(NIAGARA FALLS, NEW YORK) - U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer has announced that after years of advocacy to secure relief for ailing multi-employer pension plans for Union Workers, Laborers’ Local 91’s Pension Plan covering Construction Workers in Niagara County will receive a $67 million pension fix from the Schumer-led American Rescue Plan.

The plan was projected to become insolvent and run out of money by the end of the calendar year.  The program will now enable the plan to continue to pay retirement benefits without reduction for many years into the future.

Niagara Falls-based Local 91’s Pension Plan covers 575 Construction Workers, who are highly trained in areas of asbestos removal, hazardous materials abatement, paving roads and runways, pipe installation, and bridge and building construction.

Senator Schumer said: “Western New York’s Union Construction Workers are the best of the best. Working hard every day, building and repairing our roads, bridges and more. They worked hard, played by the rules and paid into pension plans that were at risk of being drastically cut or even completely disappearing through no fault of their own. I promised to fight to make sure that wouldn’t happen - and I am proud to say a promise made is a promise kept. Over ($67 million) is now secured for the Niagara Falls-based Laborers’ Local (91) Pension Plan, which will ensure (575) Union Workers and their families across Western New York can retire in dignity. I made sure, as my first act as Majority Leader, to pass the American Rescue Plan with a key provision to deliver the pension relief to our Union Brothers and Sisters and their families they have desperately needed and earned. New York was built by Union Workers and I always will work with my Union Brothers and Sisters to deliver the benefits they deserve.”

Local 91 President Richard Palladino said: "As current Business Manager and long-time Member of Laborers Local (91) since 1959, I am thrilled and relieved to receive SFA funding to continue pension benefits for all of our Retirees - and also to sustain and continue to grow our funding for all future participants of our Pension Plan. We give our gratitude to Senator Schumer for securing the funds necessary which allowed our Plan to be a candidate for this special funding application."

Local 91 Member Bruce Stenzel said: “This is a huge relief for all of us, We’ve put in decades of tough work on numerous job sites and in all kinds of weather, in the hopes of building a better future for ourselves and our families. When we heard our pensions were in trouble, it felt like the rug was being pulled out from under us. Thanks to Senator Schumer that future is back on track.”

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