Labor Lines

Unions are made up of a wide variety of trades and occupations. How can union leaders ensure that those diverse labor voices are united around the common goals: maintaining the middle class, combatting income disparity; raising minimum wages; promoting safe workplaces, and more. Vincent Alvarez, President of the NYC Central Labor Council, describes how the Central Labor Council fought in 2014 for better labor standards and gives a preview of the the major challenges in 2015. Then, Demos Demopoulos, Executive Director of Teamsters Local 553 and Secretary Treasurer of Teamsters Joint Council 16 updates us on battle to save the horse carriage industry. He reminds us that the Teamsters union evolved from representing members in the horse drawn vehicle era and expanded their ranks to the diverse membership of today. We learn the significance of the horses “Thunder” & “Lightening” in the Teamsters logo, and why the horse drawn carriage battle is one of special significance to Local 553.