James P. Hoffa

James P. Hoffa has been on a mission—to build the Teamsters Union into the strongest, most powerful voice in North America for working families—and he is well on his way to achieving this goal. Under Hoffa’s leadership, the Teamsters Union is winning industry-leading contracts, engaging in vigorous contract enforcement and organizing the unorganized. Teamster positions on the issues of the day—from unsafe Mexican trucks to misguided trade policies—now hold sway in Washington’s power corridors. Hoffa has spent a lifetime preparing for the challenge of running the Teamsters Union. He knows, first-hand, what Teamsters can accomplish when they are united. He is leading a Union that is a credit to its proud history. Hoffa is recognized as one of the foremost authorities on Union issues. As the most visible and outspoken critic of government trade policies and anti-worker corporate agendas, Hoffa is recognized as a leader on issues that affect working people. BACKGROUND James P. Hoffa grew up on picket lines and in union meetings. He is the only son of James R. Hoffa, former General President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. Prior to becoming Administrative Assistant to Michigan Joint Council 43, Hoffa was a labor lawyer in Detroit for 25 years. This year, he will pass his father as the second-longest serving Teamsters General President. Hoffa was elected to his fourth term in 2016. TEAMSTER CAREER 1960s: Teamster laborer in Detroit and Alaska, loading and unloading freight from ships, driving trucks and buses, and operating heavy equipment 1968-93: Teamster attorney representing members, local unions and Joint Councils in worker compensation cases, Social Security, and personal legal matters 1993-98: Administrative Assistant to the President of Michigan Joint Council 43 1999-Present: General President, International Brotherhood of Teamsters APPOINTMENTS Feb. 2002-Feb.2004 President’s Council on the 21st Century Workforce March 2002-March 2004 Secretary of Energy's Advisory Board Nov. 2009-May 2012 Department of Labor Advisory Committee for Trade Negotiations and Trade Policy Aug. 2012-Present (four-year term) Department of Labor Advisory Committee for Trade Negotiations and Trade Policy Sept. 2010-Sept. 2014 USTR Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations Sept. 2014-Present (four-year term) USTR Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations June 2013-Present National Freight Advisory Committee Board of Directors, The Roosevelt Institute EDUCATION 1959: Graduated from Detroit public schools, National Honor Society, All-City and All-State football player 1963: Degree in Economics, Michigan State University, played football under legendary coach Duffy Daugherty 1966: LLB Law Degree, University of Michigan 1967: Awarded Ford Foundation Fellowship to work in Michigan State Senate