News
In Memoriam: Antonio Christian
The Teamsters Union mourns the loss of Brother Antonio Christian, who passed away on February 4, 2024. A lifelong Teamster, Christian began his career at UPS, then served as Recording Secretary at Teamsters Local 853 in San Leandro, California, and as Director of the Teamsters Human Rights Commission and Executive Director of the Teamsters National Black Caucus.
“It is with sadness that the Teamsters share that our friend, our colleague, and our Teamster Brother Antonio Christian has passed away,” said Teamsters Human Rights and Diversity Commission Director Anthony M. Rosa. “After a fulfilling career as a Teamster, he retired with his wife Betty in 2015. It was an honor to join him in this important work that has benefited countless Teamsters across the nation.”
During his time as Director of the Teamsters Human Rights Commission, Christian led hundreds of Teamsters in a march in Selma, Alabama in 2015 alongside President Barack Obama to mark the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday.
A deacon at his church, Christian also regularly welcomed attendees to Teamster conferences and conventions with an invocation.
“Diversity makes us strong. And we need strength in order to fight back against the corporate interests that want working people to be left behind,” Christian said at BLET’s National Convention in 2014.
The Teamsters Human Rights and Diversity Commission will carry on the legacy left behind by Brother Christian through his work and commitment to union members.