Avral Thompson serves as Vice President of Local 89 in Louisville, Kentucky representing over 14,000 teamsters including Freight, Car Haul, Food Processing, and Bourbon. He joins the O’Brien-Zuckerman 2021 Slate as a candidate for IBT Vice President of the Central Region. Thompson has helped lead his local to victories during his time in elected office, including saving over 160 Teamster Car Haul jobs the Louisville Assembly plant in 2014. Along with being an active member and leader within his Local union, Thompson has volunteered with his local fire department for 36 years.

Thompson joins the OZ 2021 campaign because he “believes the IBT needs a new direction. The Teamsters nationally have lost strength. Many locals are still strong but the IBT has faulted in the support of locals.” Thompson’s central priority for the International is to focus on the organizing of existing membership and new members. He also wants to “bring UPS to the table for fair contract negotiations for a change.”