Teamsters Local 618 has been representing it's members for well over 80 years. It is hard to imagine how Local 618 has affected so many households. Local 618 started out as Federal Union #18362 representing service stations in 1933 and was founded by Edwin Dorsey and Melroy Horn.

In May of 1938 Local 618 became affiliated with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters representing a little over 900 members. By 1959 the membership had grown to 6,700 members. At this time the International consisted of 897 Locals and Local 618 was ranked 34th in size. By 1970 the membership at the Local had increased to a little over 9,000 members. This was an era were organized labor peaked, with employees seeking representation and companies volunteering recognition to Unions.

The very first office of the Local was a broom closet in a building on the corner of Grand and Page Avenue. Due to the tremendous growth, the Local Union moved to a larger location on Forest Park in 1940. At one time Local 618 shared space with the Knights of Columbus building on Olive St. with District #9 Machinist Union. In 1950 the Teamsters Joint Council purchased a building on South Kingshighway by securing a loan from the Teamsters International and all Locals utilizing space in the building became part owners. In 1968 Council Plaza was born on Grand Avenue in the City of St. Louis, providing retirees a place to live, shop and office space was provided to many Teamster Locals. After many years of renting space the Officers of the Local and it's membership decided in was time to purchase it's own building for it's membership. In 2006 Teamsters Local 618 moved into it's current location located at 9040 Lackland Rd. in Overland, Missouri.

Local 618 was founded on service stations. At one time Local 618 represented over 1,500 stations in the St. Louis and surrounding areas. The top service station attendant earned $12.00 a week in 1933. The next big push for membership growth was in the Parts Houses and Car Dealerships. In the mid 1950's Local established a Health & Welfare Benefit program providing insurance for members and their families. At one time the lifetime major medical coverage was $25,000. Today the lifetime benefit is 1 million dollars and shortly will be a unlimited benefit.

In 1986 Teamsters Local 618's Retiree's Club was chartered. Many past and current Local 618 retirees have particpated in the club since it's incepction. The club has had much success in recruting new members and always participates in the annual Labor Day Parade. In February of 1987 Teamsters Local 618's charter was amended to be the Teamster Airline Division Local here in St. Louis by the Teamsters International.

As you can see over the past eighty plus years the Local has changed dramaticaly. That is why we must continue to organize the un-organized and fight the good fight for the working people. Our Local Union has a very rich significance in the Teamsters history here in St. Louis and we look forward to do so in the future!