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Jimmy Hoffa Telegram

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

1958 telegram from Jimmy Hoffa discovered James R. "Jimmy" Hoffa, who would turn 100 on Feb. 14, was a hardworking, hands-on leader who would pick up the phone and intervene personally on behalf of someone who had a problem.


A just-discovered telegram from 1958 shows just how far Hoffa would go to help someone. Hoffa sent a Western Union telegram in effort to find a 7-year-old New Jersey boy who ran away from home. 


Here's what it said: 

TO ALL LOCAL UNIONS: PLEASE NOTIFY ALL DRIVERS, PARTICULARLY ON ROAD; TO BE ON LOOKOUT FOR SEVEN-YEAR-OLD BOY ATTEMPTING TO RIDE BICYCLE FROM NEW JERSEY TO TACOMA, WASH. LAST SEEN WEEK AGO ON ROUTE 46 NEAR CALDWELL TOWNSHIP,N.J.RIDING BLUE BICYCLE AND WEARING LIGHT BLUE AND GRAY FLANNEL SHIRT, BLACK JEANS, BLACK SHOES. NAME PAUL GROCHWICZ. MAY NOW BE HITCHHIKING. IF SEEN NOTIFY POMPTON LAKES POLICE, POMPTON LAKES, N.J. JAMES R. HOFFA  GENERAL PRESIDENT INTERNATIONALBROTHERHOOD OF TEAMSTERS

The telegram was purchased by a member of the Teamsters Union who collects Teamsters memorabilia. It was part of a book of papers relating to the Teamsters sold as part of an estate. 
It isn't know whether the boy ever returned home.

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Testimonial

For 35 years I have been a Teamster and a Dairyworker, I was a young kid needing a job in tough economic times. I found a place to work and make a living, I learned to work together with others having varying and different backgrounds than my own.

Much has changed for me personally and professionally, I got married to my beautiful wife of almost 25 years and we have raised two amazing children, both of whom are presently studying abroad. Both of my children were recipients of Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Funding.

So much of my success I can credit to having a well paying union job. The Teamsters have been a great union for me, negotiating strong collective agreements that held good wage and benefit packages as well as the cornerstone beliefs of seniority and workers’ rights. The Teamsters gave me a good wage and a voice.

I have always been an active Teamster, and now I sit on Local 464's Executive Board.

There can be a great degree of personal feelings when the word union is mentioned, but so often I look at professional associations and realize the name may be different, but the thought is the same...strength in numbers.

As I get toward the end of my career, I look forward to the thought of receiving the Teamsters Canada Pension Plan, and I am so grateful for the belief others had before me that Teamsters deserved a good and decent retirement...thank you.

Drew


- Drew Speirs

“I look after a lot of members in a very big plant. For years I had to fight for them by myself with no help at all from any of the Union’s representatives or Officers. This changed completely once Bobby, Bob and Paul were in office. Now I have access to my reps 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!  They’re always there to back me up.” 

- Darrell Lawres – Chief Shop Steward. Saputo, Sperling

“They have demonstrated the dedication and leadership that
our Local requires. They have always provided sound counsel, support, and frank
discussion on matters involving the members, contract negotiations and our
Local.“ 

- Bruce Tillapaugh –Shop Steward. Island Farms, Victoria