New Year's Greeting from President Hoffa

This New Year has special significance for the Teamsters Union and its 1.4 million members.

2003 marks the 100th anniversary of the formation of our great union. A century ago, two fledgling rival drivers unions—the Team Drivers International Union and the Teamsters National Union—merged in Niagara Falls to create the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. From this modest beginning, the Teamsters Union rose to become the most powerful and respected trade union in North America.

Today, we draw on our assets of unity, pride and strength to advance the interests of all workers, including their right to fair wages, benefits, retirement, occupational health and safety, social justice and time to spend with their families.

As we begin our second century of service to our members, we are determined to remain true to our legacy of organizing the unorganized and negotiating the strongest contracts possible to win dignity and respect in the workplace. In solidarity, we wish Teamsters and workers everywhere a joyous and peaceful New Year.