Labor Day Special: The Most Bizarre Facts About Union History

3. Richard Nixon And Jimmy Hoffa Were Very Friendly

Republican President Richard Nixon And Teamsters President Jimmy Hoffa are often associated with using their positions of power for illegal purposes. It is not known exactly what sort of relationship Nixon and Hoffa had, but the two did help each other on several occasions.

Biography online notes that in 1971, Hoffa was released from jail after Nixon commuted his sentence to time served. He had served four of a total of 13 years for bribery, jury tampering and misusing union funds and pensions. As part of his release, Hoffa was barred from holding a union leadership position until 1980.

It was alleged that the union paid off Nixon to get Hoffa released. The accusations, however, were never proven. As detailed in the book, “There Is Power in a Union,” by Philip Dray, following his release, the Teamsters endorsed Nixon for president when he was running for reelection in 1972. This despite the union usually endorsing the Democratic nominee.