Teamsters Local 959 was originally chartered for the Anchorage area on October 27, 1941, just prior to the United States’ entry into World War II. Named on the original charter was the Union’s founding Executive Board which included 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 five local unions into Local 959 and was given jurisdiction over the entire state, thus securing the future of the Local. The new charter creating Local 959 as it exists today was signed by IBT General President James R. Hoffa.

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