However, all of that is set to change now that O’Brien-Zuckerman (OZ) and their Teamsters United slate has won the election. After just the first day of counting votes to determine who would lead the Teamsters over the next five years, it became clear that a new chapter was beginning for one of the most important unions in North America.

Teamsters from the U.S. and Canada cast their ballots for International Leadership of the Teamsters throughout October and the first half of November. On November 15, the vote count began in Washington D.C. Votes were counted by region, beginning with the Southern U.S. and then counting votes cast from the Central, East, West, and Canada. In each region of the United States, Teamsters made their demands for better leadership known, by overwhelmingly voting for Sean O’Brien and Fred Zuckerman’s Teamsters United slate against the old guard leadership. In the South, Central, and East regions, over 70% of the votes went to OZ. In the West, where the old guard was strongest, over 55% of the vote went to OZ. Overall, Teamsters United emerged with a strong victory, earning about 114,000 votes compared to just 57,000 votes. OZ won with almost twice the number of votes, and over 66% of the total votes cast in the election.

Richard Blake from Teamsters Local 512 in Jacksonville, Florida was invited to help observe the process of counting votes. “The whole facility erupted in cheers when we won the Western Region after previously winning the South, Central, and Eastern regions. We made history and elected an IBT executive board that’s united to take on the employers and fight for the members,” Blake commented.

The rank-and-file membership of the Teamsters sent a clear message – they are ready for the union to fight the employers for stronger contracts and end the age of endless concessions to the bosses. Hoffa Jr. sealed his fate in 2018-2019 when he used a bogus clause in the union’s constitution to approve the UPS contract, despite the membership voting to reject the weak contract three separate times.

Teamsters United had already been organizing the membership to take back their union, and eventually helped remove that bogus clause from the constitution in 2021. Sean O’Brien recognized the critical role that Teamsters for a Democratic Union (TDU) played in removing the clause when he spoke at TDU’s annual convention in October. Teamsters are already gearing up to fight for a strong contract at UPS in 2023.

The Teamsters represent workers in a variety of industries, but regardless of where they work and what they do for a living, Teamsters are fed up with the weak leadership offered by Hoffa Jr. and his handpicked successors. The on-the-ground campaigning done by Teamsters United volunteers around North America was an amazing show and earned tremendous results. Members of TDU did an excellent job helping secure the victory of Teamsters United, as did many rank-and-file members. Every leaflet handed out and every conversation with coworkers mattered. Once again, the working class showed that passion for change can overcome backwards stubbornness.

There’s a long road ahead filled with struggle for Teamsters who want to fight for the working class. The victory of O’Brien-Zuckerman and Teamsters United is a big step in the right direction for unions in North America.

#WashingtonDC #PeoplesStruggles #Teamsters #OZSlate

The O’Brien-Zuckerman slate, also known as the OZ Teamsters United slate, has gained a lot of momentum since announcing their intent to run. Ballots for the international union election are being mailed out on October 4 and will be counted November 15.

The TDU convention saw one of the highest levels of turnout since the formation of TDU in 1976. Many union activists were happy to see old friends who they had not seen in person for some time due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There was a lot of excitement and anticipation Friday evening as speakers from around the country welcomed participants to the TDU convention. The crowd watched as Sean O’Brien took the stage, the man many believe will win the upcoming election and become the new general president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

O’Brien began his speech by thanking TDU for welcoming him to the convention and got straight to business. During his speech, O’Brien acknowledged that while he had not always been supportive of TDU, he recognized that he would not be in the position he is today without the valuable contributions of TDU. In particular, O’Brien credited TDU with winning the right for Teamsters to directly elect national officers. This is a democratic method of electing leadership that Teamsters enjoy, but most unions in the United States still lack. O’Brien also promised to continue working with TDU after the election.

Saturday and Sunday saw different workshops and meetings. UPS Teamsters discussed the upcoming 2023 contract negotiations and how to fight for a stronger contract. Newer members of TDU learned fundamental organizing principles. Teamsters networked and made new contacts and friends throughout the convention, especially during meal breaks. TDU raised a substantial amount of money during their fundraising talk. Members were happy to contribute because of the excellent work TDU has accomplished over the years. Members also helped update the TDU constitution to by making a few modern changes during the convention. The 2021 elections for TDU steering committee went smoothly.

First time TDU convention attendee William Blake from Tampa, Florida had this to say about the convention: “As a new Teamster, it was incredibly inspiring to see so many experienced labor organizers. The convention taught me that it’s possible to build a fighting Teamsters International again, and that moment is right here and now.”

As they left the convention, members of TDU promised to go back to their home locals and do everything in their power to help the O’Brien-Zuckerman, Teamsters United slate win the election.

#ChicagoIL #PeoplesStruggles #Teamsters #TeamstersForADemocraticUnionTDU #OZSlate

Syracuse, NY – On May 23, around 100 Teamsters gathered at Ye Olde Clipper Tavern here to meet candidates in the O’Brien-Zuckerman Teamsters United Slate, also referred to as the OZ Slate. After about an hour of shaking hands and speaking with the attendees, OZ Slate candidates took to a podium to speak to the members about the issues in the upcoming Teamster leadership elections. The candidates laid out their vision to reverse decades of concessions and membership decline in the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

Secretary Treasurer of Teamsters Local 89 and current International Vice President Avral Thompson opened for the speakers, declaring, “We’re gonna change the direction of this union.” He was followed by Daniel Kane Jr., president of Local 202, which led a successful strike at Hunts Point Produce Market in New York City earlier this year. Kane implored the gathered members, “We need all of you to take that energy out there in this election,” and said that ultimately, “The union can lead the way to a better future for the working class.”

Other speakers, including Billy Hamilton, president of Local 107 and international VP; John Palmer, another international VP and former international organizer, and Tony Jones, president of Local 413 and International VP, followed similar themes. In general, they registered the need to change course, to involve and engage the membership, and take the fight to the companies.

Fred Zuckerman, candidate for general secretary treasurer, and Sean O’Brien, candidate for general president, took the podium last. Zuckerman attacked the current leadership under Jimmy Hoffa Jr. for imposing a contract on the UPS members in 2018 using the so-called ‘two-thirds rule,’ which he characterized as a crutch. He vowed that an O’Brien-Zuckerman administration would “make [the rank-and-file membership] a part of what we do” and “negotiate contracts that the members want” instead of forcing contracts on the members.

O’Brien followed Zuckerman in a similar vein, saying early in his remarks, “We need to take this union back and put it in the hands of the people most important to us: the members.” He then critiqued the current leadership for having a “top down philosophy” and for not protecting, preserving or improving the union. O’Brien also criticized Ken Hall, current general secretary treasurer, for bragging about the union’s healthy strike fund. “That’s because we don’t strike anybody! That ends in 2021!” he declared.

After O’Brien ended his speech, he solicited questions from the gathered members, and answered questions about the state of pensions in the union and how the two-thirds rule would be addressed at the upcoming IBT convention. Members stayed after for a raffle drawing, before finally dispersing when rain and wind picked up in the early afternoon.

#SyracuseNY #PeoplesStruggles #Teamsters #OZSlate