Wood Takes Oath of Office for Teamsters International Vice President

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International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Mar 22, 2012, 03:37 ET

Re-elected General Executive Board Member Sworn In, Begins Five-Year Term

WASHINGTON, March 22, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Florida Teamster leader Ken Wood 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 continuing the great work that Ken and I have done over the years," Hoffa said. "He is a true champion for working families. We have accomplished so much as a union since 1999, but our work is not finished. 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 Ken and the entire General Executive Board, the Teamsters Union will continue to lead the fight to protect the middle class and the American dream."

Wood was sworn in as Southern Region International Vice President, a position he has held since 1999. He is also President of Joint Council 75 and Local Union 79 in Tampa and Acting President of Local 2011 in Tampa. He has been a Teamster since 1970.

"People are feeling powerless these days as their way of life slips away," Wood said. "People need a strong union to have a job that lets them support a family, give their kids a better life and retire with dignity. I'm proud to be a leader of this strong union."

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