About Your Plan

Today a working person’s life is far more complicated than ever before.  In addition to the responsibilities of getting and holding a job, most workers are vitally concerned about planning for some degree of financial security in a fast moving world.

Some of a family’s needs such as the purchase of a home, major appliances or a car can be financed over time.  Other needs, such as education for the children or security in one’s old age, can be provided only through a careful savings plan.  In other words, advance planning is required in order to take care of these needs. 

However, no amount of personal financial planning can, by itself, provide adequate protection for major financial problems caused by illness or injury.

To help meet these needs for you and your fellow workers, your Employer and the Union have established Benefit Plans which provide specific, dependable Benefit Plans including Health & Welfare, Pension, and Vacation-Holiday Funds.  Since their inception, the Plans have been managed in order to provide the best benefits possible consistent with sound financial management. 

These Plans were established and are maintained as a result of Collective Bargaining Agreements (sometimes referred to as “labor contracts”) between Employers and the Union. 

The Plans receive the majority of their income through Employer contributions as required under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreements.  In some cases, Employees are permitted to make self-contributions in order to maintain eligibility for Health & Welfare Benefits.  The Plans also receive income from investments. 

A Joint Board of Trustees, which is comprised of an equal number of Employer representatives and Union representatives, makes decisions on Plan operations.  Working together, the Trustees establish rules of eligibility, levels of benefits, supervise the investment of the Plans’ money and see that the Funds are in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws. 

This, then, is a brief description of how your Plans were established, their purpose and how they operate.  Please refer to your Plan SPDs for a description on how you and your family become eligible for Benefits from these Plans and what your responsibilities are under the Plans.  Of course, if you have any questions about the Plans, please feel free to contact the Fund Office at (402) 593-7565 or toll free at (877) 762-9348.  The staff will gladly answer your questions.