During a recent meeting, John Dean, a long-time member of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1776, shared a compelling narrative about the significant impact of federal legislation on workers' pensions. Dean, who has served as a shop steward at Acme Markets in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, for the past eight years, highlighted the precarious state of multi-employer pension funds prior to the passage of the American Rescue Plan.

Dean recounted that when he first took on the role of shop steward, he was frequently approached by senior union members concerned about the future of their pensions. After attending several meetings, he discovered that the pension fund was projected to become insolvent by late 2025 or early 2026. The only viable solution at that time was the Butch Lewis Act, which aimed to provide financial support to struggling pension plans. However, with a Republican-controlled Congress and Donald Trump in the White House, the prospects for passing such legislation seemed bleak.

The political landscape shifted dramatically with the election of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in 2020. Dean noted that the American Rescue Plan, signed into law on March 11, 2021, included provisions for the Butch Lewis Act, marking a pivotal moment for workers. This legislation not only provided funding for COVID-19 vaccine distribution and testing but also secured the pensions of many union members, which Dean described as \"life-changing.\"

Thanks to the American Rescue Plan, Dean reported that the pension fund, once on the brink of insolvency, is now secure well into the 2050s. He expressed gratitude on behalf of UFCW 1776 members, emphasizing that the legislation has allowed senior members to retire with dignity, a fundamental right for all workers.

In closing, Dean underscored the importance of the middle class and unions in building the nation, thanking President Biden for his administration's efforts to support working families. His remarks served as a powerful reminder of the critical role that government policy can play in safeguarding the livelihoods of American workers.