On the next installment of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast’s Best of 2025, we highlight the interview with Sean O’Brien, President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, which aired on Presidents' Day. During the segment, he discussed the union's strategic approach to negotiations, the challenges posed by automation and the ongoing efforts to organize Amazon workers.
O'Brien detailed the Teamsters' strategic negotiation template, which has been effectively utilized in recent high-profile contracts with companies such as UPS and Costco. He emphasized the importance of member engagement and setting firm deadlines to avoid contract extensions, which can prolong disputes and lead to further complications. By leveraging social media and conducting thorough research on employers, the Teamsters have secured significant gains for their members, including wage increases and improved working conditions.
The discussion also covered the growing threat of automation and its potential impact on American workers. O'Brien highlighted the importance of Collective Bargaining Agreements, which can protect jobs from automation and ensure new technologies create opportunities rather than eliminate positions. He emphasized the need for political action to regulate automation and artificial intelligence, urging lawmakers to prioritize the interests of workers over corporate profits.
Finally, O'Brien addressed the Teamsters' efforts to organize Amazon, describing the company as a significant threat to organized labor. He discussed the union's partnership with the Amazon Labor Union and the challenges of overcoming Amazon's aggressive anti-union tactics. O'Brien reaffirmed the Teamsters' commitment to organizing Amazon workers and emphasized the importance of solidarity and strategic action in achieving this goal.
To hear more from the Feb. 17 interview with O’Brien, listen to the full episode of America's Work Force Union Podcast.