MASSENA — Pension plans for members of the Laborers’ International Union Local Union No. 1822 are getting a $16 million federal funding boost to stay solvent.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer has announced that Laborers’ International Union Local Union No. 1822, which covers workers throughout the North Country, will receive the pension-fix funding from the American Rescue Plan.

The funding, at nearly $16 million, will help more than 500 union beneficiaries and their families across the North Country in St. Lawrence County, Jefferson County, Lewis, and Franklin County, Schumer claimed.

“Today, I am saying a promise made to hard-working union families at risk from losing their pensions through no fault of their own is a promise kept at almost $16 million for over 500 Laborers across the North Country,” said Schumer.

“Hundreds of workers and families at risk for partially or totally losing pension benefits today can breathe easier because today they no longer have to live in fear of how they can provide for themselves and their families in the future. When I championed the American Rescue Plan – the most significant effort to protect the solvency of the multiemployer pension system in almost 50 years – I had Upstate workers like the Laborers in mind the whole time, and it is now delivering millions of federal dollars in benefits directly to hard working New Yorkers. New York is and will forever be a union town and I always, always will work with my union brothers and sisters to deliver the benefits and back pay they deserve,” the senator said.

Schumer claims that the Laborers’ International Local 1822 Fund, which is in critical status, will receive approximately $16 million in special financial assistance, including interest to the expected date of payment to the plan. SFA will enable the plan to continue to pay retirement benefits without reduction for many years into the future.

“On behalf of North Country labor, I would like to thank Senator Schumer for securing this $16 million American Rescue Plan investment for the Laborer’s International Union of North America Local 1822. This Special Financial Assistance will protect the retirement security of our more than 500 retirees, beneficiaries, and members across St. Lawrence, Jefferson, Franklin, and Lewis counties,” said LIUNA Local 1822 Business Manager Scott Hilyard.

“Thanks to this critical infusion of federal dollars, the hard-working men and women of Local 1822, as well as their families, will benefit for generations to come. We are grateful for Senator Schumer’s leadership in Washington, and his tireless efforts to protect union workers,” Hilyard said.