March 25, 2011: Sandy Pope received a standing ovation from more than 200 Teamsters at a Candidates’ Forum hosted by Wisconsin Local 344 on March 20.

Hoffa ducked the debate and asked to send running mate Ken Hall as his stand-in. At the last minute, Hall also backed out, saying he had urgent business in his local union. 

“Hoffa’s record is so bad even his stand-ins need stand-ins,” said Sandy Pope.

“Hoffa has never backed out of a campaign fundraiser because of an emergency. But when it’s time to face the music with Teamster members, Hoffa is always a no-show. Given his record, it’s hard to blame him,” Pope said.

Third candidate Fred Gegare also attended the Candidates’ Forum. When the one-hour time limit expired, members voted to extend the event.

During the entire two-hour forum, not a single member stood up to defend the Hoffa-Hall record.

Local 344 represents UPS Teamsters, as well as other delivery drivers and Teamsters across Wisconsin. 

Here’s a sample of Sandy’s remarks from the forum.

The Fight Back in Wisconsin & Labor's Future

UPS: Record Profits, Record Concessions

Rebuilding Teamster Power in Freight

Protecting Our Contracts, Organizing the Nonunion Competition

Read a report from Local 344 member Karl Gartung about the forum.