Strike Authorization Vote
UPS & T-Force Freight Members
Sunday, June 11th, 2023 from 1-5pm
Union Hall: 45 Sardis Rd. Asheville, NC 28806
Worksite meetings also being held. Ask your Steward for details!
Shop Stewards Seminar
With the help of the IBT Training & Development Dept., Local 61 hosted a Shop Stewards Training Seminar on April 15th, 2023.
We had an excellent turnout and want to give all our stewards who took the time out of their Saturday to make it to this event a huge thank you.
Paul Trujillo (IBT Training & Development), Karen Jones (IBT Historian & Trainer) & James Wright (International VP) were in attendance and taught our stewards an extensive history of the Teamsters Union and how to be an effective Shop Steward.
We ran a mock AAPGC panel to show our stewards what to expect if they are in attendance.
We heard a message from our International President, Sean O'Brien, about the importance of solidarity. President O'Brien updated us all on the UPS/IBT Contract negotiations.
We also heard a message from MaryBe McMillan, President of the NC State AFL-CIO, who was unable to attend. MaryBe told our stewards what all the AFL-CIO does for Labor in North Carolina and congratulated Local 61 on recent organizing victories.
Duncan Baker from Sounds Essential also presented our online grievance filing system that will be available soon to all our Members.
Thank you to all who attended and helped organize this event. It was a huge success!
Teamsters Celebrate Women's History Month
The Teamsters Union is proud to celebrate the accomplishments of women in the labor movement—and throughout history—during Women’s History Month every March.
Throughout the year, we appreciate and honor the women who make the Teamsters the strongest union in North America.
Teamsters lead the way in championing gender equality. Since the union was founded in 1903, the Teamsters welcomed women and men alike. Together, they had a vision for a better future for workers, and the tenacity to take on greedy corporations, organize politically, and fight like hell for the working class.
Teamster women mobilized, organized, sat at the bargaining table, walked the picket line, and elevated their voices for justice. Dedicated and fearless Teamster women took on the important fights throughout our history to improve the lives of working people. While progress has been made, that fight for workers’ rights and women’s rights in our country continues.
Women have long played an integral role in the labor movement. Thanks to these efforts, more workers have been able to organize to gain the benefits of Teamster representation—including gender-blind contracts with higher wages, better benefits, safer working conditions, and a voice on the job.
The Teamsters Union is proud to work with and support the heroines of the labor movement. We look forward to continuing to fight together in the battle for true social and economic justice.
Teamsters Celebrate Women's History Month
February Highlights
Parking lot meetings were held throughout the month of February & into March to inform our UPS Members of important contract updates. Local 61 President, Mark Greene, informed everyone about our participation in the IBT's 'Contract Unity Pledge.' Brother Greene met with these Members in Sylva and snapped a couple of photos from that visit.
Brother Greene also visited the UPS Franklin building and had a great show of support from those Members as well. We apprecaite everyone's willingness to participate in these important upcoming contract negotiations for the 2023-2028 Contract.
On February 18th, Teamsters Local 61 participated in a legislative luncheon hosted by the WNC Central Labor Council. NC AFL-CIO President Marybe McMillan outlined the goals for workers in our state. Four (4) NC Legislators spoke at this event along with a Buncombe County Commissioner and an Asheville City Council Member.
From left to right:
Tyler Murphy (UPS Shop Steward)
Brian Ball (Secretary-Treasurer)
Albert Arguelles (UPS Shop Steward)
& Kim Rhoney (Asheville City Council)
Julie Mayfield (NC Senator, Buncombe County)
Our Voice, an Asheville non-profit organization, recently voted to unionize. These new members are working closely with Local 61 to get their very first contract negotiated. Thank you to Our Voice members for your participation during these negotiations. Everyone deserves a voice in their workplace!
Green Sage, a local cafe and restaurant, held a rally in Downtown Asheville on February 14th. Along with their supporters, they raised awareness about to their right to organize their workplace. Local 61 has filed a petition with the NLRB to hold a union election between Local 61 and Green Sage South employees. We are currently waiting for the date to be set to hold this election. Stay tuned for updates.
Click here for the WLOS News 13 Article
(Photo Credits to WLOS News 13 Staff)
Teamsters Oppose SHIP IT Act
H.R. 471 Threatens Worker and Motorist Safety
Press Contact: Matt McQuaid Phone: (202) 624-6877 Email:
(WASHINGTON) – Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien sent letters to members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee urging them to oppose H.R. 471, the Safer Highways and Increased Performance for Interstate Trucking (SHIP IT) Act. The legislation, introduced by Representatives Jim Costa (CA-21) and Dusty Johnson (SD-AL), would jeopardize the safety of workers, motorists and any American that uses an interstate highway – all while doing nothing to address the root causes of our nation’s supply chain woes.
“Supply chain challenges and bottle necks over the last few years have laid bare a number of critical issues in the trucking industry, including the prevalence of poor working conditions, rampant and illegal misclassification of drivers under labor law, and the scourge of fly-by-night contracted and subcontracted motor carriers,” O’Brien said in his letter to the U.S. House of Representatives. “H.R. 471 looks to wrong and dangerous short-term ‘solutions’ to the very real legal and economic issues present in commercial trucking.”
The SHIP IT Act would allow for the introduction of heavier, more dangerous trucks on the road that are prone to more frequent and more severe crashes. It would also grant the Secretary of Transportation unjustifiable authority on size and weight requirements and gut fatigue protections for drivers carrying agricultural goods.
“The International Brotherhood of Teamsters welcomes important conversations about improving the trucking industry – for both drivers and the American consumer,” O’Brien said. “However, H.R. 471 is simply an anti-safety bill in sheep’s clothing.”
Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.2 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Visit www.teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and “like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/teamsters.
January Highlights
Secretary-Treasurer Brian Ball met with a group of Local 61 retirees and discussed pension news. The North Carolina Committee to Protect Pensions (NCCPP) has worked extremely hard to lobby Congress and advocate for protections of the earned pensions of our retirees. NCCPP leaders Dale Hanner and Norm Parham gave updates concerning the Central States Pension Fund. Brother Brian Ball gave updates to the group about active issues happening at Local 61 including upcoming negotiations for UPS, T-Force & ABF.
On Saturday, January 14th, we had a good turn out at the monthly membership meeting. Business Agent Tommy Pintacuda discussed upcoming negotiations with UPS & ways for our members to stay updated and involved. New Officers were sworn in for the term of Jan. 2023 - Dec. 2025. New Officers are as follows:
Secretary-Treasurer, Brian Ball
President - Mark Greene
Vice President - Ethan Carlton
Recording Secretary - Doug Carruthers
Trustee - Rodney Bagwell
Trustee - Justin Carswell
Trustee - Lee Player
Business Agent - Tommy Pintacuda
A Hallmark project titled, 'A Biltmore Christmas' was filmed in Asheville & Hendersonville, NC. 18 Teamsters Local 61 movie drivers worked on this production. Since the 1990's, our Local Union has maintained a movie list for professional drivers who want to work in the TV or film industry. This project was the latest film produced in our area. Previous priojects have included; The Peripheral, Three Billboards, Dirty Dancing & The Hunger Games.
- 2023 Scholarship Information
- December Highlights
- November Highlights
- Teamsters Call on Congress to Enact Anti Trust Legislation Now
- October Highlights
- September Highlights
- UPS Teamsters to Receive $0.82 COLA Increase
- Motion Picture Teamsters in the Spotlight
- A Better Way: Why Unions Are Needed at Amazon
- Women Change Careers for a Trade
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