Teamsters

Every week, Teamsters across North America win hard-fought first contracts that improve members' lives.

Members of Teamsters Local 671 who work as drivers at Northeast Electrical in Hartford, Conn., overwhelmingly ratified their first Teamsters contract, which includes significant wage increases, union protection on the job, improvements to overall working conditions and joined the New England Teamsters Pension Fund.

Over 50 drivers and monitors at STA in Bedford, NH, resoundingly ratified their first Teamsters agreement, with new raises, health insurance, and secure retirement protections under the New England Teamsters Pension Fund. Additionally, members of Teamsters Local 350 at Ridwell in the San Francisco Bay Area unanimously secured their first Teamsters contract, locking down better wages, enhanced worker protections, faster benefits accrual, and employee stock options.

Members of Teamsters Local 19 have ratified a new contract which significantly raises pay and improves benefits for flight simulator technicians at Southwest Airlines. Improvements in the four-year deal include a 23 percent wage increase, more paid paternity and maternity leave, an improved retirement package, and significant ratification bonuses.

The 54 technicians represented by Local 19 are responsible for the maintenance, repair, and overhaul of the company’s flight simulators.

Today is our nationwide solidarity day for United Airlines Teamsters! At airports across the country, Teamsters are rising up and demanding an industry-leading contract with the carrier.

“If United wants to be the safest airline in the skies, it has to be able to retain technicians,” said Roger Kanakaole, a technician from Teamsters Local 986 and member of the United Airlines Teamsters National Negotiating Committee. “We are united to win the best compensation, benefits, and safety protections in the airline industry. We are standing together and will not rest until our demands are met.”

Today, United Airlines Teamsters from Boston to Honolulu showed up to work expressing their union pride and demanding a strong contract as negotiations continue with the carrier. The Teamsters are fighting for increased wages, faster wage progression, better health care, and stronger safety standards for over 10,000 United Airlines technicians nationwide.

“I’m proud to be a mechanic and proud to be a Teamster,” said Spencer Powell, a technician from Teamsters Local 104 and member of the United Airlines Teamsters National Negotiating Committee. “It’s great to see Teamsters across the country come together in one voice to tell United know it’s time to pay. We’re the best in the business, and it’s long overdue for the carrier to start treating us with the respect we deserve.”

After negotiations last week with the carrier in Denver, bargaining is set to continue in Chicago on September 24.

🚨 Members of Teamsters Local 324 and Teamsters Local 206 are now officially ON STRIKE at Bigfoot Beverages, one of the largest soft drink and alcohol distributors in the Pacific Northwest. 🚨

Bigfoot Beverages is trying to force workers to move from a defined-benefit Teamsters pension plan to a 401(k)—and the company has retained one of the most notorious union-busting law firms in the country to help them try to pull it off.

Bigfoot Beverages Teamsters are on strike in Oregon to ensure they have a secure retirement like they were promised.

Members of Teamsters Local 59 are on strike now at Ryder Truck in New Bedford, Massachusetts, forced to fight for livable wages and a Teamsters pension.

It’s time for Ryder to come back to the bargaining table and offer a fair contract to the workers who make the company run.

Despite raking in almost $10 billion in profit last year, Marathon Petroleum has shown little interest in sharing a fraction of its earnings with the Teamsters who make the profits possible.

Marathon must come back to the bargaining table with a proposal that finally reflects how valuable workers are to the company’s success.

Yesterday, Teamsters descended upon Capitol Hill to talk with policymakers about the union’s legislative priorities, which include holding Amazon accountable for their corrupt subcontractor business model, closing the FedEx loophole, and passing the Warehouse Worker Protection Act.

After a morning on Capitol Hill, Teamsters heard directly from Representatives Robert Garcia (CA-42) and Ruben Gallego (AZ-03).

“Union labor always delivers faster, stronger, better, and more organized results every single time,” said Rep. Garcia. “My district in Long Beach has the second largest container port in America and has a high density of truck drivers going in and out of the ports, many of which are organized with the Teamsters. However, there are still so many workers that are not organized and are being cheated out of what they deserve, so we need to double down and continue to grow union density.”

“When I first ran for office, I promised to fight for working families because I know personally what it is like to struggle,” Rep. Gallego said. “I have seen what union protections have done for several of my family members who can now retire with dignity because of strong unions. I want everyone in Arizona and across this country to have the opportunity to enjoy the economic prosperity that comes with union membership, which is why we need to fight back against anti-union laws and ensure labor protections are in place for all workers.”

To close out a successful conference, Teamsters honored retirees and recognized local affiliates for their contributions to DRIVE.

Last week, the Teamsters United Airlines National Negotiating Committee Chair Clacy Griswold joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the latest updates on bargaining with United Airlines.

On the episode, Griswold highlighted the key issues the Teamsters are focusing on during negotiations, including United’s practice of outsourcing heavy maintenance checks to foreign countries and the necessity for an industry-leading contract to recruit new mechanics.

Teamsters United Airlines mechanics seek a new national agreement The America’s Work Force Union Podcast is the nation’s premier daily labor program. Clacy Griswold from the Teamsters Union joined us on today’s show.

Teamsters: No Endorsement for U.S. President (WASHINGTON) — The General Executive Board of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters on Wednesday elected not to endorse any candidate for U.S. President.

TEAMSTERS RELEASE PRESIDENTIAL ENDORSEMENT POLLING DATA

“For the past year, the Teamsters Union has pledged to conduct the most inclusive, democratic, and transparent Presidential endorsement process in the history of our 121-year-old organization—and today we are delivering on that promise to our members,” said Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien. “Our members are the union, and their voices and opinions must be at the forefront of everything the Teamsters do. Our final decision around a possible Presidential endorsement will not be made lightly, but you can be sure it will be driven directly by our diverse membership.”

The Teamsters have not yet endorsed any candidate for U.S. President. The union’s General Executive Board expects to announce a decision on Wednesday.

Solidarity grows stronger every day for the nearly 300 members of Teamsters Local 283 on strike at Marathon Petroleum’s Detroit refinery.

Teamsters are fighting to ensure that labor at Marathon remains good-paying, middle-class Teamsters jobs.

Thank you to Congressmembers Rashida Tlaib Debbie Dingell and Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson for walking the picket line with striking Marathon Teamsters. Together, we will win this fight.

Members of Teamsters Local 38 working at Rubatino Recycling in Everett, Washington, have ratified a groundbreaking contract, winning a 41% wage increase and a 52.5% pension increase.

“We made it clear to the company from the start that we wouldn’t settle for anything less than a record-breaking contract. We took our proposal to management and refused to take no for an answer. Our strength and unity at the bargaining table sent a powerful message and forced the company to meet all our demands,” said Lisa Tarsi, a worker at Rubatino Recycling and a Local 38 shop steward.

Today, the Teamsters concluded the third round of negotiations with United Airlines in Denver, Colorado. The newly formed subcommittee on “Article 12: Field Trips” continued discussions with the company about safety procedures for Teamsters who are sent to work at other stations, reaching a partial tentative agreement with the carrier that requires two Teamsters employees to be present on all United-related service requests for field trips.

“After intense back-and-forth with the company the last two days, this provision will greatly improve Teamsters’ safety on the job,” said Clacy Griswold, Chairman of the United Airlines Teamsters National Negotiating Committee. “We have been trying for over a decade to get this critical safety provision included in our contract, and it’s because of the unity of our negotiating committee that we were finally able to get the company to agree.”

Despite sharing vital economic data with the National Negotiating Committee, United continues to stall on key issues like arbitration and grievance procedures. But the Teamsters are intensifying their efforts at the bargaining table and holding the company accountable.

“If the last two days have taught us anything, it’s that United is feeling the pressure. The subcommittees on key issues are doing fantastic work keeping the focus on reaching agreements as soon as possible,” said Jimmy Sligar, a mechanic from Teamsters Local 19 and member of the National Negotiating Committee. “United can try its best to delay bargaining, but the unity shown by the committee this week will propel us forward to the industry leading contract we deserve.”

Negotiations will resume in Chicago on Sept. 24.

On the second day of the 2024 Political Coordinators meeting, attendees heard from Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien, Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Congresswoman Becca Balint (D-VT), members of the Teamsters Rail Conference, and Teamsters’ political and legislative staff.

“Our administration is working tirelessly to be inclusive of all of our members and making sure they are engaged and involved in any and all dealings that we have—whether it's political, at the negotiating table, or in organizing,” O'Brien said. “What's most important to us is that our members have a voice. When Fred and I took office, we said that our members would always be included and have a seat at the table, and that's what we are giving them.”

“This country does not run without Teamsters,” Sen. Casey said. “We would not be able to move commerce or have a strong economy without you. Additionally, the value of your work goes beyond something that is just economical, as there is an intrinsic and inherent value to the work that Teamsters across the nation do.”

“I am here today in part because of the Teamsters’ hard work 12 years ago to get me elected, and I am deeply grateful. I promised then that I would always have the Teamsters’ backs because the Teamsters have always had my back,” Sen. Warren said.

“I was a public school teacher and proud union member for many years before I came to Congress, so I understand how important collective bargaining is,” Rep. Balint said. “The Teamsters have a friend in my office, and I proud to always stand with labor.”

In the afternoon, Teamsters heard from Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS), Congresswoman Katherine Clark (MA-05), Connecticut Attorney General William Tong (D) and listened to presentations from DPLA staff on progress made in state legislatures to advance pieces of the state-level worker protection package, the federal Warehouse Worker Protection Act, and the latest on federal transportation legislation and the fight to close the FedEx Express carrier loophole.

1,900 American Red Cross Teamsters Make Historic Gains in Wages and Benefits

Teamsters at the American Red Cross have voted by an overwhelming 86 percent to ratify a new national master agreement, securing significant wage increases, improved employer-paid health care contributions, time-and-a-half pay for holidays, and a six percent match on 401(k) contributions with vesting reduced to two years of service.

The national contract protecting nearly 1,900 American Red Cross Teamsters will be in effect from October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2028.

“American Red Cross Teamsters have just ratified their strongest collective bargaining agreement yet,” said Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien. “These workers play an important role in the blood supply chain and deserve the compensation and protections won in this historic Teamsters contract. Over the next four years, Teamsters will ensure that our members get every cent they are owed and that this contract is fully enforced.”

TEAMSTERS GENERAL EXECUTIVE BOARD CONVENES IN WASHINGTON

Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien and General Secretary-Treasurer Fred Zuckerman convened a regular meeting of the Teamsters General Executive Board on Tuesday, one day after the union conducted its final Rank-and-file Presidential Roundtable in Washington, DC.

The first session of the quarterly meeting saw state-of-the-union reports from O’Brien, as well as divisional reports from Motion Picture and Theatrical Trades, Warehouse, Food Processing, Industrial Trades, Rail, and other core industries. Teamsters Canada President François LaPorte delivered a detailed summary of recent activities and actions by our brothers and sisters north of the border. The General Executive Board meeting will continue Wednesday with additional reports and review of the union’s ongoing campaigns and future strategies.

132 drivers at United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI) in York, Pa., formally demand union recognition with the Teamsters!

The 132 drivers at the food distribution company have organized with the Teamsters to secure a voice on the job and fight for higher wages, improved benefits, and better working conditions. UNFI drivers in York will become the second group of UNFI drivers in Pennsylvania in the last few months to unionize with the Teamsters.

Nationwide, the Teamsters represent more than 5,000 members at UNFI, including over 1,000 drivers and warehouse workers who have voted to join the Teamsters just this year in Georgia, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Florida.

Today, the Teamsters kicked off the third round of negotiations with United Airlines in Denver, Colorado. Bargaining continues to center on non-economic proposals, with dedicated subcommittees working toward the goal of reaching tentative agreement on these issues during the current round of bargaining.

But United continues to employ delay tactics to slow down negotiations.

“United is delaying negotiations in a host of ways. Whether it’s the company being late to start bargaining or refusing to share vital data with the union, the airline is sending a clear message that they want to try to drag this out as long as possible,” said Clacy Griswold, Chairman of the United Airlines Teamsters National Negotiating Committee. “The company thinks it can win by treating us with disrespect and delaying until we give in to its corporate demands. But the Teamsters are so much stronger than that. Together, we are holding the fire to United’s feet and forcing them to take these negotiations as seriously as we do.”

“Safety should be a top priority for United, but the carrier continues to add language that suggests it cares more about saving costs than the safety of its employees,” said Dan Andrew, a technician represented by Teamsters Local 781 and a member of the national negotiating committee. “We are further along than we were last month, but the Teamsters won’t rest until we get the safety protections at work that we deserve- with no exemptions added.”

The third round of negotiations will continue through Sept. 17. Negotiations will resume in Chicago on Sept. 24. United Teamsters should stay informed and engaged by downloading the Teamsters Airline Division app at http://ibt.io/AirlineDivisionApp.

Today, nearly 200 Teamsters gathered in Washington, D.C. for the annual Political Coordinators Meeting. Teamsters Federal Legislative Director Sunshine McBride welcomed attendees and gave a recap of the legislative successes of the last year.

Teamsters Political Director Tyler Longpine and Special Assistant to the General President Jimmy Donovan discussed the Presidential roundtables that took place during the 2024 election cycle and gave an overview of union’s transparent and inclusive endorsement process.

Teamsters also heard about ongoing efforts to build worker power and hold Amazon accountable, which included remarks from Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT), who has been a leader in Congress to help take on Amazon.

“We know that when a driver pulls up to our house in an Amazon truck, wearing an Amazon uniform, delivering an Amazon package, that is an Amazon employee,” Sen. Murphy said. “Companies like Amazon, Google, and other major retailers want to hide behind contractors to dodge responsibility for often miserable working conditions. The NLRB’s decision to recognize these workers as Amazon employees is a huge step forward, but the fight isn’t over and these issues speak to how badly we need the PRO Act, and how badly we need to reengineer the playing field.”

To close out the first day of the conference, Teamsters heard from Virginia State Sen. Jennifer Carroll Foy and Stanley Greenberg of Greenberg Research.

VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS ATTENDS TEAMSTERS RANK-AND-FILE ROUNDTABLE

Vice President Kamala Harris met with rank-and-file Teamsters from around the country on Monday, marking the final rank-and-file Presidential roundtable as the union weighs its endorsement in the U.S. Presidential election.

At Teamsters headquarters in Washington, D.C., General President Sean M. O’Brien and General Secretary-Treasurer Fred Zuckerman joined the General Executive Board and rank-and-filers to speak directly with the Vice President about issues critical to more than 1.3 million Teamsters.

“We know how valuable Vice President Harris' time is and appreciate her willingness to meet with rank-and-file Teamsters face-to-face. Our members are the backbone of this country, and their voices matter most in this election. Their support can make the difference during any election cycle,” O’Brien said. "These roundtables were historic, transparent, and a top priority to ensure the Teamsters remain the most democratic labor union in America."

President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump attended Teamsters rank-and-file roundtables earlier this year. In December 2023, the Teamsters invited all declared candidates for U.S. President to participate in individual roundtables to discuss issues that are important to members and their families.

BREAKING: Hundreds of Amazon drivers at the trillion-dollar company’s DBK4 facility in Queens, N.Y., have joined the Teamsters and are demanding that Amazon recognize their union and negotiate a Teamsters contract.

The hundreds of drivers at Amazon’s facility in Queens have been organizing for over a year with the Teamsters before going public today with their demand for union recognition.

The Teamsters Union will organize every Amazon driver in North America — and workers will secure the rights, respect, wages, benefits, and job protections they’ve earned.

Members of Teamsters Local 117 who work at Sysco in Washington recently ratified a historic contract, including significant wage and pension increases.

“This is the best contract we've seen in years and years,” said Ken Melton, a driver at Sysco and Local 117 member. “We work our tails off. We deserve to get the money that we've gotten.”

The wage increases currently being won by Teamsters across North America are the biggest they’ve been in decades.

These contract victories make it clear that no matter what industry you work in, one of the best things you can do to benefit yourself and your family is to become a Teamster!

September is Su***de Prevention Month, and the Teamsters reaffirm our commitment to prioritizing mental health for all workers.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health emergency, call 988 to connect with a professional at the National Su***de and Crisis Lifeline.

If you are interested in exploring additional mental health resources and services, please visit the HRDC's website.

Human Rights and Diversity Commission The Teamsters Human Rights & Diversity Commission takes pride in the strength that is drawn from the diversity within the Union’s ranks. Further, it recog