I’m a Teamster who joined this union when Teamster Power meant something.  I’ve come up through the ranks. No one ever gave me a job because of my last name. I’ve worked for everything I’ve got—just like all of you have.

I worked in a grocery warehouse before getting a job as a freight Teamster. I worked on the dock and then drove truck over-the-road. 

Before cell phones, my CB handle was Troublemaker—and I earned it. I volunteered at picket lines and in organizing drives. Eventually I was taken off the truck to be a full-time organizer for my local.

Back then, freight was the heart and soul of Teamster Power. It kills me to see how Hoffa has driven our union over a cliff in the freight industry. We have to rebuild Teamster Power in freight—with a long-term action plan and long-term commitment.

That has to start today with enforcing our standards—and fighting for real union standards and Teamster identity at UPS Freight. 

And we have to organize the nonunion competition. Organizing will be a lot easier when our own members have pride in their union—and confidence in our union leadership. We have to restore that first.

Remarks by Sandy Pope at the Local 344 Candidate Forum. Read more of what Sandy had to say.