This is what we union THUGGS do for smart young people

We give them millions of dollars in college scholarships.

The James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund is celebrating its namesake's 100th birthday this year. Hoffa believed Teamster sons and daughters deserve the best education possible. The Fund was established in his honor in 2001. Since then, more than 1,500 students received $4.7 million in scholarships.

Applications have been submitted for this year's round of $10,000 scholarships, and the announcement of the winners will be made soon.

Last year, 31 students from across the U.S. and Canada received $10,000 scholarships. Another 50 were awarded $1,000 scholarships for the essays they wrote about the importance of unions.

Applications for this year's essay contest have yet to be mailed.

To participate, students must be the son, daughter or grandchild of an eligible Teamster member. For information about the Fund rules, click here.

This year for the first time a booklet has been publishing listing all the names of all the scholarship award winners. You can download the booklet here.

Remember, "THUGGS" stands for Those Helpful Union Guys and Gals.

This is how Teamsters celebrate James R. Hoffa's 100th birthday

We raise money for scholarships to send the children and grandchildren of Teamsters to college.

Hundreds of students have benefited from the James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund. It was established in 1999 in memory of the Teamster leader who it, was once said,

...put more bread and butter on the tables for American kids than all his detractors put together.

Hoffa believed Teamster sons and daughters deserve the best available education. He said,

Education must be the birthright of every American, not just the children of privilege.

February 14th will mark his 100th birthday. As a tribute to his commitment to education, the scholarship fund this year will add $100,000 in scholarship and essay awards, bringing the total to more than $700,000.

The fund is now accepting applications for the 2013/2014 program. The deadline is March 31, 2013. Find more information here.

Teamster scholarship essays: 'the union is a clear advantage'

Each year, the Teamsters Union awards thousands of dollars to deserving students through scholarships. Among other prizes, awards totaling $1,000 are given to students who answer a specific question through essays. Last year, applicants were asked to write about how their parents’ or grandparent’s involvement in the Teamsters has influenced their lives. Winners were decided and awards were given before the war on workers was declared, but we felt these students’ messages about working families are timeless.

For Imelda Larios, daughter of Local 630 member Daniel Larios, union membership is about more than building a strong middle class. For Larios, union membership exemplifies everything positive about being an American, from a chance at a dream to the values of democracy.

The Teamsters work hard to educate all of their members so that they will be better prepared for any kind of situation in the workplace. All the Teamsters are like one big family and I know that no matter what happens my father’s voice will be heard through the Teamsters.

My father’s membership has taught me the importance of a democratic society in which people can organize and fight for fair treatment. Through the Teamsters I have come to see that being a part of the union is a clear advantage. The Teamsters negotiations with employers allow for a higher pay, better health care and overall, a less stressful career.

The Teamsters are important to be because they allow me to stay informed through my father. As I start to enter the workplace, I am more aware of my rights and am better prepared to defend myself should I be mistreated in the workplace.

Rolland Gyorfi is the son of a Yellow Roadway driver and proud member of Local 17 in Colorado. Gyorfi eloquently sums up why unions are important and practical in America, while touching on the empowerment he has received by simply being the son of a union member:

Over the years my dad has spread the word to countless drivers about the benefits of having union representation. He supported the unions’ efforts to keep American roads safe and preserve United States jobs. He endorsed the employee paycheck and benefit cuts at Yellow Roadway Corporation in order to save the company. Although this presented a significant burden on our family my dad knew the union has put a tremendous amount of time and work into finding feasible solutions to rescue the company and safeguard thousands of jobs. Despite having to make difficult decisions, my parents were very grateful for finding stability and hope even in challenging economic times.

As I was growing up I have developed a deep appreciation for the successful, far-reaching endeavors of the union. I learned the word Teamsters is synonymous with leadership, ethics, responsibility and upholding strong commitment to protect the rights of the middle class. Exposure to these traits taught me to never give up, stand up for myself and speak up for the values I firmly believe in. My dad being a Teamster had a great impact on my family’s life and opened many opportunities for us: to be able to buy a home, put food on the table enjoy unparalleled benefits compared to non-union families, and to make it possible for me—the first in my family—to attend college.

My father’s pride as a Teamster and the compassion and loyalty of the union to its members bestowed on me important lessons that shaped my views and gave me a new perspective on what is truly important for working families everywhere.

Teamster scholarship essays: Keeping the American identity alive

Each year, the Teamsters Union awards thousands of dollars to deserving students through scholarships. Among other prizes, awards totaling $1,000 are given to students who answer a specific question through essays. Last year, applicants were asked to write about how their parents’ or grandparent’s involvement in the Teamsters has influenced their lives. Winners were decided and awards were given before the war on workers was declared, but we felt these students’ messages about working families are timeless.
Shayne Russell is the daughter of a 16-year Teamster and Local 79 member. Shayne can attest to the fact that union members are hardworking, moral members of society. That’s because Shayne is a living testament to the benefits unions bring members and their families.

If it weren’t for my mother and her employment from the United Parcel Service, my family life would be very different. As a single mother raising four children, the opportunity to work for such a company and participate in the union greatly improved our standard of living. Furthermore, this involvement has allowed our family insight and education as to what labor unions really stand far. The purpose of labor unions serves to uplift the lives of working class America.

My mother’s involvement in Local 79 is particularly important to me because of how it inspires me to work hard in my life. As a woman leader in a male-dominated field, my mother is proof that anything can be accomplished through hard work and dedication.

Anthony Whitlow, the son and grandson of Teamster members, takes a more global view on the impact unions have on families. Whitlow understands that without unions, there would be no middle class. He describes unionism as part of the American identity. Whitlow’s words give us hope for the future of labor and the future of America:

Thousands of people would be without representation in the workplace if it were not for the men like my grandfather spreading the word of strength through unity. The Teamsters Union is an extremely important part of America’s identity. The organization has given families all over the country a chance to work under the proper conditions and for fair pay. As a member of the Teamsters Union, the ability to speak out for those rights and fight for them when needed most is what keeps that old American identity alive. I can proudly say that I am an American who fights for what he believes and stands together with my fellow Americans for a common cause.

Teamster scholarship essays: With solidarity, great things can be accomplished

Each year, the Teamsters Union awards thousands of dollars to deserving students through scholarships. Among other prizes, awards totaling $1,000 are given to students who answer a specific question through essays. Last year, applicants were asked to write about how their parents’ or grandparent’s involvement in the Teamsters has influenced their lives. Winners were decided and awards were given before the war on workers was declared, but we felt these students’ messages about working families are timeless.

Cleo Murphy-Guerette is the daughter of a 28-year Teamster and Local 177 member in Hillside, N.J. Because of her mother’s Teamster job, Cleo has never been without food, clothing or medical care. But, it is Cleo’s words about her commitment to the labor movement that strike a chord.

My mother being a Teamster has helped shape my perspective and the things I hold dear to my heart. From a young age I was taught to believe in the power of many standing together, the key to organized labor. During my childhood, I often stood up for the underdog, voicing concern and disapproval when kids were picking on someone who was powerless.

My family and I have been deeply touched by having a Teamster in our house. We discuss the issues of labor in the U.S. and have a strong commitment to buying American. I know that as I move into adulthood, I will carry this awareness and commitment to fairness and support of American labor with me.

Timothy Sullivan is the son of a Local 111 member in Rahway, N.J. Timothy hits the nail on the head when outlining the lessons his father taught him during his youth. Timothy’s words are especially poignant given today’s War on Workers.

There are always forces trying to weaken or break the power of the unions. There are numerous cases of industries where workers are discouraged or forbidden from organizing. In each case their compensation, benefits and safety are significantly less than union workers doing the same job. The glue that holds a union together is solidarity. For this reason, my father has always felt strongly about supporting his local union, the Teamsters in general and people around the country who are trying to organize.

My father believes corporations have too much influence in labor laws and practices due to the huge amounts of money they can contribute to campaigns and PACs. He feels the only way unions can compete is through sheer numbers.

To me, this is not just about a single issue, but a philosophy to live by. I have seen firsthand how unions have helped members get better salaries, benefits and workplace safety. I know that no member alone could achieve that. But, with a whole group working toward a common goal and with each member being active in pursing that goal, great things can be accomplished.

Teamster scholarship winners explain why unions matter

Each year, the Teamsters Union awards thousands of dollars to deserving students through scholarships. Among other prizes, awards totaling $1,000 are given to students who answer a specific question through essays. Last year, applicants were asked to write about how their parents’ or grandparent’s involvement in the Teamsters has influenced their lives. Now that winners have been chosen and awards given, we felt these timeless messages about working families needed to be shared. 

Samantha Fornino is the daughter of a longtime member of Local 743 in Chicago, Ill. Fornino and her family have overcome major trials and tribulations thanks to support from the Teamsters. But it is Fornino’s words about solidarity that strike a chord.

My mom has been a Teamster member for over 26 years and has been lucky enough to have a good job that offers great benefits that helped secure a decent lifestyle. […] This is directly resulting from the Teamster contract her company has negotiated.

One of the things that my mom has taught me is that as a union member, you have to support other union members, whether they are Teamsters or not. She will not shop at Wal-Mart or Sam’s Club because of their strong anti-union beliefs. She has taught me that companies like this are out to ruin the union jobs of today and the future because of the low wages and poor benefits they pay.

I am very grateful for being the child of a proud Teamster member of 26 years, because the ideals and principles my mom has taught me will go with me wherever I go, whatever I do. I want to continue to use these beliefs and traditions throughout my lifetime.

As the daughter of a member of Local 337 in Detroit, Autumn Bennett has taken part in many Teamster events, including a food and clothing drive and Labor Day parade. Bennett hits the nail on the head when she explains that union families don’t just look out for each other—they look out for their communities. Were it not for union benefits like decent wages, time off and job security, workers in this country wouldn’t be able to share their time and talents with others. But we’ll let Autumn tell you that:

At the end of the parade, there remained a positive atmosphere as I gazed at the hundreds of Teamster members who were united as one to achieve a goal. Our involvement in the Labor Day Parade as well as the food and clothing drive has affected my family on a more positive note for many reasons. […]

My mother and I served food and assisted those who were less fortunate. It allowed us to give back to the community while volunteering our services for a good cause.

These events allowed me to focus on how much of an impact the Teamster organization has had and have on more lives than just its members. Whether it’s feeding and clothing the less fortunate or providing scholarships to the children and/or grandchildren of its members, I realized the Teamster organization is for the people.

Teamsters Local 337 is a very important contributor to my family’s way of living. Not only do they affect their members’ lives, but they also touch the lives of those who are not members.