General President of the International Brotherhood of Teamster, Sean O'Brian along with General Secretary-Treasurer, Fred Zuckerman have made the drastic decision to disband Teamsters Local Union #677 and distribute its membership in its entirety, which consist of over 2000 members. Brother O'Brien, you say "Members First" but apparently just not the ones in Local #677. Our Local #677 has been in existence since 1935, that's over 85 years and to just abruptly close its doors without any reasonable cause and/or regarrd for the rights of the members. The first reason given was the inexperience of the current Business Agents. The answer to that is simply this- "Per Capita". We pay a "Per Capita" every month every month to the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. Thirty percent (30%) of those funds are to be used for the purpose of training the staff at the locals. Where is our 30%? The second reason given was the condition and location of our building. The answer to that is also simple. The members are being divided into different locals in which our dues are going to be raised anyway, in some cases they will be raised by $20 per month. Right now, our dues rates are down at Local 677. If our dues increased by $10 that would give the local a $26,000 a month increase (2,600 members x $10) which in return will assist in sustaining a new building in a different location. These issues could have been easily fixed and our Local could still be standing. We the members were never given a fair chance to be heard and there has been no transparency from the very start of this investigation and/or outcome to its membership.

We the undersigned members of Local #677 disagree with this decision and its entirety and are asserting our rights to appeal this decision, based on Article VI,Sec. 5- Power of General President to Appoint Trustees; Duties & Obligations of Local Unions Under Trusteeship, of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Constitution, which states the "the Local Union, or the other subordinate body, in regular or special membership meeting, by majority vote, may petition the General President for the restoration if self-government, provided that no such petition shall be presented at intervals of less than six (6) months starting with the date of the decision following the first hearing on the appointment of the Trustee".