The International Teamster Women's Caucus

The International Teamster Women's Caucus was an idea developed at the 1991 Constitutional Convention. Teamster women expressed many of their issues, concerns and needs to Arlene Mordasini, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 911.

In the fall of 1991, a group of Teamster women from across the United States and Canada met in Boston to plan the International Teamster Women's Caucus.

They didn't have all the answers about how to form a caucus of this type, and there certainly was a diversity of opinions. The one common link was a need for such a caucus to address Teamster women's involvement and recognition at all levels of the organization. The union needed an advocacy group to educate and communicate with its women. Over the course of several meetings, the group established an executive board, bylaws and goals.

In 1995, at the one and only convention of the ITWC, Cheryl Johnson from Local 20 was elected to the position of President to replace Mordasini, who was retiring. Johnson and the executive board met quarterly and collected funds from locals and Joint Councils. With their goals and ideals in place the group persisted under the direction of General President Jim Hoffa and was successful in organizing the annual Women’s Conference, which is an important function for all Teamster women. The Women’s Conference allows women the opportunity to network, learn, and get help with issues facing them today, not only in the workplace but in everyday life as well.

Through the years, Johnson has been instrumental in promoting women’s issues, bringing inequalities to the forefront to be dealt with, and in mentoring other women so they could advance. When the Women’s Conference became such a popular annual event, the Women’s Caucus decided to blend its efforts with that event. The two organizations worked in unison as an avenue of communication among women.

In order to re-establish the ITWC as an independent organization, Johnson and the board of the ITWC decided it was time to turn over the reigns. At the 2008 Women’s Conference in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the remaining members of the ITWC became our mentors as they passed the torch to a new crew of women to head the ITWC. The bylaws were rewritten and a smaller executive board was elected.

We are a seven-member board from across the U.S. and Canada. Our officers are: Margie Brignoni, President (Local 63); Betty Rose Fischer, Secretary-Treasurer (Local 538); Vacant, Recording Secretary (Local 63); Mary Fox, First Vice-President (Local 745); Fernanda Santos, Second Vice-President (Local 847); Vivian Garcia, Trustee (Local 986); and Kathy Campbell, Trustee (Local 231).

© Copyright 2010 International Teamsters Womens Caucus. All rights reserved.

ITWC Events Calendar

Here you will find information pertaining to organizational meetings, conventions, and other upcoming events that are related to the ITWC. Please check this page regularly as new information is posted often.

Click the highlighted days (in blue) on the calendar to the right to view scheduled events for that particular day. You can also cycle through the different months by clicking the abbreviated month name at the top of the calendar. Clicking the month links will list all the events that occur in that month.

Events for 2021. 



ITWC would like to invite you to participate in this years School Supply Drive which will take place at the Teamsters Women's Conference in Las Vegas Nevada.  All school supplies and cash donations will be given to the Rudy Thomas Elementary School in Las Vegas Nevada.  Please stop by our booth we look forward to seeing everyone.


  © Copyright 2010 International Teamsters Women's Caucus. All rights reserved.  

Form an ITWC Committee

This organization has been set up by women, for women to:

  1. Unite women members for the purpose of addressing their concerns and issues in the workplace.
  2. Promote women's involvement and recognition within their Locals and all levels of the Teamsters.
  3. Foster better relationships and communication between members.
  4. Help with organizing efforts and other activities, which further the interests of the Union.
  5. Strengthen and build solidarity within the Union.?

All of us have busy lives but we also have a common bond. We're TEAMSTERS, we're committed and we care! United Teamster Women can make a difference! We need your help to network in your area and to reach out to other Teamster Women.

Help us keep the ball rolling across the United States and Canada. Below is a brief list of the requirements for an active ITWC Women's Committee.

Start an ITWC membership drive in your area to unite Teamster Women, and find out how many Teamster Women members you have in your area. Starting a membership drive can be as simple as taking membership applications to your break room at work. Or it can be as involved as meeting with your Local Union Principal officer to request the Local's assistance with a mailing for a Local Union wide membership drive.

Provide the ITWC membership in your area with educational materials to promote leadership skills. The IBT Department of Training & Development, 25 Louisiana Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20001 and the ITWC, PO Box 338, 117 East Louisa Street, Seattle WA 98102, have educational materials available. A written request is needed.

At least once a year, sponsor a low cost workshop where Teamster Women can meet to share ideas, problems, concerns and solutions we all have in common. Continue reading for instructions on setting up a one-day workshop. If further information or advice on arranging a workshop is needed, don't hesitate to call your ITWC Executive Board representative.

Work hand in hand with the ITWC Executive Board and your Area Representative from the Executive Board to have a regional meeting in your area.

 

The Program

Whatever program you select, remember to involve women and men at the local level and give those in attendance time for an open forum. But remember, as the Chair, not to let anyone monopolize the meeting. If it is helpful, announce up front that each speaker during the open forum will have a certain time limit, appoint a timekeeper and be firm in maintaining the limit. Program Ideas:

  • Equal Pay
  • OSHA
  • Health & Welfare
  • Pension
  • Super Woman Mentality
  • Current Legislative Issues
  • Family / Work
  • Networking/Mentoring
  • Union Building
  • Women in Politics
  • Financial Issues
  • Social Health Issues
  • Community Service
  • Domestic Violence
  • Sexual Harassment
  • AIDS
  • Vocational Training
  • Advancement through the Union

 

Discussion Points:

  • What can the Union do for women?
  • What do women want out of their Union?
  • What do women want from their Women's Caucus?
  • What does a Union mean to women?
  • What does a Union collective bargaining agreement mean to family & social issues?

  

Resources:

  • International Teamster Women's Caucus, Rachel McKibbin, Secretary-Treasurer, 360/734-7780; e-mail: Rachel@231teamsters.org
  • International Brotherhood of Teamsters
    Department of Training & Development - 202/624-8117
  • Human Rights Commission - 202/624-7471
  • Government Affairs - 202/624-6891
  • Department of Labor
  • OSHA
  • Academic Institutions
  • Private Industry Councils
  • State Agencies
  • Law Offices
  • Financial Planning Groups
  • Health & Welfare and Pension Administrator
  • United Way
  • Congressional Offices

 

Mechanics of Setting Up a One-Day Workshop

  • Timeline
  • Request Local Union leadership to approve meeting.
  • Line up speakers/Choose a date and time.
  • Find a meeting location and sponsor for the lunch. (If a sponsor can't be found, confirm the menu with a facility so that the cost can be added to your flyer and registration form.
  • Inform ITWC of dates, request area Board member to attend.
  • Arrange Meeting room set up:
    • Classroom, u-shaped or theatre style (This will depend on the type of meeting, size of the room, and number of people attending.)
    • Do you need a podium and/or microphone? (Most speakers prefer a podium.)
    • Do you need any audio or visual equipment for any of the speakers?
    • Do you need to display a banner or posters?
  • Arrange luncheon set up:
    • Will it be in the same room as the meeting, or will you break to another room?
    • Will the lunch be served banquet style, as a box lunch, or waited?
    • Create a flyer and registration form.
  • Do a mailing. Include your Local Union Executive Board Members, Local Union Principal Officers and Joint Council Officers in your area, special guests and politicians. ITWC has a membership database that can be sorted by State, Local Union or Joint Council. Call the ITWC for a computer disk.

One week before the meeting, call the speakers to remind them to be there at their time slot. Check meeting room arrangements. Make sure you and your area ITWC Executive Board member are at the location one hour early to greet the guests and members.

 

Supplies:

  • Banner/Sign
  • ITWC membership applications
  • Brochures, Bylaws
  • Attendance sign-in sheet with pens
  • Prepared handouts
  • Writing pads and pens for attendees
  • Scissors, tape (double-sided is helpful)

 

 Sample One-Day Workshop Schedule

  • Registration
  • Opening remarks - include ITWC Executive Board members
  • Welcome - Introduce yourself
  • Caucus and membership enrollment
  • What is area ITWC providing the membership?
  • Introduce sponsoring Local Union, Joint Council officials
  • First Guest Speaker Introduced
  • Guest Speaker (1/2 hour) and Q & A
  • Second Guest Speaker Introduced
  • Guest Speaker (1/2 hour) and Q & A
  • Lunch Break
  • Local Women's stories - various speakers
  • Guest (a)
  • Guest (b)
  • Open forum - Discuss what they would like to hear about next.

© Copyright 2010 International Teamsters Womens Caucus. All rights reserved.

Executive Board Members

Margie Brignoni, President
Betty Rose Fischer,   Secretary-Treasurer
 
Mary Fox, 1st Vice-President
Fernanda Santos, 2nd Vice-President
Vacant, Recording-Secretary
Vivian Garcia, Trustee

Kathy Campbell, Trustee 



© Copyright 2010 International Teamsters Womens Caucus. All rights reserved.

CONTACT US

© Copyright 2010 International Teamsters Womens Caucus. All rights reserved.

Join the International Teamsters Women's Caucus

Please contact us if you are interested in joining the ITWC.

© Copyright 2010 International Teamsters Womens Caucus. All rights reserved.

Links of Interest

Below is a listing of various websites that primarily deal with organized labor or women's issues. Click on any of the hyperlinks (in pink) to open that website in a new browser window.

  • Status of Women Canada
    Status of Women Canada (SWC) is a Canadian federal government organization that promotes the full participation of women in the economic, social and democratic life of Canada.
  • Teamsters Canada
    Official Teamsters Canada Website.
  • Canadian Human Rights Commission
    The Canadian Human Rights Commission administers the Canadian Human Rights Act and is responsible for ensuring compliance with the Employment Equity Act. Both laws ensure that the principles of equal opportunity and non-discrimination are followed in all areas of federal jurisdiction.
  • The Canadian Labour Congress
    The Canadian Labour Congress is the largest democratic and popular organization in Canada with over three million members. The Canadian Labour Congress brings together Canada's national and international unions, the provincial and territorial federations of labour and 130 district labour councils.
  • Cure Foundation
    CURE is a national foundation that provides funding for basic and clinical research for breast cancer. Our mission is to work in tandem with women and men, health professionals, other foundations and Canadian teaching hospitals to improve breast cancer outcomes for those affected. The foundation will support researchers, laboratories, projects and equipment which can help realize these goals.
  • Susan G. Komen - For The Cure.
    Susan G. Komen for the Cure® is the global leader of the breast cancer movement, having invested nearly $1.5 billion since inception in 1982. As the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists, we’re working together to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures.
  • IBT Official Site
    The International Brotherhood of Teamsters Official Website.
  • Aging with Grace Newsletter
    Aging with Grace Newsletter

© Copyright 2010 International Teamsters Womens Caucus. All rights reserved.

News

The International Teamsters Women’s Caucus (ITWC) would like you to participate in a School Supply Drive for next the Teamsters Women’s Conference.  The ITWC is a stand-alone organization like the Teamsters National Black Caucus and Teamster’s National Hispanic Caucus.  The primary purpose of the ITWC is to unite women and other persons of good will for the purpose of promoting economic, cultural, civic, legislative, political, educational, fraternal, charitable, welfare, social and other activities which further the interests of the Union directly or indirectly.

 

If you wish to participate, we are requesting that attendees (along with everything you need for a productive and fun Women’s Conference!), bring along a package of pens, pencils, erasers, white out or anything else that school kids might need to have a successful school year.  We also collect “Boxtops for Education.”  During the Conference we will be presenting these donations along with donations from Local Unions to the schools. So keep collecting your supplies and hopefully we will see you next year.   

 

If you have any questions please contact Betty Rose Fischer at, Teamsters Local Union No. 538, (724) 297-3427 or fishno4@aol.com.

Scholarship