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, October 13, 20241:00pm-2:30pm ESTPresented by Carlos Gonzales, Local 1932 Hispanic Caucus PresidentAbraham Gallegos, Local 1932 Hispanic Caucus Vice PresidentAnabel Palazuelos, Office Manager, Local 1932 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 Project: “Hispanic Heritage 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, 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 22, 20241:00pm-2:30pm EST Presented by Tyler Longpine, Political & D.R.I.V.E. Director&James Donovan, Special Assistant to the General PresidentInternational Brotherhood of Teamsters Click here to register for this program Should you have questions or inquiries on general series informationcontact Loren Fortune at lfortune@teamster.org. The post History Segment: “The History of D.R.I.V.E. and The Importance of Teamster Involvement in Elections” 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, August 25, 20241:00pm-2:30pm ESTPresented by Professor Eric ArnesenTeamsters Professor of Modern American Labor HistoryThe George Washington University&Rachelle HorowitzOrganizer and Transportation Coordinator for the March on Washington and Former Political Director, American Federation of Teachers 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: “Organizing the 1963 March on Washington: The Struggle for Civil Rights” appeared first on International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

New groups of UPS administrative and specialist employees have been certified for Teamsters representation throughout the country as recent organizing efforts have brought dozens of new members into the union across 10 states. The latest wave of organizing stems from a memorandum of agreement (MOA) secured by the Teamsters under the union’s national UPS contract, guaranteeing employer neutrality during administrative and specialist organizing campaigns. “Building Teamsters membership at United Parcel Service was a key part of our record-breaking contract victory last year and it remains key to enforcing the industry-leading contract we have at UPS,” said Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien. “With these ongoing campaigns to organize specialists and admins, we are creating new good-paying union jobs and growing the power of Teamsters in this industry.” The newly organized administrative and specialist workers follow their co-workers who joined the Teamsters through previous successful organizing drives by Local 89 in Louisville, KY, and Local 322 in Richmond, VA. More administrative and specialist workers have since joined the union at Local 25 and Local 59 in Massachusetts; Local 89 and Local 651 in Kentucky; Local 90 in Iowa; Local 135 in Indiana; Local 120 in Minnesota; Local 294 in New York; Local 431 in California; Local 483 in Idaho; Local 710 in Illinois; and Local 728 in Georgia. By joining the Teamsters, the workers will now enjoy the benefits of the administrative and specialist addendum to the UPS National Master Agreement. The addendum applies the UPS Teamsters’ general wage increases to the classifications, brings new members under TeamCare health coverage, and establishes or restarts pension plans for the now-protected workers. “Across the country, local unions are stepping up and answering the call to organize these workers thanks to the MOA and addendum to the national contract. This is about building on the success of what is already the strongest Teamsters contract ever negotiated at UPS and bringing thousands of administrative and specialist employees into the union,” said Johnny Sawyer, Teamsters Package Division Coordinator. “Our organizers are on the ground working with local unions to continue signing up administrative and specialist workers nationwide,” said Chris Rosell, the Teamsters National Director of Organizing. “If you are an administrative or specialist worker at UPS, contact a local near you to start the process of becoming a Teamster today.” The post More UPS Administrative and Specialist Workers Join Teamsters from Coast to Coast appeared first on International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

Eric Klejka has been delivering packages to customers in Westmoreland County, Pa., for more than nine years. As a UPS package car driver and member of Teamsters Local 30, Klejka prides himself on his work. So, when he began his shift one morning with a truck that had not been cleaned, he decided to be proactive. "The truck was so filthy I could barely see out of the windows — it looked bad and was a safety hazard," Klejka recalled. He left the Greensburg package car center and took a few minutes to get the truck washed. A few days later, the company fired him for "theft of time." While Klejka was out of work for three months, Local 30 was preparing a solid grievance in his defense. Teamsters put on a strong case at the recent Western Pennsylvania panel and the arbitrator ruled in the union's favor. Klejka was reinstated with full back pay, including lost benefits and pension.  "For a company that preaches safety and attempts to discipline members for minor infractions, it's unacceptable that this driver was fired for being extra cautious knowing he would be out in the public eye all day," said Gino Bosetti, President of Local 30. "Brother Eric knew he needed to be able to see the public and they needed to be able to see him. He made his safety and the safety of the public his top priority, and the company was wrong to fire him for that. I want to thank Shop Steward and Trustee Mike Abbott and Business Agent Adam Augustine for their excellent work on this case." "I'm happy to be back at work and even happier know I have a strong union that has my back. This shows how we can put UPS in its place when we fight back and enforce our contract," said Klejka. The post UPS Teamsters Fight Unjust Firing, Win Driver’s Job Back appeared first on International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

Teamsters Local 243 members at UPS Cartage Services Inc. (CSI) voted unanimously this month to ratify their first Teamster contract. The CSI clerks overwhelmingly chose to join Local 243 in Romulus, Michigan back in December. Their new contract includes wage increases, insurance coverage under TeamCare, and pension benefits. “I congratulate these workers for standing together after joining our union and making their voices heard on the key issues they wanted addressed in negotiations. We are proud to represent these members and honored to help them win this strong and well-deserved first contract,” said Scott Quenneville, President of Local 243. The group of 15 office clerks – working for a division of UPS that specializes in importing and exporting high volume freight – are part of a larger wave of office workers at other CSI locations who are also organizing with the Teamsters. Teamsters Local 243 represents workers in a wide variety of industries throughout Michigan. For more information, visit http://www.teamsters243.org/. The post UPS-CSI Teamsters Secure First Contract in Michigan appeared first on International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

Today, Teamsters join communities around the nation to honor the 159th anniversary of Juneteenth, a federal holiday marking the end of slavery. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when Major General Gordon Granger, along with more than 1,800 federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to take control of the state and ensure freedom for the last remaining enslaved African Americans in the area. As a union deeply committed to equality and justice, the Teamsters proudly celebrate Juneteenth. Our long history of putting these principles into practice is reflected by the millions of American workers of all backgrounds who have been raised into the middle class thanks to their Teamsters contracts. Our union has a long history of fighting for equitable union contracts, supporting the recognition of Juneteenth as a federal holiday, and forcefully speaking out against systemic racism in America.   Today, we stand in solidarity with our Black members and all African Americans in the fight for racial justice and equality in the workplace and throughout society. The post Teamsters Honor Juneteenth 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, May 19, 20241:00pm-2:30pm EST Presented by Barry EidlinAssociate Professor of SociologyMcGill University To register for this program, please go, here. Should you have questions or inquiries on general series information contact Loren Fortune at lfortune@teamster.org. The post History Project: “May Day and the Fight Over the Work Day” appeared first on International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

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.