Michigan Teamster Local Unions Unite To Announce Endorsement of Jocelyn Benson for Governor

Teamsters Local 243 President Scott Quenneville, Local 406 Recording Secretary Tom Sidebotham, Local 247 President Paul Harrison, Local 283 President Steve Hicks and Local 1038 President Greg Nowak, joined by other Teamster Local Union leaders and rank-and-file members, came together in Lansing to support Jocelyn Benson for Michigan Governor. 

Benson thanked Michigan Teamster Local Unions for their united endorsement and said that as Governor her priority will be working every day for working families.

Recognizing the significance of Michigan’s 2026 gubernatorial election, during a September 24th Unity event at Local 243’s Lansing Hall, President Scott Quenneville announced that five Michigan Teamster local unions are endorsing Jocelyn Benson for Michigan Governor.

Flanked by Local Union officials from Teamsters Locals 406, 247, 1038 and 283, Quenneville said at a time when health care costs are skyrocketing and health care cuts are causing pain for workers, Teamsters need a governor who will fight for working families.

“We need a governor who will fight for us,” Quenneville declared.  “A leader who understands than when you mess with healthcare, you’re messing with families.”

Quenneville spoke about the current strike by Local 332 nurses in Flint and the ongoing negotiations for 10,000 Corewell nurses.

“When Teamster nurses were on the picketline fighting to improve their jobs and patient care, Jocelyn showed up,” he said.  “She came out, walked the line, listened to nurses and asked questions about how she could help.  That’s leadership.  Local 243 stands with Jocelyn.  When the chips are down and the politicians or health care corporations try to cut health care, we need a governor who will stand up, speak up and tell them to go to hell!”

Teamsters Local 406 Recording Secretary Tom Sidebotham said that Michigan deserves a governor who will put workers first in the fight to preserve and enhance health care for Michigan families.

“We have nurses on strike right now,” he said.  “Do you know what these brave men and women are fighting for?  Safe staffing ratios for patients and fair wages for their work that’s literally life and death.  And what do the politicians do?  They want to cut essential programs that keep our health care system from completely falling apart.”

Sidebotham added that Jocelyn Benson is not afraid to work with Republicans when it makes sense.

“But she also will not sell us out when it comes to making sure families can see a doctor when they’re sick,” Siodebotham said.  “Local 406 stands proudly with Jocelyn Benson!”

Other Teamster Local Union leaders explained why they are rallying behind Jocelyn Benson for Michigan Governor:

Local 247 President Paul Harrison: “The governor’s election is too important for us not to be involved.  Jocelyn values service.  As our governor, she is committed to good jobs, strong education, quality health care and she will fight any attempt to bring back right-to-work in Michigan.”

Local 1038 President Greg Nowak: “Michigan workers need a governor who will focus on the challenges working families face.  Teamsters are not messing around with the anti-worker, corporate-owned Detroit Mayor.  Jocelyn Benson is backed by truck drivers, nurses, teachers, school bus drivers, warehouse workers and emergency first responders. We support Jocelyn.”

Local 283 President Steve Hicks: “Given the challenges facing health care workers, the last thing Michigan needs is a former health care CEO as our governor. Jocelyn stood with us during our Marathon strike last year.  She has been there for us, and we will be there for her in 2026.”

Local 243 Officers Walk Labor Day Picketline Supporting Local 332’s Striking Nurses At Flint’s Henry Ford Genesys Hospital

Local 243 President Scott Quenneville, Secretary-Treasurer Phil Turner and Business Representative Bill Black joined Teamsters Local 332’s Labor Day 2025 picketline outside Flint’s Henry Ford Genesys Hospital supporting 750 RNs and Case Managers who are fighting to enhance their working conditions and improve hospital staffing.

On August 21^st the workers voted by a 93 percent margin to reject the hospital’s final offer.  Local 332 then filed a notice of intent to strike. 

“We will remain on strike until an agreement is reached that guarantees safe nurse-to-patient ratios, fair wages and better working conditions,” Glass said.

PICKETLINE SOLIDARITY.  Teamsters Local 332 received support from a variety of Unions including the UAW, Ironworkers, Bricklayers, Building Trades, Laborers Union of North America, UFCW, SEIU, as well as from Michigan State AFL-CIO President Ron Bieber, who came out to illustrate the Federation’s backing of the nurses in this contract fight.

Local 243 President Scott Quenneville and Local 332 President Dan Glass welcomed Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson who joined the picket on September 1st to demonstrate her support for the nurses in this contract battle.

Local 243 Business Representative Bill Black (left) and Secretary-Treasurer Phil Turner (right) with the striking nurses at Henry Ford Genesys Hospital on September 2nd.

Local 243 National Trails School Bus Members Ratify Their First Union Contract By Margin of 96%-to-4%

National Trails members voted by a 96%-to-4% margin on August 28th to ratify their first four-year agreement.  The contract, which builds on the previous Trinity agreement, increases wages each year, enhances sick time, improves the attendance program and strengthens other contract language.  

“This is a solid first agreement in a highly-competitive school transportation industry,” said Local 243 Secretary-Treasurer Phil Turner.  “This contract establishes a realistic framework for the future while ensuring that members are properly rewarded, and protected,  for the valuable services they provide every day to Detroit Public School students and families.”

Local 243 Wins Two-Year Campaign to Organize Workers at Neogen’s Lansing, Michigan Warehouse

Campaign ends as workers declare: “Union Yes!”

A HISTORIC ORGANIZING VICTORY! Celebrating their success outside Neogen’s Lansing Warehouse are (left to right): Organizing Committee member Craig Wing, Business Agent Richard Branch, President Scott Quenneville, President Scott Quenneville, Business Agent Bill Black, Secretary-Treasurer Phil Turner, and Organizing Committee member Mike Miller.

On June 25, 2025 workers at Neogen’s Lansing warehouse took a major step toward strengthening their voice at he workplace by organizing with Teamsters Local 243, capping a two-year b battle by Neogen workersk to gain Union representation.

The Neogen workers first contacted Local 234 about organizing back in 2023, seeking improved wages, benefits, job security and fair treatment on the job. 

The History of Local 243’s Neogen Organizing Campaign

On November 1, 2023 workers circulated cards to organize with Local 243.  On December 13, 2024, a Union election was held and even though Local 243 came up short in that vote, it quickly became evident that the Company had engaged in unfair labor practices during the drive.

On December 14, 2023 Business Agent Bill Black filed NLRB charges against Neogen for conduct that was clearly designed to deny workers their rights to vote on Union representation without Employer interference.

On August 2, 2024, using its previous Cemex decision as a basis, the NLRB declared that Neogen had unfairly tried to deny workers their rights under the National Labor Relations Act, and ordered the Company to bargain with Local 243.

However, this victory was short-lived.  A few months afterwards, the Board rescinded tis previous Cemex bargaining order and mandated a new election.  The rerun vote was held on June 25th and when the votes were counted in that election, Local 243 emerged victorious.

"This has been a hard-fought victory, led by a determined group of workers who stood united and refused to give up," Business Representative Bill Black told the Mirror. "These guys deserve all the credit for this victory, and Local 243 applauds them for standing together, understanding what was at stake, and finally getting this campaign across the finish line."

Organizing Committee member Mike Miller, a four-year Neogen worker, said he is excited about becoming a Teamster, adding that this win will result in many positive changes for Neogen's workers.

"Sometimes you have to say 'enough' and stand up and fight for what is right and what you believe in, no matter how long it takes or how difficult it gets," Miller said. "This proves that when you come together, work hard, and never give up, positive change can happen."

Organizing Committee member Craig Wing, a three-year Neogen employee, thanked Local 243 for the support they provided to the workers during this two-year fight. 

"The Teamsters were with us at the beginning and stood 100 percent behind us until the very end," he said. "We are excited and looking ahead, because this marks a new day for Neogen workers."

Teamsters Local 243 proudly welcomes our Neogen members into our Union. We stand ready to work hard on your behalf in the coming weeks to get you a strong first Teamster contract. 

June 21st Rally Supports Corewell Health East Nurses In Their Continued Fight For Their First Teamster Contract

Union members rally outside Corewell Health’s Southfield office on Saturday, June 21st supporting Teamster nurses of newly-chartered Local 2024 who are calling on the hospital to stop attacking nurses and start negotiating a first contract with strong wages, improved patient staffing ratios and other improvements for the hospital’s 10,000 dedicated and hard-working nurses.

Local 243 President Scott Quenneville, Business Representative Bill Black and Secretary-Treasurer Phil Turner with Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson at the June 21st Corewell Health rally in Southfield, Michigan.

Click the highlighted link below to see Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson’s speech to Corewell Health East Nurses during the June 21, 2025 rally
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?mibextid=wwXIfr&v=2053981338461922&rdid=AMQ8UFQjReb4EaNL

Sweetwaters Ann Arbor Workers Host “Sip In For Solidarity” To Support Organizing With Local 243

Baristas at Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea held a “sip in for solidarity” on January 20, 2024 at the Company’s downtown Ann Arbor location to show support for the workers’ effort to organize with Teamsters Local 243.

The Union representation election covering 60 baristas at four Ann Arbor Sweetwaters coffeehouses will take place on Thursday, January 25th.

“We are all very proud of these young professionals who are demonstrating bravery and unity in their campaign to win strong Union representation they want and deserve,” Local 243 President Scott Quenneville said.  “Working together, we will first win this crucial organizing election and then begin the important task of negotiating a first contract that will make these Sweetwaters workers proud to become Local 243 Teamsters.”

Sweetwaters workers received support from legislative officials, Starbucks workers, nurses, office clerical workers and community leaders.  Among those in attendance were in State Senator Jeff Irwin (D-15th), State Representative Jason Morgan (D-23rd) and retired United Auto Workers International President Bob King.

President Quenneville said the Sweetwaters campaign is the latest push by Local 243 to reach out and organize young workers who are the key to building a strong and effective 21st century labor movement.

Sweetwaters Coffee and Tea workers received strong Union and community support during their January 20th “Sip In For Solidarity” organizing rally.

Local 243’s Online Apparel Store

(Click below to purchase Teamsters Local 243 items)

2023-2028 UPS National Agreement, Local #243 Metro-Detroit Rider, Central Region Rider, Michigan Rider and CSI Rider

Click on the contracts below for a larger view