Q: How is the Printing Packaging and Production Workers Union (PPPWU) related to the Teamsters?
A: From 2004-2022, the PPPWU was an affiliate of the Teamsters Union called the “Graphic Communications Conference” (GCC). This was the result of a Merger Agreement between the Graphic Communications International Union and the Teamsters.
Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien took office in 2022, and he sought information on why the GCC was so weak and ineffective. What he found was disturbing: The GCC had a pension in crisis and no strategies to counter rapidly declining membership and consolidating industries.
When called to account for this failure, the GCC’s leadership declared in writing to General President O’Brien that they were unilaterally terminating the Merger Agreement with the Teamsters. GCC members were not allowed to vote on the decision.
Soon after, they rebranded the GCC as the PPPWU.
Q: Why should I leave the PPPWU to join the Teamsters?
A: The PPPWU is nowhere near as effective as the Teamsters. It has minimal resources, provides virtually no services to members, and is continuing its decline as President Steve Nobles and his crew wring every last dollar out of the workers they represent. The Teamsters are also able to secure much stronger contracts than the PPPWU.
Q: Have other workers left the PPPWU to join the Teamsters?
A: Yes, since 2023 more than 2,000 workers have ditched the sham PPPWU to join the Teamsters.
Q: What kind of contractual improvements have former PPPWU members seen after joining the Teamsters?
A: Workers who have left the PPPWU for the Teamsters have secured great contracts with pay increases and strong benefits. At one employer, workers saw raises of 20 percent in the first year alone in their first Teamsters contract. Many workers who had Teamsters health and welfare benefits under their old contract have retained it under their new Teamsters agreement.
Q: I have Teamsters health care under my PPPWU contract. Will I keep it if I stay with the PPPWU instead of rejoining the Teamsters?
A: No. If workers stick with the sham PPPWU, they will lose their strong Teamsters health care in their next contract. But workers who rejoin the Teamsters are able to bargain for the same strong plan they already enjoy.
Q: How can I rejoin the Teamsters?
A: Sign authorization and membership cards when asked to do so by IBT organizers. This will permit the IBT to file a petition with the NLRB to allow you to vote for Teamsters representation with your employer.