Teamsters
Airgas Teamsters Win Reinstatement, Back Pay After Year-Long Lock Out
(WASHINGTON) – Twenty-four drivers, pump fillers, and loaders represented by Teamsters Local 283 in Ferndale, Mich., have won their arbitration case against Airgas after the company illegally locked them out for nearly a year. An arbitrator ruled that the members must be reinstated with full back pay and benefits.
“These dedicated Teamsters endured hardship for almost a full year as Airgas tried to wear them down, but not once did they even think about crossing the picket line,” said Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien. “Their solidarity, determination, and resolve cannot be understated. The arbitration victory sends a clear message that employers who violate workers’ rights will be held accountable and the Teamsters Union will never stop fighting to protect our members in every industry and every state.”
The arbitration win comes amid a strike that Airgas Teamsters have been forced to undergo for over a year following multiple unfair labor practices (ULPs) committed by the company. These include unlawful threats, lockouts, discharge, and retaliation against workers for exercising their legal rights, as well as failing to provide notice or an opportunity to bargain.
Airgas, a subsidiary of French multinational Air Liquide, is the largest U.S. distributor of industrial, medical, and specialty gases.
“Airgas thought it could retaliate against our members and get away with it,” said Juan Campos, Director of the Teamsters Tankhaul Division and Teamsters International Vice President At-Large. “The company broke the law, targeted its own workers, and dragged this fight out for nearly a year. Now our members are going back to work with full back pay and benefits, and Airgas is finally being forced to answer for its disgusting behavior.”
Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.3 million hardworking people in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Visit Teamster.org for more information. Follow us on X @Teamsters and on Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters.
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Rhode Island Lawmakers Pass Teamsters-Supported Warehouse Worker Protection Act
(PROVIDENCE, R.I.) – Teamsters are celebrating the passage of S2504A/H7364A, the Rhode Island Warehouse Worker Protection Act, out of the General Assembly. The legislation will prevent companies like Amazon from abusing their workforce by regulating the use and disclosure of warehouse quotas.
“Amazon and other bad actors who make up the worst employers in our state have been wreaking havoc on workers’ livelihoods and physical well-being for far too long, but we’re putting a stop to in Rhode Island,” said Matt Taibi, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 251 in East Providence.
Gov. McKee has already said he will sign the bill into law. Rhode Island will become the seventh state to enact the Warehouse Worker Protection Act, following California, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Washington, and most recently Connecticut.
“Far too many people who work in warehousing go to work every day and put themselves in harm’s way because of strain or exhaustion, and even then, are told they’re still not abiding by an unknown production standard,” Taibi said. “By working with our allies in the legislature, particularly Rep. Evan Shanley and Senate Majority Leader Frank Ciccone, we’ve leveled the playing field by increasing something that isn’t measured enough: corporate accountability.”
The warehouse bill is the latest legislative success for Rhode Island Teamsters — last session, the union successfully got laws passed to enhance school bus safety and prevent mandatory attendance at anti-union propaganda meetings.
Teamsters Local 251 represents over 6,200 workers in a wide variety of industries throughout Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts. For more information, go to teamsters251.org.
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100,000 New Members. Four Years. Teamsters Growing Rapidly.
(WASHINGTON) – The International Brotherhood of Teamsters announced today that 100,000 workers have joined the union since March 2022, marking one of the most successful organizing periods in modern labor history and underscoring the growing demand for strong union representation across the U.S. and Canada.
The milestone is the result of an aggressive organizing strategy led by Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien and General Secretary-Treasurer Fred Zuckerman, who made union growth a top priority and invested heavily in organizing, bargaining, and contract enforcement.
“If anyone is still questioning whether the Teamsters are breaking through, they’re not paying attention. We’re negotiating record contracts, building powerful bipartisan coalitions, and organizing more than 100,000 new members,” O’Brien said. “The old complacent guard that ran this union before us spent a decade organizing 50,000 workers, and we’ve doubled that in just four years. You don’t see this kind of growth, energy, or militancy anywhere else in the labor movement. The Teamsters are coming for what our members deserve — so get out of our way.”
The Teamsters’ growth has extended far beyond traditional industries. While the union continues to expand in freight, warehousing, delivery, and logistics, tens of thousands of new members have organized in sectors including health care, public services, cannabis, and Amazon. The union is also expanding through internal organizing in Southern “right to work” states, and negotiating neutrality agreements at employers including DHL, American Red Cross, and Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits.
“There’s no stronger union in North America than the Teamsters. If workers want the best contracts, the highest wages, the most reliable benefits and protections on the job, they need to become Teamsters today and join the 100,000 new members we’ve organized in just four years,” Zuckerman said. “We are protecting one another and holding corrupt, greedy corporations accountable. This is the just the beginning of a brighter future for this organization.”
The organizing surge includes victories at major companies throughout North America, including UPS, DHL, Costco, Sysco, UNFI, the American Red Cross, and hundreds of smaller employers. It also reflects the Teamsters’ continued success organizing younger workers who are driving a new generation of rank-and-file militancy across nearly every industry.
Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.3 million hardworking people in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Visit Teamster.org for more information. Follow us on X @Teamsters and on Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters.
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Teamsters File Unfair Labor Practice Charges Against Cargill
(WASHINGTON) – Teamsters Local 455 in Fort Morgan, Colo., has filed unfair labor practice charges against Cargill after the company cut off workers’ access to pay and benefits. The charges come as the company continues to keep over 1,700 Teamsters locked out of the Fort Morgan beef processing facility.
“Cargill is hurting working families in Fort Morgan by illegally cutting benefits and refusing to pay its own workforce after now locking them out for multiple weeks,” said Dean Modecker, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 455. “These charges make clear that Cargill cannot ignore the law. It’s time for the company to stop stalling and return to the bargaining table.”
Cargill has recently faced scrutiny, including antitrust lawsuits involving some of the nation’s largest meat companies. In a recent beef price-fixing case, Cargill agreed to pay $32.5 million to settle claims that it conspired with other processors to keep beef prices high, while simultaneously denying any wrongdoing. The Teamsters Food Processing Division is looking into possible antitrust issues tied to the company’s conduct. It is one more sign that Cargill is putting profits ahead of people.
“The beef cartel, comprised of Cargill, Tysons, and a couple other companies, have already been sued for violating antitrust laws for price fixing and ripping off consumers,” said Jesse Case, Director of the Teamsters Food Processing Division. “Now they’re conspiring to fix labor rates. These large meat packers are monopolies that need to be broken up if they can’t recommit to the communities that helped make them successful.”
Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents over 1.3 million hardworking people in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Visit Teamster.org for more information. Follow us on X @Teamsters and on Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters.
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Amazon TOM Team Drivers from MCI9 Facility Join Teamsters
(LIBERTY, Mo.) – Dozens of Transportation Operations Management (TOM) Team drivers at Amazon’s MCI9 facility have joined Teamsters Local 41, becoming the second group of semi-truck and tractor-trailer drivers at the company to organize with the Teamsters.
“TOM Team drivers are just as important to Amazon’s operation as warehouse workers and last-mile drivers. That’s why this company is trying everything it can to stop our momentum,” said Randy Korgan, Director of the Teamsters Amazon Division. “But Amazon can’t stop workers who come together to demand respect. No matter where or how big a facility is, Teamsters will be there to fight alongside the workers responsible for making Amazon the world’s wealthiest retailer.”
“Local 41 is ecstatic to welcome MCI9 drivers,” said Joseph Monslow, President of Local 41. “Amazon is the biggest threat to working-class prosperity out there, and Local 41 looks forward to our new brothers and sisters winning their first union contract.”
Amazon TOM Team drivers transport freight across Amazon properties and facilities before last-mile deliveries. Amazon Teamsters at MCI9 are fighting for better pay, respect from management, and an end to Amazon’s arbitrary process of implementing policies and work rules that constantly change.
“Amazon will randomly change our work policies and then unfairly discipline us without warning,” said Glenn Watford, a new member of Local 41 from MCI9. “No worker should have their livelihood threatened because management failed to do its job. The only way we can protect ourselves and force Amazon to treat us with respect is with a Teamsters contract.”
MCI9 Amazon Teamsters join CDL drivers at the SDF9 facility in Shepherdsville, Ky., and over 10,000 Amazon Teamsters nationwide in the fight to unionize Amazon.
Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents over 1.3 million hardworking people in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Visit Teamster.org for more information. Follow us on X @Teamsters and on Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters.
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Teamsters-Led Faster Labor Contracts Act Passes U.S. House With Bipartisan Support
(WASHINGTON) – With bipartisan support, the U.S. House of Representatives today passed the Faster Labor Contracts Act (FLCA), a Teamsters-led bill that could become the strongest new labor legislation for American workers in generations. Just three weeks prior, the discharge petition filed by Congressman Donald Norcross (D-NJ, 1st District) received the 218 signatures needed to force a vote on the landmark law that would hold employers accountable for delaying first union contracts.
“The Faster Labor Contracts Act is the most consequential labor bill to come before Congress in decades. Its bipartisan passage out of the House of Representatives is a significant milestone for millions of American workers,” said Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien. “The 1.3-million member Teamsters Union has worked tirelessly to build a coalition of Democrats, Republicans, and Independents who are committed to improving the lives of working people. Millions of workers at Amazon and other major companies who are fed up with being overworked, underpaid, and undervalued are organizing their unions today in record numbers. We can no longer tolerate a broken system that allows corporations to corruptly drag out negotiations and shirk their legal obligations to bargain fair first union contracts. The FLCA has a real shot to right generations of wrongs and level the playing field for workers. The Teamsters are eager for the Senate to take up this urgent legislation and ensure it lands on the President’s desk.”
The FLCA would amend the National Labor Relations Act to require employers to bargain with newly organized workers within 10 days of voting to form their union. Establishing a reasonable timeline for all parties to negotiate in good faith, the legislation provides a path to mediation if no agreement is reached within 90 days and a referral to arbitration to ensure first contracts can be fairly resolved.
The Senate version of the bill, introduced last year by Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), continues to gain strong bipartisan support.
“The Teamsters Union is grateful to all members of the U.S. House who had the courage to stand with workers, to put aside partisan politics, and to advance this legislation,” said Teamsters General Secretary-Treasurer Fred Zuckerman. “Right now, hardworking Americans are forced to wait 458 days on average for their employers to stop playing games, get to the table, and negotiate first union contracts. With the full support of the Teamsters Union, the FLCA will put an end to this corporate corruption and give workers the opportunity they deserve to lead better lives and rebuild the American middle class. The Teamsters thank Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D, NY-08) and House Republicans and Democrats who did the right thing to bring this important bill to the floor. The Senate must schedule its own markup and pass the FLCA as soon as possible.”
Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.3 million hardworking people in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Visit Teamster.org for more information. Follow us on X @Teamsters and on Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters.
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Teamsters Authorize Strike at Ascend Wellness
(BARRY, Ill.) – Members of Teamsters Local 916 at Ascend Wellness in Barry, Ill., have voted by a 92 percent margin to authorize a strike as they fight for their first contract. The workers cultivate, process, package, and distribute cannabis products for one of the nation’s largest multistate cannabis operators.
“After more than a year at the bargaining table, our members have had enough of this company’s delay tactics,” said JP Fyans, President of Teamsters Local 916. “Ascend’s executives have no problem paying union-busting attorneys to drag out negotiations, but when workers demand a fair contract, they suddenly claim they can’t afford it.”
Workers are seeking fair wages, affordable health care, and strong workplace protections. Multiple unfair labor practice (ULP) charges have been filed against Ascend, including a charge that a bargaining committee member was targeted for union activity.
“Cannabis workers at Ascend are fighting for the stability and respect that should come with any good job,” said Jesse Case, Director of the Teamsters Food Processing Division. “The Teamsters are committed to helping our members build long-term careers at this company. We will not allow Ascend’s reckless conduct to continue.”
“Ascend brings in millions of dollars every year off of our backs,” said Shane Wilmer, an Ascend cultivator and member of Local 916. “This company can afford to give us the contract we deserve. We are ready to do whatever necessary to get a fair contract, and we are not afraid to strike if that’s what it takes.”
Teamsters Local 916 represents more than 4,000 workers throughout the state of Illinois from Chicago to Carbondale and East Saint Louis to Champaign. For more information, visit teamsters916.org.
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Panama-Buena Vista Union School District Teamsters Ratify Strong Contract
(BAKERSFIELD, Calif.) – A group of 243 workers at Panama-Buena Vista Union School District, represented by Teamsters Local 87, have voted overwhelmingly to ratify a new agreement with the K-8 public school district which serves the Bakersfield community across 25 schools.
“This strong agreement is vital for me, my colleagues, and our students across the district,” said Joseph Diaz, a maintenance department worker and chief shop steward. “When negotiations began, we knew that we needed to remain united to get what we deserve and ensure we can continue to show up for our students when they need us most. Improved wages and health care benefits mean our departments can remain fully staffed to make sure students have access to a good public education.”
The new agreement includes a one-time $1,000 bonus for all full-time workers, pro-rated payment for part-time workers in the bargaining unit, and strengthened health care language with a no-cost employee premium included in the base health care plan. Workers in the unit span dozens of job classifications across several departments throughout the district.
“This agreement reflects important protections and improvements for every member. The dedication and unity shown by our stewards and members at Panama-Buena Vista Union School District throughout negotiations brought this strong contract across the finish line,” said John Moralez, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 87.
Teamsters Local 87 proudly represents workers in a wide variety of industries throughout Bakersfield, California. For more information, go to teamsterslocal87.org.
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In Memoriam: Lester “Les” Singer
Lester “Les” Singer, former Teamsters Central Region Vice President, passed away on May 10, 2026.
Singer began his Teamsters career in 1963 as a driver for Coca-Cola. Several years later, he served as a business agent and as Vice President of Teamsters Local 20 in Toledo, Ohio — positions he held from 1978 until 1992. Singer continued to advance in Teamsters leadership, getting elected President of Local 20, President of the Ohio Conference of Teamsters, and President of Teamsters Joint Council 44, all from 1992 until 2003.
He later served for a decade as an International Vice President, from 1997 until 2007.
While serving as president of the Ohio Conference of Teamsters — representing 90,000 members — Singer played an instrumental role in establishing the state’s strike fund. As an International Vice President, re-establishing the International Union’s strike fund and strengthening organizing programs nationwide were his top priorities.
Singer was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He and his wife were passionate advocates for the work of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, raising over a million dollars in charitable contributions. No services are currently scheduled, per Singer’s wishes, but memorial contributions in his memory can be made to St. Jude.
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Teamsters at Crystal Creamery Ratify Strong Contract
(OAKLAND, Calif.) – Members of Teamsters Local 853 at Crystal Creamery in Oakland, Calif., have ratified a strong four-year contract covering drivers and loaders who distribute dairy products throughout Northern California.
The agreement delivers wage increases, back pay, improved benefits, and stronger workplace protections. It also restores yearly route bidding for drivers and clearly defines routes.
“This contract delivers real improvements on everything from wages to job protections,” said Steve Beck, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 853. “The company came to the bargaining table looking to shift more costs onto workers, but our members stood together and secured a strong agreement. I want to thank our bargaining committee for their hard work and dedication throughout negotiations.”
“This is the first time in years we’ve had real say over our routes and schedules,” said Jerome Nelson, a Crystal Creamery driver and member of Local 853. “We stuck together and ended up with a contract that respects the work we do. Getting guaranteed yearly bidding back was a big win for everyone here.”
Teamsters Local 853 represents nearly 15,000 members across half a dozen industries across Northern California. For more information, visit teamsters853.org.
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