P.M. BRIEFING : Teamsters Chief to Call It Quits

WASHINGTON — Teamsters Union President William J. McCarthy announced today he will not seek reelection to the post due to “personal reasons.”

R. V. Durham of North Carolina, a union vice president, has been endorsed by a majority of the union’s board members as the board’s candidate to replace McCarthy, the Teamsters announced.

McCarthy, 71, has had a minor stroke and open-heart surgery. He made the announcement at a union board meeting in West Palm Beach, Fla. A brief statement was released by the union’s headquarters in Washington.

Union sources said there were deep political divisions within the Teamsters’ 21-member board. Certain factions were opposed to McCarthy running again, the sources said.

McCarthy succeeded the late Jackie Presser two years ago.