Growth
and Power:
The Post-War Years
Following the war, returning veterans
were guaranteed maintenance of their seniority upon
return to work. By 1949, membership had topped one
million, the result of effective organizing in booming
industries of the post-war economy such as the automotive
trades, food processing, the dairy industry and the
workers servicing an ever-expanding array of vending
machines.
 The
International perfected its strategy of creating
multi state bargaining units, area-wide negotiations
and control of the trucking terminals to make drivers
nearly unbeatable in a sustained job action.
At the 1952 convention, after 45 years
at the helm Tobin announced his retirement. Seattle's
Dave Beck was elected his successor.
Between 1952 and 1957, the Teamsters
grew in members and in strength at the bargaining
table. In 1955, a 25-state contract covering all
over-the-road and local freight hauling was negotiated.
Making this victory even more remarkable was the
fact that 13 of the states covered by the agreement
were in the anti-union South.
At the 1957 International convention
held in Miami Beach, Florida, Jimmy Hoffa was elected
President and membership stood at 1.5.million.
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