TDU is a grassroots movement of Teamster members working together to reform our union and rebuild Teamster Power. "Teamsters Helping Teamsters" -- since 1976.
FIGHT THE BOSS. CHANGE THE WORLD.
2023 was a big year for Teamsters and the labor movement. Keep up the momentum. Donate to TDU to help us organize in the year ahead:
UPS drivers are sharing thermometer reads from inside their trucks. UPS CEOs would never accept working in 120 or 130-degree offices. Drivers shouldn't have to either.
You need to watch this video.
Striking Northeast Transportation/DHL workers were beaten by police during a peaceful picket. Workers were left with concussions, fractures, and bruises.
All because they stood up for livable wages and affordable healthcare.
NEW: DHL delivery drivers were violently arrested while peacefully striking last month in Rhode Island.
Picketers were attacked by police in riot gear and suffered broken ribs, a fractured tailbone & concussions.
The drivers have been on strike since June. (TW: police violence)
NO FINES FOR AMAZON AFTER SIX WORKERS DIE IN WAREHOUSE COLLAPSE
Another reason unions are needed at Amazon—so that workers' lives are prioritized over profit.
🔥NEW VIDEO: UPS TEAMSTERS ARE READY TO STRIKE🔥
We have a message for UPS and corporate America: We've had enough and we're coming for what we deserve in 2023 and beyond.
We're in a new era of labor.
Teamsters President
@TeamsterSOB
refuses to take disrespect from Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin in front of the Senate today.
Because unions are ready to fight back. via
@People4Bernie
BREAKING: The BMWED has responded to President Biden’s call for Congress to impose a Tentative Agreement on rail workers that does not include paid sick days.
On February 3, a horrifying railroad accident took place. A Norfolk Southern freight train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio. You might've seen images of the flames, but you probably haven't heard that unions were trying to prevent this exact accident. 🧵
HOW BOSSES TRY TO BEAT THE UNION—SANTA'S WORKSHOP EDITION: Get familiar with the bosses' union-busting tricks so you and your coworkers can stay unified no matter what!
Check out
@UPS
UPS CEO Carol Tome "loading" a trailer in Ontario, CA. It sure doesn't look like it's 130 degrees where she works.
This PR stunt is a slap in the face to every Teamster. Save your phony down-home act. We're coming for what we deserve in 2023.
AMAZON WORKERS VOTE YES FOR NEW UNION
Against nearly impossible odds, the Amazon Labor Union (ALU), an independent union, is about to win the first NLRB union election at an Amazon warehouse in the US.
Rest in peace to Teamster brother Chris Begley, who died due to extreme heat and UPS corporate negligence. This is why we fought for A/C in package cars, and why we'll keep fighting for our health and safety, because no family deserves this.
Ford is lowballing the UAW -- so the union launched a surprise strike at one of the company's most profitable plants. Nearly 50% of Ford's profits are made there, and 8,700 workers just walked out.
Workers have the power.
AFTER MARATHON SESSIONS, UPS NEGOTIATIONS COLLAPSE
Around 4AM, UPS walked away from the bargaining table after presenting an unacceptable offer to the Teamsters that did not address members’ needs. The UPS Teamsters Nat’l Negotiating Committee unanimously rejected the package
"A strike at UPS would affect nearly every household in the country. An estimated 6% of the nation's GDP is moved in UPS trucks every year. Beyond the company's home deliveries, it also delivers many of the goods found in stores, factories and offices."
UPDATE: Nearly all UPS drivers in southern and northern CA have been informed by the Teamsters that they can refuse to deliver packages to the U of California during the strike.
Teamsters confirmed. This will likely to have some impact on the U.C. system
Today, hundreds of Amazon employees at a Staten Island sorting facility will begin casting their votes on organizing with the Amazon Labor Union. On Sunday dozens of New York Teamsters rallied with Amazon workers in support of the union.
@amazonlabor
UPS claims it "doesn't have any more to give." What about the $13 billion in profits it made last year? 💸
If the company won't deliver what part-timers and all UPS Teamsters deserve, it will be striking itself. ⚡️
A marathon negotiating session between UPS and the Teamsters union ended with both sides accusing the other of walking away from the table. There are no signs of a contract settlement in sight.
UPS PROFITS SOAR TO $10.9 BILLION; WE ARE COMING FOR OURS IN 2023 CONTRACT
UPS announced fourth quarter operating profits of $3.9 billion, bringing its haul for 2021 to $10.9 billion in operating profits. The announcement sent stock prices skyrocketing.
“They call us unrealistic. You know what’s unrealistic? Doing nothing.”
UAW President Shawn Fain brought the house down at the TDU Convention. From the UAW to the Teamsters, we’re fighting for the entire working class — together.
It's the most wonderful time of the year—except for UPS workers. Peak season means we're away from our families more than ever.
UPS cheaps out by forcing more work on fewer drivers over long hours. We're going to win our time back in 2023.
NEW: UPS drivers are revealing the gruesome reality behind your online orders.
They say the company is forcing 12+ hour days and constant overtime. The schedules have ruined countless families and marriages.
And in the heat, excessive overtime can be a death sentence.
BREAKING: RAIL TEAMSTERS VOTE OUT BLET NATIONAL PRESIDENT
In an upset, Rail Teamsters in the BLET have voted out incumbent National BLET President Dennis Pierce and elected challenger Eddie Hall.
BREAKING: BMWED membership voted against ratification of the tentative national agreement reached with the Class I freight railroads. The vote saw record turnout, showing that members are fed up with the carriers' abusive work practices.
From
@smartunionworks
: "The railroads have taken away our members' ability to be a worthy parent and dependable spouse; and they have eliminated any realistic means for an employee to receive medical services or care for a sick child without assessed discipline or termination."
New York just became the fifth state to BAN captive audience meetings. The NLRB is seeking to end them nationwide.
Big bullies like Amazon will have less power to intimidate workers out of unionizing.
BREAKING: New York Gov. Kathy Hochul just signed a law banning captive audience meetings, a huge win for union organizers.
These meetings are used by employers to force workers to listen to lies from expensive union-busters.
Now, workers can’t be penalized for skipping them.
💥UNITED WE WIN: UPS pilots and dispatchers will honor Teamster picket lines if UPS puts itself on strike.
UPS Airlines operates a fleet of about 280 aircraft, staffed by 3,300 pilots and 111 dispatchers.
The New Republic reports on the explosion of forced, excessive overtime at UPS since the pandemic. It's hell on our bodies, steals our time with loved ones, and is one more reason we're ready to fight in 2023.
UPS won't install air conditioning in their trucks, but wants us to accept inward-facing cameras?! No way.
UPS Teamsters are for
#SafetyNotSurveillance
and we're ready to fight for it.
Trucking Deregulation in the 1980s is a key cause behind wage shortages and supply chain troubles in freight.
By 1998, drivers were making 30%-40% less than in 1980.
Trucker income has never recovered from the steep decline after deregulation.
The scale of UPS contract campaign kickoff actions across the country is incredible. We are one year out from the most important UPS contract in a generation, and members are ready to fight.
PRACTICE PICKET MEGATHREAD 🧵
Across the country, from local to local, practice pickets are popping off 💥
See what UPS Teamsters are doing to show the company they’re strike ready! 👇
UPS Teamsters across the country have started practice picketing to show UPS they’re ready to do what it takes to win a fair contract.
Watch members of Local 251 in Rhode Island share why they’re practice picketing:
UPS can afford our demands. But we might have to strike to win them. Watch this to learn why 340,000 UPS Teamsters are getting ready to shut shit down⤵️
NEW: 340,000 UPS workers are gearing up for a massive, nationwide strike.
The company controls 40% of the U.S. shipping market. They made $13.7 billion in profit last year. They can afford the
@Teamsters
demands.
If they refuse, workers will shut them down.
DHL Teamsters in Rhode Island have been on strike since June 22. The company refuses to meet their demands for quality, affordable healthcare. On Friday, police attacked the picket line, pepper-spraying crowds that included the elderly and disabled. Absolutely shameful!
One of these individuals is being charged with simple assault… Now ask yourself, who looks like the aggressor here? We had a great show of solidarity yesterday on the line as dozens of Teamsters from multiple locals walked the line. Definitely no serve and protect yesterday
"We work to live, not live to work."
Railroad workers are asking for the bare minimum—reasonable sick days, more time with their loved ones.
Less than 2% of the rail companies' buybacks over the last year would pay for the sick days they ask for.
NEW: Railroad workers are telling Congress to stop doing the bidding of profitable & exploitative railroad companies.
3 of the 5 largest rail unions rejected a tentative contract that gives workers 0 paid sick days.
Workers want Congress to improve the deal & save the industry.
UPS walked away from the table this morning. But we're not walking away from our strike threat. Practice Pickets are heating up across the country, and we won't stop until we get the deal we deserve.
Just Practicing Pickets are rolling across the country at UPS! 🪧
Just Practicing pickets are *not* a work stoppage. But if UPS doesn't deliver a good contract by July 31, they'll be getting the real deal 😈
Tick-tock,
@UPS
⌛️
The members of SAG-AFTRA have voted overwhelmingly to approve a strike authorization, with 98% voting YES.
The actors' union begins negotiations with management tomorrow.
PEAK SEASON STRIKE AT UPS?
Teamsters in Louisville may strike on Monday according to a statement released by General President Sean O’Brien after UPS laid off workers in retaliation for organizing with Local 89.
🧵Thread:
"It both denies Railroad Workers their right to strike while also denying them of the benefit they would likely otherwise obtain if they were not denied their right to strike."
UPS
#Teamsters
are engaged, mobilized, united, and ready to win the strong contract they have rightfully earned. No concessions. It's time for UPS to pay UP!
The rally starts in 30 minutes. Tune in here or at . It's game on for a strong contract!
#1u
“You don’t need permission from your local union officials to get organized. You just need to lace up your boots and walk the walk.” -Carlos Silva, Teamsters Local 572
Workers who unionized the first Chipotle in the country just addressed the TDU Convention! “One thing we’ve learned here is that Teamsters love fighting the boss,” they said. ✊
🧵Working Teamsters and our union are mounting the first credible strike threat at UPS in 25 years—and it is paying off. The latest win is air conditioning, more fans, air-induction vents in cargo holds, and new heat shields.
“Teamsters wasn’t really high on our list,’ says Dora-Laskey. “[But] my roommate was in the living room and was like, ‘Oh yeah, Teamsters is a fighting union.’”
Promises from employers to "take care of employees" are no substitute for a union contract. Congratulations to Costco workers in Virginia who voted to join the Teamsters!
#GetItInWriting
#RespectIsATeamsterContract
SCOOP: The
@Teamsters
are building on their Coastco beachhead, and the company is freaking out sending letters to its workers to discourage them from unionizing. This letter was sent to all employees w/ Costco email addresses & posted in break rooms at locations nationwide.
"It is not enough to 'share workers’ concerns.' A call to Congress to act immediately to pass legislation that adopts tentative agreements that exclude paid sick leave ignores the Railroad Workers’ concerns."
"UPS NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND THAT WE MEAN BUSINESS"
As UPS lowballs our Negotiating Committee, Practice Pickets are heating up. Fox LA featured Local 572 Teamsters and TDU activist Carlos Silva, who had one message: "We're ready to strike if we have to."
🚨 STRIKE THREAT WINS BIG FOR UPS TEAMSTERS 🚨
Our strike threat has ELIMINATED two-tier 22.4 and forced sixth punch, and WON MLK Day as a paid holiday. Let’s keep that same energy for wages, pensions, and more 🔥
The UPS strike started on August 4, 1997. Strike vet John Richusa joined a UPS contract campaign kickoff rally in NYC this week. His message was the same as in 1997: "It's about the labor movement in this country, and the Teamsters are leading the charge."
BREAKING: TEAMSTERS END 22.4, DEMOLISHING TWO-TIER SYSTEM AT UPS💥
During a hard-fought day at the bargaining table, the
#Teamsters
reached tentative agreement with
@UPS
on three major economic issues...
#1u
#HotUnionSummer
11:47 AM: UPS Teamsters announce they've voted by 97% to strike if they don't get a fair deal
11:55 AM: This ⬇️happens to the UPS stock price
@UPS
, if you want to make your millions, give your workers what they deserve.
Happy Labor Day from TDU. The workers who organized the first Labor Day Parade in 1882 were fighting for shorter hours, more pay, and dignity for all workers. We're fighting for the same thing today.
Action Alert❗️Rail unions are holding rallies across the country tomorrow to build support for rail workers' demands.
Congress imposed a bad contract. But we can still fight for better safety, two-person crews, and paid sick leave. See if an action is happening near you!
Today, on the biggest retail day of the year, Amazon workers around the world are holding actions to
#MakeAmazonPay
. Their fight will affect the future of logistics workers everywhere. Solidarity!
SYSCO STRIKE SWELLS TO OVER 1,000 TEAMSTERS AS PICKET LINES SPREAD TO NORTHERN & SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA: Sysco Teamsters have extended their picket lines to Southern CA & the Bay Area. The message to Sysco: "You come after one of us, you come after all of us!"
Pawtucket Police, Northeast Transportation, & DHL are all responsible for the abuse these workers endured.
Instead of agreeing to a fair contract, Northeast Transportation is letting police kick around workers.
And DHL is allowing their subcontractor to get away with it all.
IT'S TIME TO SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT ⏰
We thought UPS could use some proof reading, so we left some notes. If UPS doesn't stop the lies and start paying every single UPS Teamster their fair share, they'll strike themselves on August 1st.
#ReadyToStrike
The vote to authorize a strike if UPS refuses to negotiate a fair agreement starts this week. The vote will be conducted in-person at local union halls and/or at UPS gates as determined by your local union.
Vote YES to win a strong contract!
"Calling a 350,000-person national strike is a momentous undertaking. It can only happen by ensuring rank-and-file workers are committed fighters."
Check out this deep dive on the fight brewing at UPS ⤵️
BREAKING: 900 DHL Express workers just won a union.
The hazardous conditions that workers in the shipping industry face—dangerous accidents, sleep deprivation, and serious injuries—led them to organize with the
@Teamsters
.
Now they've won 505-288.
🔥UPS TEAMSTERS BRINGING THE HEAT 🔥
NY Teamsters yesterday protested UPS's callous disregard for the safety of its employees working in the heat.
@804_local
will not rest until the company takes our safety seriously.
Nearly 1,200 Teamsters joined our webinar yesterday on UPS's record profits and our record bargaining leverage.
One takeaway: UPS has the money to share, and we're gonna make 'em share it. Check out the video here ⤵️
UPS wants to leave part-timers behind. But Teamsters don't leave anyone behind.
If we have to strike to win better for part-timers and all classifications, we'll stand united to get it done.
PART-TIME POVERTY MUST END AT UPS
@UPS
has written a fairytale story for the American public, one of happy, high-paid drivers who bring packages to their doorsteps.
#1u
"The catastrophe in Ohio drives home the steep costs in health and well-being that we all incur when we fail to heed rail workers’ calls for more regulation and adequate staffing mandates."
Scenes from the TDU Convention.
@UAW
President Shawn Fain, who just led thousands of auto workers on strike against the Big Three. Rank-and-file Teamsters building strong locals to fight the bosses. Everyday people who stood up to corporate giants and won.
UPS workers across the country are organizing parking lot meetings and contract actions. It will take rank-and-file action like this to win a strong contract.
Download the Contract Actions Toolkit for tips on how to organize your own action:
Local 251 Northeast Transportation workers have been on strike since last Weds. Meanwhile, replacement drivers are literally doing a bang-up job behind the wheel. A member snapped these pics of an untrained driver getting their truck stuck under a low bridge.
You couldn't miss the solidarity between Teamsters and Amazon workers at the Labor Notes Conference.
Everywhere you looked, Teamster and Amazon activists were getting together and making plans to win a better future for workers across our industry.
WATCH 📽️: UNITED WE WIN! 🤝⚡️
#UPS
has 10 days to offer UPS Teamsters a fair contract, or they'll strike themselves.
UPS Teamsters
@804_local
are ready to strike to get the contract we deserve...are you?
#ReadytoStrike
#Teamsters