Jimmy Hoffa

American labor union leader

James R. Hoffa in 1965

James Riddle Hoffa (February 14, 1913 – disappeared July 30, 1975) was an American labor union leader who served as the President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) from 1957 until 1971. Hoffa was a key figure in the labor movement in the United States and played a significant role in the growth and development of the Teamsters union.

Early Life

James Riddle Hoffa was born on February 14, 1913, in Brazil, Indiana. His father, John Hoffa, was of Pennsylvania Dutch descent, and his mother, Viola Riddle, was of Irish ancestry. Hoffa's father died in 1920, and the family moved to Detroit, Michigan, where Hoffa was raised.

Union Career

Hoffa began his union career as a teenager in Detroit, where he worked in a warehouse. He quickly became involved in labor organizing and joined the Teamsters in the early 1930s. Hoffa's leadership skills and charisma helped him rise through the ranks of the union.

Rise to Power

In 1952, Hoffa was elected as the national vice-president of the Teamsters. He became the union's president in 1957, succeeding Dave Beck. Under Hoffa's leadership, the Teamsters grew to become the largest labor union in the United States, with over 1.5 million members.

Jimmy Hoffa in 1965

Teamsters Presidency

Hoffa's tenure as president was marked by his efforts to expand the union's influence and improve the working conditions of its members. He was known for his tough negotiating tactics and his ability to secure favorable contracts for the Teamsters.

Legal Troubles

Hoffa's career was marred by allegations of corruption and ties to organized crime. In 1967, he was convicted of jury tampering, attempted bribery, and fraud. He was sentenced to 13 years in prison but was released in 1971 when President Richard Nixon commuted his sentence.

Disappearance

On July 30, 1975, Hoffa disappeared from the parking lot of the Machus Red Fox restaurant in Bloomfield Township, Michigan. Despite extensive investigations, his fate remains unknown, and he was declared legally dead in 1982.

Bernard Spindel and Jimmy Hoffa in 1957

Legacy

Hoffa's legacy is a complex one. He is remembered as a champion of workers' rights and a powerful figure in the labor movement. However, his alleged connections to organized crime and his mysterious disappearance have also contributed to his notoriety.

Related Pages

• International Brotherhood of Teamsters
• Labor unions in the United States
• Organized crime in the United States