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Officers, Members Benefit from Teamsters’ Training
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters prides itself on being America’s strongest union. The Teamster officials that work on behalf of the membership have decades of experience negotiating industry-leading contracts, organizing large workplaces and educating members on how to be excellent local officers, business agents and shop stewards.
Based out of the International headquarters in Washington, D.C., the Training and Development Department creates trainings, seminars and materials for officers, business agents, shop stewards and the rank-and-file membership. These events allow for attendees to share concerns of members as they work together and learn about how to proactively and productively solve union-related issues.
“An educated union is a powerful union,” said Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa. “The Teamsters have long been committed to teaching our membership to give them the tools they need to make a positive impact on the job. When leaders and members are educated and active, we can win victories for workers worldwide.”
“The world of work is rapidly changing,” said Cindy Impala, Director of the Teamsters Training and Development Department. “Many workers we have represented for years are facing different economic and technological environments today. We are ready to equip all Teamsters with the skills, expertise and support networks they need as the union fights forworking people.”
Lessons Learned Lift Locals
In addition to hosting trainings at Teamster headquarters, the Training and Development Department seminars and trainings travel frequently. The department can tailor their activities in order to uniquely service the culture and needs of any Teamster affiliate.
“We hosted a steward seminar a few years ago at our local,” said Duane Grove, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 17 in Denver. “The experience was incredibly positive and we’ll be looking to get someone out at our local again in a year or two.”
Grove, who has been a Teamster officer since 1995, was elected President of his local in 2001. He recently attended his second Teamster training session after being elected Secretary-Treasurer of Local 17 in 2015. He said the most recent training helped him fill in some knowledge gaps as he transitioned into his new position.
“The seminar on trustee reports was outstanding,” Grove said. “The simplicity and clarity of the lessons and explanations will help our local be compliant with regulations. I’ll be requesting the rest of the board of Local 17 attend the same training at the next Unity conference.”
Grove also cited the service and experience of the training facilitators during the sessions as a treat for new officers.
“Cindy (Impala) does such a great job organizing and executing these trainings,” Grove said. “The department incorporates Teamster history, fun activities and local-to-local networking that makes these events second to none.”
New Trainees Encouraged to Serve, Eager to Excel
Tim Meadows is a third-generation Teamster and the Vice President of Local 600 in Maryland Heights, Mo. He has provided a lifetime of service to the union. Originally a driver for Yellow Freight, Meadows became a shop steward at his worksite. This encouraged him to get involved at his local, where he became a Trustee in 1996, Recording-Secretary in 2007 and a Vice President in 2011. Teamster training seminars encouraged him every step of the way.
“I love serving our union and the training I received from the Teamsters has helped me serve to the best of my abilities,” Meadows said. “Whenever I’ve been fortunate enough to spend a few days honing my skills at our local union or in Washington, I’ve always come away feeling encouraged to expand the responsibilities I wanted to take on as a member.”
It’s a sentiment that extended beyond the union hall. Meadows served as a State Representative in the Missouri House of Representatives from 2004 until 2012, where he introduced legislation to assist working families and bolster unions. For business agents at the beginning of their Teamster journeys, the sentiment remains the same.
“I’ve been active for pro-union causes since day one,” said Dakenya Mitchell.
Based out of Local 767 in Forest Hill, Texas, Mitchell became a business agent earlier this year and recently attended her first BASIS training. “I started 15 years ago as a part-time sorter at UPS. I became a steward in 2010. Now I’m a business agent and I’m so excited to begin what I hope will be a long and satisfying career serving the Teamster membership, fighting for working people in Texas and advocating for pro-union causes nationwide.”