Atlanta Gathering Builds Forces for Change

June 6, 2005: Teamsters from 15 different locals in the South and Southeast converged in Atlanta on July 9 to discuss plans for the 2006 IBT election and delegate races, and to learn how to be more effective Teamsters.

Nearly all of the 50 members on hand are preparing to run for IBT convention delegate in early 2006. The meeting was an opportunity to share ideas and strategies for the elections.“We need to take steps now to show Hoffa the way out of office in 2006,” Nashville Local 327 member Matt Studd said. “And then we need to shut the door behind him for good.”

Dan Scott, secretary-treasurer of Seattle Local 174, was a featured speaker at the meeting. Workshops addressed how to run for union office and how to overcome apathy and get members involved in the union.

“This was a terrific event,” Local 391 retiree Frank Bryant said. “We brought a couple of carloads of people from North Carolina. We learned a lot and had a chance to meet many other excellent members and officers from other areas.”

“At the conference, we brought together Teamsters from across the South who share the same goals,” said Willie Hardy, a retired Local 667 member and TDU staff organizer. “We want to dump Hoffa in 2006 and build a stronger Teamsters union. We’re building the rank and file network we need to make that happen.”
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