Stan Koniszewski

Teamsters from across the country gathered this week in Myrtle Beach, S.C., for the annual Pipeline Steward School Conference. The three-day event brings together Pipeline Teamsters and members from other construction materials industries for workshops, training sessions, and updates on the state of the pipeline industry from Tom Gesualdi, Director of the Building Material and Construction Trade Division and Rick Bauer, Teamsters National Pipeline Director. This year’s conference centered on preparations for upcoming contract negotiations with the Pipe Line Contractors Association (PLCA). The current national agreement with PLCA covers 3,500 Teamsters across more than 100 local unions nationwide, securing industry-leading wages, strong benefits, and clear workplace protections for pipeliners.

MY UPCOMING EVENTS

Solidarity gets the goods!!! Congratulations 👊

More than 350 emergency medical technicians (EMTs) at American Medical Response (AMR), represented by Teamsters Local 763 in Washington, overwhelmingly voted to ratify a strong new collective bargaining agreement. “We fought and won major victories, not just a 19 percent wage increase over the three-year life of the contract, but protection for the wage-earning capacity of the members,” said Sal Cossio, an EMT and bargaining committee member at Local 763. “We undercut the company’s ability to use unpaid admin leave, mandated cause for reassignments, and doubled the warning period for cancelled shifts. This contract brings us the security we deserve.”

Minnesota’s Teamster Leader Tom Erickson got into leadership because of a bad time card! Watch the full episode: youtu.be/-rahDdN07Gs?si…

Amazon Teamsters and their allies gathered at New York City Hall today to call for passage of the Delivery Protection Act during its introduction for the 2026 City Council session. The groundbreaking legislation would protect workers and communities by requiring last-mile delivery facilities in New York City to be licensed and directly employ their staff, effectively banning Amazon's corrupt Delivery Service Partner model from the five boroughs. “Professional drivers like me power New York’s economy, but every day we have to deal with dangerous working conditions and an employer that acts like we don’t even work for them,” said Luc Rene, an Amazon Teamster at the DBK4 location in Queens. “The only way to stop Amazon’s abuse of us and the communities we serve is to pass the Delivery Protection Act.” The Teamsters urge the New York City Council to help end this trillion-dollar company’s exploitation of its workers by passing the Delivery Protection Act as soon as possible.

More than 500 Sysco drivers and warehouse workers in Chicago and Montana, jointly represented by five Teamsters locals, have voted by a 99.5 percent margin to authorize a strike. The workers are demanding wage increases, stronger benefits, and improved working conditions that meet or exceed the standards already set by thousands of Teamsters across the company. Sysco is one of the largest and most profitable food service providers in the United States. In 2025, the company posted net profits of $1.8 billion. Sysco Teamsters in Chicago and Montana are demanding a contract that reflects their critical role in the company’s success and Sysco’s strong financial position. “Sysco is going to put a strong agreement on the table, or Teamsters will be out in the streets,” said Tom Erickson, Director of the Teamsters Warehouse Division. “Teamsters at Sysco are the reason this company records such large profit margins. It’s time for Sysco to come to terms on a fair contract — or deal with the consequences.”

Casino workers at Bally’s Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi, have voted to join Teamsters Local 891. The group of 66 bankers, cashiers, and front desk workers organized with the Teamsters to secure a strong first contract that includes higher wages and better benefits. They join over 6,000 casino workers nationwide represented by the Teamsters. “We became Teamsters to have a voice and fight for what we deserve,” said Daphnia Lions, a front desk worker and proud new member of Local 891. “We work hard, so it’s about time we get the respect and pay that comes with it.”

Minnesota's Teamster Leader Tom Erickson got into leadership because of a bad time card! Join us in the new episode of Better Bad Ideas with Sean O'Brien. OUT NOW! instagram.com/reel/DUoKW8sEr…

Why the Teamsters didn't endorse a presidential candidate for 2024

Check out the latest episode of @betterbadideas with Union leaders Tom Gesualdi and Kevin McCaffrey. youtu.be/Y6kONdjtF6k?si…

Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien participated in a panel discussion on Friday at The Philadelphia Citizen’s 8th Annual Ideas We Should Steal Festival. Alongside Representative Brendan Boyle (D-PA-2nd District) and author Joan Williams, O’Brien spoke about ongoing Teamsters initiatives to protect and promote the interests of American workers. “Over the last several years, the Teamsters Union has been relentlessly focused on forging a bipartisan coalition that puts the American worker first. That means bringing people together from both sides of the aisle to support common-sense pro-worker bills like the Faster Labor Contracts Act,” O’Brien said. “We’ve made a lot of progress in a short amount of time, but we’re just getting started. We must hold dangerous corporations like Amazon accountable for their abuse of working people. We must demand our elected officials reach consensus on a clear path to unionization for everyday Americans. We cannot afford to let off the gas on these issues in the year ahead."

Members of Teamsters Local 970 at Sun Country Airlines have voted to ratify their first contract by an overwhelming 82 percent. The three-year agreement delivers immediate wage increases, improved overtime rules, and safer working conditions for over 200 of the fleet service workers at the airline. “This contract reflects what airline workers can achieve when they fight together,” said Dave Saucedo, Director of the Teamsters Airline Division. “For the first time, Sun Country fleet service workers have a legally enforceable agreement that raises standards and ensures they are treated with the fairness and respect they've earned on the job.”

Senator Fetterman wants to reopen. New episode of Better Bad Ideas with Sean O’Brien is out Wednesday, November 12th!🔥

Local 804 stands in solidarity with Starbucks workers! If you can, please join the picket line & rally at 325 Lafayette Ave Brooklyn, NY 11238 this Thursday 11/13 4pm, and Saturday 11/15 7am-12pm. If anyone wants to donate to the workers they can here gofundme.com/f/ny-starbucks…

42 Million Americans may lose their snap benefits! Full episode: youtu.be/16XOEyh0Mi8?si…

Check out the latest episode of @betterbadideas today featuring @SenFettermanPA. Deeply appreciate the Senator being on the show. Way back in 1994, @JohnFetterman was a hardworking UPS Teamster. Check this guy out! Support your UPS drivers! And tune in to hear the Senator's thoughts on the state of the country and why he voted YES to end the government shutdown. Let's get into it... youtu.be/16XOEyh0Mi8?si…

At city hall. We’re gonna pass the delivery protection act and hold Amazon accountable!

Go check out this weeks episode of Better Bad Ideas youtu.be/1DQmX4vOT_k?si…