Servant Leadership and the Teamsters
Right : Stephanie Selesnick ( left ) and Laura Sims ( right ) nassuming Laura Sims - grandmother to five , mom to two - is also the multiple-time elected recording secretary and business agent for conventions , as well as trustee of health & welfare , training funds and vacation funds for the Teamsters Union Local 631 . She is the only woman on the executive board .
According to Wikipedia , the International Brotherhood of Teamsters , also known as the Teamsters Union , founded in 1903 , is a labour union in the United States and Canada representing over 1.3m workers in many diverse industries including trucking , healthcare , motion pictures , conventions , tradeshows and casinos . There are chapters , known as Locals , throughout both countries . Local 631 ’ s jurisdiction includes Las Vegas .
I met Laura working the Las Vegas Exhibition Industry Food Giveaway a few weeks ago ( February 2021 ) and followed it up with a conversation about how she ended up in Local 631 Teamsters leadership . I asked her to explain the role of the Teamsters Union in providing skilled labour for exhibitions in the city .
Laura ’ s husband , David , has been a Teamster for 35 years . Laura realised she could make extra money by taking vacation from her more traditional job working food and beverage for American Golf , and , when labour was short , getting hired through the union as additional labour through the Union Hall .
She laughed : “ You should have seen the shock from exhibitors and workers – a WOMAN working with tools !” As time progressed , her involvement continued ; first being elected as a steward by her fellow workers ( on site leader / supervisor ), then onto the board of Local 631 . Both children followed their parents ’ footsteps and are Convention Journeymen ( skilled workers in the convention building trade ).
In Las Vegas , the Teamsters are responsible for moving freight , trucking , operating forklifts and transporting freight to and from booths , laying carpet , building booths , and erecting signs / tresses from the ground . They are an integral part in the building up and dismantling of exhibitions and in negotiating with general contractors ( such as GES and Freeman ) to supply union labor . In the next scheduled round , later this year , Laura will again be part of the Teamsters ’ negotiation team .
As in many other traditionally male-dominated industries , the number of women Teamsters is increasing . It is no longer : “ There are a number of women union stewards who are all amazing leaders .”
She views the role of the educated and skilled labour the Teamsters provide as “ a partnership to make shows happen ,” and cites the four-tiered , convention-centric Apprenticeship Programme the union offers only in Las Vegas . Graduates of the programme complete 2,000 hours of education and skills building , including class time , driving a forklift , practical installation and dismantling ( building and dissembling ) stands , regular testing of rules , regulations and safety protocols , volunteering for community service and abiding by the code of conduct .
“ Most importantly ,” she said , “ Apprentices are taught to do things safely on show site – which is why you want skilled labour on your show . Safety first !” In fact , Local 631 has encouraged all members to get their vaccines to ensure everyone ’ s safety on expo floors as Las Vegas reopens .
Contemplating life after retirement in a couple of years , she said that her time with the Teamsters in leadership has been an honour and , “ So much more than a job . I was never in leadership for the recognition ; I ’ ve only wanted to get things get done properly , help my fellow Union brothers and sisters and protect their way of life .” What a great example of Servant Leadership .
www . exhibitionworld . co . uk Issue 2 2021 13