In an announcement befitting Labor Day, the IBT issued the following press release:

After nearly four decades, the U.S. government has officially ended federal monitorship of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, following approval by the Honorable Loretta Preska of the Southern District of New York (Southern District) of a joint motion filed this summer by the union and the Department of Justice (DOJ).

The filing, issued on June 17, sought to amend the Final Order established in 2015 and the original Consent Decree governing the union. In 1989, the Southern District and the Teamsters agreed to eliminate the influence of organized crime within the union and to ensure fair, democratic, member-driven elections. Over the past 37 years, the Teamsters have conducted nine elections and successfully eliminated corrupt elements from the union.

Since the election of Sean M. O'Brien as Teamsters General President in 2021, the Teamsters have built a new system of rigorous checks and balances in which every member complaint is investigated and, when appropriate, referred to legal authorities. O'Brien was re-elected to a second term as General President this summer at the Teamsters 31^st International Convention.

In her ruling granting the motion, Judge Preska cited agreement by former federal judge Barbara Jones (ret.), who has served as the Independent Review Officer monitoring the union, that the Teamsters indeed have "developed the institutional tools, processes, and procedures necessary to adequately detect, investigate, and resolve instances of major corruption."

"True history has been made today for the Teamsters Union that begins a new chapter of self-governance and organizational independence to benefit all rank-and-file members and elected leaders," O'Brien said. "This is the end to the longest monitorship of any union, corporation, nonprofit, or public entity in the history of the United States. Our efforts over the past four years to create a culture of vigilance in our union have proven that we can police our own. The controls in place in the Teamsters today to operate a strong, transparent, and progressive union are more stringent than any labor organization in the country."

Judge Preska, in her ruling, reiterated that any concerns about potential corruption in the Teamsters or any union should always be referred to the U.S. Department of Labor and the DOJ, and that the court has no intention of serving as an indefinite monitor. "Generalized concerns regarding the Teamsters should be directed to the Teamsters management or these agencies, not this Court," Judge Preska concluded.

Teamsters Local 500's strike at Q-Trucking in Philadelphia continues. Joint Council 53 and Local 500 President Bill Hamilton issued a call for additional volunteers on September 3^rd as they ramp up efforts to support the picket line. Local 776 President Spencer Dearth had Business Agents Matt Craig, Patrick Hollingshead, John Taylor, Keith Hartman, and organizer Joshua Todd head to Philadelphia to lend their support.

Commented Spencer: "An injury to one is an injury to all. These brave members are in a fight for their livelihood. Local 776 responded to Bill's call, and we will be there with the Local 500 Members every step of the way in their fight for a just contract. As you celebrate over the weekend with family and friends, or just spend a quiet day at home relaxing, take a moment to remember these Local 500 Members as they fight for their piece of the American Dream."

Another day longer, another day stronger!

Scabs Beware!

"On behalf of the officers, agents, staff, and myself, I would like to wish everyone a happy and safe Labor Day. To working people, Labor Day is not just a day off; it is a profound celebration of our collective power and the dignity of honest work. American Labor- it's what built this great country of ours. Everything that defines the modern workplace was fought for and won through the grit of collective bargaining.

America became a world leader thanks to the men and women who built it. We built this country with our hands, and today we honor our right to enjoy the fruits of our labor: fair pay that feeds our families, time spent with loved ones, and a stable future. That's what makes our country so great: building the American dream.

For the American Worker today, it is your day. Be proud of what you do, and take a moment to reflect on how it impacts your family and those around you.

Yet, as we celebrate these historic victories, we must remain fiercely vigilant. Powerful corporate interests and anti-labor forces are constantly working to dismantle our protections and take back everything organized labor has won over the years. We honor our past by pledging to defend our future, continue the progress of Local 776, and stand locked in arms, because an injury to one remains an injury to all.

Fraternally,

Spencer B. Dearth,

President, Teamsters Local 776