Candidates for leadership of Teamsters Union square off in feisty debate at National Press Club

Two candidates vying for the leadership of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters repeatedly called each other liars and portrayed the other as a failure during a combative debate at the National Press Club on Aug. 25.

Fred Zuckerman, president of Local 89, which has about 14,500 members in Louisville, Kentucky, is challenging long-time Teamsters president James Hoffa. He debated Hoffa running mate Ken Hall, candidate for general secretary-treasurer and president of Local 175, which has about 3,200 members in Charleston, West Virginia, Hoffa declined to participate in the debate, as he has done several times since assuming the presidency in 1999.

Zuckerman set the tone during his opening statement, calling Hoffa “a coward” for not participating, and Hall “the most dishonest and corrupt union official in the Teamsters.”

Hall responded that Zuckerman is “a self-described angry man” and derided “his absolutely horrible record.” He defended the Hoffa-Hall record, saying the duo had organized more than 200,000 employees over the past ten years.

Hall parried criticism and attacks from his opponent by quoting Zuckerman’s emails, which appeared to indicate that he had supported Hoffa on certain issues in the past, at one point saying, “They don’t call you flip-flop Freddy for nothing.”

Despite the barrage of insults, a few critical issues emerged. Both candidates agreed that securing the future of the union’s Central States Pension Fund is the most important task facing the next president and called for congressional action to assist the membership.

“We have got to ensure that our members get the same kind of treatment as those greedy bastards who destroyed the economy and with it our pension,” Hall said.

Meanwhile, Zuckerman accused the current administration of not adequately funding the plan.

He also said the Teamsters had squandered an opportunity by failing to endorse a presidential candidate. According to Hall, an endorsement is expected soon, pending additional input from the membership.

The candidates also debated how to cut down on corruption within the union and improve the quality of healthcare benefits.

They both vehemently opposed the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement.

Overall, the debate provided fascinating insight into the world of labor unions. The candidates discussed minute details of labor agreements with companies like Kroger and FedEx, right-to-work legislation, and fought over specific occurrences in the past, such their actions against individual members who were accused of corruption or convicted of battery.