Hoffa Presidency Officially Begins
Freight Director Phil Young administered the oath of office in a closed ceremony at the union’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., after a federal judge upheld Hoffa’s election over protests from challenger Tom Leedham and the dissident Teamsters for a Democratic Union.
U.S. District Judge David N. Edelstein affirmed a federal overseer’s decision in January to certify the election although charges of corruption are pending against some members of the Hoffa slate.
offa said he looks forward to leading the Teamsters union “back to greatness.”
A spokesman for Hoffa said a series of inauguration ceremonies is planned in Washington, D.C., Chicago and Los Angeles.
After being sworn in, Hoffa convened the first general executive board meeting.
In its first official act, the board authorized the hiring of a team of auditors to review the union’s financial records. Hoffa has pledged to balance the organization’s budget during his first year in office.
Board members also voted to create an ethical practices panel to investigate corruption and agreed to increase the union’s financial support for a group trying to resolve the Detroit newspaper strike.
In addition, Hoffa scheduled a rally for March 28 in Detroit to support about 12,000 workers in the carhaul industry who are negotiating a new national contract. The current pact expires May 31.
“The industry is making money,” Hoffa said. “They should share the wealth with those that do the heavy lifting — the carhaul drivers.”
Hoffa also tried to turn up the heat on management at Overnite Transportation Co., based in Richmond, Va. The union represents workers at 21 Overnite terminals, but has been unable to negotiate a contract with the company.
For the full story, see the March 29 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.
