2026 Labor Notes Conference Recap

[OT+]

Labor Notes Conference normally full of Teamsters and TDU in the program, 2026 version not so much.

[Barry455]

Could it possibly have anything to do with the "Teamsters vs Everybody" slogan? Or is it the fact that most unions recognize the damage Trump has done to the labor movement in both his first and second term. In the fight for democracy in America, most of labor is on the side of democracy and anti-authoritarian. Teamsters, because of the very public stance of Sean O'Brien are now incorrectly labeled MAGA.

[AlJackson1962!]

Labor Notes has always backed the Paff led style of TDU.. No surprise they were light on coverage in their summary. They know that O’Brien’s relationship with Trump/MAGA is indefensible, but to call out TDU is not something Labor Notes will do.

[Gimliboston9]

Paff sits on labor notes board.

[percap2high]

They call people out when it suits their purpose. Union "reform" is a business.

[WTF891]

100 percent correct, they used to work out of the same building.

[Gimme_Danger]

Maybe because so many Teamsters were traveling to the IBT Convention?? There was a scheduling conflict there.

[Graveyard]

According to an internet search,
TDU’s New York mailing and office address is:
55 Washington Street, Suite 522, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Labor Notes mailing Address is:
55 Washington Street, Suite 522, Brooklyn, NY 11201.

The 2026 Labor Notes Conference took place from Friday, June 12, to Sunday, June 14, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare in Rosemont (Chicago)

IBT Vote website-Teamsters 2026 Election-Important Dates 2025-2026-TIMETABLE OF EVENTS, provided all the dates of the election process well over a year in advance including the dates June 14 – June 18, 2026 for the 31st IBT International Convention.

TDU banned Teamster members that didn’t agree with their position, Labor Notes has done the same. Wonder if this was poor planning or a planned scheduling conflict? No proof of anything, just asking a question.

The point is I use to trust TDU/Labor Notes words, not so much anymore.

Labor Notes.png

[Watcher745]

That’s a very old address! They have moved to the high dollar area in NYC! More $$ with the seat at the table I guess.

[Gimliboston9]

Not NYC, they moved in Brooklyn .

[AlJackson1962!]

And the AUD - Association for Union Democracy, I believe is also at the exact same address and room number. That’s concerning, the AUD has done great work over the decades.

[1speed]

I don't think too many teamsters know what Labor Notes and AUD are or even that they exist. The fact that they apparently share a building with TDU, how is that important?
Did TDU move from Detroit?

[AlJackson1962!]

TDU has a Detroit and NYC office.

[NYNick]

They moved from a little shit hole to one of the most expensive areas in Brooklyn.

[jerseymike78]

I guess backing O’Brien/Trump has its rewards.

[X-TDUer]

I spoke with a staff writer for Labor Notes who said everyone at Labor Notes is frustrated or just plain pissed about the O'Brien/Trump connection and TDU's silence on all the damage being done to the Labor Movement as a result. No one wants to criticise them publicly and they probably won't because as others have pointed out all three organizations are joined at the hip. Same nonprofit structure shared Board members and offices. Where can we find independent analysis? You won't find it there.

[Watcher745]

What do you expect ? Paff is on the board at labor notes.

[WTF891]

What's the Paff legacy now? Levine is simply a punk.