Thirty Local 237 delegates and several retirees and staff members were among approximately 7,000 Teamsters from the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico who attended the 27th International Convention of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters in Las Vegas, June 24-28, to help chart a course for the future of the international union’s 1.4 million members.

The convention theme — Moving Forward Together — set the tone for the meeting of the Teamsters union’s highest policy-making body. During the course of the week, the convention’s 1,800 delegates nominated candidates for various positions on the international’s executive board and voted on several resolutions and amendments to the constitution that will serve as guiding principles for at least the next five years, including one submitted by Local 237’s Retiree Division that calls for greater recognition of Teamster retirees.


Local 237 delegates, staff members and several retirees gather behind Carl Haynes, front row center, head of the union's delegation.

“Since we met here five years ago we’ve made history,” Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa said to a packed convention hall of delegates and guests. “We’ve changed our union and we’ve changed the American labor movement.... While others have faltered, we have gained. We are the Teamsters. We have the best wages. We have the best health care. We have the best pensions. We have the best contracts in the land. But what do your neighbors have? Do they have a good health care plan? Do they have a pension? Are they working two or three jobs just to make ends meet?

“Today, we are united, strong and on the move…. Today we have a strong strike fund. Today, we have the resources to run large-scale organizing campaigns against global employers. Today we have $100 million in the bank.”

Convention attendees celebrated major announcements concerning members and potential members at UPS, UPS Freight and USF Bestway, including the announcement by Hoffa that the union has won an agreement from UPS to open negotiations on a new contract and secured a card-check/neutrality agreement at one UPS Freight, which triggered a thunderous ovation.

“We have been working hard on winning for UPS Freight workers a strong voice on the job,” Hoffa said. “UPS Freight workers all over the country are telling UPS and freight members that they want to be Teamsters.”

“UPS knew that the entire leadership of the union was meeting this week in Las Vegas,” said Parcel and Small Package Division Director Ken Hall. “They knew that we would either ramp up our campaign or they could come up with an agreement such as this that the union has been seeking.”

Freight Division Director Tyson Johnson announced a tentative agreement on a USF Bestway freight contract. The agreement boosts wages immediately by $1.57 an hour, to $20.57, and includes a card-check /neutrality clause that will make it easier to organize new members.

Retiree Contributions Recognized Convention delegates unanimously approved a resolution that would give added recognition to Teamster retirees who do not vote, but are actively involved in political and social campaigns to help workers gain respect on the job. The resolution, below, was written and submitted by Local 237’s Retiree Department. ONCE A TEAMSTER, ALWAYS A TEAMSTER WHEREAS, in 1903, a new union for the teaming craft, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, was established; and WHEREAS, from the very start, the Teamsters were the backbone of American industry; and WHEREAS, for over 100 years, the Teamsters union has worked to achieve dignity and justice in the workplace, political, and social justice for all; and WHEREAS, Teamsters have historically faced obstacles in achieving their goals, yet have been undaunted in daunting circumstances; and WHEREAS, Teamsters stand together in solidarity and have struggled to build their union into the strong and diverse organization that it is today; and WHEREAS, Teamster brothers and sisters recognize and respect the struggles of those who have gone before them and know that “brick by brick” they will continue to build, with pride, upon the foundation that was created by others; and WHEREAS, retired Teamsters are the foundation of our union and that although they have left their jobs they never leave their union; and WHEREAS, in retirement, retired Teamsters proudly stand shoulder to shoulder in solidarity with their working brothers and sisters, ready to support them in their struggles for justice in the workplace and elsewhere; BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that the Teamsters union affirms that retired Teamsters are the foundation of our great union; and FINALLY, BE IT RESOLVED, that Teamster retirees are lifetime supporters and contributors to the union; and shall continue to help strengthen and build our great union through their participation in the life of the union.

The convention is held every five years and is the supreme governing authority of the union, with the power and authority to modify the constitution, establish programs, address fiscal issues and set priorities.

At the convention, delegates — who are elected by individual Teamster Locals — also have the important task of nominating candidates for the offices of general president, general secretary-treasurer, vice presidents and trustees.

Carl Haynes headed Local 237’s delegation, which included four alternates, elected in a unionwide delegates’ election on April 13. The other delegates were Richard Hendershot, Gregory Floyd, Patricia Stryker, Abbey Pabon Jr., Noreen Hollingsworth, Ruben Torres, John Bil, Richard Bondy, John Carroll, Carlos Cotto, John Daniels, Stanley Davis, Joseph Ford, Carl Giles, Maurice Goodwin, Cheryl Hart, Elaine Kitt, Zella Kyser, Joseph Llanos, Doreen Mack, Paul Patscot, Carol Petinaud, Allison Power, George Serrano, Raul Rosario, Steve Rakowski, Joel Sosinsky, Robert Verch, George Wade.

Tammy Bahar, Robert Camacho, James Johnston and Dominic Rodriguez served as alternate delegates.

Celebrity Speakers Light Up the Stage

The event drew several high-profile convention speakers, including actors Danny Glover and Kiefer Sutherland, and radio host and comedian Al Franken. Sen. Joseph Biden (D-DE), Rep. Pete Hoekstra (R-MI), former senator and vice presidential candidate John Edwards, long-time friends of the Teamsters union, pledged their support. Change to Win Federation leader Anna Burger, SEIU President Andy Stern, UFCW President Joe Hansen, LIUNA President Terry O’Sullivan, and UNITE HERE! President Bruce Raynor also delivered powerful messages that had the audience up and down on their feet, clapping and cheering.

“I’m here to tell every single one of you that I am with you in this cause every step of the way,” said former senator John Edwards (DNC). “If you have a strike, I want to be on your picket line. If you’re organizing, I want to organize with you. This isn’t just your struggle, it’s my struggle.”

The convention was preceded by conventions of the Graphic Communications Conference, the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees Division and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, unions affiliated with the Teamsters.

In addition, more than 300 organizers from across the union attended the third organizing conference, titled “Organizing to Dominate Industries.”

Copies of resolutions and videos and photographs of the 27th International Convention can be accessed at www.teamster.org.