Ralph Vinson “R.V.” Durham, who led Teamsters Local 391 for more than a quarter century, passed away on March 17, 2026. From a young age, Durham understood the value of a hard day’s work, delivering newspapers, laboring in cotton fields, and helping in his family’s restaurant. Those early lessons shaped a lifetime commitment to fighting for dignity on the job. He began his Teamsters journey in 1950 as a truck driver for Roadway Express at 19 years old. He learned the job from the ground up, earning the respect of the rank-and-file members he would one day lead at Local 391. A year later, he married Ethel “Skeets” McDaniels, and together they built a family, raising two children. Over a remarkable 45-year career, Durham rose through the ranks — first as a business agent, then as Secretary-Treasurer, and ultimately as President, a position he held from 1969 to 1995. Even as his responsibilities grew, he led with the perspective of someone who had done the work himself, earning the trust of the membership and never losing sight of who he represented. In 1973, Durham took his fight to Washington, D.C., where he founded and led the Teamsters Safety and Health Department while serving as International Vice President on the General Executive Board. He appeared numerous times before Congress and worked closely with OSHA to strengthen worker protections. Drawing on his experience behind the wheel, Durham worked across multiple presidential administrations. Appointed by Presidents Ford, Carter, and Reagan to the National Highway Safety Advisory Committee, he pushed back against harmful deregulation that threatened the livelihoods of Teamsters in the trucking industry. He understood what was at stake because he had lived it. At a time when the trucking industry faced growing threats, Durham became a national voice for protecting worker safety and union rights. Still, he never stepped away from his local, commuting from Winston-Salem, N.C., to Washington several days a week as he continued to serve as President of Local 391. In 1991, during the first direct election of International Union officers by the rank-and-file, Durham ran for General President, bringing his message of strong, member-driven leadership to Teamsters across the country. He later returned home to Local 391, where he continued to serve for another five years before retiring. Retirement didn’t slow him down. Durham remained a constant presence at the Local 391 union hall, regularly attending membership meetings and staying connected to the union he loved. He was known for his steady optimism, his deep loyalty, and his unwavering belief in the power of working people standing together. “The strength of our union is built on leaders like R.V. Durham — people who came up from the shop floor, never forgot where they came from, and spent their lives fighting to make things better for the next generation,” said Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien. “R.V. represented the best of the Teamsters. He dedicated his life to protecting members, raising industry standards, and proving what solidarity can achieve. Our union is stronger because of him, and our thoughts are with the Durham family.” Outside the union, Durham enjoyed traveling, visiting destinations across the United States and Europe with his family. He is survived by his two children, two grandchildren, and four siblings. His legacy lives on in the generations of Teamsters he mentored, the contracts he helped secure, and the union he devoted his life to advancing. The post Teamsters Celebrate Life of Longtime Leader R.V. Durham appeared first on International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

On behalf of the Human Rights and Diversity Commission (HRDC) and the Waste Division, we would like to invite you to participate with Local Union 728 and us for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend celebration in Atlanta, GA. Register here. The post Join Teamsters Local 728, HRDC and Waste Division for the King Holiday 2026! 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, Indigenous and LGBTQ+ histories and their impact on Teamsters and the labor movement. The programs, presented in Teams 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, November 9, 20251:00pm-2:30pm EST Click here to register for the event. Should you have questions or inquiries on general series information contact Loren Fortune at lfortune@teamster.org  The post History Segment: Native American History Month 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, Indigenous, 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, October 12, 20251:00pm-2:30pm EST Presented by Carlos Gonzales, Local 1932 Hispanic Caucus PresidentAbraham Gallegos, Local 1932 Hispanic Caucus Vice President Anabel Palazuelos, Office Manager, Local 1932 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: “History Repeats” appeared first on International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

Teamsters volunteer political coordinators from across the country joined International Union staff and officers, business agents, and stewards from Teamsters Local 639 to launch a DRIVE blitz at UPS facilities in Maryland and Virginia. The push marked the conclusion of the 2025 Teamsters Political Coordinators Meeting, highlighting the Teamsters’ commitment to building political strength in the labor movement. Across five UPS sites and two shifts, Teamsters representatives spoke with rank-and-file members about how DRIVE (Democratic, Republican, Independent Voter Education) amplifies workers’ voices in the political arena. From helping elect candidates who prioritize working families to advancing pro-worker legislation, DRIVE ensures that Teamsters’ interests are represented where decisions are made. Local 639 boosted DRIVE participation by more than 40 percent — a clear show of enthusiasm from members to fight for real change and ensure workers have a voice on the job and at all levels of government. “I’ve seen firsthand how critical DRIVE is to building Teamsters leverage,” said Austin DePaolo, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 223. “Working with the International Union staff on this blitz showed exactly how effective these efforts can be, and it was inspiring to see members embrace the program and understand its importance.” Through DRIVE, Teamsters are building the political power needed to stand up against corporate threats from bad actors like UPS CEO Carol Tomé and Amazon boss Andy Jassy — including attempts to implement automated warehouses and driverless vehicles — while continuing the fight for fair wages, strong protections, and quality benefits. The DRIVE campaign capped a week of sessions at the union’s Political Coordinators Meeting, where leaders celebrated recent legislative wins and strategized on the fights ahead. The strong show of support by Local 639 reflects the momentum the Teamsters are carrying into the future — both at the bargaining table and the ballot box. If you’re interested in hosting a DRIVE blitz at your local, please contact Bob Trappe, DRIVE Field Coordinator, at RTrappe@Teamster.org or (440) 409-8067. The post Teamsters Wrap Up Political Coordinators Meeting with Successful DRIVE Blitz 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, Indigenous, 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, September 28, 20251:00pm-2:30pm EST Presented by Professor Eric ArnesenTeamsters Professor of Modern American Labor HistoryGeorge Washington University Click here to register for this program Should you have questions or inquiries on general series information contact Loren Fortune at lfortune@teamster.org. The post History Segment: “The Carriers and Preservers of Democracy: A Century of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters” 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, Indigenous, 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, June 8, 20251:00pm-2:30pm EST Presented by Professor Eric ArnesenTeamsters Professor of Modern American Labor HistoryThe George Washington University Click here to register for this program. Should you have questions or inquiries on general series information contact Loren Fortune at lfortune@teamster.org. The post History Segment: “Juneteenth…and the Threat to African American History Today” 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, Indigenous, 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, May 18, 20251:00pm-2:30pm EST Presented by Ash AndersonDirector of EducationBMWED- IBT Click here to register for this program Should you have questions or inquiries on general series information contact Loren Fortune at lfortune@teamster.org. The post History Segment:”Fire & Steel: The Story of the BMWED” 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, Indigenous, 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 Professor Eric ArnesenTeamsters Professor of Modern American Labor HistoryThe George Washington University Monday, February 24, 2025 6:00pm-7:30pm EST To register for this program, please go to: http://ibt.io/2025HRDC Should you have questions or inquiries on general series information contact Loren Fortune at lfortune@teamster.org. The post History Segment: “Forgotten Histories: The Many Civil Rights Movements of the 20th Century” 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, Indigenous 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, December 15, 20241:00pm-2:30pm EST Presented by Bob Bussell, Director of the Labor Education and Research Center at the University of Oregon To register for this program, please go to: http://ibt.io/2024HRDC Should you have questions or inquiries on general series information contact Loren Fortune at lfortune@teamster.org. The post History Segment: “Total Person Unionism” appeared first on International Brotherhood of Teamsters.