| | Abstract: | Teamsters for A Democratic Union was an organization of rank and file members of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Chauffeurs, Warehousemen and Helpers of America who sought to reform the structures and practices of the union leadership, especially in relation to the handling of union pension funds. The TDU supports candidates for local union offices and also works to prevent sweetheart deals with employers that could be detrimental to the rank and file membership. Originally organized in Cleveland, Ohio, much of the early leadership of the TDU came from Cleveland Local 407. The collection consists of correspondence, reports, minutes, newspaper clippings, and publications. The collection contains records of the TDU and the Cleveland Chapter TDU and pertains to the struggle between the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Chauffeurs, Warehousemen, and Helpers of America and the leaders of the Teamsters for a Democratic Union, especially those of Local 407 who attempted to organize chapters in Cleveland. Included are grievance reports, financial and election materials, local and national newsletters, and material relating to Cleveland TDU officials such as Garold Lazarowski and Michael Friedman and the Cleveland Chapter TDU. | |
