April 22, 2008

On April 13, more than 25 stewards from Local 339 in Port Huron, Michigan attended training on member mobilization for political action. The training was conducted by both Claudia Galloway of the Teamsters Training and Development Department, and Ed Reynoso of the Teamsters Department of Field Action. 

Galloway provided the stewards with information on how to put together a plan for recruiting, educating and mobilizing members to be more involved in local union activities.  Following Claudia’s presentation, the stewards had the opportunity to brainstorm the specific ways in which they could encourage Local 339 members to become active at their locals.

Reynoso spoke about the importance of the political process and the members' role in it, especially this year with very important national and state elections taking place. He emphasized that the outcome of the election may well depend on the ability to mobilize members and others in the labor movement. 

“This was a great program,” said Dale Taylor, Vice President of Local 339.” There was a tremendous amount of information that we can use to involve the membership in the political process and other critical union activities.”