Ohio Conference of Teamsters Boot Camp Draws Second-Largest Crowd

“Organizing is the life-blood of our organization,” said Jeff Farmer, Director of the Teamsters Organizing Department. “Often, prospective members relate better to those who have walked in their shoes, who know the ropes of an industry and who have had similar experiences. That’s why we’re enlisting you as volunteer organizers.”

Teamster members learned this and other valuable information at an organizing boot camp held at Joint Council 41 on Saturday. Eighty-eight members were in attendance, making Saturday’s boot camp the second largest since the program began.

The training was chaired by Joint Council 41 President Gary Tiboni and Ohio Conference of Teamsters president Roger Insprucker. It included a presentation by Farmer as well as current member organizers.

Matt Ford, a member of Local 507 and 15-year Teamster, has dabbled previously in organizing—especially on the political front—but was inspired to do more at Saturday’s training.

“I see the benefits that I have as a Teamster, including job security, health care, pension, 401(k) and I hope I will be able to help someone else get those same things,” he said. “I’d like to use the things I’ve learned with political organizing, mesh them with what I’m learning here today and really help others to become actively involved in the labor movement.”

In all, 18 local unions were represented at the boot camp, including Locals 52, 92, 100, 284, 293, 336, 348, 377, 400, 407, 416, 436, 507, 908, 957, 964, 1199 and BLET Division 3.

James P. Hoffa, general president of the Teamsters Union, hopes to see 1,000 new volunteer member organizers by the end of the year.

“I urge every Teamster who is interested in learning basic organizing skills to contact your local union and tell them you want to go to boot camp to help the Teamsters grow,” Hoffa said.