company, only job they ever had. Teamsters arent like they used to be, they wont have your back when it comes down to nut cuttin time. Was the best paying job i ever had though.

 

Been GREAT for us!!!! The benefits from it, in addition to the pension, have been great. Free health care for my whole family. 100 hours of legal representation on retainer per year, for my entire family, free life insurance, major discounts on cell plans etc etc. in addition to the union wages and raises, 6 weeks paid vacation plus 6 PTO days per year etc etc.


I was an avid ANTI union guy my whole life! For all the reasons you’ve already heard. I believed them all. Problem was I never worked in a union shop. Once I did, I realized I was wrong. I wouldn’t accept, nor refuse, a job based on whether it’s union or non union. Both can be good or bad.

To answer your question, I say, yes, take the teamsters job if everything works for you (hours, pay rate, duties, etc etc)!!

 

some retirement, SS, and any investments, are still better than nothing. go for it, if the shop closes, you'll have no problem garnering another teamsters gig.

 

Been Teamsters for 30 of my 45 yrs driving.
I have earned a better than average living.

Don't count on the union for anything other than a wage guarantee per contract, protection from downsizing or outsourcing based on seniority and representation in any contractual/employer-employee dispute.
A union shop will offer better wage and cheaper insurance in most cases.
I've never participated in a union funded pension, profit sharing or sponsored insurance.

Union participation has ebb and flowed for decades.

Like the above poster said I wouldn't take a job solely because it was a union one but all thing equal I'd take it over the same non union one.

 

The only folks who say unions are bad, never worked for a good one!

Although Teamsters are not as strong as in the past, still better than nothing. Never made more money than I did in the Teamsters. Dues were reasonable.

 

Join if you can. Consider it like a membership that your dues are going towards.

 

If you have any opportunity to join a union trucking outfit, ask to see a copy of their current labor contract before you accept the job. Just because its union, it doesn't mean you will have a pension or good health benefits. I've worked in a union shop where it was only a 401k with a 2% match, which is pretty much junk, and health benefits were atound $300/month. And your wages might also be pretty low starting out. The one thing a union does do is protect your job, but that can also be a bad thing because it means the union will protect a lot of the dead wood thats in your shop.

Just ask if you can look at the contract before you take any union job. The contract will tell you everything you need to know.