Interview with Ron Carey

by Chris Kutalik March 2006

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Editor’s Note: In the first-ever direct election for Teamsters General
President in 1991, reform candidate Ron Carey won a surprising upset
victory over the incumbent old guard. During his years in office, Teamster
rank-and-file activists and reformers spearheaded a revival of Teamster
organizing and bargaining power culminating in the 1997 UPS strike.

Carey was removed from office in 1998 by the federal government’s
Independent Review Board. He was later acquitted of all criminal charges
and a multimillion dollar civil suit brought against him by Hoffa was
dismissed.

Labor Notes recently talked with Carey about his thoughts on the current
state of his union.

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What have you been doing since you left the Teamsters?

I’ve been enjoying my retirement. I’ve been spending time with my family,
trying to make up for neglecting them during my years in office. And I’ve
been talking to retired Teamsters around the country, talking about the
state of the union. I’m also researching and working on a book about my
experiences.

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