James P. Hoffa announced today that he will not be seeking re-election in the 2021, in a memo to Teamster officers, locals and staff.

Just hours later, Steve Vairma announced his candidacy for Teamster President. Vairma is the Secretary Treasurer of Denver Local 455, the President of Joint Council 3, an IBT vice president and the director of the IBT Warehouse Division. 

Hoffa is retiring as General President at the end of next year, and he wants to take Teamster democracy with him. Last week, Hoffa told the press about a plan to block contested elections for International Union office, beginning in 2026. We can’t let that happen. 

For the first time, the Hoffa administration has refused to reveal the local-by-local vote on a national contract. This cover-up must end: let members see the votes on the Jack Cooper contract modification which was reported ratified on September 12.

Members and officers in Chicago Local 786 are challenging Hoffa's takeover of their union. They say Hoffa's authorized trusteeship serves Hoffa power brokers in the Joint Council like Terry Hancock, and the former JC 25 President John Coli who has plead guilty to taking employer payoffs and is headed to jail. This summer, Joint Council offices were raided by FBI agents. An investigation is ongoing. 

Former Chicago Teamster power-broker John Coli pleaded guilty two days ago, and has agreed to cooperate in investigations in exchange for a sentence of less than two years in prison.

The Teamster magazine and IBT website feature a ten-page puff piece on “20 years of Hoffa.” But no one believes the hype. What does a real Hoffa report card look like?

The Hoffa administration is reportedly threatening UPS Teamsters in Western Pennsylvania who are voting this weekend for the third time on their supplemental agreement.

The 2018 financial reports on Teamster locals, joint councils, and the International Union are now available, or will become available by March 31. Here is the International union LM-2 financial report.

Package Division Director Denis Taylor asked Hoffa to impose the UPS Western Pennsylvania Supplement and Metro Detroit Riders, but angry opposition has put the brakes on that plan. Hoffa has directed Taylor to return to the bargaining table instead.

Hoffa’s PR Department is celebrating April Fools Day early with a press release celebrating Hoffa’s “20 years of Building Teamster Power.”