The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, with 1.4 million members, is one of the largest labor unions in the world. It is also the most diverse union in the U.S.

Today, it would be hard to identify a Teamster on the streets because we are everywhere. The union represents everyone from A to Z - from airline pilots to zookeepers. One out of every ten union members is a Teamster.

Unlike other labor unions, the Teamsters Union is structured to promote strong local unions, and strong local leaders. Since the locals negotiate most Teamsters contracts and provide most of the services to the members, they keep most of the dues money. Locals retain their own expert labor lawyers, certified public accountants, full-time business agents, organizers, and clerical staff.

The members of each local elect their own officers, devise their own structure, and vote on their own bylaws, compatible with the International Constitution and Bylaws. While enjoying their independence, the locals benefit from the expertise and assistance of the International Union, and of the various conferences and councils in the union’s structure.

Local 210

Our union got bigger and stronger in 2005. In April, Teamsters Local 815 merged into our union. That added 2,600 members to Local 210. They work for pharmaceutical, cosmetic and drug companies throughout the tri-state area. Not long after, Teamsters Local 819 also merged into Local 210. That union had 1,300 members who work in parking garages, health care and the public sector. In total, we added almost 4,000 new members last year