FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Court Ruling Frees PPPWU to Focus on Industry-Specific Expertise and Stronger Contracts for Members
WASHINGTON – August 18, 2024 – The Printing Packaging & Production Workers Union of North America (PPPWU) is proud to announce a major legal victory, confirming the union’s new path forward and the significant benefits this brings to its members. A federal judge in Washington, D.C., has ruled in favor of the PPPWU, officially declaring that the union is no longer affiliated with the Teamsters. This ruling allows the PPPWU to offer unmatched expertise and the best contracts in the printing, packaging, and production industries, tailored exclusively to meet the needs of workers in these sectors.
The ruling ends a complicated legal battle that began in 2022, when the Teamsters decided to terminate their relationship with the union, then known as the Graphic Communications Conference (GCC) of the Teamsters. With the relationship unsalvageable, the PPPWU reestablished itself as an independent union and sought legal recognition of its status. Judge Timothy J. Kelly confirmed in his decision that the merger between the two unions is no longer in effect, allowing the PPPWU to focus solely on its members and their needs.
Steve Nobles, President of the PPPWU, highlighted the importance of this outcome: “This ruling is a significant win for our members. By separating from the Teamsters, we are free from the constraints of larger, unrelated industries, and can now fully dedicate ourselves to representing printing, packaging, and production workers. This decision allows us to provide the best possible representation and negotiate industry-specific contracts that reflect the unique challenges and demands of our field.”
For years, the Teamsters represented workers across a variety of industries, often leading to a lack of specialized attention for printing, packaging, and production workers. With the PPPWU now focused entirely on these industries, members will benefit from greater expertise and stronger, customized contracts. This includes improved wages, benefits, and working conditions, ensuring that PPPWU members receive the best terms possible in North America.
This legal victory marks a new chapter for the PPPWU. The union stands strong, ready to continue advocating for its members with renewed focus and energy. By remaining dedicated to the future of the printing, packaging, and production industries, the PPPWU is better positioned than ever to secure the strongest contracts and provide the highest level of representation.
About PPPWU
16,000 members strong, the Printing, Packaging, and Production Workers Union of North America (PPPWU) (pppwu.org) is the largest union for workers in these industries in North America. Since 1894, this organization has thrived on providing workers a powerful, collective voice in their dealings with management. This ensures that their members have the strongest contracts, the best benefits, and the most experienced representation in the industry. PPPWU was most recently in an 18-year merger agreement with the IBT under the “Graphic Communications Conference of the IBT moniker.” After IBT leaders terminated the merger agreement, PPPWU was created in May 2023. Today, PPPWU pledges to work for their members to ensure they have the best contracts in place so that they and their families can enjoy security and prosperity from the fruits of their labor.
For more information, please visit PPPWU’s website or contact our media relations team.
