How To Implode a Teamster Local

[Ratbuster133]

Our General President James P. Hoffa has exemplified a systematic pattern of removal of strong, prominent, well-respected labor leaders of Teamster Local Unions across the country under some of the most auspicious of circumstances. Some were warranted, and the results and consequences of IRB investigations can be found along with recommendations to Mr. Hoffa.

Others, however, have never appeared in that section when it was expected that they would be, given the accusations under which they were removed. Still, no charges were brought.

What, then, does this do for labor? Locals are trusteed just because the General President doesn't like the local president, or there are disagreements (union politics) between them, or the local president and the local are strong, or have the potential to be, and this evidently poses a threat to the Adminstration.

Ideology like this weakens the Teamsters Union. Once-prominent locals are routinely stricken-down, and their leadership replaced with unfamiliar, inexperienced Hoffa puppets and yes-men imported from other areas. Morale suffers. Collective-bargaining language becomes watered-down and thus, weaker. Division within the local and the union becomes deep-rooted. Geographical and craft jurisdictional lines are blurred, exaggerated, or downright ignored allowing other unions and yes, even sister Teamster locals to organize and/or raid in an area in which they don't belong. Respect for the union, its leaders, and its members, from all, including the employers, is diminished.

Would Mr. Hoffa Senior be proud of the Teamsters Union today? I think not!

There was a time when the Teamsters Union was a standard by whcih all workingmen measured their employment; a success story. We were a beacon for the working class family.

Working people have not one identifiable spokesperson today. No, Mr. Hoffa is more interested in getting you to organize more dues-paying members (for free, mind you) because you're so proud, dedicated, and fired-up.

Who will join, Mr. Hoffa, when no one is proud of what we have become?

Yes, I am not being very nice here. Fortunately, this is America and no where does it say in the Teamsters manual that anybody has to be nice. There's far too much diplomacy and pandering, and seat-warming in the labor movement today as far as I'm concerned anyway. Are we going to be the Teamsters Union or an association of altar-boys? Where's the testicular fortitude? Why is Mr. Hoffa not appearing nightly on CNN or Fox or any of the others to firmly assert the Union's stance on workers' issues today?

What we need is some old-school back in the "Marble Palace". The likes of James Riddle Hoffa and of John P. Morris. May God bless them.MySpace - John P. Morris - 84 - Male - PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania - myspace.com/phillyteamsterpride

[slavenomore]

Welcome to Teamstersonline Ratbuster...I like your user name and your avatar.

[Ratbuster133]

Thank you Slavenomore. Although I joined over 2 years ago I haven't been that active but I've got probably 2 years worth of subject material in my head. I should turn up a little more around here.

Thanks for the welcoming compliment.

btw, how long till the General election?

[slavenomore]

Ballots counted November 2011.

[dc428]

I really do respect free speech, I believe everyone is entitled to free speech rather through a blog, rang, or even a soap box. Here at Teamstersonline, I like that posts are only edited by moderators if they are offensive. A member is entitled to say what you please as long as it doesn't violate the rules. I have read your post and feel the need to retort if I may. I feel I have to question one thing, are you speaking on behalf of several locals or one particular local that the IRB and Hoffa removed strong labor leaders from?
The IRB publishes the findings of investigations in back of the Teamsters Magazine bi-monthly. I have to wonder if anyone who is under investigation by the IRB has good reason to be. As far as politics go, everyone knows how politics work. If someone was removed from office because of politics there isn't much that can be done about it. There are plenty of people in the Teamsters who make this union strong being either at the local or International levels. I can honestly say that the current administration is much better than the former administration (Carey). I for one have no problem with General President James P. Hoffa and I support him in the 2011 Election.

[MULER]

Us Freight Haulers won't have enough money to campaign against the Hoffa Slate. The Car Haulers will not be spending any money either. So we will just be sitting around the old drum fire talking about the times PRE JUNIOR when we made full rate and GREAT BENIFITS.But hey those of you that have not been RAPED AND PLUNDERED yet you go out and back the Hoffa Slate. Don't worry about the Freight Division you know the ones that started the Teamsters. If only JR. could get all those call center people in India. Then we could be a really huge union. Or if he could just get the workers in Mexico that took away those Teamster jobs in America. Thank GOD there is the OLD SOLDIERS HOME we can all end up in.(If they don't move them to Mexico too.) YOUR BROTHER ALWAYS!

[pdxjim]

Welcome Ratbuster. Grew up in a Union home and in a Union hall for a time. I am like you in that I don't where we landed as a union. I think the Hoffa slate is trying to play the cards they've been dealt. Having said that, I will keep an open mind and ear up until election time. I too hope for a return to the old school values that made us great. Why do you think we get dental in our fringe bennies?

[Teamster2008]

The world has changed since the days of HOFFA Sr. He was the right man at the right time, but men like him couldn't run the union today. I also support the Hoffa slate.

[nickelplaterick]

I believe that Pat Flynn of Local 710/Chicago might make a run at the top job. If so then I will support his slate. Steward2008 is also right. James R. Hoffa was right for the time. Maybe James P. Hoffa was right for the last 10 years. Now maybe it is time for some NEW BLOOD, THE NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK, Maybe it's time for those from UPS Freight to guide the union? Even though some of us are not young, some of us still got the fire in the gut to fight the fight, to stem the tide of job losses, to stand up to the companies and the government!

Our union, along with most organized labor has suffered. Trucking deregulation was part of it. NAFTA was part of it. The general malaise and dis-concern of organized labor was part of it. As we have gotten weaker, more disparate in our concerns, our union has gotten weaker.

Most non-union people don't realize that if were not for the battles by our ancestors in the labor movement starting with The Grange fight against the railroads, going through the Haymarket Square Riot and bombing, the McCormick reaper strike, the deaths of strikers at Republic Steel in Chicago et. cetera they the non-union people and some of our managers WOULD not enjoy higher wages, vacations, sick days nor, even the presence of health care insurance within our various industries or fields of endevour!

We must as a good union members, remember those who came before. But as good union members we be ever vigilant that our internal core is not rotten! For rot and inattention will definitely lead to the death of that of which we hold dear!

"The time has come," the Walrus said,
"To talk of many things:
Of shoes--and ships--and sealing-wax--
Of cabbages--and kings--

Are we the cabbage or the kings?

[Ratbuster133]

Originally Posted by pdxjim

Welcome Ratbuster. Grew up in a Union home and in a Union hall for a time. I am like you in that I don't where we landed as a union. I think the Hoffa slate is trying to play the cards they've been dealt. Having said that, I will keep an open mind and ear up until election time. I too hope for a return to the old school values that made us great. Why do you think we get dental in our fringe bennies?

I busted-up laughing when I read that last line!