(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release (PDF), March 28, 2012)
WASHINGTON, D.C. —Teamsters rail labor leader Freddie Simpson joined Teamsters General President James P. Hoffa, General Secretary-Treasurer Ken Hall and the newly elected International Vice Presidents and Trustees as they were sworn in today to a five-year term on the union’s General Executive Board.
The Hoffa-Hall slate won the 2011 IBT International Officer Election by a wide margin in November. The election results were certified on Jan. 6. Hoffa took office in March 1999 and won re-election in 2001 and 2006. Under his stewardship, the Teamsters Union has regained its place as the strongest labor union in North America.
“Freddie is a true champion for working families,” Hoffa said. “Workers are under attack in this country and unions are the only ones standing up for people with no voice. With the support of strong leaders like Freddie and the entire General Executive Board, the Teamsters Union will continue to lead the fight to protect the middle class and the American dream.”
Simpson, who is serving his second term as an At-Large International Vice President after being elected in 2006, is also President of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division (BMWED), which affiliated with the Teamsters Union in 2005, joining the Teamsters Rail Conference. Simpson has been active with the BMWED since 1974.
“It is an honor for me to serve again on the Teamsters General Executive Board,” Simpson said. “Since our members voted to affiliate with the Teamsters in 2005, we have benefited from the strength of this great union. I am proud to represent Teamster members and in particular those in the Rail Conference.”
Founded in 1903, the Teamsters Union represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Visit www.teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @TeamsterPower.