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.”

2025 Detroit Labor Day Parade

Monday, September 1, 2025

Michigan Teamsters Launch “Area Standards” Picket To Protest Use of Non-Union Carhaul Contractors By GM

Michigan Teamsters organized an “Area Standards” picket on August 13th outside of General Motors’ Flint, Michigan assembly plant to protest GM’s use of non-Union carhaul contractors to load and unload vehicles at at the Auto Warehouse Company (AWC) yard.

Local 243 President Scott Quenneville and Business Agent Richard Branch; Local 299 Recording Secretary Dave Trigona, Local 332 President Dan Glass, Secretary-Treasurer Mark Barnhart and Local 332’s Executive Board joined the picket to inform the public that GM’s use of non-Union contractors poses a direct threat to living standards for both Carhaul workers and the community at-large.

“Teamsters are demanding fair wages and benefits from these contractors, and we demand that General Motors do the right thing and support strong area standards,” President Scott Quenneville declared.  “Non-Union companies that don’t adhere to area standard wages and benefits undercut decades of progress made under the Teamsters National Master Automobile Tranporters Agreement (NMATA).”

This picketline, along with others across the country, coincided with upcoming negotiations for a new NMATA.  Teamsters are demanding a contract that raises industry standards and guarantees higher pay, stronger benefits and job protections for every Carhauler working under the NMATA.

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

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

Feel free to download and keep these with you for quick reference.

Copies of the 2023-2028 UPS contracts will be distributed to Local 243 members as soon as the Union receives the printed versions from the IBT.

Teamster Leaders Assemble In Downtown Chicago For the IBT’s 2024 Passenger Transportation Division Conference

Teamster Local Union officials from across the country met at the Palmer House Hotel in Chicago, Illinois May 7-8 for the IBT’s 2024 Passenger Transportation Division Conference.

(RIGHT) IBT General President Sean O’Brien speaks to delegates at the IBT’s 2024 Passenger Transportation Division meeting.

Local 243 Secretary-Treasurer Phil Turner and Business Agent/Legislative Coordinator Bill Black joined more than 120 local union leaders for this year’s meeting.  Issues discussed included: the seven tests of just cause, and their use in protecting members’ rights and jobs; unemployment benefits for school transportation employees; organizing growth and opportunities within the industry; and how Teamster legislative power can benefit passenger transportation workers.

IBT General President Sean O’Brien kicked off the meeting by discussing the IBT’s ongoing organizing programs and how the International and Local Unions are working to expand our influence and enhance our strength within the Passenger Transportation Division.

(LEFT) Secretary-Treasurer Phil Turner and Business Agent Bill Black listen to a discussion about the NLRB.

“We’re not afraid to fight,” O’Brien declared.  “We’re not afraid to take on employers.  We’re not afraid to strike if the employers don’t give our members what they want.  We have $340 million in our Strike and Defense Fund. That Strike and Defense Fund will be used to negotiate the best contracts, set the highest industry standards and defend against any threat to this Union.”

O‘Brien told the attendees that the IBT and Local Unions must continue driving up standards not just in the Passenger Transportation Division, but at every Teamster employer, through aggressive and ever-expanding organizing.

(RIGHT) Teamsters Local 243 Secretary-Treasurer Phil Turner, IBT General President Sean O’Brien and Business Agent/Legislative Coordinator Bill Black.

“The bottom line: if we’re not organizing, we’re dying.” O’Brien said.  “There are very strong opportunities to organize in the Passenger Transportation Division and Teamsters are working everyday to make the most of these opportunities.  Since taking office, we’ve been extremely successful in organizing new members — especially in the Passenger Transportation division.”

Secretary-Treasurer Phil Turner said while the challengers facing the Passenger Transportation Division are great, the opportunities are greater.  He stressed that changing Michigan’s law regarding unemployment benefits for school bus Drivers and Monitors/Bus Aides remains a high legislative priority.

“Local 243 began this discussion over fixing Michigan’s unemployment law with House Speaker Joe Tate a year ago, and we remain determined to use our connections in Lansing to press ahead with this change,” he said.  “In addition, Local 243’s organizing program, spearheaded by Business Agent Bill Black, is solid and strong.  Bill does a remarkable job, and Local 243 stands ready to welcome any and all non-union school transportation employees into our Local Union.  Together, we are stronger - and Local 243 believes it's past time that school transportation employees receive the dignity, respect and fair treatment they deserve.”

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.

UPS Teamsters Make Contract History

Click below for details about the 2023 Vote

Local 243 Members Ratify the Metro-Detroit UPS Rider By 87.6% to 12.4% Margin

(Click graphic above for the complete UPS vote tally)

Local 243’s Online Apparel Store

(Click below to purchase Teamsters Local 243 items)