Teamsters Local 324 (Christmas Membership Meeting 1946)

Teamsters Local 324 has always been headquartered in Salem, Oregon and was originally chartered in 1929 as the Chauffeurs, Teamsters and Helpers Union No. 324. In 1934, Local 324's affiliation name was changed to Drivers and Helpers Local Union No. 324 and later, in 1950, was re-charted as General Teamsters Union No. 324. Local 324 was also affiliated with the Western Conference of Teamsters in 1948. The chartering of this Local, aside from Astoria and Portland, represented the advancement of the Teamster movement to other areas of Oregon. In 1946, one of the first editions of the Oregon Teamster reported that then Local 324 Secretary-Treasurer Ward E. Graham, had negotiated the first sick leave clause in a contract, “The contract negotiated between the Local and Gas-Heat of Salem became a precedent to be followed by other Locals…each employee …entitled to six days per year which could be accumulated for a period of three years.” 

Ward E. Graham was the Secretary-Treasurer and Principal Officer of Local 324 for the longest term of its existence. Ward served for 27 years and 2 months from January 1, 1946, through February 28, 1973. With the purchase of Local 324's current headquarters, Ward E. Graham was honored for his service to the members with the new building being dedicated in his name on July 23, 2022. Known now as Ward E. Graham Hall, the new building provides more space and resources for our members and allows for additional growth.

Local 324's re-chartered name and defined jurisdiction, established in 1950, cited the cities of Salem, Albany, Corvallis, Lebanon, Newport, McMinnville and Vicinity. Since then, Local 324 has more than 1,750 members, many as far away as Klamath Falls, Bend, Hermiston, Black Butte and Roseburg in numerous industries, including the public sector. Local 324 continues to grow and expand.