Teamsters local in Kansas City elects a new president

International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 41 has elected a new president to lead the 6,000 member union local.

Ralph Stubbs, who served as the local’s president briefly in 2008, led a slate of officers that defeated Vic Terranella and his slate. Both men had been on the ballot in 2008 and 2011, elections that had gone for Terranella.

Ballots went out in October, and 2,119 were counted Nov. 13.

Local 41 represents employees of YRC Worldwide Inc. The Teamsters union approved a contract extension and concessions last winter as the Overland Park trucking company’s leaders said it was struggling to survive.

Local 41 also represents workers at other trucking and industrial companies.

As president, Terranella had negotiated with representatives of Local 41’s office staff when they unionized through the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers early this year. He had supported the move, saying those jobs often had been disrupted by changes in local leadership.

Local 41 also broadcast commercials during his time in office, a first, Terranella said.

The ads, which aired last year, portrayed Teamsters as members of the community providing services that affect daily life.

Stubbs, a driver for UPS, will assume the office in January. Terranella, who had driven for Roadway Express before his election to Local 41, said he had not decided on his plans.

This story was originally published November 20, 2014 at 2:30 PM with the headline "Teamsters local in Kansas City elects a new president."