Jimmy Hoffa (1913-1975") was the leader of the largest union in the United States, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. He was zealous in his support of the Teamsters, often facing conflicts with law enforcement and union leadership. His dealings with organized crime leaders, many speculate, resulted in his own murder.

Jimmy Hoffa is a name which will forever be associated with, and even synonymous with, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. From the 1930s Hoffa persevered through clashes with police, struggles with union members, fights for control of his union, known associations with organized crime, several indictments, a pair of felony convictions, banishment from union activity and even death to survive as a symbol of the Teamsters. Labor historians disagree about his relative value or disservice to the labor movement in America, but no one can question his legacy of power or his status as a legend.

Early Leadership...