Ahead of the October 5 Memphis City Council elections, Teamsters Local 667 endorsed a full slate of candidates and hit the ground running to ensure these candidates won a seat on the city council. In a win for workers across the city, all eight Teamster-endorsed candidates won their elections and now hold a majority on the 13-seat city council.

“Memphis Teamsters deserve elected officials who will stand by them and ensure that their rights are protected,” said James E. Jones III, President of Local 667. “That is why we did everything in our power to help Teamster-backed candidates win. The Teamsters congratulate the new and returning members of the Memphis City Council.”

Local 667 leafleted at worksites, phone banked, appeared in commercials for candidates, sent hundreds of messages to members, hosted candidates at general membership meetings, and met with candidates individually to promote Teamster issues.

On Election Day, five Teamster-endorsed candidates won their races: Rhonda Logan (District 1), Jana Swearengen-Washington (District 4), JB Smiley Jr. (District 8-1), Janika White (District 8-2), and Jeff Warren (District 9-3). Three other Teamster-endorsed candidates – Jerri Green (District 2), Pearl Walker (District 3), and Michalyn Easter-Thomas (District 7) – had a strong showing on Election Day, but ultimately were forced to runoff elections.

On November 16, the remaining three candidates secured victory and their seats on the Memphis City Council.

“With these elections in the rearview, we are eager to get to work with our allies on the Memphis City Council in passing strong pro-worker policies and legislation,” Jones said.

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