Hoffa Mob Responds with Lies & Personal Attacks
Convention Delegates Stand Up for Members’ Rights

June 28, 2006. TDU members and other Leedham supporters have repeatedly taken the floor at this week’s Teamster Convention to speak to the issues that concern the working Teamsters who elected them to serve as Convention Delegates.

While reform delegates have made reasoned arguments for proposals to strengthen our union, the Hoffa forces have responded like a mob— shouting down delegates so they cannot be heard.

When Leedham delegates address the concerns of working Teamsters, Hoffa delegates responded with personal attacks.

Reform delegates have proposed:

* a ban on dues increases without a membership vote

* amendments to hold benefit fund trustees accountable to members and protections to prevent working Teamsters from being blind-sided with pension and benefit cuts

* financial reforms to free up more money for contract campaigns and organizing drives

* language to protect Teamster members from abuses of power and local union takeovers by Personal Reps appointed by the General President—except in cases of genuine corruption or wrongdoing

Hoffa delegates denounced these proposals as “bullsh**.” “I urge the vdelegates to vote this resolution down, because this resolution sucks just like TDU,” said Local 320 principal officer Sue Mauren, in a typical Hoffa-style response.

Hoffa delegates can’t address the issues so they attack TDU. One Hoffa delegate even attacked TDU from the podium before he sang the national anthems.

Hoffa’s strategy of avoiding the issues may work at the Convention held amid the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas far away from the rank-and-file. But it won’t play back home where working Teamster are still hungry for positive changes that will strengthen our union.

“The Teamsters I represent sent me here to speak about change, but anytime someone mentioned change on the Convention floor, the powers that be shouted them down,” said Kevin McNiff an elected alternate delegate from Local 82. “I was embarrassed by the arrogance and undemocratic manner in which these so-called Teamsters treated their brothers and sisters.”

“Hoffa may be able to muzzle members’ voice at the Convention, but he can’t muzzle Teamster members when it comes to the election this fall,” said Leonard Stoehr, an elected delegate from Atlanta Local 728. “Every Teamster will have the right to vote for our top leadership and a chance to stand up for our right to strong contracts, good pensions and a union that respects members’ rights.”

Debate on the right to vote on dues increases: Click here to read excerpts from the official Convention record.

Debate on financial reforms: Click here to read excerpts from the official Convention record.

Debate on benefit trustee accountability: Click here to read excerpts from the official Convention record.

Debate on protecting Teamsters from the abuse of the International Union’s authority: Click here to read excerpts from the official Convention record.