Daughter of A Teamster Man

Being the daughter of a Teamster has shaped me in a few ways.
1. I'm ridiculously pro-union. When people petition in the streets to open up more charter schools in my neighborhood, I fire back at them that, "fuck no, I won't sign your petition. I work for the Board of Education and am in a UNION. Will you be protected by a Union? No? So sad..."
2. It solidified my decision when I moved to NYC and had a few choices of where to work. Two of those choices were a charter school in Harlem (what the fuck was I even thinking going to that interview?) and one was an interview in Mamaroneck that I got because a childhood friend of mine slipped my resume on her principal's desk. I would have made a shit ton of money, but I would not have a Union behind me.
3. Every time I see a Teamster's jacket or hat on somebody, I immediately feel a connection with him (I've never met a Teamster woman thus far, though I'm sure they're out there somewhere) and sometimes will even say to the guy, "my dad is a Teamster!" and there's that kindred kind of... thing.

Unfortunately, in our messed up world, Unions are fast becoming a thing of the past. These stupid charter schools don't offer their teachers a Union and they phrase it in a way that makes it seem like a Union is a bad thing. It's a fucking great thing; are you kidding me?! I have a Union rep at my school that will go and talk to my boss for me about issues that scare the crap out of me. And sometimes, the news comes back good for us. They bargain for things that benefit us, the workers, and they stand up for us so no one can decide that we are working overtime and not being compensated for it. When people work in non-Union jobs, they usually end up getting pushed around and one person cannot make a difference. A bunch of people can. A handbook can.

I feel like, for as corrupt as he may have been, Hoffa or a Hoffa-esque person needs to revitalize Unions throughout this country. We have become a nation of pansies who would rather watch and vote for the next American Idol (I do not watch American Idol) than stand up for what will truly affect our future and the future of today's children. Hoffa, we need you to rally people because I don't have it in me! I'm not the natural-born leader that you were. And, hey, having those mob connections probably helped, big time. You got the job done because when push came to shove, nobody fucked with my dad and his Teamster buddies.