Stern-Hoffa Group Loses First Round, Seeking 50% Rebate for Organizing LaborTalk By Harry Kelber
A proposal by Teamster President James Hoffa to give international unions 50% of the per capita contributions they pay the national AFL-CIO, a rebate of $35 million, was rejected by the Executive Committee by a vote of 15 to 7.
Those voting for the 50% rebate included the four members of the recently disbanded New Union Partnership: Andy Stern, president of the Service Employees, the articulate leader of the group; Bruce Raynor and John Wilhelm, co-heads of Unite Here, and Terence O’Sullivan, president of the Laborers. They were joined by Hoffa, Joe Hanson, president of the United Food and Commercial Workers, and Ron Gettelfinger, president of the Auto Workers.
Opposing the Stern-Hoffa proposal were leaders of communication workers, steel workers, public employees, machinists, teachers, electricians and nine other unions.