Updated September 30, 2010: The Independent Review Board (IRB) has exposed Hoffa’s Trade Show Director. The IRB's 161-page report on John Perry's web of corruption is available here in three parts: part 1, part 2 and part 3. Boston Local 82 was placed in emergency trusteeship on September 27 as a result of a lengthy investigation by the Independent Review Board and courageous actions by a number of Local 82 members. The action was long...

September 28, 2010: The International Union is losing members, losing revenue, and cutting organizers and representation. Teamster members are sacrificing to save our jobs and our union. Why aren’t top officials doing the same? Pensions cuts. Layoffs. Pay cuts. The Great Recession has hit working Teamsters hard. And our union has been hit hard, too. We’ve lost some 100,000 members and dues revenue is down. Our locals and our International are feeling the pinch. But...

September 28, 2010: Teamster members can elect leadership that will fight for us. Members are organizing now to make it happen in 2011. Tough times require tough leadership. Our Teamsters Union was once known for its toughness. Today members face the worst benefit cuts and contract concessions in our history. When he ran for General President, Hoffa told Teamster members, “The Hoffa name means power.” But the only power we’ve seen is the power that...

September 28, 2010: YRC Teamsters covered by the Western Conference are in danger of losing early retirement. The Fund requires “500 hours of contributory service in the past 18 months” to retire under the PEER 80, 82, 84 plans. It appears that YRC may not return to making pension contributions in January 2011. What can we do to get PEER 80? The Western Conference prohibits self-contributions. Is there another viable option? Could the Pension Fund...

September 28, 2010: These Teamster bus workers make less than the minimum wage! Now they’re uniting with TDU to enforce their rights and win the pay they deserve. The Department of Labor is investigating outrageous wage and hour violations at a Brooklyn-based bus company represented by Teamsters Local 854. Under their Teamster contract at Outstanding Transportation, bus aides, called matrons, make as little as $175 a week to monitor the safety of the physically and...

In 2003, Hoffa boasted, “Today we have restored Teamster pride. We have restored Teamster power....” What's his real record in freight? Pensions in Danger Hoffa promised to strengthen our pensions. Now his promises have turned into excuses. Weak Enforcement It’s not enough that YRC Teamsters gave up wages and pension contributions. Our union is letting management get away with subcontracting, forced overtime with hundreds laid off, and dubious changes of operation. Growth Industry, Shrinking Union...

September 28, 2010: As we go to press, local union officials from freight locals are meeting to hear the tentative agreement that the International Union has reached with YRCW. Then the decision will be in the hands of YRCW Teamsters. YRCW Teamsters, working and laid off, will be entitled to vote on the concession proposal in the October mail referendum. The International union has recommended that all freight locals schedule YRCW membership meetings for Oct....

September 28, 2010: Hoffa promised to strengthen our pensions. Now his promises have turned into excuses. One of the very best things about having a Teamster contract is a pension you can count on. A pension with 25-and-out or 30-and-out, at decent benefits. Teamsters of all political persuasions have consistently supported adequate pension funding, even foregoing good wage increases. Under Teamster President Ron Carey we won superior pensions that were the envy of workers in...

September 28, 2010: It’s not enough that YRC Teamsters gave up wages and pension contributions. Our union is letting management get away with subcontracting, forced overtime with hundreds laid off, and dubious changes of operation. Hoffa has even gone along with company plans and set up a “Competiveness Committee” made up of Johnson, Gordon Sweeton and other officers to meet with the YRC Board and management big shots. You don’t have to have much of...

September 28, 2010: Our ranks in freight are a third the size of what they were when Hoffa took over. Trucking is a growth industry. Companies can’t export it overseas. But our ranks in freight are a third the size of what they were when Hoffa took office in 1998—even while overall trucking numbers grew. Organizing is hard, but it can be done. Not with secret deals, but with mobilizing Teamsters, a commitment of resources,...