The IBT Convention overwhelmingly voted to approve an amendment making strike benefits payable from the 1st day of a strike, rather than the 8th day, as it has been until now.

Three Constitutional amendments supported by the O’Brien Zuckerman Teamsters United slate were rejected by a majority of the delegates at the Teamster Convention, including a critical protection on members’ right to elect their International Union officers in the future. 

TDU has fought for rank-and-file members to be included on contract negotiating committees for decades. Today, the Teamster Constitution was finally amended to make this a reality.

Today the IBT Convention delegates voted overwhelmingly to eliminate the hated “two thirds rule” that Hoffa used to impose UPS contract givebacks in 2018 after a majority of members voted no.

The Hoffa-backed Vairma Slate opposed an OZ-Teamsters United amendment to improve strike benefits. Now they are trying to take credit for it. 

TDU members have organized for decades to completely end the Two-Thirds Rule and increase rank-and-file power in contract negotiations. This week, those changes will become a reality, thanks to united action by the O’Brien-Zuckerman Teamsters United coalition.  

The Constitution Committee voted today to recommend that the IBT Convention vote to eliminate the Two-Thirds Rule, require rank-and-file members on all contract negotiating committees, and ban the International from imposing contract supplements and riders that are rejected by the members.

The IBT Convention starts this coming Tuesday, June 22, and the fight is on to win major changes to our Teamster Constitution.

Juneteenth commemorates the anniversary of the Union Army's proclamation of freedom for slaves in Texas, making a reality of the Emancipation Proclamation signed two and half years earlier. New legislation now makes Juneteenth a federal holiday. The struggle to win freedom from discrimination and economic exploitation is every day. United, we'll get there!

The Teamster Convention will be held June 22, 23, 24, online. If you want to observe the IBT Convention, and see the work of the 1,600 elected delegates, here’s what you need to know. 

Congratulations to 600 Teamsters at Washington Gas who defeated givebacks and won a new contract that includes 14% wage increases, a $1,000 lump sum payment, new disciplinary protections, and rock-solid job security.