Women's History Month
March 14, 2012: TDU celebrates the contributions of Teamster women to our union and to labor struggles for social and economic equality.
TDU History
How the Reform Movement Has Changed the Teamsters Union (1976-1979)
In 1976 the Teamsters Union was in big trouble. Union leaders had allowed organized crime to infiltrate the highest levels of the union. Read more.
Winning the Fight for Democracy (The 1980s)
The 1980s were a difficult time for working Teamsters. They were years of economic recession, freight industry deregulation, and concessionary bargaining. Read more.
Rebuilding Teamster Power (1991-1997)
Rank-and-file Teamsters won the right to vote for top Teamster officers after a decade-long fight led by TDU. In the 1990s members used that right to elect new leaders and change our union’s direction. Read more.
The Fight to Save Our Union (1998-2007)
After the UPS strike victory in 1997, the Teamsters stood at the forefront of the American labor movement. But there were tough times ahead. The coming years would see Ron Carey’s reform efforts as IBT President ended and the restoration of old-guard leadership at the IBT. Read more.
2006 Teamster Election Archive
Reports and stories on the 2006 Teamster Election and the organizing efforts of Teamster members to elect the Tom Leedham Strong Contracts, Good Pensions Slate. Visit the archive.
2011 Teamster Election Archive
Reports and stories on the 2011 Teamster Election and the organizing efforts of Teamster members to elect Sandy Pope for General President of the IBT. Visit the archive.
More Teamster and TDU History
35 Years of TDU: 1976 The Teamster Reform Movement Is Born
July 15, 2011: In 1976 our Teamsters Union was in big trouble. For years, top leaders allowed organized crime to infiltrate the highest levels of the union. The mob was raiding the Central States Pension Fund to build Las Vegas casinos. The members were shut out.
35 Years of TDU: 1997 Members Say ‘Part-Time America won’t Work!’
May 20, 2011: In 1997, Teamster members and leaders beat UPS in a two week strike—the biggest victory for labor in the past three decades.
1989: Teamsters Win Right to Vote for Top Office
When TDU was founded in 1976, Teamster members didn’t have the right to vote for top officers and the union was controlled by organized crime.
Martin Luther King Fought for Justice for All Workers
January 14, 2011: We celebrate the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, because of his leadership in the nonviolent movement for civil rights for all Americans.
Candlelight March to Save Collective Bargaining to Highlight King Day Celebration
January 13, 2011: More than 400 union and civil rights activists will march to Cincinnati’s City Hall Jan. 14 to condemn the plan recently elected Gov. John Kasich (R-Ohio) has to strip Ohio child care and home health care workers of their right to bargain for a better life.
A History of Our Rights: Changes in the IBT Constitution 1940-2006
Every five years, our Teamsters Union holds an International Convention. The convention nominates candidates for International officers.
Fighting for Change at Teamster Conventions Past and Present
On June 25 some 1,700 delegates and several hundred alternates will assemble at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas for the 27th Convention of the Teamsters Union.
Take the Teamster History Quiz
1. How soon after the formation of the IBT did reformers challenge an incumbent president?
___Two years ___Twenty-eight years ___Fifty-four years ___Eighty-eight years
Women on Front Lines of Early Teamster Reform
Before TDU won the right for direct elections of delegates, women and minorities hardly ever made it to the floor of the Teamster Convention. The Right to Vote helped that situation.
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