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Local 688 members have a voice in their health care at Labor Health Institute (LHI).
A THROWBACK TO THE PAST
LHI is a throwback to the past when doctors worked for you, not insurance company bureaucrats. What makes LHI different than other health care
plans? First, Local 688 members like you are on the LHI Board of Trustees. Second, LHI is not-for-profit. This means comprehensive health care is the
first concern, not cost-cutting plans designed to increase a stock price. LHI-founder Harold Gibbons built this patient-centered approach to health
care more than 50 years ago. The approach remains today as a model of how organized labor can improve lives in unique ways. A FLEXIBLE PLAN CATERING TO YOU
LHI members enjoy health care that includes free office visits, a prescription drug plan and dental and vision benefits. Our plan offers members more
than 835 network specialists and 64 hospitals with in-house physicians covering nearly every area of medicine. LHI's case manager tracks patients'
recovery after a long illness to ensure they receive necessary care. LHI provides satellite offices for primary care and accepts "walk-in"
appointments because it understands members need a flexible health care plan that caters to busy lives. A VOICE IN YOUR HEALTH CARE NEEDS
As a Local 688 member, you understand having a voice on the job means you are treated with respect and dignity. Your health care plan should not
be any different. LHI provides members with a three-level appeals process that includes the Medical Director, Board of Trustees (comprised of rank-and-file Local 688 members) and the President. As your health care
plan, we invite you to provide suggestions and recommendations at the annual meeting. Compare this to plans where Boards of Directors, thousands of miles from St. Louis, answer only to stockholders behind
closed doors. Members are at the mercy of these plans since benefit levels can change overnight. At LHI we have pride in our commitment to Local 688
members and their families. LHI provides benefits working families deserve from their health care plan.
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TEAMSTERS MEDICARE TRUST
The Teamsters Medicare Trust for Retired Employees was established
in order to provide health care coverage for Local 688 members after
they retire. This benefit is available to members who have had the proper
number of contributions made on their behalf by their employer because
the TMT is part of their contract.
There are two plans under which the participating member and their
dependent spouse can be covered.
The Basic Plan covers the retired member and their dependent spouse.
There are no premium payments required under the Basic Plan, the member
may live anywhere in the United States, and be provided limited coverage.
The other option under TMT is coverage provided by the Labor Health Institute for
the member and their spouse. There are individual premium payments required,
but you will be provided with extensive medical coverage.
The details of both the plans are available in the Summary Plan Description which
is available through the Administrative Office of the Plan.
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The Teamsters Negotiated Pension Plan is a multiemployer
defined benefit pension plan. In order to participate in the
Plan, you must work in covered employment for an
employer who contributes to the plan on your behalf. Being
a Participant does not automatically mean you will qualify for
a benefit from the Plan. In order to qualify, you must earn a
minimum number of years of credited service and contributory
service.
Your union dues do not pay for the Plan. Your Employer makes weekly
contributions on your behalf to pay for the Plan. The amount of the contribution
is specified in your collective bargaining agreement. This contribution level determines
the benefit plan that will apply to you.
Generally, it takes five years of vesting service to become vested in the Plan. The Plan has
several different retirement dates. They range from age 65 if you are in covered employment
and have been a Participant for at least five years, to being able to retire regardless of
your age provided you have thirty years of contributory service. You may even choose to
structure your retirement benefit to provide benefits for your survivors after your death.
There is a Board of Trustees made up of Employer Trustees and Union Trustees that make
the rules and regulations to administer the Plan. By amendment, the Board of Trustees
may change the terms, conditions, of benefits of the Plan. Only the Board of Trustees
can make a final decision regarding any question, interpretation, or application of any
part of the Plan. The Board of Trustees is also responsible for investing the assets of the
trust fund in a diversified portfolio of investment vehicles, with the advice of a professional
investment consulting firm.
Any Participant in the Plan is entitled to make requests through the Plan
Administrator'sOffice to examine all documents governing the Plan. These rights are guaranteed under
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.
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TEAMSTERS LOCAL 688 INSURANCE AND WELFARE TRUST FUND
On October 1, 1989, the Teamsters Health and Welfare Fund Trust merged with the
Teamsters Local 688 Insurance and Welfare Fund. The surviving Trust Fund is now
known and referred to as the Teamsters Local 688 Insurance and Welfare Fund.
The merged fund now administers two separate plans. Benefits provided under this
plan consist of the Health and Medical Camp, the Intown Facility, and Life Insurance
coverage. The Plan does not provide weekly accident and sickness benefits, vision
and dental care benefits, or medical care insurance.
In order for you and your dependents to enjoy the benefits of the Fund, you
must be
covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement under which the employer agrees to
and does make contributions in the amount called for by the Agreement to
Teamsters Local 688 Insurance and Welfare Fund on your behalf. Retired members
and their dependents are also entitled to continue participation under certain conditions.
The Health and Medical Camp is located on Highway 67, in Pevely, Missouri.
Covered employees, retired members, and dependents as defined by the Fund, are
eligible to use the facilities of the Camp.
SWIMMING POOL and WATERPARK
 UNION HILLS GOLF COURSE 
FISHING at UNITY LAKE 
The Intown Facility is located on the ground floor of the Union Plaza
Complex at 300 South Grand, St. Louis, MO. It provides to covered
employees and their eligible dependents and to retired members and
their eligible dependents, extensive facilities for exercise, and theservices of an instructor and staff to assist you in developing a program
to aid in weight loss, help reach or maintain physical fitness.
GYM
 INTOWN POOL
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