Public Service

Hi Fellow Bloggers & Readers - 

In its entirety, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) consists of over 1.4 million members and is America’s largest and most diverse union. The IBT’s goal is to help millions of workers achieve the American dream. The union represents people of all sorts including airline pilots, truck drivers, grocery workers, and teachers, who are just a few among the various other careers represented through the IBT. In fact, the public sector is the largest division inside the Teamsters union. The IBT is structured from local unions, joint councils and trade divisions and conferences. The local unions are considered to be the “heart and backbone of the union” (Teamsters Structure). They include clerical staff, full-time business agent, organizers, certified public accountants and expert labor lawyers. Joint Councils are set up in areas that have three or more local unions. “Joint Councils help coordinate Teamsters activities in those areas. They also help solve problems and decide some jurisdictional and judicial matters” (Teamsters Structure). Trade divisions and conferences “aid the Teamster leaders throughout the country who share common interests and problems” (Teamsters Structure). The IBT is considered the union’s headquarters in Washington, D.C, supporting coordination of contract negotiations, organizing and political action. Also, they offer training and educational problems for officers, business agents, stewards and members (Teamsters Structure).

            There are many local unions across the United States. My family works for the IBT located in Tukwila, Washington. Specifically my internship was with Local 763, a diverse union that serves both the private and public sectors, representing governmental agencies of all kinds. Local 763 fights for fair wages, safe working conditions, good benefits, dignity and respect. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters and specifically working with Local 763, I can without a doubt say represent public service to the highest standard.

Teamsters Structure. (n.d.). Retrieved March 20, 2015, from International Brotherhood of Teamsters website: http://www.teamster.org/content/teamsters-structure

Renee

(Blog 15 Organization Public Service)