Every year, rank-and-file Teamsters from across North America come together for the Teamsters Women's Conference to share their experiences, learn from one another, and talk about the issues shaping their workplaces. This year's conference was held in Washington, D.C., August 23–26, bringing 1,500 members together for four days of discussion, trainings, and organizing.

UPS Member Laura Quick attended the conference as the Local 776 representative and gives an overview of the multi-day event.

"The general session opened with a clear message: the Teamsters are preparing for what comes next. General President Sean O'Brien spoke about building momentum for the 2028 UPS contract campaign, beginning next August, while General Secretary-Treasurer Fred Zuckerman shared updates on the overall health of the IBT. We heard powerful stories about organizing Amazon workers in New Jersey and 10,000 nurses in a Massachusetts healthcare system. One of the most memorable moments came from Chicago zookeepers, who described how they balanced caring for animals while striking for better working conditions. With more than 30 breakout-session topics on Tuesday and Wednesday, choosing only five was not easy. Sessions ranged from using the Teamster database, TITAN, to understanding retirement and healthcare benefits, to handling a difficult employer. Just as valuable were the conversations during downtime with Teamsters from across the United States and Canada. Overall, attending the conference is a good way to learn more about the internal workings of our Union and gain firsthand knowledge of current issues that affect all Teamster Members.”

During the closing plenary, a panel of Teamsters women working in non-traditional industries took the stage to discuss what it takes to succeed in workplaces where women have historically been underrepresented and why having more women at the table makes the Teamsters Union stronger.

Panel participants from the rank-and-file Teamsters included: Teresa Gavina, a Teamster trash truck driver with Republic Services; Darice Gilliam, a Teamster locomotive engineer with the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET); Andrea Marshall, a Teamster pipeliner in the pipeline industry; and Carrie Jones, a Teamster car hauler with Cassens Transport.

To view the full interview with these individuals, follow the link below:

Teamster Women's Conference Interview