Click Here To Read the latest Rocky Mountain Teamster Vol-70-2 July 2026 (you must Log in to view/read) 

WTWT Memo - Termination of BCBSNM Effective September 1, 2026 To: All Active Western Teamsters Welfare Trust Participants Who Participate in the BlueCross BlueShield New Mexico (BCBSNM): RE: Termination of BCBSNM Effective September 1, 2026 7/9/2026 - BCBSNM’s premiums have been increasing at an alarming rate and they are the most expensive HMO option in the 11-state area covered by the Trust. Over the years, the Trust has communicated to BCBSNM that if their premiums continue to increase, then it would be likely that the Trust will terminate BCBSNM as an option. Unfortunately, BCBSNM proposed another increase for the September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2027, plan year. BCBSNM remains the most expensive HMO option at a monthly premium of $3,018.84 per Active employee. For comparison’s sake, the Trust’s self-funded benefits currently cost on average $1,908.79 per Active per month or $1,110.05 a month less than the BCBSNM rate.

SUBJECT: ABF Freight Pension Contribution Increase Effective August 1, 2026 Brothers and Sisters, Effective August 1, 2026, the new total pension contribution rate for ABF Freight members in the West will be $10.58 per hour. This rate includes the contractual $0.99 per hour increase. Because the Western Teamsters Welfare Trust (WTWT) has not increased Health & Welfare contribution rates for the 2026 plan year, no portion of the contractual increase will be allocated to Health & Welfare benefits.

RE: Cost-of-Living (COLA) Adjustment of $0.22 on August 1, 2026 Inflation triggered a 2026 COLA increase of $0.22 per hour and 0.55 cents per mile under the 2023-2028 National Master United Parcel Service Agreement. The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) increased to a level of 328.829 points ( 1982-84= 100) in May 2026. This triggers a COLA increase because the CPI-W Index points exceeded 325.283 points. Per Article 33 of the contract, a COLA increase

6/8/2026 - View The IBT Notice To All ABF Local Unions Regarding the 2026 COLA Increase, which can also be viewed below: TO: ALL LOCAL UNIONS SIGNATORY TO THE 2023 – 2028 ABF FREIGHT NATIONAL MASTER FREIGHT AGREEMENT FROM: John A. Murphy, National Freight Director DATE: June 8, 2026 RE: ABF Freight -NMFA Article 33, Sec. 4 - COLA The U.S.

YELLOW CORPORATION BANKRUPTCY UPDATE 7/1/2026 - Click Here to read the June 30th, 2026 YELLOW CORPORATION BANKRUPTCY UPDATE from the IBT.  Fraternally,  Jesus R. Vidaca, Teamster LU492 Freight Business Agent https://bit.ly/3RCi7j1

Tell Congress to Pass the Fast Labor Contracts Act! Workers shouldn’t have to wait years for their first contract! Workers have the right to a collective bargaining agreement after they vote for a union, but the law is full of loopholes and companies drag out the negotiation process for years. On average today, it takes 458 days to secure a first contract.

This month's Rocky Mountain Teamster is available to read online along with all Rocky Mountain Teamsters going back to 2008.