O’Brien, Other Labor Leaders, Speak to AI Threats at Harvard Workers Panel

Dec. 1, 2023 | General President Sean M. O’Brien joined other labor representatives for a deep discussion into artificial intelligence, automation, and the current state of democracy during a workers panel at the Harvard Kennedy School of Business in Cambridge, Mass. “The Teamsters and all of labor face a seismic shift with the expansion of AI and the rise of autonomous vehicles. For the Teamsters especially, the issue is not about rejecting technology. Change of this nature and on this scale must come down to the future and preservation of jobs in this country,” O’Brien said. Learn more here.

Apply now for a JRHMSF academic or vocational scholarship

Dec. 4, 2023 | The application process is now OPEN for James R. Hoffa Memorial scholarships. Scholarships range from $1,000 to $10,000 for Academic and $500 to $2,000 for Vocational. Eligible students must be high school seniors who are the sons, daughters, or financial dependents of Teamster members. The deadline for completing the application process is March 1, 2024. Apply today.

UPS reinstates recently organized workers who were fired

Dec. 11, 2023 | United Parcel Service reinstated about 35 recently organized workers on Friday after they were laid off by the global delivery firm, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. The reinstatement avoids any potential labor action. All affected workers will receive full back pay and return to their positions on their next scheduled workdays. “The union achieved a great result for our UPS members in Louisville, and we couldn’t be happier to see them clock back in as Teamsters,” O’Brien said. “Both sides immediately came together and were able to resolve the situation on the ground. This is the outcome we were looking for. Now it’s time to do what the Teamsters do best, and that’s get back to work.”

Teamsters kick off first presidential roundtables

Dec. 13, 2023 | The International Brotherhood of Teamsters will host its first member roundtables with five declared candidates for U.S. President on December 14-15 in Washington, D.C. Candidates will participate individually in a conversation with O’Brien, Zuckerman, and members on issues important to Teamsters and their families. The union is scheduling with all campaigns and will announce additional roundtables in the New Year. Learn more here. 

Protect yourself from excessive overtime: Sign the 9.5 list!

Dec. 18, 2023 | Stronger protection against excessive overtime was a major part of our historic contract fight at UPS this year—and it was a huge part of our victory. The 9.5 list is designed to stop UPS from working you over 9.5 hours per day more than twice a week—and to make UPS pay for violations. When UPS violates your 9.5 rights, the company must adjust your work schedule and pay triple time for hours worked over 9.5 hours in a day. Drivers have a major role to play in enforcing this new language: Talk with your steward and sign up for the 9.5 list! Learn more here.

By 99%, Teamsters authorize strike at Anheuser-Busch

Dec. 19, 2023 | The resounding vote allows the Teamsters National Negotiating Committee to call a strike if Anheuser-Busch fails to come to terms on a strong new contract. The union is seeking an agreement that improves wages, protects jobs, and secures health care and retirement benefits for 5,000 Teamsters across the company’s 12 U.S. breweries. “Anheuser-Busch can’t kick this can down the road much longer. The Teamsters don’t want to be forced onto the picket line at any employer, but we are fully prepared to walk if Anheuser-Busch doesn’t get serious about negotiating a record contract that also protects good union jobs,” said Jeff Padellaro, Director of the Teamsters Brewery, Bakery, and Soft Drink Conference. The current agreement expires Feb. 29, 2024. There are no dates currently set for negotiations.

Week Ending 12/29/2023

  • Organize or die
  • Innovative demands from the Year of the Strike
  • The newest union members are college undergrads
 • 6 workers on how strikes changed their lives in 2023
  • 'Broken’ labor laws could hamper union wins for workers
  • Driver recruitment rolls on amid 2023 freight downturn
  • Organized labor became core to the climate movement
  • Minimum wage hikes will boost pay of 10 million US workers in 2024
  • Ski patrollers warm to unions to cope with low pay, high costs in resort areas
  • 8,000+ joined entertainment unions in 49 campaigns during Hollywood strikes
  • Opinion: Health care in America is sick. Unions may be the only cure.