June 6, 2013: Unions have launched a petition drive and lobbying effort to get a fully-functioning National Labor Relations Board with five voting members. The National Labor Relations Board protects the organizing and contract bargaining rights of more than 80 million private sector workers. Click here to sign the petition. The labor movement's message is simple: When workers stand up for themselves at work, they deserve to be protected from employer harassment, discipline or termination....

June 5, 2013: You know something is up when senior management – the suits! – are passing out glossy brochures asking Teamsters to ratify the UPS contract. That's exactly what's happening at the UPS Worldport in Louisville where management has already offered Teamsters a $1,000 bonus for voting yes. The sales push is hot and heavy. Hoffa and Hall have now sent UPS Teamsters an unprecedented three Vote Yes mailings. Those mailings are arriving without...

May 31, 2013: The International Union has screwed up the balloting on the UPS and UPS Freight contract. Thousands of UPS Teamsters have received a return envelope to send their ballot to the P.O. Box for UPS Freight ballots. UPS Teamsters can still use these envelopes to mail in their ballots and have your vote counted. There is no need to request a replacement ballot. All of the return envelopes have the member's name and...

May 30, 2013: The ballots for the UPS national contract are out, and some members received them today. In the next few days they will be received across the country. Now is the time to talk about the contract, distribute information, and encourage fellow Teamsters to vote. Your access to complete contract coverage and leaflets are available here. Don't just get the PR from the IBT, get the information and make your own decision. The...

The current issue of Teamster Voice is hitting the streets with detailed analysis on key contract issues and what members are saying—and doing—to help inform co-workers. In the coming weeks, national contracts covering more than 300,000 members will be voted on. There’s still time to get the word out, network with members in your area, and organize for the stronger contracts we deserve. Click here to order your bundle of this special issue and join...

May 29, 2013: The IBT has sent out a mailing listing every local officer by name that was at the two-person meeting in Washington, claiming they "unanimously approve" of the contract. The list includes officers who are urging a No Vote and even lists the officers from Louisville Local 89 whose website includes a long explanation about why members should vote no. The "unanimous support" lie is especially outrageous at UPS Freight where many local...

May 29, 2013: UPS is offering Teamsters in Louisville Local 89 a bribe. Vote Yes and get a $1,000 check! The Louisville Air Rider Bargaining Committee is demanding pay for all time worked, more full-time jobs and job protections. UPS ducked these demands by going behind the back of the Local 89 bargaining committee and getting Hall and Hoffa to mail out its "final offer." Local 89 is recommending a No Vote on the contract...

May 29, 2013: To gear up for their 2013 convention the AFL-CIO has started a discussion forum to talk about the future of the labor movement. Each week a new moderator, from labor journalists, professors, directors of community organizations and worker centers, and more, helps facilitate. Join the conversation at "Let's Talk".

As many Teamsters enjoy a long weekend with family and friends, all of us honor those who have fallen in wartime.

May 24, 2013: The weak contracts at UPS and UPS Freight affect every Teamster. After hauling in almost $4.5 billion in profits last year, UPS management has reaped another windfall: contract givebacks. The weak contract deals affect every Teamster—not just the 250,000 members employed at UPS and UPS Freight. How can Teamsters who work at struggling employers expect to win good contracts and defend our benfits when the International Union is rolling over and making...