The Teamsters Union is mourning the loss of Julie Reid, a UPS feeder driver and member of Teamsters Local 135, who was killed in a fatal crash and vehicle fire this morning. “Julie was a great union sister and supporter of Local 135. We are shocked and devasted by this loss,” said Dustin Roach, President of Local 135 in Indianapolis. “Our entire union sends our love to her family and friends, and we are ready to support them in this very difficult time.” The three-vehicle crash occurred early Tuesday morning on I-65 in Scotts County, Indiana, resulting in a fire involving Sister Reid’s truck. “Our hearts go out to the family, friends, and co-workers of Sister Julie Reid,” said Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien. “This tragedy is felt by all 1.3 million Teamsters nationwide. We send our deepest condolences to Julie’s loved ones and we join them in mourning her passing.” The post Teamsters Mourn Death of Indiana UPS Feeder Driver Killed in Crash appeared first on International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

(OROVILLE, Calif.) – Skilled trades workers in Butte County have voted unanimously to organize with Teamsters Local 137. These 105 new members work in a variety of crafts, including as animal control, cooks, custodians, facility maintenance, groundskeepers, heavy equipment operators, landfill and recycling, and road crew. “Congratulations to the newest members of Local 137 on standing up for themselves and organizing their union,” said Russ Butler, Secretary-Treasurer at Local 137 in Redding. “From groundskeepers to custodians and animal control, these workers perform services that are vital to the functioning of Butte County. Their work is essential and deserving of nothing less than the strongest union contract, which the Teamsters will secure.” The skilled trades workers in Butte County join 1,900 other county workers in the social services and general units that had previously organized with Local 137. “After watching my co-workers for the past eight years and the success that Business Agent Misty Tanner and the Teamsters have provided my fellow colleagues, there was no doubt I wanted the same,” said Valerie Meze, a recycling coordinator in Butte County. “Being a member of the Teamsters Union gives me a sense of assurance that the skilled trades members will have solid representation, a better health care program, and a voice in negotiations.” Since 1913, Teamsters Local 137 has proudly served workers in the Northern California counties of Siskiyou, Tehama, Shasta, Trinity, Butte, Yuba, Plumas, Sutter, Colusa, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Sierra, Humboldt, and Del Norte. For more information, visit Teamsters137.com. The post Butte County Workers Vote Unanimously to Join Teamsters appeared first on International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

(RIDGE PARK, Ill.) – Five Teamsters local unions in three states have filed unfair labor practice (ULP) charges against Pepsi with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) over the company’s anti-worker policies that are illegal under current labor law. Teamsters locals across Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa — including Locals 727, 90, 135, 142, and 673 — filed charges against Pepsi’s unlawful work rules that prohibit workers from discussing wages, hours, or other terms or conditions of employment. The policies also prevent or discourage workers from forming, joining, or supporting a labor organization, contacting and/or filing charges with the NLRB, and engaging in protected concerted activities. The ULP charges come as Pepsi Teamsters are in negotiations for new contracts at Local 727 and Local 673 in Illinois and Local 135 in Indiana. “While Pepsi should be at the bargaining table to reach an agreement that rewards the hardworking Teamsters who keep operations moving, the company is subjecting our members to antiquated and illegal work rules that violate their basic rights,” said Jeff Padellaro, Director of the Teamsters Brewery, Bakery, and Soft Drink Conference. “Teamsters are putting Pepsi on notice that we won’t tolerate union busting. We will take coordinated action against the company until it gets serious in negotiations.” “Pepsi management has repeatedly said in bargaining that they have a great relationship with labor and that they ‘plan to bargain in good faith,’ but clearly that couldn’t be further from the truth,” said John Coli Jr., Secretary-Treasurer of Local 727. “Other Teamsters local unions have partnered with Local 727 to stand up to this corporate bully. Pepsi management has made one thing crystal clear: they do not value their union workforce. Whether members vote to strike is up to the company. Pepsi should stop with the unlawful behavior and return to the table to give workers what they need.” “This is the largest food and beverage company in North America and it's time they start acting more responsibly and respectfully,” said Dustin Roach, President of Local 135 in Indianapolis. “Pepsi needs to address workers’ issues at the bargaining table. If they don’t, we will hit the streets.” Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.3 million hardworking people in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Visit Teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and “like” us on Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters. The post Teamsters in Three States File Unfair Labor Practice Charges Against Pepsi appeared first on International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

Last week, a new group of UPS administrative and specialist workers were certified for representation by Teamsters Local 322 in Richmond, Virginia. This is the latest group of administrative and specialist workers organized thanks to a memorandum of understanding (MOU) secured by the Teamsters under the union’s national UPS contract. The MOU assures employer neutrality during administrative and specialist organizing campaigns. By joining the union, the workers will now enjoy the benefits of the administrative and specialist addendum to the National Master Agreement, which was negotiated following the first successful organizing drive among UPS administrative and specialist workers by Local 89 in Louisville, KY. The addendum applies the UPS Teamsters’ general wage increases to the classifications, bringing the new members under TeamCare health coverage, and establishing or restarting pension plans for the now-protected workers. “We are pleased to welcome this new group of UPS Teamsters into the union,” said Brian Peyton, President of Local 322. “The administrative and specialist worker MOU and addendum are powerful tools that every UPS local should be using to grow the membership and make the Teamsters even stronger so we can continue winning game-changing contracts at UPS.” “My co-workers and I are excited to finally have the protections and benefits that more than 300,000 UPS Teamsters have across the country. It feels good to be part of this great union and to be able to call ourselves Teamsters. We hope more administrative and specialist workers at other centers join us as well,” said Donna Habeebullah, a Package Center Specialist at the Richmond center. If you are an administrative or specialist worker at UPS, contact a local near you today to start the process of becoming a Teamster. The post UPS Administrative and Specialist Workers in Virginia Join Teamsters appeared first on International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

The Human Rights and Diversity Commission, in conjunction with the Teamsters History Project, welcomes the next segment of monthly history programs based on Teamsters, the labor movement, and the diversity within our union. These programs are designed to look at a wide variety of aspects in our shared past, including events in Black, Women’s, Hispanic, and LGBTQ+ histories and their impact on Teamsters and the labor movement. The programs, presented in Zoom format, will be open to all and approximately 90 minutes in length; registration is required to receive the link to join the session. We do encourage you to share this announcement with anyone you believe to be interested; this is not just for Teamsters but to everyone in your communities. We hope this program will generate some lively discussion and ideas for programs in your locals, communities, and at home. Sunday, April 14, 20241:00pm-2:30pm EST Presented by Nick PerryCentral Region Trainer, IBT Training & Grants Department Trustee, Teamsters Local Union 413 Register for this program, here: http://ibt.io/2024HRDC Should you have questions or inquiries on general series information contact Loren Fortune at lfortune@teamster.org. The post History Project: “Racist Roots of Right to Work” appeared first on International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

Management bullying against UPS Teamsters has consequences – especially when locals aggressively enforce the contract. At this month’s National Grievance Panel, Teamsters Local 25 called the company to the mat for its harassment of Shop Steward Marvin Escobar in Somerville, Mass. The result was a decision in the union’s favor for Escobar’s grievance case. “This win is not just for me but for all of the members,” Escobar said. “It sends a strong message to the company that they can’t get away with disrespecting us or preventing shop stewards like me from doing our jobs and advocating for our co-workers.” In February 2023, UPS District Manager Kevin Thibert assembled a meeting of drivers to discuss layoffs at the Somerville facility. Brother Escobar was present in the meeting as a union representative on behalf of the other drivers, but Thibert refused to take his questions and responded with hostility to Escobar’s presence in the meeting. Thibert attempted to silence Escobar, an elected shop steward and former Marine who grew up in the U.S., using dismissive language with racist undertones. “Having grown up as a Latino, I had experienced that tone and attitude before that says your family doesn’t belong here. I instantly knew Thibert was discriminating against me,” Escobar said. Escobar immediately filed a grievance after the incident and included statements from six other drivers who witnessed the incident. “This victory for the union is a lesson for abusive UPS managers and supervisors everywhere,” said Local 25 Business Agent Peter Alvarado, who argued the case at the National Panel. “We made it clear to the company that Teamsters can win when we take a hardline against harassment.” “Our members will not put up with this company’s bullying, especially when it uses discrimination to impede the work of our dedicated shop stewards,” said Tom Mari, President of Local 25 and Secretary-Treasurer of Joint Council 10. “I commend Brother Alvarado and Brother Escobar for their persistence and determination with this case. Let this victory serve as a reminder to UPS that Teamsters will not tolerate harassment and we will hit back at the company every time they violate our members’ Article 37 rights.” The post Teamsters Local 25 Hits Back at UPS Harassment appeared first on International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

The Human Rights and Diversity Commission, in conjunction with the Teamsters History Project, welcomes the next segment of monthly history programs based on Teamsters, the labor movement, and the diversity within our union. These programs are designed to look at a wide variety of aspects in our shared past, including events in Black, Women’s, Hispanic, and LGBTQ+ histories and their impact on Teamsters and the labor movement. The programs, presented in Zoom format, will be open to all and approximately 90 minutes in length; registration is required to receive the link to join the session. We do encourage you to share this announcement with anyone you believe to be interested; this is not just for Teamsters but to everyone in your communities. We hope this program will generate some lively discussion and ideas for programs in your locals, communities, and at home. Presented by Associate Professor Emily E. LB. Twarog History and Labor StudiesUniversity of Illinois’ School of Labor and Employment Relations – Labor Education Program andCo-Director of the Regina V. Polk Women’s Labor Leadership Conference Sunday, March 10, 20241:00pm-2:30pm EST Register for this program, here: http://ibt.io/2024HRDC Should you have questions or inquiries on general series information contact Loren Fortune at lfortune@teamster.org. The post “The Power of Equality: Regina V Polk and Women Pioneers in Labor Union Leadership appeared first on International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

The Human Rights and Diversity Commission, in conjunction with the Teamsters History Project, welcomes the next segment of monthly history programs based on Teamsters, the labor movement, and the diversity within our union. These programs are designed to look at a wide variety of aspects in our shared past, including events in Black, Women’s, Hispanic, and LGBTQ+ histories and their impact on Teamsters and the labor movement. The programs, presented in Zoom format, will be open to all and approximately 90 minutes in length; registration is required to receive the link to join the session. We do encourage you to share this announcement with anyone you believe to be interested; this is not just for Teamsters but to everyone in your communities. We hope this program will generate some lively discussion and ideas for programs in your locals, communities, and at home. Sunday, February 11, 20241:00pm-2:30pm EST Presented by Professor Eric ArnesenTeamsters Professor of Modern American Labor HistoryThe George Washington University Register for the program, here. **All attendees, we encourage you to watch the film on Netflix in advance.** Should you have questions or inquiries on general series information contact Loren Fortune at lfortune@teamster.org. The post Bayard Rustin and the Civil Rights Revolution: A Discussion of the Netflix Film “Rustin” appeared first on International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

Full copies of all 2023-2028 UPS Teamsters supplements, riders, and addenda are now available on the UPS Teamsters app and Teamster.org. Members are encouraged to view the supplements and riders applicable to their region, local, and job classification, as well … The post 2023-2028 UPS Supplements, Riders Now Available on UPS Teamsters App appeared first on International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

The Human Rights and Diversity Commission, in conjunction with the Teamsters History Project, welcomes the next segment of monthly history programs based on Teamsters, the labor movement, and the diversity within our union. These programs are designed to look at a wide variety of aspects in our shared past, including events in Black, Women’s, Hispanic, and LGBTQ+ histories and their impact on Teamsters and the labor movement. The programs, presented in Zoom format, will be open to all and approximately 90 minutes in length; registration is required to receive the link to join the session. We do encourage you to share this announcement with anyone you believe to be interested; this is not just for Teamsters but to everyone in your communities. We hope this program will generate some lively discussion and ideas for programs in your locals, communities, and at home. Sunday, January 21, 20241:00pm-2:30pm ESTPresented by Professor Eric ArnesenTeamsters Professor of Modern American Labor HistoryThe George Washington University Register for this program, here. Should you have questions or inquiries on general series information contact Loren Fortune at lfortune@teamster.org. The post History Segment: “Beyond the King We Remember:  Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Civil Rights Revolution” appeared first on International Brotherhood of Teamsters.