Becker began his Teamster career at Coca-Cola Bottling Company as a helper on a route truck in 1979. In 1981 he was promoted to a driver and held that position until he was hired by Local 688 to serve as a Business Representative. While at Coco-Cola, Becker became a union activist as a shop steward. Under the leadership of the senior shop stewards and the late Kenny DeGrande, Business Representative of Local 688, Becker gained experience and passion for the labor movement. He served on the grievance committee, chairperson for labor management meetings, budget committee and the Labor Day Parade. In 1987, Becker was elected to Chief Shop Steward at Coca-Cola and continued to serve on all committees.

In April 1995, Local 688 hired Becker as a Business Representative to serve 688 members in the steel industry and manufacturing. In 1999, he was appointed as a Trustee on the Labor Health Institute Pension Plan. In 2004, Becker was appointed to the Teamster Negotiated Pension Plan and in 2007 was appointed as a Trustee on the Insurance and Welfare Fund.

Currently as Recording Secretary & Business Representative, Becker represents 688 members in the soft drink industry, steel industry, manufacturing and the pharmaceutical industries.

Becker has been a union member for over 30 years starting out in the grocery union. His grandfather was a member of the Railroad Workers union, his father retired from Coca-Cola after years as Chief Shop Steward and a member of Local 688 Executive Board.

Career Overview:

• Current Roles in Local 688:
  • Recording Secretary
  • Business Representative
• Appointments:
  • Trustee Teamsters Negotiated Pension Plan
  • Trustee Local 688 Insurance and Welfare Fund
  • Trustee Multi-employer Pension Plan
  • Chairperson Saint Louis Labor Institute Pension Fund
  • Alternate Trustee, Teamster Medical Trust
  • Ex-Officio Member, Local 688 Budget Committee
• Labor Experience
  • 1975-1981 Grocery Industry
  • 1977-1979 Zgiet Construction
  • 1979-1995 Driver Coca-Cola Bottling Company
  • 1995- Present: Business Representative, Local 688
  • 2008-Present: Recording Secretary Local 688
• Personal
  • Family - Married wife Karen in 2001, John has two lovely stepdaughters Ashley (22) and Allison (16).
  • Hobbies/Interests - bass fishing, golfing, biking and spending quality time with family and friends.

Contact:
314.513.5805
jbecker@688online.org

"Although it is true that only about 20 percent of American workers are in unions, that 20 percent sets the standards across the board in salaries, benefits and working conditions. If you are making a decent salary in a non-union company, you owe that to the unions."