Five Facts From Your Teamster Sisters

We joined our sisters and brothers for the Women's March On Washington Jan. 23, 2017 in support of women's rights, immigration reform, healthcare reform, protection of the natural environment, LGBTQ rights, racial justice, freedom of religion and workers' rights.   It was the largest one-day protest in U.S. history, at least half a million people in Washington, and some estimates put worldwide participation at 4.8 million.

Our group marched alongside 100,000 in St. Paul, MN. It was inspiring, energizing and empowering. I smiled and held up my sign that said "Educate, Agitate, Organize!"  I chanted with others, "This is what democracy looks like!"  and I knew that I was not alone. 

"Our sisters around the world are united!" Jamey Brimer, Teamster 38yrs, who is thinking about getting off the sidelines and running for congress.

"Protesting is our civil right in the USA.  I marched because they're changing laws as we speak that affect women."    Judy Dawson , Teamster  27yrs.  

Maggie Tuff, Teamster 36yrs and now retired said, "There were a lot of reasons to march, but without strong unions and good safe jobs, we have nothing! "

1.  Equal Pay for Equal Work is in our union contracts.

In 1869, Susan B. Anthony,  social reformer and women's rights activist, said

"Join the union, girls, and together say Equal Pay for Equal Work." Today union women make more money than our non-union sisters.  Research shows that for union women ages 16 and older, who work full-time, it amounts to an extra $231 per week.

2.  We collectively bargain for benefits.

Collective bargaining (also called contract negotiations) is the heart and soul of the labor movement. It is when workers band together to negotiate workplace matters with their employer. The end result is a collective bargaining agreement or contract that simply spells out all of the terms both parties agree to from pay rates and benefits, to a grievance procedure, time off and more.

Union women are more likely to have health insurance benefits covered by the employer or union. 

3.Together we raise our voices to make improved working conditions.

Labor protections enjoyed by the entire U.S. workforce can be attributed in large part to unions, for example the National Labor Relations Act, Social Security Act, Occupational Safety and Health Act and Family Medical Leave Act.  We provide information about workers' rights and encourage workers to exercise their rights without fear of retribution.  We believe that everyone should be treated with dignity & respect.

4.  We were there.

Teamster women have made innumerable contributions to lead and fight for women’s rights, civil rights, workers rights and social progress.  Here's a brief look back:

-1906 Teamsters speak out against other unions where separate locals were formed for black members. 

-1918  During the great flu pandemic Teamster women transported medicines and made deliveries to families. The union and the country would not have made it without them.

-1917  Equal pay for equal work should become a constant.

-1919 “Equal Pay For All” the Teamsters adopted this national slogan and pushed for

wage equality.

-1934 Teamsters strike in Minneapolis led to labor reform acts and the establishment of the National Labor Relations Board.

-1934 Teamsters oppose Jim Crow in the south

-1950-1960 The union provided money and supplies to many civil rights groups, including the more than 700 families living in "Freedom Village," who faced retribution for registering to vote.

-1968 more than 15,000 Teamster women go to Washington D.C. to lobby for labor-related issues.  Not shy about holding elected representatives accountable they organized "scoring banquets" and would publicly rate voting records, often times with the representative right there.

5.  We think you're worth it!  Join us!

We love waking up every day knowing we are Teamsters!  
We know that organizing and solidarity work.  We also know what a difference joining a union makes and wanted to share that with you.   

Teamsters like to say that we represent workers from A to Z -- airline pilots to zookeepers.

Joining a labor union is one of the most effective vehicles for workers to join the middle class.  Are you ready?

Here's some answers to frequently asked questions  


If you are interested in organizing your workplace contact the Teamsters Organizing Office 

Jeff Farmer, Director
Phone (202) 624-8718
Fax (202) 624-6832

RESOURCES:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_Women's_March
http://statusofwomendata.org/app/uploads/2015/08/R409UnionAdvantage.pdf
http://www.aflcio.org/content/download/90691/2393381/version/3/file/1677_UnionDifference_16.pdf
https://tcf.org/content/facts/state-unions-u-s-economy/
https://teamster.org/about/teamster-history
https://teamster.org/about/teamster-history/ww2
https://teamster.org/news/2016/03/teamsterscelebratewomenshistorymonth
https://teamster.org/news/2015/03/teamsterscelebratewomenshistorymonth