The Four Pillars

Adrian Rogers leads the most storied local in the American labor movement — AFSCME Local 1733, the Memphis sanitation workers' union whose 1968 strike behind the words "I AM A MAN" gave the entire labor movement its conscience.

As President, he has been a strong and steady voice for the members of Local 1733 and a relentless advocate in the ongoing fight to get Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) signed by the City of Memphis — a city that says it appreciates and respects labor, yet still refuses to put its commitments in writing.

He carries the 1968 torch forward every day: holding the City of Memphis and Shelby County accountable, defending the dignity of public-service workers, and reminding Memphis that the promises made on the strike line are not yet fully kept.

“James possesses real leadership skills that his members and his entire organization recognize and respect — and he will stand with you in a fight until the end.”

Second-generation Teamster. UPS worker since 1990 — served 12 years as steward and 5 years as chief steward before being elected President of Teamsters Local 667 in 2016. Now concurrently serves as Vice President of the Memphis & West Tennessee Central Labor Council.

Under his leadership, Local 667 has grown into one of the strongest labor forces in the Mid-South — representing UPS drivers, sanitation and waste workers, freight haulers, distribution and school bus workers across Memphis.

In April 2023 he led a 9-day strike at Republic Services that won members up to 28% in wage increases over five years — a fight that echoed the 1968 sanitation workers' demands for dignity and safety on the job. In 2023 he also made Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. an honorary Local 667 member on the 55th anniversary of his assassination, and awarded plaques to descendants of the original 1968 strikers.

James puts labor first — always.

Corey Hester carries the torch that has always been lit for IBEW Local 1288. As Business Agent, his leadership has grown the local — the union representing Memphis Light, Gas & Water (MLGW) electrical, gas, water, and general-services workers — into a powerful force and voice for its members across the Mid-South.

He concurrently serves as Sergeant at Arms and an Executive Board member of the Memphis & West Tennessee Central Labor Council, helping steer the strategy that protects every union member in the region.

Under his stewardship, IBEW 1288 has built one of the most active community-service programs in Memphis labor. Through the IBEW–Jonnie Dawson Charitable Foundation, the local funds the annual senior-citizen food giveaway and writes electric-bill stipends directly for Memphis & Shelby County seniors — including a single $60,000 community check delivered in December 2023.

The union doesn't stop at the contract. Under Corey, it keeps the lights on for the people who built this city.