Teamsters Local 959 was originally chartered for the Anchorage area on October 27, 1941, just before the United States entered into World War II. The Union’s founding Executive Board was named on the original charter, including Charles MacDougall, Benjamin C. Turner, Chester Brown, Wilbur Headley, E. B. Hixon, Richard Barr, and H. R. Thorson.

On May 19, 1964, Secretary-Treasurer Jesse L. Carr successfully merged the then-five local Alaska Teamster unions into Local 959 and was given jurisdiction over the entire state, thus securing the future of the Local. IBT General President James R. Hoffa signed the new charter creating Local 959 as it exists today.

Through the years Teamsters Local 959 has provided outstanding Union services to nearly a total of 60,000 Alaskans and their families. It is the most robust private sector Union in Alaska and has advanced the quality of life for the entire state through its collective bargaining efforts.