Ralph Stubbs has retired as President of Teamsters Local 41, the largest and most powerful Teamsters Local in the region, with a little over two years remaining on his elected term. Stubbs and the Executive Board of Teamsters Local 41 have chosen Joe Monslow, a Business Agent at Local 41, to assume the role of President of the Local as of June 1st, 2024.
Monslow has emphasized getting involved in monthly meetings and encourages members of the Local to get and stay involved.
Joe Monslow started with UPS in June of 2000 as a part-time package handler. He became head steward of the James Street Twilight in early 2001 and served as the head steward until March of 2004. Monslow then became a Package Car Driver in Kansas City West Center in March of 2004. In June of 2004, he was elected head steward of Kansas City West Center by his fellow members, a position that he served in until 2014. During that time, he focused on representing many members in the facilitation of grievances, at the local level and assisted the Business Agents on staff in the presentation of some cases at the MoKanNe Panel.
In 2014, Monslow made the move to the Feeder Department at UPS, where he was elected alternate steward in the Lenexa, Kansas UPS Feeder Department in 2019. Just one year later, he was elected the head steward at the Lenexa, Kansas UPS Feeder Department and served in that role until April of 2021 when he was asked to become a Business Agent for Local 41 by President Ralph Stubbs.
“In April of 2021, I accepted the position of Business Agent representing UPS Feeders, Plant Engineering, and Automotive Mechanics offered by President Ralph Stubbs. During this time, I have written and presented countless cases at the MoKanNe, JAC, and National Grievance Panels. With the help of all stewards, members and fellow Business Agents these cases have been overwhelmingly positive in the memberships’ favor,” said Local 41 President Joe Monslow in a written statement to members. “On June 1, 2024, I was appointed President of Teamsters Local 41 by Ralph Stubbs and the Executive Board. Taking over after the long tenure of President Ralph Stubbs will be a tall task. President Stubbs did an amazing job of stabilizing the Local and growing the membership. With the help of the Executive Board, Business Agents, stewards, and all the membership the plan is to continue to bring all the current members together. Also to continue to be vigilant in growing the membership and power of Teamsters Local 41. It will take the entire membership to continue the growth of the Local.”
Tristin Amezcua-Hogan is the Editor of The Labor Beacon and a member of LIUNA Local 264. Tristin also serves as the Director of Communications for the Greater Kansas City AFL-CIO and the Chair of the Kansas City Regional Transit Alliance.
Tristin grew up as the son of a UA Local 669 member in Tecumseh, KS and the great-nephew of George C. Amis, longtime leader of the United Rubberworkers (now USW Local 307) in Kansas. Growing up in rural Kansas as the child of teen parents, Tristin quickly came to appreciate the life-changing benefit of a union job.
Tristin and his partner, Rebeca Amezcua-Hogan, are residents of the Westside, Kansas City, MO's historic Mexican neighborhood. They are proud members of Kansas City's New Reform Temple.
