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Pension & Health Funds Show Strong Growth |
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With all of the crazy going on in this world, I would like to share some very good news!
I'd like to open this month's newsletter with some very positive updates across our pension and health plans. The consistent theme is clear: disciplined oversight and smart decision-making are producing real, measurable gains for our members and retirees.
Glaziers Local 188 Pension
The Board of Trustees met and approved an increase in the accrual rate for the past year from 1% to 1.6%, a 60% increase for that year. This is a significant improvement and reflects a plan that is performing very well and remains in a strongly funded position. Funding for this plan is now over 121%
Glaziers Local 740 Pension
The Trustees also delivered major gains:
- Approved a 13th check for retirees to be issued this November.
- Agreed to backfill the multiplier from 1.6% to 1.8% for the years 2009-17.
- Increased the multiplier from 1.4% to 1.6% for plan years 2023-25.
These are meaningful enhancements that directly reward both past and current participants. The plan continues to be very well funded. The plan has increased members benefits by more than $27 million since 2016 and is funded over 112%
Oregon/Southwest Washington Painters and Drywall Finishers Pension
This plan has now reached over 100% funded status, a major milestone. To put that in perspective, the plan stood at 79.5% funded in 2019. That turnaround is no accident — it’s the result of steady contributions, responsible management, and long-term focus.
Resilient Floor Covering and International Pensions
These Plans continue to climb out of the funding issues that were from the last several recessions. The Floor Pension has went from 71% in 2019 to 84.4% currently. The I.U. plan was 62.1% in 2019, and in 2025 it had gone up to 70%.
EPT Health & Welfare Plan
The Board of Trustees will meet in May to determine any potential increase to Health & Welfare benefits. So far this year, the fund has been performing very positively, putting us in a strong position heading into those discussions.
The Bigger Picture
Since 2019, DC5 Pension and Health & Welfare funds have grown by more than 48%, totaling an increase of $604,310,892. Yes, that is over $604 million dollars. That kind of growth doesn’t happen by chance. It comes from:
- Strong market awareness and positioning
- Responsible bargaining and contribution levels
- Careful, disciplined oversight from Trustees and staff
They deserve real credit for staying focused and making decisions that protect and grow our members’ benefits.
We’re in a solid position, but the goal is always to keep building. Staying disciplined, protecting our work, and continuing to grow market share will ensure these gains continue into the future.
In Solidarity, |
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BUILDING UNION POWER |
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In this episode, Michael Prault sits down with Donovan Hatley (Local 188) to discuss the tragic event that almost took his son's life, the support from his union family, and the strength he and his wife demonstrate every day raising Archie and his younger sister. |
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Share Your Union Story
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Help us tell the real story of working families and the International Union of Painters & Allied Trades. Share your photos and videos at the link below of the work you do every day. We're looking for pics of the projects that flex your master craftsmanship, videos of your work on the jobsite, interviews with co-workers, memes, pro tips, or whatever creative idea you have to share your work. Be safe, leave the hate behind, and help us spread the word far and wide. |
| Share Photos and Videos |
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Making the Case for Your Local
Local 1094 is a little different than most locals in District Council 5. We cover allied trades, including truck painters, screen printers, housekeepers, sign workers, and a few others, and we’re spread across Washington and Oregon. It’s a wide range of work, but it all falls under the same local.
We’ve got some larger shops like Kenworth in Renton and Daimler in Portland, and about 240 housekeepers out at Madigan Army Medical Center on Joint Base Lewis-McChord. But most of our shops are smaller owner-operator businesses. Some of them have employees, some of them are owner-operators. All together, we represent more than 500 members. |
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Truck painters are one of several trades represented by Local 1094. |
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One of the biggest differences with our local is how people join. Most of our members don’t come to the union looking for work. They get hired by a company first, and then they’re required to join the union. That changes how people see the union. A lot of them are focused on their job and don’t feel like they need to come to meetings or get engaged.
Since February, I’ve met one-on-one with about 100 members and employers. What I hear from both is pretty consistent. Employers are looking for reliable workers who show up every day. Most members are focused on pay and benefits. They want to make sure they’re keeping up with the cost of living, and they’re thinking about health care and retirement.
A lot of members don’t always see the bigger picture of what the union does. Part of what I’m trying to do with these meetings is help people understand the outreach, the organizing, and how we’re working to improve conditions across the board, not just at one business.
At the same time, I’m working to bring in new employers. That’s really the key to growing our local. When we bring in more shops, we bring in more members, and that helps everyone.
For smaller shops especially, what we can offer makes a difference. A lot of them can’t afford to provide things like a pension or comprehensive health care on their own. We can help with that.
At the same time, there are challenges. Our benefits are structured the same for everyone, and that doesn’t fit every situation. But overall, there’s interest from employers, especially when they’re looking for stability and a reliable workforce.
One area we continue to work on is meeting participation. We hold monthly meetings in Seattle and Portland, but turnout is lower that we’d like. That said, the meetings are still important. That’s where you find out what’s going on in your local, what opportunities are out there, and you get to know other members. That network can matter, especially if work slows down and you need to find your next opportunity.
Looking ahead, the focus for us is straightforward: grow the local by bringing in more employers and continue reaching out to members so they understand what we offer. We’re in a unique position compared to other trades, but there’s still a lot of opportunity to build on what we have.
If you’re an employer or a worker and want to learn more about Local 1094, reach out. I’m always open to having that conversation. |
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Social Media Corner |
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While it’s easy to take our current rights for granted, workers in our union and across the labor movement have given their lives in the fight for better pay and working conditions.
Learn about the Everett Massacre and the role IUPAT Local 300 members played.
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| Watch the Story |
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Meet Ramon Ramos, Field Representative (Locals 10, 101, 740) and Local 740 Glazier. Hear him discuss what a union is, how he became a union member, and the power in solidarity. |
| Hear from Ramon |
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Together, we build stronger communities, protect workers' rights, and create opportunities for success. Stay united, stay strong with IUPAT District Council 5! |
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