The War on Workers
March 25, 2011: Corporate America is after our contracts, our benefits, even our right to bargain.
Is Hoffa up to the challenge?
Employers and corporate politicians are taking advantage of the recession to come after union members like never before.
Good jobs with good benefits that generations of union members fought to win are under attack.
As North America’s most powerful union, the Teamsters needs to take the lead in fighting back.
As we go to press, new attacks are hitting working Teamsters.
Freight Teamsters are being hit with the worst pension cuts in our union’s history.
Two-thirds of YRC Teamsters have just lost their already-earned pension credits for 25- and 30-and-out, pensions they worked hard for, thanks to Hoffa’s blunders in the freight industry. Teamsters in other funds will also be affected.
Even corporations that are highly profitable are taking advantage of the recession to come after working Teamsters. The largest third-party warehouse distribution employer in the country, C&S, is axing 2,000 Teamster jobs and taking their work nonunion.
UPS made $5.8 billion in profit last year. They’ve quadrupled the CEO’s salary. But UPS Teamsters face record production harassment and job cuts.
This War Can Be Won
The War on Workers can be won. But we need a rank-and-file army—and we need a general who is willing to fight. Hoffa hasn’t done anything in his 12 years in office to show that he’s prepared for the challenges ahead of us. We need new leadership and a new direction.
Workers in Wisconsin showed that rebuilding union power starts at the grassroots. If we want to win, we’ve got to act. It’s time to fight for a Teamsters Union that will fight for us.
Hoffa’s Attempted Bribery Scam at Third Hearing
March 30, 2011: Judge Kenneth Conboy held a third hearing on March 24 to consider the appropriate punishment for a scheme in which James Hoffa and three International vice presidents were caught using union funds to try to buy-off political rivals.
The hearing was the result of appeals filed by TDU co-chair Frank Halstead and by Fred Gegare that the Election Supervisor’s remedy was inadequate given the seriousness of the violations.
Hoffa Offered Extra Salaries, Pensions
Election Supervisor Richard Mark in late 2010 conducted a six-month investigation in this matter.
It found that Hoffa and International Vice Presidents Ken Hall, Rome Aloise and Tyson Johnson offered no-show jobs, and in one case an extra pension, to try to patch up a split in the Hoffa camp. The split led to the formation of a slate headed by Fred Gegare.
According to Mark, the investigation revealed “a culture, or mind-set where elected union officials do not clearly distinguish between their fiduciary responsibility to the union and their separate political objective of getting elected.”
Judge Conboy has twice ruled that the Election Supervisor took insufficient action in response to the Hoffa bribery scandal.
After the first hearing, Judge Conboy ordered the Election Supervisor to conduct a complete investigation. The Election Supervisor conducted the investigation but ruled that no remedy was called for because the bribes had been turned down.
Conboy reversed the Election Supervisor on appeal and ordered him to devise a remedy.
Weak Remedy Appealed
In response, the Election Supervisor ordered that a notice informing members of Hoffa’s violations appear in the April issue of the Teamster magazine and on the Teamster website and that the notice be posted inside local union halls.
Halstead and Gegare are appealing the remedy as inadequate.
Hoffa’s campaign attorney, his son David Hoffa, submitted a brief applauding the Election Supervisor’s remedy, while still claiming his dad’s innocence.
“When the guilty party is happy with the judge’s sentence, that’s a sign that the sentence is too light,” Halstead said.
TDU attorney Barbara Harvey, representing Halstead, has submitted briefs outlining why this remedy is inadequate to deal with such a serious violation.
Harvey argued that a candidate debate, with DVD distribution to all members, would force Hoffa to answer directly to the members for the scheme and to explain what action his administration would take to insure that members’ dues are never again used to try to buy political support for an incumbent General President.
Judge Conboy, who serves as the Election Appeals Master, rarely overturns the remedies chosen by the Election Supervisor.
You can find updated information on this issue at www.TDU.org as well as a link to the Election Supervisor’s 30-page report on the attempted bribery scheme.
Local Teamster says Hoffa broke rules
February 7, 2011: A longtime Memphis union leader is at the center of an investigation into whether Teamsters boss James Hoffa and his supporters broke election rules.
Hoffa's campaign falsely touted an endorsement by Henry Perry, an International Brotherhood of Teamsters trustee and former president of Teamsters Local 667 in Memphis, an investigator concluded.
Click here to read more at The Commercial Appeal.
The Worst: Hoffa Waves the White Flag at UPS
Ken Hall, Hoffa’s point man at UPS, told stewards on a national conference call that it’s “not the right time” to enforce the contract and defend full-time 22.3 jobs.
Hall went on to blame contract enforcement problems on members for failing to file good grievances—and on local officials for bringing cases with “no facts.”
Maybe it’s time for Hoffa and Hall to stop making excuses for UPS, and start enforcing our contract.
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Hoffa Cuts Representation, Not Salaries
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 a comprehensive analysis of Teamster financial documents shows that instead of belt-tightening, top Teamster officials have bulked up.
Last year, 120 Teamster officials made over $150,000 in salary. On average, they each got a $6,624 raise. Thirteen of them got a raise of over $20,000 last year.
Those are the findings of the $150,000 Club Report a comprehensive analysis of Teamster financial documents and officer compensation by the Teamster Rank and File Education and Legal Defense Foundation (TRF), the legal and education arm of the Teamster reform movement.
These numbers should be a warning sign for the union’s top leaders. Instead, all we’ve seen from the Hoffa administration is “What, Me Worry?”
100,000 Members Gone
Official union records show that the IBT lost over 38,000 members from 2008 to 2009—and unofficial reports point to the number being closer to 100,000 by 2010.
The IBT’s revenues are down too. Per capita dues, which locals pay from members’ dues to the IBT, dropped $6 million last year and is dropping more this year.
Hoffa could have reacted by trimming the salaries of officials at the top. Instead, he has made cuts and eliminated jobs in membership services, organizing and representation.
Salaries Go Up
The 2009 $150,000 Club Report shows more top officials making more money than ever:
- 120 Teamster officials made over $150,000 in salary—the largest number ever.
- 40 officials made over $200,000 last year—also the largest number ever.
- On average, those officials each got a $6,624 raise. Thirteen of them got a raise of over $20,000 last year.
Hoffa paid multiple salaries to 142 Teamster officials in 2009—no cuts there.
There’s an election next year and Hoffa’s job is on the line. Is he trying to use the power of patronage to buy support?
What We Could Do with the Money
What would happen if our union cut the waste at the very top?
If the officials in the $150,000 took a 10 percent cut, our union would save $3.2 million—money we could use to put some 30 new organizers out in the field.
When Hoffa first ran for office, he promised to “cut and cap” official salaries at $150,000. If he had made good on his promise, he would have saved our union over $5 million in 2009.
Hoffa could have cut at the top. Instead he chose to cut representation.
He’s putting personal loyalty ahead of our union’s best interests.
Click here to read the 150,000 Club Report
What, Me Worry?
James Hoffa—Total Compensation $362,869, including a lucrative “Housing Allowance” he set up for himself. Instead of freezing his salary or taking a 10 percent cut, he took a Cost of Living Raise.
The Top Dog
Terry Hancock, Salary: $347,007
Heads up Local 731 in Chicago, where he made a construction deal which undermined other locals in the Chicagoland area. He settled with Waste Management last year while Milwaukee Local 200 WM Teamsters were on strike—they lost their ability to extend picket lines and then lost their Teamster pension as a result.
Reportedly he is being investigated by the Department of Labor.
Concessions for All (But Me)
Randy Cammack, Salary: $275,274
A top freight leader in the Hoffa administration, Cammack has promoted every concession to come down the pike. But he himself took an $18,000 raise last year. That’s a $9 per hour hike—while many of his Local 63 members took pay cuts.
Had Enough of Hoffa?
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 has gone to Hoffa’s head.
It’s time for change. The 2011 Teamster election is our chance to make it happen.
“Hoffa’s support is at rock bottom especially with everything that’s been happening in freight, carhaul, and UPS,” said Wes Epperson, a UPS driver in Kansas City Local 41. “I tell people we can elect leadership at the IBT that will fight for us, but if that’s what we want, we’ve got to get involved.”
Candidates will be officially nominated at the Teamster Convention next June.
Members in many locals are holding meetings now to prepare to run for Convention Delegate—nominations will be held in January or February in almost all locals.
Across the country, members are taking steps to build the volunteer army we will need to vote out Hoffa and elect leadership that will fight for the members.
“It will take 175,000 votes to elect the next General President,” said John Youngermann of St Louis Local 688. “We need to reach members with the simple message that their vote gives them the power to win a stronger union.”
Have you had enough of Hoffa? Do you want to attend a meeting in your area to talk about what can be done? Are you willing to volunteer your time to save our union—and elect leaders that will fight for us?
Let’s get together—for a change.
Hoffa's Record In Freight
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
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.
A Substandard Deal at UPS Freight
At the 2006 Teamster Convention, Hoffa announced he had a deal to bring 15,000 UPS Freight Teamsters into our union. He got a huge cheer from the crowd.
But the high hopes have not been met.
They Have to Go
“We’re supposed to sacrifice while they keep raking in the big bucks. Do the math. It all adds up to these guys have to go.”
Jimmy Rickert, YRC Local 771, Lancaster, Penn.
Our Vote Matters
“Teamster members learned a good lesson at ABF when we voted down the wage giveback: Our vote matters!
“We need to exercise that right to vote when it comes to officers. We need a leadership that works on labor’s behalf. Hoffa Jr. and Tyson Johnson have to go.”
Stan Smith, ABF Local 728, Atlanta
Give Us the Straight Story
“It looks like the recession is over at Holland. We’re running full speed and they’re hiring off the street.
“Hoffa and Johnson are supposed to have access to the books. Let’s make sure they give us the straight story on finances before they come back to us with any more givebacks.”
Joe Medrano, Holland Local 299, Detroit
TDU Convention: I’ll Be There
“I plan to be at my first TDU Convention in Chicago. I’m looking forward to talking with other Teamsters about all the issues we face. I feel as a whole our union is at a crossroads, especially those of us in the freight industry. I’m excited to see what thoughts and ideas arise from the classes and discussions TDU will be providing. Perhaps this will spark the change we so desperately need.
Curtiss Zeolla, ABF, Local 710, Chicago
IBT Race Is Wide Open
August 11, 2010: Dumped by his top running mate. His administration divided. Hoffa’s days may be numbered.
But only if Teamster members organize to make it happen.
Poor Jim Hoffa. Twelve years after riding his famous last name into office, it’s clear to even his closest allies that James P. Hoffa is not his father.
Hoffa’s top running mate, Tom Keegel, has announced his retirement and publicly stated that the union is on the wrong road. (See story, page 3).
The campaign for next year’s election for International Union officers is barely underway and already a half dozen top members of the Hoffa administration have defected, including five General Executive Board members.
The upheaval at the top of our union creates an opportunity for working Teamsters who have paid the price for Hoffa’s weak leadership. The race for IBT General President in 2011 is wide open.
No reform candidate for General President has announced yet. Nominations will be held at the IBT Convention in June 2011, and 1.3 million Teamsters will vote by mail ballot in November 2011.
But the time to organize for change is now. It will take 175,000 votes to elect the next General President. TDU is dedicated to building the grassroots army that can turn out these votes to win.
Contact TDU about how we can work together to dump Hoffa and elect leadership that will fight for the members.
Keegel Defects, Rocks Hoffa’s Re-Election Campaign
The defection of Tom Keegel, Hoffa’s running mate, from the Hoffa re-election campaign has sent shock waves through the Teamster political scene.
In a July 15 letter to the General Executive Board, Keegel distanced himself from Hoffa, and criticized Hoffa’s direction and isolation from local officers and members. He plans to serve out his term and then retire in early 2012.
The letter states that “continuing down the same road as the IBT has traveled for the last few years will not lead us out of our present difficulties or help us avoid the problems yet to come.”
While respectful in tone, Keegel indicates that he will have more to say on the union’s problems, and “that time will come soon enough.”
The letter goes on to criticize Hoffa for listening to his appointees rather than local officers, and for having those same appointees run his reelection campaign.
Hoffa-Keegel Petitions in the Dumpster
As a result of Keegel’s bombshell, the Hoffa campaign had to ask the Election Supervisor to let them withdraw thousands of petitions circulated by local officials to accredit the Hoffa-Keegel slate. Stickers, buttons and other campaign paraphernalia also made the trip to the dumpster.
Hoffa then tapped International Vice President Ken Hall to replace Keegel as his running mate.
Hall, as the Parcel (UPS) Division Director, has been behind key decisions that have created rifts in the Hoffa camp and alienated many Teamster local officers and members.
In late 2007 Hoffa and Hall signed a contract allowing UPS to pull all its participants from the Central States Pension Fund, leaving that fund greatly weakened, and putting UPS Teamsters into a company fund with benefits far below most Teamster plans.
The contract also completely eliminated the clause forcing the company to create 10,000 additional full-time jobs.
The contract concessions were regarded as part of a deal with UPS to gain union recognition for UPS Freight employees. However, those employees were not put under the National Master Freight contract or into Teamster benefit funds.
Since that time, contract enforcement has gone downhill. UPS has eliminated thousands of full-time jobs which are guaranteed under the contract, but Hoffa and Hall have refused to hear any grievances about it at the national panel.
The Hoffa campaign has refused to comment on Keegel’s critical letter or his defection from the camp.
They pulled down the campaign website for two weeks until it reappeared with Ken Hall on it, without any comment on the switch.
All Teamsters to Vote
Nominations for General President, General Secretary-Treasurer and all Vice President positions will be held at the IBT Convention in late June 2011, and the mail ballot election of all 1.3 million Teamsters will be in November 2011.
Fred Gegare is at present the only other declared candidate for General President. He is also circulating accreditation petitions, along with three running mates for vice president positions.
Teamsters for a Democratic Union (TDU), the reform movement which previously backed the campaigns of Tom Leedham and Ron Carey, has not yet put forward or endorsed a candidate.
See www.TDU.org for updated information on the IBT election as well as to read Keegel’s letter and other materials.
More Divisions on the General Executive Board
July 1, 2010: Henry Perry, International trustee and president of Memphis Local 667, has been removed from the Hoffa slate for the International Union election.
Perry, who has now refused to endorse Hoffa for reelection, told the Election Supervisor that on May 10, he was approached by International Vice President Tyson Johnson, who told him Hoffa was removing him from the slate.
Perry says the reason given was that he lost the 2006 delegate race in his local union to TDU members who backed Tom Leedham.
According to Perry, Johnson asked him to resign his International office, and said that if he campaigned for Hoffa, he could keep his International salary for the next two years. That would be an illegal use of union funds to boost Hoffa’s campaign. Johnson denies saying it.
Perry told Johnson that he lost the delegate race because he could not persuade his members to support Hoffa. Indeed, that was true: Leedham carried Local 667 later that year by a two-to-one margin over Hoffa.
The Election Supervisor ruled that the Hoffa campaign illegally used Perry’s name as an endorser, by pasting an old signature onto their campaign material sent to all locals. The decision (2010 ESD 4) is available at www.ibtvote.org.
Hoffa himself failed to win the delegates in his own home base, Pontiac, Mich. Local 614. The United Teamsters Against Hoffa (UTAH) slate swept the delegate race there in 2006.
Law & Disorder: Justice Hoffa Style
William Hamilton
Position: IBT Vice President
Charged with: “Nepotism and favoritism.” Giving lucrative jobs to relatives and friends of union officials in exchange for gifts.
Hoffa Justice: Kept on Hoffa Slate. Paid $278,150 last year.
John Perry
Position: IBT Trade Show Division Director
Charged with: In court for assaulting a Local 82 member for filing a grievance.
Under grand jury investigation for witness intimidation.
Hoffa Justice: Keeps local and IBT position. Paid $198,073 in total compensation last year by our union.
Henry Perry
Position: IBT Trustee
Charged with: Failing to convince Local 667 members to vote for Hoffa.
Hoffa Justice: Asked to resign from General Executive Board. Removed from Hoffa Slate.