[d-ray657]

My take on the Teamsters - I'm pissed that they dumped us, but that's another long story.

The Teamsters are a very effective union. Most Teamster drivers are very faithful to a picket line as well. IIRC, the contract provided that it was not a breach of the no-strike clause to honor a picket line.

The Teamsters representation goes well beyond truck drivers. They have represented food processing plants, nurses, flight attendants - all sorts of occupations. War story -the first arbitration I did on my own was for the Teamsters. We took the grievance for a third shift worker who was caught sleeping on the job. Let's just say that the evidence was contested whether he was taking a nap or had just dozed off. I was able to get his job back because others caught sleeping on the job had been given three days off for a first offense. Just cause requires non-discriminatory application of work rules, so we were able to effectively enforce the just cause provision in the contract. As far as I know, the worker continued to do his job for a long time after that.

I'm not fully versed on my Teamsters history. I am aware that it became an immensely powerful organization, and some union officials succumed to the temptation that comes with that power. There has been lots of house-cleaning - some forced by the courts, some done democratically. It is still a considerable institution, and no doubt there are a few who will stray. In the long run, however, the Teamsters do their job of representing employees quite effectively.

With respect to Hoffa, he certainly increased the Teamsters' influence, and mostly for the good of the workers. From what I've read he wasn't afraid to fight fire with fire, and he made friends with a few people who weren't model citizens.

As far as the tie - unfortunately my belly makes me buy big enough shirts that the neck size is no issue. Haven't used a clip-on tie since I was about 9, though, and when I grew up, people dressed up for church, so I hadda learn to tie one.

Regards,

D-Ray