Serving Calhoun, Greene, Jersey, Macoupin, Madison & Montgomery Counties

James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund Awards $1.2 million to Children of Teamsters

WASHINGTON – October 30, 2023 – The James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund (JRHMSF) today announced that it has awarded $1.2 million in academic and vocational scholarships this year to the children of Teamster members throughout the U.S. and Canada.

The Fund was started in 1999 in honor of Teamsters General President Emeritus James R. Hoffa due to his belief in having education accessible to all children of members of the Teamsters. Since inception, the Fund has awarded over $14 million in scholarships to over 4,000 recipients.

“We awarded $1.2 million in scholarships in 2023 – and not just for college but also for vocational training courses,” said James P. Hoffa, a member of the board of the JRHMSF. “My father valued education and like many of our applicants, my sister and I were the first in our families to go to college and that’s why we feel this Fund is so important to help Teamster children achieve their academic and career goals.” James P. Hoffa led the union as Teamsters General President from when he was elected in 1998 until he retired in 2022.

The Fund has annually awarded scholarships since its founding. This year, 93 students received $10,000 academic scholarships and 203 students received $1,000 academic scholarships. Additionally, scholarships were also given to Teamster children preparing to earn vocational/training program certificates. Click here to view the entire list of recipients: JRHMSF_winners23 v2.pdf

Kaitlyn Engroba, a $10,000 winner this year said, “I’m very proud and honored to be a recipient of the James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund. This scholarship has helped me get one step closer to becoming a labor and delivery nurse.” She is attending Miami-Dade College and her parent is a member of Local 769 in Miami, Florida.

For those interested, the application process will reopen at the end of November 2023. Eligibility rules are as follows: For the sons, daughters and financial dependents of Teamster members (including the BMWED, BLET, and TCRC). Academic scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 for high school seniors planning to attend a four-year college or university and Training/Vocational program awards of up to $2,000 for use at community colleges and trade schools.

For more information on the JRHMSF or for details on the application process, please visit www.jrhmsf.org. To view a detailed conversation between James P. Hoffa and Rick Smith (The Rick Smith Show) on the work that the fund does and the positive effect it has on Teamster children seeking an education, please visit here: https://tinyurl.com/4ajb3s97.

About The James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund:
James R. Hoffa became a Teamster member in 1934 and served as General President for 14 years, and, in recognition of his tireless service to the union and its members, was honored as General President Emeritus for life. At the November 1999 General Executive Board meeting, then-General Secretary-Treasurer C. Thomas Keegel presented a resolution to establish the new scholarship fund.

The JRHMSF is an independent organization established and registered as a tax-exempt entity under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Fund is established solely to provide scholarships to the child or dependent of a member of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, and contributions to the Fund are deductible as charitable contributions to the extent permitted by law.

The James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund [501(c)(3) ID #52-2206826] www.jrhmsf.org
4200 Wisconsin Ave., NW, Suite #106-289, Washington, DC 20016

To All Members employed by the State of Illinois working under the
Downstate Agreement

To give you an update on contract negotiations, as of the last day of
negotiations (July 27, 2023), we have finished our non-economics portion.
There were a lot of proposals put forth by our Membership, which were all
addressed, as well as the state having several proposals. The bargaining team
for the Members did an outstanding job during these non-economic
negotiations and stood strong on our concerns that were delivered across the
table. At the conclusion of the July 27, 2023, meeting, we delivered to the State
our economic proposals given to the Bargaining Committee by the
Membership. Just to let the Members know, each Teamster Local Union that
has Members working under this Agreement has a representative at the table.
There are an additional two Bargaining Unit Members at the table.

We will be going back to the negotiation table on August 31, 2023, and
September 1, 2023, where the State will have a response to our economic
proposals. The Bargaining Committee needs to know that our Members have
our backs as we proceed during these negotiations! You, our Members, need
to know that the Union Bargaining Committee will stand strong on your
economic proposals!

Gregory A. Wheet
Chairman, Downstate Negotiation Committee
President, Teamsters Local 627