JAMES P. HOFFA, LONGTIME GENERAL PRESIDENT OF TEAMSTERS, RETIRES FROM POST

The accomplished era of James P. Hoffa, the President General of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, is coming to an end when he retires after 23 years as the top leader, following the union’s formation – /PRNewswire 2022, March 21, WASHINGTON.

Hoffa assumed office in 1999, taking control of a union that was largely in shambles. The Teamsters faced tremendous obstacles, including federal oversight and a lack of strike power, reduced political influence, dwindling organizing power, and empty financial coffers. However, under his leadership, the union rebuilt itself and left him in a much stronger position than when he arrived.

Hoffa expressed gratitude for the opportunity to follow in his father’s footsteps as the president of the Teamsters. He stated, “I am forever grateful for being given this chance.” Hoffa continued, “Since being elected in 1998, serving the 1.4 million members of our North American brothers and sisters has been incredibly fulfilling, surpassing what I could have ever dreamed of.”

In 1989, the federal government brought the world’s unions closer by obtaining consent to order in its house union.

Since 2002, aggressive organizing has turned Hoffa’s tenure into a legacy, bringing in thousands of new members and creating a powerful army. The Teamsters’ power in organizing has also expanded into new industries, but they have remained focused on their core industries. Hoffa held a vision of the Teamsters becoming a powerhouse by building a diverse and well-trained army of capable organizers, capable of winning campaigns on a national scale.

The union has taken action on the scourge of worker misclassification at companies such as XPO in Southern California ports. Under the leadership of Hoffa, the Teamsters became active in organizing school bus aides and drivers, entering into its first national master agreement with Student First, a private school bus provider across the United States.

When the driver took the helm at UPS, the hourly rate for a package-car driver nearly doubled to $40.85 an hour. Members of the Teamsters union have benefited from increased retirement security, improved healthcare, and higher wages, which have strengthened the union.

In the year 2020, the labor union successfully preserved a significant number of YRC positions by engaging in negotiations. Additionally, the union provided support to drivers and remains committed to providing the most comprehensive benefits package available in the freight truck driving sector for Teamster employees.

The trade pact’s primary focus was addressing the issues faced by ordinary citizens. The agreement, which involved Canada, the United States, and Mexico, came into effect and resulted in the elimination of NAFTA. This battle, known as the “Seattle in Battle,” began in Seattle and was initiated by the Teamsters union. The union made it clear that they would not accept unfair trade deals unless they were beneficial to workers. Elected officials were informed of the union’s stance, and the union demonstrated its political and policy influence by actively participating in the fight.

After a decade of fighting to protect Teamster pensions, retirees and members of Teamster rose up and got involved in the 2020 election, ultimately propelling Joe Biden into the White House and leading to the passage of legislation that saved more than 1 million dollars in retirement for workers and retirees depending on those golden years.

The slogan “Stop the War on Workers” was coined by the union that ultimately helped halt the enactment of anti-worker legislation in Missouri and Ohio. Today, it continues to be used in the ongoing battles against right-to-work legislation across the Midwest. The Teamsters were also involved in high-profile efforts to fight for workers’ rights, bringing the fight to state capitals.

Hoffa stated, “We should all be proud of what the Teamsters have accomplished together.” “Working hand-in-hand serves as a reminder of the power we have when we work together, and it shows what unions can achieve when they focus on completing these key policy goals,” he added.

Hoffa has carried out his mission to help workers not only across the globe but also on this continent. Currently, he serves as the Chair of the Road Transport Section of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), fighting for justice for workers against companies like XPO worldwide. He was previously a member of the Executive Board of the International Transport Workers’ Federation and has also traveled to countries such as China to meet with labor leaders and government officials.

In June of last year, the union’s constitution was amended and this granted him the title of General President Emeritus, as decided by the Teamster delegates. This recognition now allows him to join his father, James R. Hoffa, as the only former leaders to be esteemed.

Please check out www.Teamster.Org for further details. You can also follow @Teamsters on Twitter and give us a thumbs up on Facebook at www.Facebook.Com/teamsters. Established in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters advocates for 1.4 million diligent individuals across the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico.