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     Current Issue Highlights Highlights Archive             Get to know your Business Agent today!  Find out how the union makes a difference on the job. |
Newsline: July 2000 MEMBERS CHEER HOFFA IN STANDING OVATION General President James P. Hoffa brought the more than 600 attendees at Local 237's Shop Steward Seminar in Atlantic City to their feet cheering last month when he promised to return control of the union to the members. Speaking at the Stewards' dinner at Resorts International Hotel June 7, Hoffa pointed out that after more than a decade of government control the consent decree governing the IBT "has cost our union more than $88 million. He insisted, "It is unfair and undemocratic to deprive 1.5 million working men and women of the full effectiveness of their daily elected leadership. We are dedicated to working with the government to end the trusteeship of the Teamsters and give the union back to its members." Hoffa was invited to speak at the Local's seventh annual Shop Stewards Seminar by Local 237 President Carl Haynes, who noted that almost all of the Local's bargaining units would be negotiating new contracts this year. "We are going to stress the need for union solidarity in the face of renewed attacks on public sector workers from government employers," Haynes told him. He asked Hoffa to share his views as to what members must do to obtain a decent contract and discuss "other important issues that are affecting the American worker." When introduced by Haynes, the IBT president praised the Local leader for not only building 237 into the largest local in the International union, but also for serving as head of the IBT's Public Employees Division and as a Teamster delegate on the AFL-CIO executive board. "Any time he asks me, I'll be glad to come," Hoffa told the assemblage. He said union members are 'fighting for our lives," and assured Local 237 members that in their efforts to obtain fair contracts this year from the municipal leaders, 'we will back you all the way, with anything it takes. We must be united." Hoffa noted that although unemployment is at four percent, "The so-called economic boom has left many families behind. People are working three jobs without pensions, health care and decent wages to make ends meet." He charged that tens of thousands of Americans have lost good paying jobs because of misguided government trade policies. "Our elected officials refuse to see that behind those numbers are actual working families, with real hopes and real hardships," Hoffa charged. Hoffa called on all union members to support only those legislators who comprehend the difficulties faced by those raising families and withhold aid to those who would ship American jobs to sweatshop nations. Hoffa said that when he took over the IBT presidency in May of 1999, he promised to restore unity, pride and strength to the union and to build bridges to all the union's constituencies. And he has succeeded, he insisted. "Over the past year, the IBT has successfully organized many new members and fought for and won better contracts that pay higher wages and provide better pensions," he said. As examples, he cited the organization of largely Hispanic apple workers in the state of Washington; Minnesota public defenders who voted 10 to 1 for union representation; glass workers in Alabama; nonprofessional employees in a Pennsylvania hospital, and public employees in the state of Maryland. "The future is bright, brothers and sisters. The Teamsters are back," Hoffa said. "Together we will restore a strong voice for America's working families." |
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