Collision: How the Rank and File Took Back the Teamsters

by Kenneth Crowe

A look at the various efforts that have been made to eradicate organized crime discusses the thirty-year drive by the Justice Department, union organizers, the FBI, and dissident Teamsters to eradicate it.

303 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1993

Reviews

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written journalistic snapshot of the period of transition within the Teamsters union from the mobbed up Hoffa era to the rank and file reform victory of Ron Carey. Primarily covers the internal workings of the Teamsters organization, the government's RICO suit, and the presidential election campaign from 1988-1991. Engaging and has some good lessons for those looking at the details of running democratic union campaigns.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's fun to read a book where you know many of the characters.

Here are some things I learned from the book:

* Steve Kindred took five pounds of peanuts, three pounds of raisins, and a bus ticket on the road for 21 days to start recruiting to TDU

* Rudy Giuliani had hair, back in the 80s

* Herman Benson was planning on retirement, back in 1989. He's still planning on it today.

* We still need TDU as much today as we did back then. Anybody got any peanuts?