They then mobilized to change the by-laws to elect shop stewards, including the chief steward. After turning out over 250 members for the by-laws meeting, they won this change and elected Martinez. When Martinez began defending workers from company discipline and demanding improved safety and health conditions, management offered her a supervisory position. It's not about one person. It's about a movement.
Democracy is power.
While it was indeed great hearing from such workers relating their real-life struggles, this was not enough to overcome the major weaknesses of the conference. None of the speakers addressed the problem of government intervention in the unions. Although over 50 workshops were held, none dealt with government intervention. Former Teamsters candidate speaks Tom Leedham, secretary treasurer of Teamsters Local 206, delivered the keynote address to the banquet. Leedham mentioned many of the positive changes that had occurred during former President Ron Carey's administration.