Missouri Teamsters Take Oath of Office for International Union Positions

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International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Mar 22, 2012, 03:33 ET

Teamsters General Executive Board Members Sworn In, Begin Five-Year Terms

WASHINGTON, March 22, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Missouri Teamster leaders Gordon Sweeton and Jim Kabell joined Teamsters General President James P. Hoffa, General Secretary-Treasurer Ken Hall and the newly elected International Vice Presidents and Trustees as they were sworn in today to five-year terms on the union's General Executive Board.

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The Hoffa-Hall slate won the 2011 IBT International Officer Election by a wide margin in November. The election results were certified on Jan. 6. Hoffa took office in March 1999 and won re-election in 2001 and 2006. Under his stewardship, the Teamsters Union has regained its place as the strongest labor union in North America.

"I look forward to working with Gordon and Jim," Hoffa said. "They are true champions for working families. We have accomplished so much as a union since 1999, but our work is not done. Workers are under attack in this country and unions are the only ones standing up for people with no voice. With the support of strong leaders like them and the entire General Executive Board, the Teamsters Union will continue to lead the fight to protect the middle class and the American dream."

Sweeton is Assistant Director of the National Freight Division and former President of Local 823 in Joplin, Mo. He has been a Teamster since 1964 and has served on the General Executive Board since 2007.

"I an honored to serve another term on the General Executive Board and I look forward to continuing to address the problems facing our members during these tough economic times," Sweeton said. "There are many challenges to tackle, but we have an excellent Board that is prepared to fight on behalf of all Teamsters."

Kabell is President of the Missouri-Kansas-Nebraska Conference of Teamsters, Vice President of Joint Council 56 and Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 245 in Springfield, Mo. He has been a Teamster since 1972 and is serving his first term on the General Executive Board.

Founded in 1903, the Teamsters Union represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Visit www.teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @TeamsterPower.

SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters