Murphy, O'Brien Sworn in as Teamsters International Vice Presidents

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International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Mar 22, 2012, 03:24 ET

Boston Leaders Begin New Five-Year Terms on General Executive Board

WASHINGTON, March 22, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Boston union leaders John F. Murphy and Sean M. O'Brien 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 John and Sean," 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."

Murphy was sworn in as an Eastern Region International Vice President, a position he has held since 1999. He is Secretary-Treasurer of Local 122 in Boston, Director of the Teamsters Rail Conference, the union co-chair of the Teamsters National 401(k) Plan and a Trustee on the union's employee benefit funds. He has been a Teamster since 1969.

"As I start my fourth term of office with General President James P. Hoffa, I reflect upon his outstanding leadership during the last 13 years. Under Jim's direction, the Teamsters Union has been transformed into the labor movement's most dynamic organization," Murphy said. "With Ken Hall's ascension to General Secretary-Treasurer, continuing the powerful partnership between Jim Hoffa and the retiring Tom Keegel, the Teamsters Union will be the leader in defending the rights of workers and protecting standards for America's middle class for the next decade."

O'Brien, a fourth-generation Teamster, is President of Local 25 in Boston and Joint Council 10 in Manchester, N.H. He will serve on the General Executive Board as an Eastern Region International Vice President. O'Brien has been a Teamster since 1990 and is serving his first term on the board.

"It is incredibly humbling to go from being a truck driver to serving as an Eastern Region Vice President," O'Brien said. "I've dedicated my life to serving this union and our membership, and that is what I will continue to do in this new position."

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