Teamsters in Southeastern Idaho have won new leadership and a new direction in Local 983.

The local represents roughly 1,000 members, 75% of whom work at UPS and the food processing company Lamb Weston. The remainder work in various white paper shops and construction.

The challenger slate ran to involve members, win strong contracts, improve member education, and increase membership. It was led by LaWanda Ellsworth, who currently serves as a Business Agent for the local.

Ellsworth built a strong steward network at Lamb Weston that grew membership by 200%. But she thinks members can win more.

The Lamb Weston contract expires in July 2025, and the new leadership is committed to a contract campaign to win better pay, stable hours, improved healthcare, and most importantly, respect. 

They also plan to strengthen representation and take on employers at the local's ten additional white-paper shops. This will include quarterly Executive Board visits to every shop in the local. "It's going to be an eye-opener for employers who refuse to abide by our contracts and treat workers with respect," says Ellsworth. 

The insurgent slate campaigned every day before and after work, plus weekends. They reached out to members on Facebook and in-person, in parking lots early in the morning and late at night.

“But members also voted for us because they had seen us fighting for them for years. The trust was there,” said Ellsworth.

Ellsworth has a message for Teamster members who want to see their local unions do more: “Don’t be afraid to rock the boat. Just do what’s best for the members.”