TDU is Teamsters helping Teamsters:
Through TDU we get educated, organize ourselves and fight for better contracts.
Click here to send TDU a message.
I am TDU
"We need to remember who got the pension fight started. In Minnesota, TDU got a few of us sitting around a coffee shop in St. Paul figuring out what we might try to do to keep them from taking our pensions away. Out of that things started to move. The movement has got big, broad, and powerful. I’ve got to believe that’s happened elsewhere, too.
"I had put off joining TDU for years but finally signed up in 2014 because they were providing information and playing a big role in the fight. I stand by TDU and what it has done for all Teamsters. They have made us aware when the old guard was in denial. I think there is a point when you back those who are backing you. I joined TDU. Why don’t you do it to?"
Fred Carlson, UPS Retiree
Local 638, Minnesota
"Our retirement security is on the line with the threats to our pension. TDU helps us reach out to other retired and active Teamsters to stand together. Join TDU and help us stand up for what we were promised."
Whitlow and Barb Wyatt
Consolidated Freightways Retired
Local 413, Columbus, Ohio
“When I was having problems with my local, I looked online and found the TDU website. TDU sponsored a New York – New Jersey educational conference which was great too. That info, guidance and legal advice has been invaluable. I strongly encourage you to become a TDU member.”
Steve Mohan
Local 553
Rollin Dairy Driver
"I joined TDU after learning that my union officers were not representing my best interests, but theirs. After our last contract, I got involved, through social media, with Teamsters from across the country. They were TDU members. I just attended my first TDU convention -- the workshops were informative and empowering. The TDU is rank and file teamsters for Teamsters, and I am proud to be a part of it.
"I joined TDU because I got sick of union officials lying to me and giving us a dog-and-pony show. I decided to educate myself through TDU conventions, literature and meetings, and meet good Teamsters across the country. I’m proud to be a member."
"I can always count on good advice from TDU. I have been a member for more than 7 years. TDU has been an excellent source of information and helped me tremendously on how to become a better steward."
Robert Kirk, Archer Daniels Midland
Local 279, Decatur, Ill.
"I joined TDU because it was the place to go to for information about what was happening with our contract. TDU also gave me the knowledge that there were other UPS Freight Teamsters out there that faced the same problems and wanted to do something to address them.
“I came to rely on TDU and that meant supporting the organization. It was an extra $40 bucks a year but it was well worth it. Otherwise, me and so many other Teamsters would be left in the dark and on the sidelines. That's no way to be a union. If you count on TDU for info, it's and to sign on and support our movement for change in the IBT."
Kurt Kronemberg, UPS Freight
Local 707, New York
"I was an observer for the ballot count thanks to TDU and the support of rank and file workers. We relied on TDU to keep us informed and involved throughout our vote NO fight. Although the Western Supplement and the Southwest Rider passed, our fight to build a more inclusive and strong union continues. TDU can hep us make that happen."
“UPS Teamsters have power in this union when we work together. I’m proud to have been elected to the TDU Steering Committee and I’m proud to be TDU.”
"You can't go wrong reading the TDU newspaper, Teamster Voice. It's full of news and I usually find a good education article on our union rights.
"I get a bundle of papers every month. Teamsters are thirsty for information, and I'm glad I'm part of TDU to get it to them. I had to do a bit of educating with Holland management to get them to understand we have the right to distribute information during non-work time in non-work areas like the break room or parking lot. Any Teamster has the right to pass out papers and the info can go a long way to making our union stronger."
Click here to read the current issue of Teamster Voice and click here to order a bundle and pass it out in your area.
"When we started to organize to enforce our contract, we faced threats and retaliation from our company and Local 854 officials. The company illegally fired me. With TDU, we took legal action and won, and the company was forced to pay me $140,000 in backpay and benefits. Now our union officials are trying to merge our union behind our backs. We're organizing with TDU to demand our right to vote and to keep organizing for change."
Click here to read about the fight to get Juan Carlos' job back.
"I initiated into Teamsters Union Local 128 that later merged into Pittsburgh Local 249. I was a Roadway freight driver and moved to Harrisburg Local 776 with a change of operations. Later, another change took me to Youngstown Local 377. That terminal closed and had another change to Miami Local 769. Why all the moves? I needed to remain in a Teamster pension plan. The promise was $3,000/month after 30 hard years.
"I will fight along with my union and TDU to preserve those benefits I earned. Congress better hear us loud and clear. Don't cut our pensions!"
Soon there will be hearings in the U.S. House of Representatives on a plan to allow Teamster pensions to be cut. If you want to help stop this attack on workers' pensions, click here.
Read what other Teamsters are saying about the proposal to let the Central States Fund—and other pension funds—cut pensions of retirees and cut the already-earned credits of active Teamsters.
"UPS tried to fire me for refusing to drive unsafe equipment. I won my job back with full backpay and a $150,000 whistleblower award against UPS—the biggest ever in the trucking industry. I knew how to enforce my rights because of TDU. TDU is Teamsters standing up to management and enforcing our rights. I am proud to be TDU."
Know How to Blow the Whistle by Paul Taylor
"Joining TDU won't miraculously turn things around overnight. But your $40 a year will help TDU help Teamster members organize to defend our contracts and pensions. Rebuilding Teamster power has to start somewhere. Joining TDU is the first step."
Click here to contact the TDU Freight Network.
"We voted the UPS contract down in the Central Region by working together. We made Vote No t-shirts and passed out information at our buildings. Members got informed and involved.
"Now we've got to keep moving ahead. TDU is the only group that brings UPS Teamsters together across the country. That's why I'm TDU. Isn't it time you joined too?"
"TDU was there for Teamster members when it came time to assess our contract. We all could see the problems but TDU provided the communication and the national network to help push a No vote. I joined TDU because I appreciated all they did to help Teamsters at UPS Freight."
Greg Myers, UPS Freight
Local 957, Dayton, Ohio
UPS Freight Talk: Organize for a Better Contract. Stay Informed. Have Your Say.
UPS Freight Members Say 'Vote No!'
"If it wasn't for TDU, we wouldn't have known the facts about the contract. Without TDU, we'd just be going along with the program and getting taken for a ride. Instead we're organizing members to defend our healthcare and fight for what we deserve from this company. We're proud to be building TDU at UPS in Philadelphia and across the country."
Nathan "Jumbo" Daniels, UPS
Local 623, Philadelphia
The UPS Contract and Rank & File Power
Click here for TDU's Complete UPS Contract Coverage
"UPS management is tough, but we can't give up fighting for our rights. TDU is my source for contract information. We've gotta stick together to enforce the contract and protect members. That's why I'm in TDU."
Roz Coleman, UPS
Local 688, St. Louis
Click here to get email updates from TDU's UPS network
Click here to visit www.MakeUPSDeliver.org
"I remember when members didn't have the Right to Vote for International Union officers and contracts could be approved with just 34% of the members voting yes. We organized and won the Right to Vote and majority rule on contract votes too. TDU is Teamsters fighting for a strong, democratic union. I'm proud to be TDU."
James McLeod, UPS
Local 71, Florence, S.C.
How TDU won contract rights for all Teamsters
"I work at Sotheby's Auction House as an art handler. Most people think of Teamsters as truck drivers but our union is more than that.
"In fact, the Teamster shop steward's guide featured a Sotheby's Teamster on the job. We were proud of that, but not proud of our weak contracts.
"TDU gave us the tools to educate and organize ourselves and fight for better contracts. TDU is what union solidarity is all about."
David Martinez, Sotheby's
Local 814, New York
Educate and Organize Ourselves
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