Local 481 is electing a new Executive Board on December 11th, 2025!
This is our chance to elect leadership that cares about all members of Local 481 by prioritizing strong negotiating, contract enforcement, transparency, modern technology, and clear communication. With your help, we can build a stronger union that has far reaching benefits for years to come.
Meet the Candidates
Erin Borgardt for Secretary-Treasurer
My name is Erin Borgardt, I’m an employee of SDZWA and member of Local 481. I recently assisted in leading a grass roots campaign in order to secure a strong contract for all Zoo union members that resulted in an average of 25% wage increases with 10% increases in following years.
I intend to bring the union to the members and lift all barriers to participation in this community. We should be using the full force of our collective power to advocate for better working conditions, living wages, and respect from our employers. I know we can create the strong union we all need and deserve - a union that is proactive, motivated, and values communication and transparency.
Brandon Rowley for President
My name is Brandon Rowley, I’m an employee of the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and have been a member of Local 481 throughout my 12 year tenure.
After joining the grassroots team effort to rally support from the membership at SDZWA for our most recent contract, I realized just how much our union was letting it’s membership down.
A union that operates under highly motivated staff has the potential to positively impact the lives of thousands of our working class colleagues. We have the opportunity to build a union that lives up to our highest ideals - a union that works hard every day for all of us, regardless of shop or job classification.
Cat Wintersteen for Recording Secretary
My name is Cat Wintersteen and I have been a Horticulturist for the Safari Park and 481 Teamster since 2023. Last year, I put my commitment to the rank-and-file of local 481 into action by becoming a shop steward, working to educate members on their union rights and support them in the workplace.
As recording secretary, I hope to further my commitment to informing, educating, and empowering the members of Teamsters Local 481.
Platform
Our union currently operates under a shroud of secrecy. The most basic of information is so difficult to acquire that it can feel as though it is being purposefully withheld. It doesn’t have to be this way. We promise transparency, ease of access to information, and a communication style that treats everyone like we are on the same team - because we are.
Transparency
Our union currently operates as if it was frozen in time in the 1960s. Whether its a non-functional website, cumbersome paperwork to complete simple tasks, or the way our data is stored, our Local is simply not equipped for the modern era or the future. We will modernize our union utilizing the latest and most efficient technology that reflects the needs of our members, and increases accessibility for everyone.
Modernization
Union members have faced inferior contracts for too many years. If a contract is subpar, union leadership should tell you that it is subpar. They should then be strategizing with the membership to vote down those contracts and fight for more. Further, resources available from the broader network of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters should be utilized more frequently. We promise to do just that.
Strong Negotiations
It has become far too common to hear stories about union members being taken advantage of by their management, often in direct violation of a legally binding contract. Whether this happens due to a membership that is unaware of their rights, lack of shop stewards with too few resources, or failure to follow through by union leadership, we can do so much better.
We will educate the membership, provide them with the necessary resources to fight back against unjust business practices, train more shop stewards, and take every concern raised to the leadership with sincerity.
Contract Enforcement
The membership should not have to go out of their way to ask for updates on negotiations, meetings, or upcoming events. There is currently no efficient way for union leadership to effectively communicate with the membership, other than letters in the mail or emails that only get sent to a select group of members. We promise to frequently and transparently communicate the happenings of Local 481 as it relates to what is most important to you.
Communication
By encouraging other working class people that are not currently unionized within the umbrella of companies represented by Local 481, in addition to other businesses in San Diego, we can build a larger and stronger union. Not only will this help protect more working class people, it will bring in more revenue to our Local that can be utilized to hire more staff, provide stipends to shop stewards, secure more robust and high quality legal representation, and grow our strike fund.
Expand our Union
Endorsements
Election Information
Elections are on December 11th, 2025 - just a few months away! The candidates listed on this site will be nominated through a formal process on November 3rd to make their candidacy official, and then you will have the opportunity to elect them to Local 481 the following month. Ballots will be mailed on November 18th. If you do not receive your ballot by November 25th, you may request a duplicate ballot by reaching out to Unilect - the independent third party running this election - at 1-866-466-6455. The deadline to request a duplicate ballot is December 4th. In order to have your ballot counted, mail it back from any post office as soon as possible, or have it dropped off directly to the Unilect Post Office Box (address to be determined) by 9:00 AM on December 11th. Make sure Local 481 has your most recent address on file by calling 619-282-2187 extension 3, and speaking to Loni. Please note that The union will not have ballots available in the union office
In summary, a timeline of important election dates:
November 3rd: Formal nomination of election candidates.
November 18th: Ballots are sent to all eligible union members of Local 481.
November 25th: Start date for the opportunity to request a duplicate ballot if you have not yet received one by mail.
December 4th: Deadline to request a duplicate ballot if you have not yet received one by mail.
December 11th: Election day! Make sure your ballot has been mailed several days in advance before this date in order to be received and counted by December 11th, or drop it off directly to the Unilect Drop Box by 9 AM on December 11th (location to be determined).
You will be voting on the following positions for the Teamsters Local 481 Executive Board
Secretary Treasurer
President
Vice President
Recording Secretary
Trustee
Trustee
Trustee
Get Involved
We want to hear from you! If you think of something that you want to see on our platform, have ideas of how Local 481 can better serve it’s membership, or would like to stay updated on our campaign, send us an email. We can not do this without your support! We can be reached at solidarity481@gmail.com or follow us on instagram at @teamstersolidarity481