Our Members at Work
The Workforce We Serve
From administrative offices to loading docks and warehouse floors, IBOTU protects workers across every industry in America.
The International Brotherhood of Trade Unions delivers comprehensive health and welfare benefits to over 15,000 union members — with self-insured plans that save money and maximize flexibility.
From administrative offices to loading docks and warehouse floors, IBOTU protects workers across every industry in America.
IBOTU administers a full spectrum of health and welfare programs designed to protect union members and their families across America.
Comprehensive medical plans covering in-patient, out-patient, specialist visits, and preventive care. Members access a broad network of the nation's top providers.
Managed pharmacy programs with formulary flexibility, mail-order options, and specialty drug coverage — delivering significant cost savings to members and employers.
Preventive and restorative dental care plus annual vision exams, frames, lenses, and contact lens coverage for members and their eligible dependents.
Group term life insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment coverage provides financial security for families when they need it most.
Income replacement protection ensures members and their families maintain financial stability when illness or injury prevents a member from working.
Behavioral health coverage, Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), and wellness initiatives that support the complete well-being of union members and dependents.
IBOTU negotiates strong, consistent wage increases that keep pace with the cost of living — ensuring members' earning power grows year over year across all participating employers.
Collectively bargained protections guard members against arbitrary termination, layoffs, and outsourcing — providing the stability and peace of mind every working family deserves.
Unlike traditional fully-insured plans where a carrier pockets the profit margin, self-insured plans allow IBOTU to put those savings directly back into member benefits and employer pocketbooks. We assume the risk — and pass the reward along.
Benefits are customized to the actual needs of union members — not dictated by an insurer's standard product. IBOTU can add, adjust, or expand coverage based on member needs and utilization data.
Employers pay actual claims costs rather than inflated insured premiums. Healthy plan years generate real savings. IBOTU's proven track record consistently delivers cost reductions without benefit cuts.
Full access to claims and utilization data allows proactive cost management. IBOTU identifies trends early, adjusts programs, and negotiates aggressively with vendors on your behalf.
Catastrophic and aggregate stop-loss insurance caps employer liability, providing the flexibility of self-insurance with a safety net against unexpected large claims.
IBOTU's self-insured Taft-Hartley plans operate under ERISA — providing fiduciary oversight, ACA compliance, and robust member protections backed by decades of experience.
| Feature | Fully Insured | IBOTU Self-Insured |
|---|---|---|
| Flexible Benefit Design | ✗ | ✓ |
| Claims Surplus Returned | ✗ | ✓ |
| Real-Time Claims Data | ✗ | ✓ |
| Carrier Profit Margin | 10–15% | Eliminated |
| State Premium Taxes | Applies | Exempt |
| Vendor Negotiation Power | Carrier-driven | Union-driven |
| Benefit Customization | Limited | Unlimited |
| Stop-Loss Protection | N/A | Included |
IBOTU regularly saves both employers and members money on benefits — without sacrificing coverage quality or access
IBOTU exists for one reason: to provide the strongest possible benefits at the lowest responsible cost for union members and contributing employers across America.
By pooling members from numerous employers, IBOTU achieves purchasing power far beyond what any single employer could attain — driving down costs across medical, pharmacy, dental, and ancillary benefits.
As a Taft-Hartley trust fund, IBOTU's trustees are legally required to act solely in the interest of plan participants and beneficiaries — not shareholders, not insurers, not employers.
Dedicated benefit professionals manage eligibility, claims, appeals, and compliance — ensuring members receive what they are entitled to and employers meet their obligations seamlessly.
IBOTU is not-for-profit by design. Surplus contributions are reinvested into benefit improvements, reserves, and premium stability — not extracted as carrier profit or administrative fees.
IBOTU's proactive medical management, pharmacy carve-outs, and aggressive network negotiations have a proven track record of reducing per-member costs while maintaining robust benefits.
As a multi-employer fund, members retain continuous coverage as they work across participating employers nationwide — eliminating coverage gaps common in single-employer plans.
Switching to IBOTU's self-insured plan was one of the best decisions our local has made. Our members kept every benefit they had — and our employers saw real, meaningful cost reductions within the first year.
The transparency alone is worth it. For the first time, we actually understand where our benefit dollars are going — and IBOTU uses that data to fight for us every time a contract renewal comes around.
As a small contractor contributing to multiple union funds, IBOTU simplified our benefits administration enormously. One fund, comprehensive coverage, competitive contributions. Our workers have never been better protected.
Whether you are a union local exploring benefit options, an employer seeking to understand your obligations, or a member with a question about coverage — IBOTU is here to help.