Teamsters are helping nonunion workers who want Teamster representation by becoming volunteer member organizers. They are fighting to rebuild the middle class and raise standards for working families.
Bob Kokx works at Coca-Cola as a lab tech in quality assurance. He also lives in a state where unemployment stands at 15.2 percent and workers have faced hard times. Kokx sat down with Teamster Magazine to share why he believes in the value of organizing and what his thoughts are on the future of labor.
Even though Dan McLean had just worked two ten-hour shifts in his job with Pasco County, Florida’s utilities department, and hadn’t made it to bed that night, he did make it to the Teamster Member Organizers Bootcamp held recently in Tampa. There he was joined by more than 60 Teamster members and nonunion workers alike who came to join the Mighty Army of Teamster volunteer organizers. Hosted by Joint Council 75, Local 79 and the International Union, Saturday’s event was one of a number trainings that are contributing toward a major goal—to recruit and train 1,000 new member organizers by year’s end, in order to grow the Teamsters Union and bring more power to workers.
Approximately 50 volunteer member organizers from Teamsters Local 710 recently spent the day in Chicago reviewing organizing skills at their local’s Teamster Bootcamp. Teamsters Local 710, under the direction of Principal Officer Patrick Flynn, has a history of running successful organizing campaigns. Many of the local’s members have assisted around the country in many organizing campaigns, like the recent successful United Airlines mechanics project.
“Organizing is the life-blood of our organization,” said Jeff Farmer, Director of the Teamsters Organizing Department. “Often, prospective members relate better to those who have walked in their shoes, who know the ropes of an industry and who have had similar experiences. That’s why we’re enlisting you as volunteer organizers.”
