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TEAM History

The State Highway and Transportation Employees Association of Missouri was organized in 1950 as a service organization to promote the general welfare of all employees, encourage the highest standards of employee conduct, and render the most effective service to the people of Missouri.  Listed below are some of TEAM's historical achievements:

1951
The Association started its work in 1951. It requested a 10% across-the-board raise for employees which was approved. Also, the Association supported the Social Security Act which also passed.

1952
The Association proposed a group hospital and surgical plan to be implemented. This early work was the beginning of the health insurance plan we have today. It's hard to believe that at one time we did not have health insurance as state employees. The Association also proposed a five-day, 40-hour work week. This item was also approved in 1952.

1953
The Association continued its work in 1953 by supporting a provision that allowed beneficiaries of deceased employees to be compensated for the employee's unused vacation.

1955
The Association proposed legislation for a retirement plan for State employees. This legislation was approved and passed. Also proposed a leave of absence from work for serious illness. This item was also approved.

1959
In 1959, the Association requested that employees be compensated for holidays that fell on Saturday or Sunday. Approved.

1960
The Association proposed a safety study which was approved and later initiated.

1961
A full time position for the credit union was obtained. An increase in vacation of 1-1/4 day per month was asked for and obtained. The Association requested that the 20-hour shift for maintenance men be abolished. The Association requested that sick leave be increased to 1-1/4 days per month. All of this was approved in 1961 alone.

1962
Various self-supporting social and sports activities were started. This was the beginning of our fishing, bowling and golf competition.

1963
This was the year that compensatory time was initiated at the Association's request.

1964
The Association requested that certain safety features be added to maintenance equipment.

1966
A committee on service and welfare was established for employee complaints.

1967
The Association was instrumental in upgrading the group life insurance program. Also, requested that all employees be covered under Workmen's Compensation.

1969
Overtime compensation was attained. The Association also asked that sick time be allowed to accumulate to 120 days, which was approved.

1970
The Association requested that the spouse's immediate family be included on leave for funerals, which was approved.

1971
State paid drive-other-car insurance was passed. Before this time the employee's personal insurance had to be used.

1972
The Association requested that the figure of 1.25% be used in the retirement formula. Vesting rights were also approved.

1973
The Association requested and received unlimited accumulation of sick leave.

1974
Overtime pay for some lower paid employees was increased to time-and-one-half at the Association's request.

1976
Revisions to the retirement system ensured that all contributions originated with the State. Vacation of 1-3/4 days per month at 15 years of service was requested by the Association and received.

1977
State participation was secured for a portion of the cost of the employees' health insurance. Maintenance men working on an hourly basis for the Highway Department were given retirement credit.

1978
Additional money per month was gained from the State to pay health insurance premiums. Salary brackets for employees were adjusted one step. A percentage increase on the interest earned by the employee's retirement contribution.

1979
A change in the overtime policy was obtained that increased accumulated compensatory time.

1981
Passage of HB 983 was obtained which provided for the return of the employee contribution in the retirement system.

1984
Obtained passage of a bill which gave employees one month's retirement credit for every 42 days of unused sick leave. The percentage used in the retirement formula was increased from 1.25% to 1.33%. A 50% spouse benefit was initiated with no reduction to the employees' benefits. Plaques were obtained to honor employees killed on the job.

1985
The Association supported a bill authorizing the state to pay insurance benefits for dependents. An Association salary study presented to administration yielded an 8% cost-of-living raise for highway employees.

1986
The Association supported retirement with full benefits at 55 years of age and 30 years of service. Improvements were made in the medical plan, with no increase in premiums.

1987
The maximum level of cost-of-living adjustment for retirees was increased from 50% to 65%. Employees were allowed to purchase up to two years of prior military service to be added to their years of credible service with the department. A "cafeteria plan" for state employees was established to allow the employees to pay for certain medical and insurance related items with pre-tax dollars. Allowance for paid tuition for the college education of department employees killed on the job.

1988
The retirement option for the surviving spouse was revised so that they would receive 50% of the final annuity instead of the beginning annuity. The retirement formula was again revised, with the percentage used in the retirement formula increased from 1.33% to 1.5%.

1990
Secured direct deposit of payroll checks. Also obtained approval of monthly payroll deduction for uniform rental.

1991
Full credit of unused sick leave time for retirement approved.

1992
Retirement system vesting was adjusted to a threshhold of five years of service. Purchase of military credit was approved for active employee veterans who will receive military retirement. A retiree member was added to the retirement board. One-half survivorship for spouses of retirees that died prior to September 28, 1989, was approved, as was transferring of service time for State employees.

1993
Payroll deduction was approved for Association dues. An additional salary bracket was also added to the salary schedule.

1994
The retirement factor was increased to 1.6%. We also had the work zone safety bill passed.

1995
A bill was passed that established a $25 State match into deferred compensation.

1996
The Association worked to get the COMAP salary plan approved by trying to get employees across the market value step. Worked with Administration to get better coverage and stay out of consolidated health plan.

1997
Testified against holiday bill that would have taken away three holidays and been replaced with two personal days and make the Friday after Thanksgiving a legal holiday. Supported legislation to provide COLA after reaching maximum 65% (retirement).

1998
Testified for the contribution factor to PEBSCO's Deferred Comp Plan be increased to $75.00, which was eventually passed.

1999

Worked towards retirement bill, increased health insurance for retirees, state holidays, increased fines in work zones, exempt monthly annuities from income tax, and interim study of retiree health care. Worked against collective bargaining and roll back of gas tax. Triple indemnity on life insurance for employees killed on the job was added to the retirement bill, which passed and was signed by the Governor.

2000

Supported the work zone safety bill that did not pass this year. Sponsored the Deferred Retirement Option Program - did not pass, but is being studied by a Governor's committee this summer.

2001

Governor Bob Holden made reference to the State Highway and Transportation Employees Association of Missouri when he signed Senate Bill 244 (Work Zone Safety Bill) into law for their effort in promoting safety for highway workers in our state. The Bill accessed an additional $250 fine to speeding violations in a signed work zone. The Governor also signed into law our Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP) 5B371 that gives all state employees the option of taking up to five years of their retirement in a lump sum cash payment to be used as they choose.

2002

Because of the tight budget in the state this year, we had only HB 1455 signed by the Governor. This bill gives the employees the choice of how many years they would like in their Deferred Retirement Option Plan. (DROP)(1-5 YEARS)

2003

Because of a large number of new legislators due to enactment of term limits and a large deficit in funds to implement the budget, this was not a good year for Association-supported bills. The legislature did approve appropriations for a $600 per year pay increase for state employees making less that $40,000 per year.

2004

Little legislation passed this session that would benefit state employees, but the Association continued to work hard in the Capital by making numerous appearances at committee hearings. Bills were proposed, opposed, rewritten and amended where appropriate on behalf of the state transportation employees.

2005

The Association pushed through legislation that allows workers to retain as many as 240 accumulated overtime hours. Without it, employees would have only been allowed to keep 80 hours. A proposal to consolidate MoDOT's retirement system with MOSERS was stopped so that it could be examined in greater detail.

2006

TEAM joined forces with MoDOT and got legislation passed that imposes an automatic $10,000.00 fine for hitting a worker in a work zone.

2007

Through lobbying and hard work, legislation was passed that allows employees to buy back prior service with a municipality at one-third the existing cost.

2008
Deferred compensation took precedence for the legislative session. After TEAM's diligent participation, funding was increased to $35 a month.

2009

TEAM opposed SB 150 and HB 347 that specified overtime or compensatory time would not be included in certain retirement benefit calculations for the Missouri Department of Transportation and Highway Patrol Employees' Retirement System.

TEAM started working on The Employees Fallen Workers Memorial.

The Association started to write information about the changes that might be made in the "Move Over" law.

2010

TEAM opposed Both HB 1677 and HB 1268 to eliminate holidays commemorating the birthdays of President Truman and Lincoln.

TEAM began working toward the inclusion of MoDOT vehicles in the state's "Move Over" law.
Work continued on the Fallen Workers Memorial.

2011

Progress continued toward the approval of a site for the Fallen Workers Memorial on Missouri state capitol grounds.

The Association supported HB1922, which would require the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission to establish a board of trustees to administer the existing health care plan within the MPERS retirement system. Also, the superintendent of the highway patrol is added as an advisor to the health care programs sponsored by the department and patrol.