On November 22, 2025, a panel discussion was held in San Francisco, highlighting the challenges faced by Teamsters and the broader workforce, focusing on the need for a democratic union that encourages transparency and mobilizes the entire working class. This event followed a rally at the Port of Oakland, where Teamsters and ILWU protested against government tariffs and trade wars.
The issues discussed are crucial not only for the 1.2 million Teamsters working in various sectors—including transportation, healthcare, and public education—but also for all American workers. The Teamsters are advocating for the rights of workers, especially in light of threats posed by AI and robotics and the ongoing struggle to organize places like Amazon. Speakers emphasized the importance of democracy, membership participation, and controlling union activities.
IBT President Sean O’Brien’s support for the current administration’s policies, viewed as union-busting and detrimental to labor rights, was also a key point of concern. The panel featured notable figures like John Palmer and Marianna M. Battiste and was sponsored by WorkWeek, addressing the broader implications of ant-union sentiment and the rise of autocracy in the labor movement.
Various media links provided additional coverage of labor leaders’ concerns about tariffs and trade wars, union democracy, and the pressures facing workers in today’s climate.
