September 20, 2011: Some pretty weird things happen in election campaigns. But how about a “tough” official in the Hoffa camp inventing a story that he was mauled by the wife of a Teamster member and needs police protection? Los Angeles Local 396 president Jay Phillips did just that. The Election Supervisor investigated a protest by David Hoffa and ruled that the charges are a hoax, then issued a fine against Phillips for the fabrication....

September 15, 2011: After the dramatic UPS strike victory of 1997, the Teamsters stood at the forefront of the labor movement. Teamster power was being reborn. But there were tough times ahead. The coming years would see Ron Carey’s reform efforts ended, and the coming to power of James Hoffa and the old-guard officials around him. Some people predicted TDU would die. But TDU stayed the course through difficult times, kept our principles, and built...

Just a word of thanks to Dave Thornsberry and the men and women like him at the Teamsters Convention. I was a proud Teamster in the ‘97 strike and it makes me sick to watch this great union going down the toilet the last decade under this so-called leadership. I may not be able to vote. But I can give my time, and I would like to challenge all the other retirees to contact someone in...

UPDATED September 20, 2011: Hoffa operative Jay Phillips claimed he was assaulted by a Teamster member’s wife—and even went to the police. But an investigation by the Election Supervisor reveals the charges were a Hoffa campaign hoax. Lesson for the Hoffa Campaign. Don’t lie when your actions have been caught on videotape. The charges stem from an incident at Bally’s Casino, during the Las Vegas Teamster Convention on June 28. Phillips, who is the president...

September 8, 2011: Make sure you get the special election edition of Teamster Voice, an all-in-one tool to help inform members on what’s at stake in this election and what the plan is to win strong, new leadership for our union. This special edition will include: The latest updates from the Sandy Pope Campaign and news on the Teamster election. Reports on what this election means for UPS, Freight, airline, waste, beverage and other Teamster...

September 8, 2011: UPS management has told the press they want to negotiate the next contract with Hoffa. Is the company planning an October surprise to boost Hoffa’s chances? The next UPS National Grievance Panel will be held next week, Sept. 12 to 15 in San Diego at the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina. The hotel features an “Eco-friendly Blue Marble Spa,” a water playground, as well as kayaks, jet skis, sports fishing...

September 2, 2011: Students who came from all over the world to learn about the United States instead found themselves working as captives at Hershey’s. On Aug. 31, 30 of the students who were held as captives rallied at the Hershey’s store in Times Square. They were demanding reimbursement for the hours they worked and that the 400 jobs they filled become living wage jobs for local workers. Watch the video and sign the petition:...

This Labor Day, I will be relaxing with my family and friends. But I’ll also be thinking about what it will take to move our union in the right direction. Our union, our jobs, and our benefits are under attack. Hoffa is missing in action. This fall we have a chance to change leadership and change direction. That’s what TDU is all about. And that’s why we’re supporting Sandy Pope’s Campaign. If you’re not a...

September 1, 2011: A campaign barbecue in St. Louis on August 28 drew nearly 200 Teamsters from a wide array of shops and crafts, and netted $4,000 for the campaign warchest. Teamsters from every truck line, as well as carhaul, UPS, UPS Freight, construction, beverage, rail, and public employment came out to get more involved in the campaign to oust Hoffa and rebuild Teamster power. A few Teamsters came from as far away as Iowa...

August 31, 2011: The freight national change of operations committee yesterday deadlocked over ABF’s proposed change, so it will not be put into effect at this time. The proposal was vigorously opposed by some major locals, including Kansas City Local 41, Harrisburg Local 776, Atlanta Local 728 and St Louis Local 600, because it was a move to alter the national contract, and phase out parts of the road operation. Sadly, some Teamster officials from...