Join The Mighty Army!
Do Your Part, Get Involved!
Teamsters came out in full force in 2009, helping reach a major milestone. Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa set an ambitious goal for the Teamsters Union to recruit and train 1,000 new member organizers last year, and Teamster members went above and beyond the call of duty. Nearly 1,200 Teamsters attended member organizer boot camps through their locals and Joint Councils. There were 22 boot camps, involving 20 Joint Councils and two Conferences (Pennsylvania and Ohio), with member organizers from 170 Teamster locals, the GCC and BLET. These members volunteered their weekends, took action, and sometimes braved the elements to fight for what really matters—rebuilding the middle class and raising standards for working families. However, our work is not done.
“We are engaged in national campaigns that will test the resources of the union and we need a mighty army of Teamster member organizers to get it done,” Hoffa said.
Here’s What You Can Do
The Teamsters still need more member organizers. In 2010, new member organizer training will focus on organizing campaign and industry-specific activities. And if you’ve participated in a member organizer training in 2009, you already have the skills and know-how to get involved and help make a difference in a big way. This year is your opportunity to tell your Teamster story to nonunion workers, take part in actions and help grow your union.
We will continue training volunteer organizers through the boot camp program in 2010. If you did not attend a boot camp training in 2009, please fill out this simple online form to show your interest, and a Teamster representative will contact you to get started.
Teamster Diversity
In 2009, member organizers gave of their time to strengthen their union and grow the Teamster ranks. Here’s a snapshot of the members who participated in the 2009 Teamsters member organizer boot camps:
- 1,165 total member organizers;
- 20 percent were women;
- 14 percent were African-American;
- 10 percent were Hispanic;
- Participants included Teamsters from a variety of backgrounds, including Asian, Arabic, Pacific Islander, Native American and Haitian members;
- Age range: 23-70 years old;
- Average age: 45.4;
- Teamster experience: 6 months to 49 years;
- Average years as a Teamster: 16.4;
- 130 speak at least two languages, among them: Spanish, Haitian Creole, French, Portuguese, Tagalog, Italian, German, Ukrainian, Hmong and Japanese; and
- Teamsters from 23 different industries, in jobs from air conditioning mechanic to yardman, correctional officer to X-ray technician, and dockworker to registered nurse, all participated.
Tell us your story! If you’ve participated in a boot camp and applied those skills to help other workers, let us know! Submit stories to: kdeniz@teamster.org.
