Blackwell Reference Online

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(b. Brazil, Ind., 14 February 1913; d. ca. 30 July 1975) He began working full-time at 14 in Detroit, and by the age of 18 had organized his fellow warehouse workers and received a union charter from the AFL. He affiliated with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters in 1932, and became president of Detroit Local 299 in 1935. He was elected international vice-president in 1952, and became president in 1957, the same year as the AFL-CIO ousted the Teamsters for corruption. Hoffa rapidly expanded Teamster membership, negotiated a comprehensive contract for all long-distance truckers in 1964, and planned to attract railway, airline, and maritime unions into a massive federation of US transport workers. Robert K ennedy directed a massive federal effort to investigate Hoffa's illegal activities, which eventually led to his entering prison in March 1967 under sentences totaling 13 years for jury-tampering, mail fraud, and embezzlement of union funds. Hoping to win the Teamsters’ political support, Richard N ixon commuted Hoffa's remaining sentence in December 1971, on condition that he abstain from union affairs until 1980. Hoffa was indicating that he intended to reassert control over the Teamsters when he disappeared in Bloomfield Township, Mich., and was presumably murdered. ... log in or subscribe to read full text