OFFICE OF THE ELECTION SUPERVISOR
for the
INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF TEAMSTERS
) Protest Decision: 2026 ESD 31
IN RE: ELIGIBILITY OF )
) Issued: January 27, 2026
YOSSEL LOPEZ )
) OES Case No. E-056-012526
)
)
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INTRODUCTION
Adrianna Salizar Avila filed a protest challenging the eligibility of Yossel Lopez to run for delegate to the convention for the International Brotherhood of Teamsters 2026 International Union Delegate and Officer Election (“Election”) pursuant to Article XIII, Section 2(b) of the Rules for the Election (“Rules”).
Ron Webne, a representative of the Office of the Election Supervisor (“OES”), investigated this protest.
FINDINGS OF FACT AND ANALYSIS
At the nomination meeting for Local 572 on January 25, 2026, Lopez submitted a written document entitled “Written Nomination and Acceptance” in which he nominated himself as a candidate to run for delegate in the Election. The document is described as a “Self-Nomination.” Protestor Avile asserts that Lopez is not eligible for nomination because he was not nominated and seconded by another member in good standing as required under the Rules. Specifically, Article II, Section 5(i) states:
To be eligible for nomination, a member must be nominated and seconded by a member in good standing, each with his/her dues paid through the month prior to the nominations meeting; the member must be eligible to be nominated, pursuant to Article VI of these Rules; and the member must accept his/her nomination at the time made either in person, or, if absent, in writing. If acceptance is made in writing, the document must be presented to the presiding Local Union officer no later than the time the member is nominated.
Following the protest, Lopez acknowledged in writing that after reviewing the requirements under Article II, Section 5(i) of the Rules, he understands that he did not have a properly submitted or presented second from another member in accordance with the Rules at the time of the nominations meeting, and that he understands that as a result, his nomination does not meet the eligibility requirements. Lopez subsequently withdrew his nomination for delegate.
Accordingly, we find this protest to be RESOLVED.
APPELLATE RIGHTS
Any interested party not satisfied with this determination may request a hearing before the Election Appeals Master within two (2) working days of receipt of this decision. Any party requesting a hearing must comply with the requirements of Article XIII, Section 2(i). All parties are reminded that, absent extraordinary circumstances, no party may rely in any such appeal upon evidence that was not presented to the Office of the Election Supervisor. Requests for a hearing shall be made in writing, shall specify the basis for the appeal, and shall be served upon:
Election Appeals Master
Barbara Jones
Election Appeals Master
IBTappealsmaster@bracewell.com
Copies of the request for hearing must be served upon the parties, as well as upon the Election Supervisor for the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. Service may be accomplished by email, using the “reply all” function on the email by which the party received this decision. A copy of the protest must accompany the request for hearing. A copy of the protest must accompany the request for hearing.
Timothy S. Hillman
Election Supervisor
cc: Barbara Jones, IBTappealsmaster@bracewell.com
2026 ESD 31
DISTRIBUTION LIST (BY EMAIL UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE):
Yossel Lopez
Edward M. Gleason, Jr.,
Richard Hooker
David Suetholz
Will Bloom
Ken Paff
Thomas Kokalas
Timothy S. Hillman
Paul Dever
Ron Webne
Kelly Hogan