Pope declared her candidacy at a gathering of supporters in New York on October 10: “Except for his last name, I don’t think anyone would confuse James Hoffa with his father,” said Pope. “We need a Teamster General President who will put the power of our union to work for the members.
“The Teamsters Union is the most powerful union in the world and we should start acting like it, instead of abandoning members and local unions to deal with the economic crisis on their own.”
Her campaign website is www.SandyPope2011.org
Her campaign raised $15,000 from concerned Teamsters on day one. A fund drive is underway to build the war chest needed to win.
The campaign’s first challenge is a petition drive to make Sandy an officially Accredited Candidate for General President. Teamsters are setting local goals and making plans to deliver a huge petition output. Read more about the petition drive here.
“Tough economic times require tough leadership,” said Pope. “Wall Street drove our economy over the cliff, but working people are the ones paying the price—and, too often, unions are the ones getting the blame. We need to stand up to that, not cave in.
“I’ve mobilized members to protect their health benefits and pensions while Hoffa has been giving away the store,” Pope said.
Pope has not chosen a slate, but is targeting the powerful position of General President. Slates and candidates will not be nominated until late June, 2011.
Teamsters for a Democratic Union (TDU) has endorsed Sandy Pope and will support her candidacy. TDU’s Steering Committee voted unanimously to back the campaign, after consulting TDU chapters, and activists and members, along with other Teamster leaders.
Sandy will be speaking at the TDU Convention, November 5-7, in Chicago.
Pope ran for General Secretary Treasurer with Tom Leedham in 2006, and led the poll among potential challengers. Leedham is supporting Sandy’s campaign. He told a group of campaigners and Teamster leaders that: “We have the candidate who can win.”
Comments
jsl262 replied on Permalink
Sandy's the real thing.
I had the opportunity to meet and campaign for Sandy in 2006. I am retired now, but I will always be a teanster. I have relatives and long term friends in our union. I believe Hoffa's failure to improve our once proud union makes it imminent that he be removed.
I am a member local 82 South Boston, Ma. We asked the international for many years to please clean up our local.
Many brave teamsters were forced to request help from the IRB. The Hoffa administration needs to go.
Sandy Pope and the responsible slate that I trust she will assemble is the answer. Please get involved it's our future here. I will be working for her now that I see hope.
Sweatshop-on-wheels replied on Permalink
Sandy Pope for Teamster General President 2011
Now we gonna Shake it Up! Sandy Pope is a candidate who can win...Got a lot of Teamsters that are female...I call them the sleeping Giant...I can't wait to see them wake up ! My Guess Hoffa will suddenly put females on his slate...But I can tell you I first met Sandy back in late 80's during Ron Carey campaign...She has been an active teamster for a long time,and all teamsters should be proud of her including our female teamsters...I will vote for her and start working immediately to get her elected...I know she has a special place in her heart for us beat down Freight Teamsters...
YRC Insider replied on Permalink
Sandy For President
I first met Sandy at Roadway Express in Chicago Heights,IL when she was campaigning for the 2006 Teamster election. I had the opportunity to meet and speak with her again when I was in New York in 2009. Her leadership skills along with her vision for the Teamsters moving forward has been missing since Hoffa took office. Sandy will be the Teamster President that all members will be proud of. I can't wait until she is swarn in as our new Teamster President. God bless Sandy and the Teamsters.
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