Teamsters Oust McCormick Boss

By Kevin Robinson in News on Aug 13, 2008 1:00PM

Robert Hogan, former President of Teamsters Local 714, agreed to leave the union earlier this week amid allegations of misconduct. Hogan, whose family has run the union since the Depression, signed an agreement with the Teamsters' Independent Review Board that he would voluntarily leave the union, agreeing never to serve as an officer or member there, or work as an employee again. Hogan's departure is the result of a recommendation made to international union president James Hoffa, Jr last August by the IRB. The IRB alleged that Hogan had acted against the best interests of union members by hiring Robert Riley as a business agent and organizing director, even though Riley had been barred from the union. The IRB also charged that the local union was failing to represent its membership, had corrupt relationships with companies where members worked, and was using favoritism and nepotism to secure jobs for associates of the Hogan family.

Insiders believe that the Teamsters are trying to crack down on corruption in the union. Hogan, a one-time ally of Hoffa, believes that Hoffa is retaliating against a potential political rival. The national union has been managing Local 714 since June.