Delegates from every Teamster local will vote on changes to the IBT Constitution and vote on nominations for all 27 International Union officers at the upcoming Teamster Convention at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, June 15-18. 

At the last Teamster Convention, delegates approved reforms to build power for Teamster members, including establishing majority rule on Teamster contracts, requiring rank-and-file members on all bargaining committees, and making strike benefits payable starting on day one of any strike. Find out more about how TDU members and other Teamsters have won reforms at Teamster Conventions through the years here.

Get answers to frequently asked questions about the upcoming Teamster Convention.

Q.  Who are the Convention Delegates?

The delegates are elected by the members of each local union.  Each local elects a number of delegates proportional to the size of the local.  Most delegates have been elected by early March, either by white ballot or contested election, but a number of local unions have not yet had their vote counts.  They will all be elected by late April.  

There are also hundreds of alternate delegates elected by locals. They will not have speaking or voting rights, unless they are seated for an absent delegate.

Q. How will the nominations for International Union officers be conducted?

The Convention serves as the nominating body for all 27 IBT leadership positions.  Candidates are nominated from the floor and voted on by secret ballot. 

Nominated candidates must receive five percent of the vote from Convention Delegates to appear on the ballot in a one-member, one vote election this fall. 

Candidates for regional Vice President positions must get at least 5% of the vote of the Delegates in their region.

Candidates for General President, General Secretary-Treasurer, At-Large Vice President and Trustee must get at least 5% of the vote of all Convention Delegates.

Q.  When will nominations take place?

Nominations for all positions will be held on Monday, June 15.  This is a change from the past when nominations were spaced out over three days. 

The nominations session will be chaired by the Election Supervisor, the Honorable Timothy S. Hillman. The Election Supervisor will have a staff and office at the Convention to deal with any protests or issues.

Q.  How will voting by Convention Delegates work?

Convention Delegates will vote by secret ballot on Tuesday morning. Delegates will get their voting credentials from the Election Supervisor and cast their ballots online in a designated secret ballot voting area.  

The vote will be conducted electronically using the same online system that was used at the IBT Convention in 2021 which was held virtually because of the Covid pandemic.

Q.  What else do delegates vote on?

Convention delegates will vote on proposed amendments and resolutions on our union’s priorities and direction. 

The Convention has been shortened to four days, instead of five.

Read the tentative Convention schedule here.

Q.  Do delegates and alternates get their expenses paid?

Yes.  Delegates will get paid their regular salary, if a full-time officer. Rank-and-file delegates and alternates will be compensated for 40 hours of straight time pay. Other covered expenses covered include a hotel room at Caesar’s (five nights), travel expenses, and a per diem of $130/day for six days.  The Election Supervisor has issued a detailed Advisory on expenses.

Q.  Can I attend the Convention?

Yes, any Teamster member can attend, on their own dime. Click here to register. Registration will also be open all day on site June 13-14.

Q. How many votes will it take to get nominated?

The Election Supervisor reports that there will be 1,589 delegates.  Eighty delegate votes (5% of 1589) will be needed to get nominated for General President, General Secretary Treasurer, seven vice presidents at large, and three trustee positions.

For the regional candidates:

Central Region:  20 votes required for nomination out of 398 delegates

Eastern Region:  21 votes required for nomination out of 415 delegates

Southern Region: 8 votes required for nomination out of 152 delegates

Western Region:  24 votes required for nomination out of 474 delegates

Teamsters Canada: 8 votes required for nomination out of 150 delegates

If only one candidate for an office clears the 5% hurdle, they will be declared elected by the Election Supervisor.

Q. When will all IBT members vote?

If more than one candidate succeeds in getting nominated for an office, ballots will be mailed to Teamster members in October 2026 and counted in November 2026.