Sherrod Brown Celebrates Pensions Secured Through The Butch Lewis Act Alongside Ohio Workers

CLEVELAND, OH  – Today, Senator Sherrod Brown joined Ohio union workers including Teamsters, Ironworkers, and Musicians to celebrate their pensions being secured through the Butch Lewis Act. When Wall Street gambled away workers’ retirement, Sherrod led the fight to save the pensions of over 100,000 Ohioans and named the bill after an Ohio Teamster. Ohio workers know that Sherrod will always stand up to special interests to fight for Ohioans and the Dignity of Work.

“After years of effort, we saved the pensions of over 100,000 Ohioans to make sure they could retire with the dignity and security they earned over a lifetime of work,” said Senator Sherrod Brown. “I’m proud to stand with the Teamsters, Ironworkers, Musicians and more as we celebrate their pensions being restored and recommit to the fights ahead to ensure hard work pays off for every Ohioan – because if you love this country, you fight for the people who make it work.”

“My pension was cut 40% — and as an Iron Worker, you can’t go back to work at age 65,” said Bill Devito, Iron Workers Local 17 Member and Berea City Councilman. “Wall Street was the only winner when they gambled our pensions away, until Sherrod fought for us and made sure we could retire with dignity. In November, Iron Workers will have Sherrod’s back just like he’s had ours for years.”

“Without Senator Brown and the Butch Lewis Act, my pension would have been cut by 50% and 60,000 of our members would have been affected,” said Leonard DiCosimo, Cleveland Federation of Musicians Local 4 AFM President and North Shore AFL-CIO Executive Secretary. “Sherrod fights for every worker in our central labor council. He doesn’t forget about any of us, and he never gives up.” 

“Senator Brown fought for our pensions so that my fellow Teamster retirees and I received the money we worked hard for because he understands the dignity of our work,” said Bill Guzay, President of the Cleveland Teamsters Retiree Club.

Video of today’s event for media use is available here and photos are available below:

Sherrod speaks with Ohio workers who had their pensions saved through the Butch Lewis Act.

From left to right: Rich Jordan, Iron Workers Local 17 Business Manager; Sherrod Brown; Bill Devito, Iron Workers Local 17 Member and Berea City Councilman; Brian Murray.

Sherrod speaks with Mike Walden, a retired Teamster and a strong advocate for the Butch Lewis Act. 

Leonard DiCosimo, Cleveland Federation of Musicians Local 4 AFM President and North Shore AFL-CIO Executive Secretary, and his fellow union musicians played during the celebration.

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