In fact, Leedham was among the first to speak out against those who misused the members money. Unlike Hoffa, Leedham has not had to pay big fines for violating our election rules or accepting employer funding, and does not have to cover up for corrupt cronies. In Tom Leedham s Local 206, the members come first. Members are on the bargaining committee for all contracts. Stewards are elected, not appointed.
Officers are accountable to the members.
During the UPS strike of 1997, Local 206 launched a war wagon, a UPS-style van used to build support for the strike. The same kind of action has been used to win good contracts at grocery warehouses, for public employees, and other members. Leedham has fought successfully against two-tier contracts and to win health care for retirees. The Hoffa administration quickly ended the practice of having rank and file representatives on bargaining committees. 3 Hoffa tried to sell the company s final offer to 10,000 Northwest Airlines Teamsters.