University Students from Australia Visit Teamsters Headquarters

August 23, 2008

Glenn Moore wants history to come alive for his students, so every year the Professor at the University of Melbourne’s School of Historical Studies schedules a three-week trip to the United States that includes stops in Boston, New York and Washington, D.C.

Each year during their visit to Washington, Dr. Moore’s students spend a morning at Teamsters Headquarters to learn about the union’s history, structure, organizing program, and the general state of labor relations in the U.S. The program is coordinated by Teamsters Training and Development Coordinator Myron Sharp.

The students listened to presentations from staff within the various departments at the International Union. Besides Sharp, Karin Jones, Communications and Outreach Coordinator from the Training and Development Department, and Matt Mayers from the Organizing Department, also shared their knowledge and experience with the students.

After the program ended, Moore shared his thoughts on what the visit meant to his students.

“With unions on the back foot in Australia, I think all of the students share the view that unions everywhere are on the way out,” Moore said. “I tell them in my lectures that isn’t the case, and the visit to the Teamsters got the message across in a much more vivid way. The students from conservative backgrounds came away thinking that unions have a legitimate role to play, and the blue collar kids took heart from the visit.

“One student said to me that when she walked into the Teamsters lobby, she just knew that the union was strong and important," Moore said. When the students got back to American University, where they were staying, another rang home to tell her father about the Teamsters. A third said that she was moved by the presenters' passion.”

Myron Sharp has worked with Dr. Moore for many years in making sure that the students get the maximum benefit while at the International Union.

“I am always impressed by the interest the students have in the Teamsters Union and the various presentations that we provide," Sharp said. "They are engaged, ask thoughtful questions and are wonderful and appreciative guests. I always look forward to their visit.”