Photo of Joint Council 7 delegation to the 28th Teamsters Convention -- 105 strong, celebrating 100th year recognition

Members set future direction for union

“Vision, Solidarity, Action” is the theme of
28th Teamster convention in Las Vegas

The 28th Teamsters convention opened in Las Vegas on June 27 in grand style, living up to its theme of “Vision, Solidarity, Action.” Members celebrated their role in the fight for workers’ rights as drummers, dancers and Harley Davidson motorcycles revved up the opening ceremony.

For the next five days, the 1,650 assembled delegates and as many alternates and guests discussed and passed resolutions setting priorities for the union for the next five years.

Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa opened the event with the announcement that the Teamsters had organized 135,000 new members in the five years since the last convention. Over the next five days of meetings, delegates heard from union leadership and rank-and-file members who have recently organized, including school bus drivers, airline workers, warehouse and distribution workers. They also heard from workers struggling to organize, including port drivers and Fed Ex workers.

Each day, the convention addressed another aspect of “the war on workers” — from attacks on unions by extremist politicians, bad trade deals and policies that undermine the middle class. Delegates unanimously passed resolutions to oppose “right to work (for less)” laws, to support global solidarity, and to address the impact of the international financial crisis. They also pledged to coordinate bargaining and organizing and to launch strategic campaigns.

Leaders from other U.S. unions and from union movements across the globe addressed the crowd.

“Without you there is no American Dream,” Vice President Joe Biden said on the convention’s closing day. “There is no possibility. We stand with organized labor because you’re standing with the people who are struggling to get a chance.”

Delegates also had the important task of nominating candidates for the International offices of General President, General Secretary-Treasurer, Vice President and Trustees. Those candidates who received votes from at least 5% of the delegates will appear on the mail ballots this fall (see chart at left for delegate vote totals). The top three vote getters amongst the Western Region Vice Presidents were automatically elected because no other candidates reached that threshold. Ballots will be mailed in October.