Jackie Presser
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Jackie Presser (August 6, 1926 – July 9, 1988) was an
American American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, pe ...
labor leader and president of the
International Brotherhood of Teamsters The International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT), also known as the Teamsters Union, is a labor union in the United States and Canada. Formed in 1903 by the merger of The Team Drivers International Union and The Teamsters National Union, the un ...
from 1983 until his death in 1988. He was closely connected to
organized crime Organized crime (or organised crime) is a category of transnational, national, or local groupings of highly centralized enterprises run by criminals to engage in illegal activity, most commonly for profit. While organized crime is generally th ...
, and allegedly became president of the Teamsters based on the approval and support of the Cleveland Mafia. From 1972 until his death, he was also an informant for the
Federal Bureau of Investigation The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is the domestic intelligence and security service of the United States and its principal federal law enforcement agency. Operating under the jurisdiction of the United States Department of Justice, ...
concerning Mafia influence in the Teamsters union.


Early life

Presser was born in
Cleveland, Ohio Cleveland ( ), officially the City of Cleveland, is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Cuyahoga County. Located in the northeastern part of the state, it is situated along the southern shore of Lake Erie, across the U.S. ...
, in 1926. His grandfather, a
Jew Jews ( he, יְהוּדִים, , ) or Jewish people are an ethnoreligious group and nation originating from the Israelites Israelite origins and kingdom: "The first act in the long drama of Jewish history is the age of the Israelites""Th ...
ish emigrant from
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, became a garment worker, and was active in and participated in several strikes led by various garment makers' unions in
New York City New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the List of United States cities by population, most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the L ...
. Presser's father, William (Bill) Presser, was at the time of Jackie's birth a Teamster organizer. The Pressers were very poor: Bill Presser stuffed newspapers into shoes to block holes in the uppers and strengthen worn-out soles. The family often moved into an apartment at the beginning of the month and out again at the end of the month because the Pressers could not afford the rent.Barron, "Jackie Presser Is Dead at 61," ''New York Times,'' July 10, 1988. Bill Presser, however, was a protege of
Jimmy Hoffa James Riddle Hoffa (born February 14, 1913 – disappeared July 30, 1975; declared dead July 30, 1982) was an American labor union leader who served as the president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) from 1957 until 1971. F ...
and quickly rose within the local, regional and international Teamsters ranks. He was elected president of the Ohio Conference of Teamsters and eventually a vice president of the international union. Bill Presser was also intimately connected with the Cleveland mob.Lindsey, "Nixon Plays Golf With Fitzsimmons at Resort Built With Teamster Loans," ''New York Times,'' October 10, 1975.Serrin, "Jackie Presser's Secret Lives Detailed In Government Files," ''New York Times,'' March 27, 1989.Yost, "Presser's Career A Parade of Sharp Changes In Fortune," ''Associated Press,'' May 16, 1986. Presser's childhood, by his own account, was a happy one. However, he was deeply influenced by his family's poverty, and by the
anti-semitic Antisemitism (also spelled anti-semitism or anti-Semitism) is hostility to, prejudice towards, or discrimination against Jews. A person who holds such positions is called an antisemite. Antisemitism is considered to be a form of racism. Antis ...
prejudice he often encountered. Presser dropped out of school in the middle of the eighth grade. Using his father's connections, he got a job delivering juke boxes to local restaurants and bars.Tucker, "Presser Helped By Father In Teamsters Rise," ''Associated Press,'' April 21, 1983. Presser enlisted in the
United States Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage ...
in 1943 when he was 17, and served in
World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...
. After the war, Presser returned to Cleveland and got a job as a truck driver for a vending machine company. After a year as a truck driver, Presser was hired as a union organizer by Local 10, a Cleveland affiliate of the
Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees Union The Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees Union (HERE) was a United States labor union representing workers of the hospitality industry, formed in 1890. In 2004, HERE merged with the Union of Needletrades, Industrial, and Textile Employees (UN ...
. In 1948, Presser was elected president of Local 10. He merged his local with four other local unions in order to improve the workers' collective bargaining position. He also began receiving a markedly larger salary, and spending large amounts of money on travel and automobiles. He wore pinky rings and diamond bracelets, and became notorious for wearing loud, brightly colored sports jackets. He also began to gain substantial amounts of weight, a health problem he would fight for the rest of his life. In 1952, Presser lost re-election as union president after members became dissatisfied with his colorful and lavish lifestyle.


Early Teamsters career

In 1952, Jackie Presser was hired as an organizer by the international Teamsters union and held a series of staff jobs for the next 12 years. Presser's break came in 1964, when he and his father brokered a real estate deal in suburban Cleveland for a group of local investors (which included himself). The investors built an upscale sports club and restaurant on the property secured by a $1.1 million loan from the Teamsters'
Central States Pension Fund Central is an adjective usually referring to being in the center of some place or (mathematical) object. Central may also refer to: Directions and generalised locations * Central Africa, a region in the centre of Africa continent, also known as ...
. The project went
bankrupt Bankruptcy is a legal process through which people or other entities who cannot repay debts to creditors may seek relief from some or all of their debts. In most jurisdictions, bankruptcy is imposed by a court order, often initiated by the debt ...
, however, and the pension fund lost more than $265,000. Presser also undertook a personal transformation at this time. He stopped wearing flashy rings and loud clothing and began expressing a taste for expensive, conservative, tailored suits. He also undertook a series of diets in an unsuccessful attempt to lose weight (he weighed close to 140 kg 00 poundsfor the rest of his life). In 1966, Bill Presser gave his son Jackie a charter to form a new Teamsters local in Cleveland. Jackie Presser organized 12 workers at a local paint company and established Local 507. Presser hired a number of organizers, and Local 507 quickly organized 6,000 workers in dozens of plants and warehouses in the Cleveland area -— making Local 507 the largest Teamster local in the metropolitan area."Man In the News: A Blend Reflected In Light and Shadows: Jackie Presser," ''New York Times,'' April 22, 1983. Bill and Jackie Presser soon were some of the most powerful men in the Teamsters union. By 1972, the father-son combination led the Ohio Conference of Teamsters. Jackie Presser quickly helped make the Ohio Conference a model within the Teamsters for providing social services, engaging in union-member communications, and undertaking effective political activity. Both Pressers were also trustees of the Teamster's Central States Pension Fund, one of the richest and most influential pension plans in the nation."Jackie Presser: New Teamsters President," ''United Press International,'' April 21, 1983. Jackie Presser was elected an international vice president of the Teamsters in 1976. His father, Bill Presser, was forced to resign his vice presidency after he was convicted of
extortion Extortion is the practice of obtaining benefit through coercion. In most jurisdictions it is likely to constitute a criminal offence; the bulk of this article deals with such cases. Robbery is the simplest and most common form of extortion, ...
and
obstruction of justice Obstruction of justice, in United States jurisdictions, is an act that involves unduly influencing, impeding, or otherwise interfering with the justice system, especially the legal and procedural tasks of prosecutors, investigators, or other gov ...
. According to court testimony, Bill Presser and the Cleveland mob agreed to nominate Jackie as Bill Presser's successor. Bill Presser met with
Roy Lee Williams Roy Lee Williams (March 22, 1915 – April 28, 1989) was an American labor leader who was president of the Teamsters from May 15, 1981, to April 14, 1983. Early life and career Born in Ottumwa, Iowa, Williams was one of 12 children in a very po ...
, then president of the Central Conference of Teamsters -— a regional council which controlled union locals in 14 Midwestern states (including Ohio). Williams, who was working with the
Kansas City crime family The Kansas City crime family, also known as the Civella crime family or Kansas City Mafia, is an Italian-American Mafia family based in Kansas City, Missouri. History Early history The Italian-American organized crime family began when two Si ...
, agreed to help Presser convince Teamster President Fitzsimmons to make Jackie a vice president. Jackie Presser's subsequent election was unanimous.Serrin, "Teamster Presidency Race Narrows," ''New York Times,'' April 20, 1983.Frantz, "Williams Points Finger at Presser," ''Chicago Tribune,'' November 3, 1985. As an international vice president, Presser urged the Teamsters to root out corruption and pushed for a massive public relations campaign to improve the union's image. In 1977, the Teamsters built a large public relations operation at its headquarters in
Washington, D.C. ) , image_skyline = , image_caption = Clockwise from top left: the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, United States Capitol, Logan Circle, Jefferson Memorial, White House, Adams Morgan, ...
Presser soon won authorization for a $250,000-a-year advertising campaign, and the union began sponsoring football games on the radio. But that same year Presser, along with Fitzsimmons and 17 other Teamster leaders, was forced to resign as a trustee of the Central States Pension Fund. The Department of Justice had charged Presser and others with making improper loans to mob-controlled
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casinos, racetracks and real estate investments. In 1978, Presser was named a defendant in a civil suit brought by the
U.S. Department of Labor The United States Department of Labor (DOL) is one of the United States federal executive departments, executive departments of the federal government of the United States, U.S. federal government. It is responsible for the administration of fede ...
(DOL), which sought damages and reimbursement on behalf of union retirees. By 1979, Presser was making $231,676 a year. He drew a salary as both secretary-treasurer of Local 507 and as an international vice president of the union.


Becoming an FBI informant

Jackie Presser, along with his father and Teamsters President
Frank Fitzsimmons Frank Edward Fitzsimmons (April 7, 1908 – May 6, 1981) was an American labor leader. He was acting president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters from 1967 to 1971, and president from 1971 to 1981. Early life Frank Fitzsimmons was born ...
, became informers for the federal government in 1972. Bill Presser had been indicted by the federal government on bribery, embezzlement and other charges.
Jimmy Hoffa James Riddle Hoffa (born February 14, 1913 – disappeared July 30, 1975; declared dead July 30, 1982) was an American labor union leader who served as the president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) from 1957 until 1971. F ...
, meanwhile, had been released from federal prison and was seeking to regain the presidency of the Teamsters. The three men offered the
Internal Revenue Service The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is the revenue service for the United States federal government, which is responsible for collecting U.S. federal taxes and administering the Internal Revenue Code, the main body of the federal statutory ta ...
(IRS) incriminating evidence about Hoffa and other rivals in the Teamsters union. The Pressers agreed to supply their evidence if the
U.S. Department of Justice The United States Department of Justice (DOJ), also known as the Justice Department, is a federal executive department of the United States government tasked with the enforcement of federal law and administration of justice in the United State ...
(DOJ) would drop its indictment against the senior Presser. Unbeknownst to Fitzsimmons, the Pressers told the IRS that they had evidence of illegal activities by Fitzsimmons as well. The IRS was not receptive to the offers, and DOJ refused to drop its indictment of Bill Presser (some charges were eventually dropped, and Bill Presser was found innocent of others). Angry at the government's refusal, Fitzsimmons allegedly contacted
White House The White House is the official residence and workplace of the president of the United States. It is located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., and has been the residence of every U.S. president since John Adams in 1800. ...
chief
counsel A counsel or a counsellor at law is a person who gives advice and deals with various issues, particularly in legal matters. It is a title often used interchangeably with the title of ''lawyer''. The word ''counsel'' can also mean advice given ...
Charles Colson Charles Wendell Colson (October 16, 1931 – April 21, 2012), generally referred to as Chuck Colson, was an American attorney and political advisor who served as Special Counsel to President Richard Nixon from 1969 to 1970. Once known as Pr ...
(who was the Nixon administration's liaison to labor groups) and sought a meeting with
President President most commonly refers to: *President (corporate title) *President (education), a leader of a college or university *President (government title) President may also refer to: Automobiles * Nissan President, a 1966–2010 Japanese ful ...
Richard Nixon Richard Milhous Nixon (January 9, 1913April 22, 1994) was the 37th president of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as a representative and senator from California and was ...
. Embarrassed, IRS and
Federal Bureau of Investigation The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is the domestic intelligence and security service of the United States and its principal federal law enforcement agency. Operating under the jurisdiction of the United States Department of Justice, ...
(FBI) agents subsequently interviewed Jackie Presser in late 1972. Presser's information was verified, and Presser spent the rest of his life as an FBI informer.Lardner, "Teamsters' Presser Led Two Lives As He Rose to the Top of the Union," ''Washington Post,'' April 26, 1986; "Document Says Presser Helped FBI Since '70s," ''United Press International,'' November 26, 1987; Jackson and Ostrow, "Presser Tipped FBI On 69 Persons, Records Show," ''Los Angeles Times,'' December 3, 1987. Presser began receiving $2,500 a month (roughly $12,500 in 2007 dollars) from the FBI for providing information. Presser was considered a "top-echelon informant," marking him as one of the Bureau's most prized sources.Jackson and Ostrow, "Presser Faces Prospect of New Federal Charges," ''Los Angeles Times,'' April 24, 1986. Shortly thereafter, Presser allegedly received permission from two FBI agents to pad the Local 507 payroll with fake employees. The individuals hired as "ghost employees" were not required to do any work but nevertheless received substantial paychecks. The paychecks, it was later claimed, were a way of funneling payments to Teamsters officials and members of the Cleveland mob.


Involvement with the mafia

According to court records, in 1974 Jackie Presser became deeply involved in mafia affairs. He allegedly told the leaders of the
Chicago mafia The Chicago Outfit (also known as the Outfit, the Chicago Mafia, the Chicago Mob, the Chicago crime family, the South Side Gang or The Organization) is an Italian-American organized crime syndicate or crime family based in Chicago, Illinois, tha ...
that he was willing to do them favors in exchange for money and assistance. Jimmy "The Weasel" Fratianno, a former
hitman Contract killing is a form of murder or assassination in which one party hires another party to kill a targeted person or persons. It involves an illegal agreement which includes some form of payment, monetary or otherwise. Either party may be ...
in the
Cleveland crime family The Cleveland crime family or Cleveland Mafia is the collective name given to a succession of Italian-American organized crime gangs based in Cleveland, Ohio, in the United States. A part of the Italian-American Mafia (or ''Cosa Nostra'') phenom ...
and later acting head of the
Los Angeles crime family The Los Angeles crime family, also known as the L.A. Mafia or the Southern California crime family, is an Italian-American organized crime syndicate based in Los Angeles as part of the larger Italian-American Mafia. Since its inception in the earl ...
, later testified that Chicago crime boss
Joseph Aiuppa Joseph John Aiuppa (December 1, 1907 – February 22, 1997), also known as "Joey O'Brien" and "Joey Doves", was a Chicago mobster who became a leader of the Chicago Outfit from 1971 until his skimming conviction in 1986. Early career Joseph A ...
told him in 1974 that "if you need anything from Jackie Presser, he said he'll do it for you." Fratianno also testified that he colluded with Presser to set up a union dental program whose profits were skimmed into Presser's and the Mafia's bank accounts. Organizationally, however, Presser was under the control of the Cleveland crime family.Parry, "Reagan Unaware Appointee Had Reputed Crime Links," ''Associated Press,'' December 16, 1980. Presser's involvement with organized crime eventually led to fears for his safety. In 1976, a battle for control inside the Cleveland mafia broke out. Longtime Cleveland mob boss
John T. Scalish John T. Scalish (September 18, 1912 – May 26, 1976), also known as "John Scalise", was an Ohio mobster who became the boss of the Cleveland crime family. His death resulted in the ascension of James T. Licavoli to the head of the Cleveland Mob a ...
died without naming a successor.
John Nardi John Nardi (January 21, 1916 − May 17, 1977) was an influential associate of the Cleveland crime family who was involved in labor racketeering in Cleveland, Ohio. At the end of his criminal career, Nardi turned against his crime family in a blo ...
, a high-ranking Teamster leader, formed a coalition with mobster
Danny Greene Daniel John Patrick Greene (November 14, 1933 – October 6, 1977) was an Irish-American organized crime figure based in Cleveland, Ohio. Greene gained power first in the local chapter of the International Longshoremen's Association, where h ...
to seize control of the Cleveland crime family. They were opposed by Scalish lieutenant James "Blackie" Licavoli. Eventually Nardi and Greene were murdered by Licavoli, along with several other Teamsters officials. Presser feared he was next. The FBI gave Presser a small radio transmitter that supposedly could detonate a car bomb from a distance. Presser also hired a large contingent of muscular bodyguards who accompanied him everywhere he went (including Teamster meetings). Despite being armed with the radio device and surrounded by guards, Presser fled to Florida and moved from hotel to hotel every few days until the gang war ended.Neff, ''Mobbed Up: Jackie Presser's High-Wire Life in the Teamsters, the mafia, and the F.B.I.,'' 1989. In 1977, Presser allegedly used his mob connections to seek political favors from President
Jimmy Carter James Earl Carter Jr. (born October 1, 1924) is an American politician who served as the 39th president of the United States from 1977 to 1981. A member of the Democratic Party (United States), Democratic Party, he previously served as th ...
. According to Fratianno's court testimony, Presser asked Fratianno to locate someone who could persuade Carter to put pressure on DOJ, DOL and the FBI in criminal investigations or to secure pardons for Presser associates. Fratianno claimed that William Marchiondo, an
Albuquerque Albuquerque ( ; ), ; kee, Arawageeki; tow, Vakêêke; zun, Alo:ke:k'ya; apj, Gołgéeki'yé. abbreviated ABQ, is the most populous city in the U.S. state of New Mexico. Its nicknames, The Duke City and Burque, both reference its founding in ...
lawyer, later met with Presser. Marchiondo was an associate of former
New Mexico ) , population_demonym = New Mexican ( es, Neomexicano, Neomejicano, Nuevo Mexicano) , seat = Santa Fe , LargestCity = Albuquerque , LargestMetro = Tiguex , OfficialLang = None , Languages = English, Spanish ( New Mexican), Navajo, Ker ...
Governor A governor is an administrative leader and head of a polity or political region, ranking under the head of state and in some cases, such as governors-general, as the head of state's official representative. Depending on the type of political ...
Jerry Apodaca Jerry Apodaca (born October 3, 1934) is an American politician of the Democratic Party who served as the 24th governor of New Mexico from 1975 to 1979 and chair of the president’s council on physical fitness and sports from 1978 to 1980. Perso ...
, and Fratianno believed that Marchiondo and Apodaca felt they had Carter's ear because they had supported the president's candidacy early in the 1976 primary season.


Reagan transition controversy

In 1980,
Ronald Reagan Ronald Wilson Reagan ( ; February 6, 1911June 5, 2004) was an American politician, actor, and union leader who served as the 40th president of the United States from 1981 to 1989. He also served as the 33rd governor of California from 1967 ...
forged a close political relationship with Jackie Presser. During Reagan's 1980 campaign for president, Jackie Presser served as one of Reagan's hosts at a private luncheon for Teamster and other union leaders and escorted Reagan to private meetings with Teamster officials. After the November 1980 presidential election, Reagan named Presser as a labor advisor to his transition team. The media soon reported that Presser was reputed to have links to organized crime and that he was the object of a DOL civil suit for financial malfeasance. Reagan and his advisors claimed to have been unaware of the accusations, and Presser denied having any ties to organized crime. Just days after the story broke in the national press, however,
New Jersey State Police The New Jersey State Police (NJSP) is the official state police force of the U.S. state of New Jersey. It is a general-powers police agency with statewide jurisdiction, designated by troop sectors. History As with other state police organization ...
witnesses testified that Presser was the primary contact for the
DeCavalcante crime family The DeCavalcante crime family, also known as the North Jersey Mafia, is an Italian-American Mafia organized crime family that operates mainly in northern New Jersey, particularly in Elizabeth, Newark, West New York, and various other North Jersey ...
of
New Jersey New Jersey is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York; on the east, southeast, and south by the Atlantic Ocean; on the west by the Delaware ...
and the
Patriarca crime family The Patriarca crime family (, ), also known as the New England Mafia, the Boston Mafia, the Providence Mafia, or The Office is an Italian-American American Mafia, Mafia crime family, family in New England. It has two distinct factions, one based ...
of
Boston Boston (), officially the City of Boston, is the state capital and most populous city of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as well as the cultural and financial center of the New England region of the United States. It is the 24th- mo ...
whenever crime figures needed loans from Teamster pension funds. The courtroom testimony intensified the pressure on the Reagan transition team. Democrats and leaders of the
Teamsters for a Democratic Union Teamsters for a Democratic Union (TDU) is a grassroots rank and file organization whose goal is to reform the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT), or Teamsters Union. The organization has chapters nationwide in the United States and Canada ...
(TDU), a Teamster reform group, demanded that Reagan remove Presser from the transition team. But Reagan aides said that the transition team had completed its task and the issue was now moot.


Teamsters career, 1980-1983

The U.S. Department of Labor began investigating Presser in 1981 after receiving allegations he had padded the Local 507 payroll with "ghost employees." A secret affidavit outlining the government's actions and preliminary findings was filed with a federal court in 1982. On April 15, 1981, Frank Fitzsimmons announced he was stepping down as president of the Teamsters due to worsening health. Roy Williams and Jackie Presser were mentioned as possible successors, and some press reports indicated a fight for the presidency was under way. But Presser announced he would not be a candidate and that he was supporting Williams instead. Williams was opposed by
Pete Camarata Pete Camarata (born September 7, 1946, in Detroit, Michigan) was a Teamster labor activist and one of the founders of Teamsters for a Democratic Union a rank-and-file union democracy movement organizing to reform the International Brotherhood o ...
—a dock worker from
Detroit, Michigan Detroit ( , ; , ) is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is also the largest U.S. city on the United States–Canada border, and the seat of government of Wayne County. The City of Detroit had a population of 639,111 at ...
, and co-founder of the
Teamsters for a Democratic Union Teamsters for a Democratic Union (TDU) is a grassroots rank and file organization whose goal is to reform the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT), or Teamsters Union. The organization has chapters nationwide in the United States and Canada ...
(TDU). When TDU activists picketed the Teamster convention at which Williams was elected, Presser declared the picketers "an ever-changing cast of union drop-outs, college students, aimless transients and an elite group of zealots who clearly have the clout over the sign carriers" and declared them to be under the control of "Marxist leaders from the International Socialist Party." He also repeatedly referred to Camarata as "Commie-Rat-A." Camarata accused Presser of hiring a "squad of thugs" to intimidate delegates and provoke violence—allegations which would later prove accurate. During the convention, Presser was asked whether he supported the reaffiliation of the union with the AFL-CIO. He told the press that his attitude was "very negative" toward reaffiliation. In mid-June, Bill Presser died of a heart attack. Jackie Presser, who was re-elected as an international vice president at the June convention, later reported that he earned $353,737 in 1981 from his various Teamsters jobs. In 1982, he made $394,895.


First official confirmation as government informant

Although turncoat mob leaders and others had long accused Jackie Presser of being a government informant, the first official confirmation did not come until August 22, 1981. In its August 31 issue, ''Time'' magazine reported that Fitzsimmons, Bill Presser and Jackie Presser had all served as government informants in the early 1970s to avoid possible prosecution. The information was revealed in declassified reports filed by IRS agents. Presser confirmed that he, his father and Fitzsimmons had met with federal agents, but declared that there had been only one meeting in 1972. Days later, the ''Cleveland Plain Dealer'' newspaper reported that court documents and unidentified law enforcement officials had confirmed that Presser and his father had served as government informants while taking $300,000 in
kickbacks A kickback is a form of negotiated bribery in which a commission is paid to the bribe-taker in exchange for services rendered. Generally speaking, the remuneration (money, goods, or services handed over) is negotiated ahead of time. The kickback ...
from a Las Vegas public relations firm connected to organized crime. Presser categorically denied the report. Soon after, however, editors at the ''Plain Dealer'' retracted the story despite protests from reporters. The mafia had long doubted claims that Presser was an informant, and the retraction helped renew mob confidence in Presser. The mob's confidence in Presser was reaffirmed a year later when the Justice Department publicly ended its investigation into the alleged kickback scheme.


Bid for presidency

In February 1983, Presser was re-elected to the international union's policy committee. Just two months later, Roy Williams was convicted for conspiring to bribe
U.S. Senator The United States Senate is the upper chamber of the United States Congress, with the House of Representatives being the lower chamber. Together they compose the national bicameral legislature of the United States. The composition and powe ...
Howard Cannon Howard Walter Cannon (January 26, 1912 – March 5, 2002) was an American politician from Nevada. Elected to the first of four consecutive terms in 1958, he served in the United States Senate from 1959 to 1983. He was a member of the Democratic ...
. Williams announced he would resign as Teamsters president while appealing his conviction. Williams' conviction was no surprise to Presser. Beginning in 1979, Presser began providing the Justice Department with extensive information on Williams. It was Presser who had turned over the critical evidence which showed Williams had arranged to give Sen. Cannon a parcel of land as a bribe to defeat trucking
deregulation Deregulation is the process of removing or reducing state regulations, typically in the economic sphere. It is the repeal of governmental regulation of the economy. It became common in advanced industrial economies in the 1970s and 1980s, as a ...
legislation. Press reports at the time claimed that a ferocious fight erupted over Williams' successor. Williams' resignation came just 15 days before the Teamster convention, at which a successor would have to be elected. In addition to Presser, other candidates for the presidency were reported to be M.E. (Andy) Anderson, president of the statewide Teamsters organization in
California California is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States, located along the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the List of states and territori ...
; Joseph Morgan, president of the Teamsters in
Florida Florida is a state located in the Southeastern region of the United States. Florida is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the northwest by Alabama, to the north by Georgia, to the east by the Bahamas and Atlantic Ocean, and to ...
; Don Peters, president of the large Teamsters local in
Chicago (''City in a Garden''); I Will , image_map = , map_caption = Interactive Map of Chicago , coordinates = , coordinates_footnotes = , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name ...
; and Ray Schoessling, secretary-treasurer of the international Teamsters union and a Williams appointee. The press reported that Presser had formed an alliance with Anderson, which gave him enough votes to win the presidency. In fact, no internal fight existed. Instead, mafia families in Chicago, Cleveland and various cities on the
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had met shortly after Williams' resignation announcement and picked Presser to lead the Teamsters. Initially, organized crime figures did not prefer Presser. But mob leaders
Angelo Lonardo Angelo Anthony Lonardo (January 21, 1911 − March 31, 2006) was a mobster who became the acting boss of Cleveland crime family in the early 1980s. Lonardo was born in 1911 in Cleveland to Joseph and Concetta Lonardo. His godfather was Anthony ...
, Anthony "Fat Tony" Salerno, and Milton "Maishe" Rockman (Scalish's brother-in-law) met with mafia officials throughout the country to build support for a Presser presidency. The final decision was made at a meeting in a Chicago hotel attended by
Jackie Cerone John Philip Cerone (July 7, 1914 – July 26, 1996), nicknamed Jackie the Lackey, was an American mobster and boss of the Chicago Outfit during the late 1960s. He was the younger brother of mobster Frank "Skippy" Cerone, father of lawyer Joh ...
, Aiuppa, Lonardo and Rockman. Presser himself informed the FBI shortly after the mob meeting that he "had the support of all the East Coast families" and that he would be the next Teamsters' president. Jackie Presser was elected president of the Teamsters on April 21, 1983. He pledged to re-invigorate the union, organize new members, and end trucking deregulation. He also said he had no opinion as to whether the Teamsters should rejoin the AFL-CIO. Shortly after his election, Presser told his FBI contacts that anyone who sought to do business with him needed to go through the mafia first. Presser's biggest opponent within the Teamsters was actually William J. McCarthy, president of Joint Council 10 (which covered all Teamster locals in
New England New England is a region comprising six states in the Northeastern United States: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. It is bordered by the state of New York to the west and by the Canadian provinces ...
). In an attempt to discredit McCarthy, Presser told the FBI that McCarthy had sought the support of organized crime in an unsuccessful attempt to persuade Presser to appoint him secretary-treasurer in 1983. Reports later showed that Presser was paid more than a half million dollars in salary in 1983 (the year of his election to the presidency). He received $216,000 as secretary-treasurer and executive officer of Local 507; $42,500 as vice chairman of the Ohio Conference of Teamsters; and $59,500 as president of Teamsters Joint Council 41 in Ohio. His presidential salary was $216,000 a year.


Major presidential milestones

On May 5, 1983, the U.S. Department of Labor settled a portion of its case against the former trustees of the Central States Pension Fund. Several insurance companies agreed to pay more than $6.75 million to the fund. Presser was not involved in the settlement, and the civil suit against him continued. But the same day DOL claimed victory against pension fund graft, Presser told FBI agents that organized crime still controlled the pension fund. In 1984, Presser and the remaining trustees settled their personal liability suit for $2 million. Three years later, the U.S. Department of Labor settled its final civil case against Presser and the other Central States Pension Fund trustees. The agreement, which included Presser, turned operation of the pension fund over to a federal court until the year 2007. In addition, Presser and the other 17 trustees paid an additional $175,000 to reimburse the fund for certain other costs. It was the first time the Labor Department won restitution from individual pension fund trustees under the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) (, codified in part at ) is a U.S. federal tax and labor law that establishes minimum standards for pension plans in private industry. It contains rules on the federal income tax eff ...
(ERISA). Presser quickly established his control over the Teamsters during his first six months in office. He appointed Robert Holmes, a
Detroit Detroit ( , ; , ) is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is also the largest U.S. city on the United States–Canada border, and the seat of government of Wayne County. The City of Detroit had a population of 639,111 at th ...
Teamster leader, as director of the Central Conference of Teamsters; Paul Locigno, a Teamster staffer from Ohio, as director of government affairs; Wallace Clements, a staff political coordinator in the
Deep South The Deep South or the Lower South is a cultural and geographic subregion in the Southern United States. The term was first used to describe the states most dependent on plantations and slavery prior to the American Civil War. Following the war ...
, as political director; and Vicki Saporta, a longtime organizer, as organizing director. Presser also strengthened the union's research and lobbying shops and established the Titan System, a computer networking system which established email communication throughout the union for the first time. He also began a major lobbying effort, particularly against a proposed labor racketeering bill. In October 1983, the TDU announced a slate of candidates to try to oust Presser. On November 8, 1983, Presser underwent triple bypass heart surgery in Cleveland. By the end of 1983, Presser was making $755,474 a year. On October 24, 1984, Presser named Weldon Mathis secretary-treasurer of the Teamsters. Mathis replaced Ray Schoessling, who retired effective January 1, 1986. In 1984, Presser received more than $530,000 in pay. Presser was paid $224,000 in salary by Local 507, $59,500 by Teamsters Joint Council 41, $18,100 by the Ohio Conference of Teamsters, and $229,000 by the international union. In April 1986, as Presser's legal woes worsened, C. Sam Theodus, leader of Teamster Local 407 in Cleveland, announced he would run as the TDU candidate against Presser. Presser's legal problems, however, seemed unlikely to harm his chances for re-election. At the regularly scheduled Teamsters convention in May 1986, Presser was elected to a full five-year term as Teamsters president. Presser arrived in the ballroom accompanied by composer
Aaron Copland Aaron Copland (, ; November 14, 1900December 2, 1990) was an American composer, composition teacher, writer, and later a conductor of his own and other American music. Copland was referred to by his peers and critics as "the Dean of American Com ...
's ''
Fanfare for the Common Man ''Fanfare for the Common Man'' is a musical work by the American composer Aaron Copland. It was written in 1942 for the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra under conductor Eugene Goossens and was inspired in part by a speech made earlier that year b ...
.'' Four muscular men dressed as
Roman Roman or Romans most often refers to: *Rome, the capital city of Italy *Ancient Rome, Roman civilization from 8th century BC to 5th century AD *Roman people, the people of ancient Rome *''Epistle to the Romans'', shortened to ''Romans'', a letter ...
centurion A centurion (; la, centurio , . la, centuriones, label=none; grc-gre, κεντυρίων, kentyríōn, or ) was a position in the Roman army during classical antiquity, nominally the commander of a century (), a military unit of around 80 ...
s bearing him on a golden
sedan chair The litter is a class of wheelless vehicles, a type of human-powered transport, for the transport of people. Smaller litters may take the form of open chairs or beds carried by two or more carriers, some being enclosed for protection from the e ...
. Despite being indicted days before on embezzlement and racketeering charges, Presser received 1,729 votes to Theodus' 24 votes. Theodus conceded after the first hour of balloting, but Presser ordered the roll call to continue to the end (it lasted another three-and-a-half hours) to humiliate Theodus. After the balloting, delegates defeated proposals to cut the president's salary by $100,000 and to prohibit national leaders from collecting multiple union salaries. A month later, the press reported that Presser had received a total income of $588,353 from his four union positions. In October 1987, Presser led the Teamsters back into the AFL-CIO. Presser had repeatedly said he was uninterested in reaffiliation, and AFL-CIO President Lane Kirkland had been deeply angered by Presser's attempt to merge with the ITU and to raid AFL-CIO affiliated unions with members in the publishing industry. But as Presser's legal problems mounted and a federal takeover of the union appeared more and more likely, Presser sought reaffiliation as a means of shielding the Teamsters from the government. In August and September 1987, leaders of the AFL-CIO and the Teamsters secretly worked out a tentative reaffiliation agreement—exactly 30 years after the Teamsters were first expelled for corruption. Pushing reaffiliation on the AFL-CIO side were Robert Georgine, president of the
Building and Construction Trades Department, AFL-CIO North America's Building Trades Unions (NABTU) is a labor federation of 14 North American unions in the building trade, founded by the American Federation of Labor in 1907. History North America's Building Trades Unions was founded by the American ...
, and William H. Wynn, president of the
United Food and Commercial Workers The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) is a labor union representing approximately 1.3 million workers in the United States and Canada in industries including retail; meatpacking, food processing and manufacturing; hosp ...
. Law enforcement officials said the reaffiliation undercut their effort to put the Teamsters under federal control.


Attempted merger with ITU

A month after his election, Presser proposed a merger of the Teamsters and the
International Typographical Union The International Typographical Union (ITU) was a US trade union for the printing trade for newspapers and other media. It was founded on May 3, 1852, in the United States as the National Typographical Union, and changed its name to the Interna ...
(ITU), a 70,000-member printers' union. AFL-CIO President
Lane Kirkland Joseph Lane Kirkland (March 12, 1922 – August 14, 1999) was an American labor union leader who served as President of the AFL–CIO from 1979 to 1995. Life and career Kirkland was born in Camden, South Carolina, the son of Louise Beardsley (R ...
, however, opposed the merger because the Teamsters were not members of the labor federation. The Teamsters and Typographers went ahead with their merger talks anyway, even as Kirkland supported an ITU group opposed to the merger. After nearly a year, merger seemed imminent despite a lawsuit by a small group of ITU members opposing the merger. But in the election for ITU officers held just days prior to the merger vote, the incumbent ITU president Joe Bingel and executive council leadership was ousted from office and an anti-merger slate elected. The merger referendum did not pass. Presser continued to push merger with the Typographers, even as the new ITU president Robert Mc Michen and executive council leadership signed a merger agreement with the
Graphic Communications International Union The Graphic Communications International Union (GCIU) was a labor union representing printing workers in the United States and Canada. The union was founded on May 25, 1983, when the Graphic Arts International Union merged with the International Pr ...
(GCIU). That effort collapsed in March 1985 after ITU members rejected merger with the GCIU. Again Presser reached a merger agreement with the ITU, and once more Kirkland went on the offensive against the merger. But in August 1985, ITU members once more rejected merger with the Teamsters. In July 1986, the ITU finally agreed to a merger with the
Communications Workers of America The Communications Workers of America (CWA) is the largest communications and media labor union in the United States, representing about 700,000 members in both the private and public sectors (also in Canada and Puerto Rico). The union has 27 loc ...
. That merger was approved in November 1986, ending Presser's attempt to woo the ITU. The ITU ceased to exist. The printer locals joined the CWA and the mailer locals joined the IBT.


Second Reagan endorsement

The Teamsters had endorsed Ronald Reagan for president in 1980, creating a furor within the American labor movement. However, AFL-CIO officials expressed hope that the Teamsters would endorse the Democratic candidate in 1984. This hope proved wrong. Presser announced on June 7, 1983, that he intended to endorse Reagan for re-election. A formal endorsement did not come in January 1984 as expected, and Presser strongly criticized the AFL-CIO for endorsing Democratic candidate
Walter Mondale Walter Frederick "Fritz" Mondale (January 5, 1928 – April 19, 2021) was an American lawyer and politician who served as the 42nd vice president of the United States from 1977 to 1981 under President Jimmy Carter. A U.S. senator from Minnesota ...
too early in the primary cycle. Worried Republicans waited throughout the spring and summer for a Teamster endorsement, but it was not forthcoming. In early August, Presser finally told White House aides that Teamster support for Reagan hinged on whether Reagan would remove Donald Dotson as chairman of the
National Labor Relations Board The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is an independent agency of the federal government of the United States with responsibilities for enforcing U.S. labor law in relation to collective bargaining and unfair labor practices. Under the Natio ...
. The Dotson-led labor board had issued a string of decisions which the Teamsters considered anti-labor. On the eve of the Republican National Convention, Presser told the press that Dotson's removal was a "do-or-die situation" for the Teamsters—which held more NLRB-supervised organizing elections than any other union. Reagan refused to fire Dotson, although presidential aides said that a compromise would be reached over the NLRB's actions. Just a week later, the Teamsters endorsed Reagan.
Vice President A vice president, also director in British English, is an officer in government or business who is below the president (chief executive officer) in rank. It can also refer to executive vice presidents, signifying that the vice president is on t ...
George H. W. Bush George Herbert Walker BushSince around 2000, he has been usually called George H. W. Bush, Bush Senior, Bush 41 or Bush the Elder to distinguish him from his eldest son, George W. Bush, who served as the 43rd president from 2001 to 2009; pr ...
accepted the endorsement in person. The Teamster endorsement was the only large labor union endorsement Reagan received. In apparent gratitude, Reagan named Presser to the second Reagan transition team as a labor advisor.Jackson and Ostrow, "1st Step Taken to Prosecute Teamster Chief," ''Los Angeles Times,'' February 2, 1985.


Collective bargaining achievements

Trucking: Deregulation had led to intense competition in the trucking industry, and many union trucking firms were nearing bankruptcy or were in financial difficulty. In January 1983, the employer organization which governed collective bargaining activities in the trucking industry asked the Teamsters to re-open its contract and approve significant wage reductions. Presser agreed to do both, so long as laid-off union members were given preference in re-hiring. The employers agreed. The agreement was announced on August 16, 1983. But in a surprise vote, Teamster members rejected the new wage agreement 94,086 to 13,082—easily reaching the two-thirds majority necessarily to reject a contract under the Teamster constitution. The results were a serious blow to Presser's prestige and power in the union. Trucking industry talks began again in January 1985. Presser pushed for limits on the use of non-union subcontractors and subsidiaries, as well as wage and pension increases. Employers pushed for the establishment of a two-tier wage scale that would set permanently lower salaries for new drivers. Negotiators reached a new contract on April 1, 1985, as the old agreement expired. Teamsters officials initially claimed the settlement retained a single wage scale. In fact the agreement created a two-tier pay system, with new workers receiving wages 30 percent lower than incumbent drivers. The agreement also eliminated cost-of-living increases and significantly lower wages for temporary workers. The total wage and benefit package provided an increase of 10 percent over three years, the lowest increase since a national agreement had first been established in 1964. Presser and other Teamster leaders were forced to lobby hard for passage of the agreement. After a month-long ratification battle, Teamsters members narrowly ratified the contract by a 53.2 percent majority. A third trucking industry contract was settled in May 1988. By this time, however, Presser was too ill to participate actively in any of the negotiating sessions. The new collective bargaining agreement was reached on March 30, 1988. Teamster members cast 63.5 percent of all ballots against the pact. But since the "no" vote did not meet the two-thirds majority required to overturn a contract and authorize a strike, Presser ordered national union officials to impose the pact. Package delivery: The Teamsters' contract with
United Parcel Service United Parcel Service (UPS, stylized as ups) is an American multinational corporation, multinational package delivery, shipping & receiving and supply chain management company founded in 1907. Originally known as the American Messenger Company ...
(UPS) expired on June 1, 1985. Presser sought a two-year replacement agreement that would provide a wage increase. Presser opened contract talks nearly a year early, and won a moderate wage increase. But four Teamster members sued to prevent a vote on the contract, arguing Presser had given members no time to study or debate the proposal. A federal judge agreed and impounded the ballots on September 19. Undeterred, Presser once more lobbied hard for the a new contract. A second vote was held, and 70 percent of voters approved the pact. In 1987, Presser renegotiated the 1985 contract. This time, negotiations opened late and a new agreement not reached until two weeks after expiration of the existing pact. The tentative agreement provided a minor wage increase—only 30 cents an hour. A majority of UPS members voted against the collective bargaining agreement (35,036 for approval, 36,093 against). But since the vote fell far short of the two-thirds necessary to reject a contract, the agreement was ratified and imposed on angry workers. Carhaul: Shortly after ratification of the UPS pact, Presser began negotiations on behalf of Teamster truck drivers who deliver new automobiles to dealerships (carhaulers). The carhaul contract expired on June 1, 1985. Presser negotiated a new agreement in mid-June which provided for a minimal wage increase of 60 cents an hour, imposed a two-tier wage system, reduced pay for trips of more than 1,100 miles, eliminated cost-of-living adjustments, and provided for only half-pay for loaded return trips. The union's 21,000 carhaul drivers and support personnel rejected the contract by a 4-to-1 majority. Although no strike was planned, the union was forced to strike on July 26, 1985, after employers sought additional wage and benefit concessions during the subsequent round of negotiations. After a 19-day strike, a new contract was tentatively approved which offered the same wage increase. However, management agreed to remove the half-pay loaded return trip proposal. The two-tier wage system was retained, but the wage difference between incumbents and new hires was dramatically reduced. The employers also agreed to let members vote on any concessionary economic proposals during the life of the contract (under the previous agreement, only Teamster leadership voted on these changes), and were able to make permanent a temporary provision allowing companies to divert freight from terminals where there have been layoffs. But the pact's initial rejection and the snap strike were both seen as blows to Presser's leadership.


Commission on Organized Crime

In early 1985, the
President's Commission on Organized Crime The President's Commission on Organized Crime was a United States governmental body that existed during the Ronald Reagan administration. It was established by in 1984. Its chairman was Judge Irving Kaufman. It issued a final report in 1986 (publ ...
issued a sealed
subpoena A subpoena (; also subpœna, supenna or subpena) or witness summons is a writ issued by a government agency, most often a court, to compel testimony by a witness or production of evidence under a penalty for failure. There are two common types of ...
ordering Presser to testify about mafia influence in the Teamsters union. Presser filed suit to have the subpoena thrown out. In March, a federal court refused to bar the subpoena. The Commission held its April 1985 hearings in Chicago, and focused those sessions on organized crime involvement in labor unions. During the hearings, Commission members charged that the mafia controlled the Teamsters, the
Laborers A laborer (or labourer) is a person who works in manual labor types in the construction industry workforce. Laborers are in a working class of wage-earners in which their only possession of significant material value is their labor. Industries ...
,
HERE Here is an adverb that means "in, on, or at this place". It may also refer to: Software * Here Technologies, a mapping company * Here WeGo (formerly Here Maps), a mobile app and map website by Here Technologies, Here Television * Here TV (form ...
and the
International Longshoremen's Association The International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) is a North American labor union representing longshore workers along the East Coast of the United States and Canada, the Gulf Coast, the Great Lakes, Puerto Rico, and inland waterways. The ILA h ...
. Former mobsters described numerous syndicate cash bribes and other payments to Presser. Other witnesses testified that Presser had given his approval to the Brotherhood of Loyal Americans and Strong Teamsters (BLAST), a group set up to intimidate TDU members. Testimony before the panel indicated that Presser ordered BLAST members—including regional and local Teamster leaders and staff—to disrupt TDU meetings during the 1983 Teamster national convention. BLAST members drove speakers from podiums, tore down banners, seized and threw away literature, beat TDU members and ejected them from the convention hall.Shipp, "Teamsters' Leader Is Silent at Inquiry by Crime Panel," ''New York Times,'' April 24, 1985. "We should be doing more of that. I'm going to tell you, I'm not going to let up on these people," one witness quoted Presser. During his own testimony, Presser invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination 15 times.Jackson, "Teamsters Chief Invokes Fifth to Queries On Crime Ties," ''Los Angeles Times,'' April 24, 1985.Koziol and O'Brien, "Teamsters Boss Testifies In A Symphony of the 5th," ''Chicago Tribune,'' April 24, 1985. Presser's silence angered the Commission's members. In October 1985, the Commission renewed its efforts to question Presser after it was revealed that the Department of Justice had decided not to prosecute him for padding the payroll at Local 507. In the fall of 1985, the Commission heard testimony from former Teamsters president Roy Williams about Presser's connections to organized crime. Under a grant of immunity, Williams testified extensively about Presser's offer to fix a 1974 criminal case for $10,000 and his desire to obtain kickbacks for helping to arrange a 1975 Teamsters pension fund loan to organized crime figures so they could purchase a Las Vegas casino. In March 1986, the Commission released a preliminary report on organized crime influence in the Teamsters. The Commission found corruption "so pervasive" that it recommended that the federal government seek court supervision of the union. Department of Justice lawyers immediately began preparing a civil lawsuit to place the Teamsters under federal control. Presser vigorously opposed the Justice Department's efforts. He planned a five-year legal, public relations, legislative and political counter-attack to keep the Teamsters free from court supervision, and sought and won AFL-CIO support for his proposals. He also led a massive lobbying effort in the
Congress A congress is a formal meeting of the representatives of different countries, constituent states, organizations, trade unions, political parties, or other groups. The term originated in Late Middle English to denote an encounter (meeting of a ...
to oppose the takeover on cost and
libertarian Libertarianism (from french: libertaire, "libertarian"; from la, libertas, "freedom") is a political philosophy that upholds liberty as a core value. Libertarians seek to maximize autonomy and political freedom, and minimize the state's e ...
philosophical grounds designed to appeal to Republicans. In May 1988, federal prosecutors cut back their effort to take over the Teamsters after losing a criminal trial against Anthony "Fat Tony" Salerno. Salerno and others had been accused of labor racketeering and controlling the election of Roy Williams and Jackie Presser as Teamsters president. The failure to convict Salerno led prosecutors to believe that their case against the union might be weaker than they thought. Nevertheless, an immediate trusteeship was sought to eliminate mob influence in the union.


Final indictment and death

The 1981 investigation into Presser's payroll-padding at Local 507 finally led to a decision by the U.S. Department of Justice to prosecute Presser in June 1984. Five days later, the ''
Los Angeles Times The ''Los Angeles Times'' (abbreviated as ''LA Times'') is a daily newspaper that started publishing in Los Angeles in 1881. Based in the LA-adjacent suburb of El Segundo since 2018, it is the sixth-largest newspaper by circulation in the Un ...
'' named Presser as a U.S. government criminal informant. The report quoted unnamed FBI sources, making this the first time that government officials had confirmed the unverified accusations of mob informants and other reports. But nearly a year passed before any prosecutorial action was taken. During this time, the Justice Department debated whether to protect Presser as a source or prosecute him. Finally, on May 16, 1985, top Justice Department officials ordered federal attorneys to drop their prosecution of Presser over concerns that his extensive cooperation with the government would be revealed. Outraged members of Congress demanded an investigation into the handling of the politically sensitive case. Over the next year, Senate investigators learned that FBI field agents had not kept FBI officials fully informed of their actions, that FBI field agents may have improperly approved illegal actions, and that FBI officials did not keep DOJ and DOL officials fully informed of their relationship with Presser. Presser's attorneys claimed that the FBI had given him permission to initiate and maintain the payroll-padding scheme as a means of shielding him from mob suspicions. Such permission, which is permitted under FBI and DOJ rules and federal law, should bar prosecution, Presser's lawyers argued. Federal grand juries in Cleveland and Washington, D.C., soon opened investigations into the FBI's handling of the Presser case as well as whether the promises made by FBI agents had been authorized. Justice Department leaders eventually undertook a prosecution of one of the FBI field agents who handled Presser, claiming that he had not been authorized to give Presser permission to engage in the payroll-padding scheme. In May 1986, federal prosecutors again indicted Jackie Presser for fraud. Presser's declining health caused numerous delays in his trial. He had surgery to remove two cancerous tumors in January 1987. His cancer returned in June 1987, and he spent several months undergoing
chemotherapy Chemotherapy (often abbreviated to chemo and sometimes CTX or CTx) is a type of cancer treatment that uses one or more anti-cancer drugs (chemotherapeutic agents or alkylating agents) as part of a standardized chemotherapy regimen. Chemotherap ...
and recuperating. He underwent surgery again in the fall of 1987 to remove another cancerous tumor. He suffered additional heart and pituitary gland problems throughout the winter and spring of 1988. On May 4, 1988, Jackie Presser told the Teamsters executive board that he was taking a four-month leave of absence due to his health problems. Weldon Mathis was named the union's acting president. Presser was diagnosed with a brain tumor 10 days later, and underwent surgery to have the tumor removed. Presser went home, but was re-admitted to the hospital on June 27 suffering from cardiac problems, a blood clot in his lung and pituitary gland dysfunction.Swoboda, "Presser Terminally Ill, Doctor Tells U.S. Judge," ''Washington Post,'' June 8, 1988; "Teamsters Leader Jackie Presser Hospitalized," ''Associated Press,'' June 28, 1988; "Presser Reported Alert, Undergoing Tests In Cardiac Unit," ''Associated Press,'' June 30, 1988. Jackie Presser died in Cleveland on the evening of Saturday, July 9, 1988. He was four weeks shy of his 62nd birthday. The proximate cause of death was cardiac arrest, a complication of his cancer and ongoing cardiac problems. Hours after Presser's funeral on July 12, Teamster leaders met at a nearby restaurant and agreed to support William J. McCarthy as his successor.


Other interests, personal life

Presser and his first wife Pat had two children, a daughter Bari (born 1953) and a son, Gary. Presser divorced his second wife, Carmen, in 1983. The couple had two children. Presser's son, Gary, was elected vice president of Local 507. Presser was an avid golfer. He also enjoyed fine food, and patronized five-star restaurants. Presser was the first labor leader to be named to the Greater Cleveland Growth Association board of directors (the city's chamber of commerce). He also worked with the
Special Olympics Special Olympics is the world's largest sports organization for children and adults with intellectual disabilities and physical disabilities, providing year-round training and activities to 5 million participants and Unified Sports partners in 1 ...
, and organized tournaments for blind golfers.


Cultural references

A 1992
made-for-TV movie A television film, alternatively known as a television movie, made-for-TV film/movie or TV film/movie, is a feature-length film that is produced and originally distributed by or to a television network, in contrast to theatrical films made for ...
was produced for
HBO Home Box Office (HBO) is an American premium television network, which is the flagship property of namesake parent subsidiary Home Box Office, Inc., itself a unit owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. The overall Home Box Office business unit is ba ...
about his time in office, called ''Teamster Boss: The Jackie Presser Story'', which starred
Brian Dennehy Brian Manion Dennehy (; July 9, 1938 – April 15, 2020) was an American actor of stage, television, and film. He won two Tony Awards, an Olivier Award, and a Golden Globe, and received six Primetime Emmy Award nominations. Dennehy had roles in ...
and
Jeff Daniels Jeffrey Warren Daniels (born February 19, 1955) is an American actor, comedian, musician, and playwright, known for his work on stage and screen playing diverse characters switching between comedy and drama. He is the recipient of several accol ...
.


Notes


References

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January 16, 1985. * Carmichael, Dan. "Teamsters Vote 63.5 Percent 'No' On Trucking Pact." ''United Press International.'' May 19, 1988. * D'Alessio, F.N. "Chicago Hearings to Focus On Labor Racketeering." ''Associated Press.'' April 21, 1985. * Dembart, Lee. "Teamster Aide Quits Vice President Post." ''New York Times.'' October 9, 1976. * Dobkin, Robert A. "U.S. Sues to Recover Pension Fund Losses In Teamster Plan." ''Associated Press.'' February 1, 1978. * "Document Says Presser Helped FBI Since '70s." ''United Press International.'' November 26, 1987. * Doyle, John M. "Mob Boss Accused of Rigging Presser's Election As Teamsters Head." ''Associated Press.'' November 24, 1986. * Drogin, Bob. "Mafia Leader Indicted Over Presser Link." ''Los Angeles Times.'' November 25, 1986. * Earley, Pete. "Support of Reagan at Issue." ''Washington Post.'' August 22, 1984. * Earley, Pete. "Teamsters Go Often to NLRB." ''Washington Post.'' August 24, 1984. * Elsasser, Glen and Warren, James. "Teamsters Face Survival Test As U.S. Prepares Suit." ''Chicago Tribune.'' June 11, 1987. * Engelberg, Stephen. "U.S. Grand Jury to Open Presser Case Inquiry." ''New York Times.'' September 18, 1985. * Franklin, Ben. "Teamster Leader Quits to Avoid Jail." ''New York Times.'' April 16, 1983. * Frantz, Douglas. "Ex-Teamster Boss Aids Presser Probe." ''Chicago Tribune.'' October 2, 1985. * Frantz, Douglas. "Judge Orders Probe of FBI In Presser Case." ''Chicago Tribune.'' August 27, 1985. * Frantz, Douglas. "Williams Points Finger at Presser." ''Chicago Tribune.'' November 3, 1985. * Frantz, Douglas and Koziol, Ronald. "Jailed Underboss Says Mob Haggled Over Teamsters Boss." ''Chicago Tribune.'' September 29, 1985. * Friedman, Allen and Schwarz, Ted. ''Power and Greed: Inside the Teamsters Empire of Corruption.'' New York: Franklin Watts, 1989. * Friendly, Jonathan. "Reporters Question Story at Cleveland Plain Dealer." ''New York Times.'' October 17, 1982. * "The Friends of Jackie Presser." ''Time.'' September 2, 1985. * Hartson, Merrill. "Benefit Plan Trustees Repaying $6.75 Million In Government Settlement." ''Associated Press.'' June 15, 1984. * Hartson, Merrill. "Insurgents Oust Incumbent Leaders of Printers Union." ''Associated Press.'' July 27, 1984. * Hartson, Merrill. "ITU-Teamsters Merger Talks Continuing." ''Associated Press.'' February 22, 1984. * "Hartson, Merrill. "Justice Won't Seek Presser's Indictment Over Alleged Payroll Scam." ''Associated Press.'' July 24, 1985 * Hartson, Merrill. "Kirkland Says He's Dropped Efforts to Take Teamsters Back." ''Associated Press.'' May 8, 1984. * Hartson, Merrill. "Labor Relations Board Seen As Key to Teamster Reagan Endorsement." ''Associated Press.'' August 23, 1984. * Hartson, Merrill. "Presser Still Pursuing Merger With Printers Union." ''Associated Press.'' September 17, 1984. * Hartson, Merrill. "Printers Face Renewed Threat of Expulsion From AFL-CIO." ''Associated Press.'' March 23, 1984. * Hartson, Merrill. "Rehiring Agreement Reached." ''Associated Press.'' August 16, 1983. * Hartson, Merrill. "Teamster Leadership Rebuffed In Seeking Contract Ratification." ''Associated Press.'' September 20, 1984. * Hartson, Merrill. "Teamster Members Approve UPS Accord, Union Says." ''Associated Press.'' October 31, 1984. * Hartson, Merrill. "Teamsters Leader Handsomely Compensated, Figures Show." ''Associated Press.'' June 18, 1984. * Hartson, Merrill. "Teamsters Leader Has Little Interest In Rejoining AFL-CIO." ''Associated Press.'' March 25, 1984. * Heath, Todd. "Presser Presides at First Teamsters Meeting." ''Associated Press.'' July 20, 1983. * Heinrich, Mark. "Convicted Teamsters Chief to Resign April 20." ''Associated Press.'' April 15, 1983. * Hurwitz, Bernard. "Judge Asked to Block Union Merger Election." ''Associated Press.'' April 27, 1984. * "Jackie Presser: New Teamsters President." ''United Press International.'' April 21, 1983. * Jackson, Robert L. "Justice Lawyers Target of Probe." ''Los Angeles Times.'' August 27, 1985. * Jackson, Robert L. "Teamsters Lead Organized Crime Commission's List." ''Los Angeles Times.'' April 23, 1985. * Jackson, Robert L. "Teamsters Press Congress to Avert U.S. Seizure of Union." ''Los Angeles Times.'' September 16, 1987. * Jackson, Robert L. "Teamsters' Presser Seeks Trial Delay, Says He's Too Ill to Testify." ''Los Angeles Times.'' January 8, 1988. * Jackson, Robert L. and Ostrow, Ronald J. "1st Step Taken to Prosecute Teamster Chief." ''Los Angeles Times.'' February 2, 1985. * Jackson, Robert L. and Ostrow, Ronald J. "Inquiry Delays Decision in Presser Case." ''Los Angeles Times.'' May 17, 1985. * Jackson, Robert L. and Ostrow, Ronald J. "Judge Gets Health Records, Postpones Presser's Trial." ''Los Angeles Times.'' July 25, 1987. * Jackson, Robert L. and Ostrow, Ronald J. "Presser Faces Prospect of New Federal Charges." ''Los Angeles Times.'' April 24, 1986. * Jackson, Robert L. and Ostrow, Ronald J. "Probing Possible False Statements by FBI Agents." ''Los Angeles Times.'' April 12, 1986. * Jackson, Robert L. "Teamsters Chief Invokes Fifth to Queries on Crime Ties." ''Los Angeles Times.'' April 24, 1985. * Jackson, Robert L. and Ostrow, Ronald J. "Presser Called Free of Cancer and Ready For Fraud Trial." ''Los Angeles Times.'' September 5, 1987. * Jackson, Robert L. and Ostrow, Ronald J. "Presser Tipped FBI On 69 Persons, Records Show." ''Los Angeles Times.'' December 3, 1987. * Jackson, Robert L. and Ostrow, Ronald J. "Williams Says Presser Offered to Fix Case For $10,000." ''Los Angeles Times.'' November 5, 1985. * "Judge Delays Trial to Give Presser Time to Regain His Health." ''United Press International.'' January 23, 1988. * "Justice Department Ends Investigation of Teamsters Official." ''Associated Press.'' October 10, 1982. * "Justice Department Officials Knew Presser Was FBI Informant, Newspaper Says." ''Associated Press.'' July 30, 1985. * King, Seth S. "Accord Reached On 2 Union Funds." ''New York Times.'' May 6, 1983. * King, Seth S. "Teamsters Reject Concessions Plan." ''New York Times.'' September 17, 1983. * Klose, Kevin. "Former 'Goon' Describes Labor Leasing Scheme." ''Washington Post.'' April 24, 1985. * Koziol, Ronald. "Witness Tells of Presser Offer to Mob." ''Chicago Tribune.'' December 20, 1985. * Koziol, Ronald and O'Brien, John. "Teamsters Boss Testifies In A Symphony of the 5th." ''Chicago Tribune.'' April 24, 1985. * Kronholm, William. "Job of Economics Team Advised By Presser Is Over, Reagan Spokesman Says." ''Associated Press.'' December 23, 1980. * Kropko, M.R. "Labor Department Began Investigation of Teamsters Chief In 1981." ''Associated Press.'' May 16, 1986. * Kropko, M.R. "Presser Trial Date Moved Back to July 12." ''Associated Press.'' February 16, 1988. * Kurtz, Howard. "Teamsters Criticized." ''Washington Post.'' September 21, 1984. * Kurtz, Howard and Perl, Peter. "U.S. Mum on Decision to Drop Presser Case." ''Washington Post.'' July 25, 1985. * Labaton, Stephen. "Teamsters Ratify Trucking Contract." ''Washington Post.'' May 18, 1985. * Lardner, George Jr. "FBI Hindering Probe of Presser, Panel Told." ''Washington Post.'' May 10, 1986. * Lardner, George Jr. "Mob Backed Presser, Trial Told." ''Washington Post.'' November 27, 1985. * Lardner, George Jr. "Presser Probe Hindered By FBI, Report Says." ''Washington Post.'' May 9, 1986. * Lardner, George Jr. "Teamsters President Indicted." ''Washington Post.'' May 17, 1986. * Lardner, George Jr. "Teamsters' Presser Led Two Lives As He Rose to the Top of the Union." ''Washington Post.'' April 26, 1986. * Lindsey, Robert. "Admitted Mafia Killer Asserts In Book That Reagan Aide Is Tied to Syndicate." ''New York Times.'' December 25, 1980. * Lindsey, Robert. "Nixon Plays Golf With Fitzsimmons at Resort Built With Teamster Loans." ''New York Times.'' October 10, 1975. * Lubasch, Arnold H. "Mob Figures Chose Teamsters' Chief, Government Says." ''New York Times.'' November 25, 1986. * "Man In the News: A Blend Reflected In Light and Shadows: Jackie Presser." ''New York Times.'' April 22, 1983. * "Mathis Named to No. 2 Post In Teamsters Union." ''Associated Press.'' October 25, 1984. * Melvin, Chuck. "Cleveland Local President to Run Against Presser." ''Associated Press.'' April 25, 1986. * Messenger, Phyllis. "UPS, Teamsters Agree On Contract." ''Associated Press.'' August 21, 1987. * Nauth, Zack and Ostrow, Ronald J. "Judge Orders Presser to Answer Crime Panel's Queries." ''Los Angeles Times.'' April 6, 1985. * Neff, James. ''Mobbed Up: Jackie Presser's High-Wire Life in the Teamsters, the Mafia, and the F.B.I.'' New York: The Atlantic Monthly Press, 1989. * "Newspaper Says Prosecution of Teamsters Head to Be Sought." ''Associated Press.'' June 1, 1984. * Noble, Kenneth B. "Crime Panel Urges Broad U.S. Attack On the Teamsters." ''New York Times.'' March 7, 1986. * Noble, Kenneth B. "Cut In Starting Pay Reported at Pan Am and Truck Concerns." ''New York Times.'' April 2, 1985. * Noble, Kenneth B. "Kirkland Fights Teamster 'Raiding' In Publishing." ''New York Times.'' June 26, 1985. * Noble, Kenneth B. "Kirkland Pledges to Help Teamsters Fight Any Government Takeover." ''New York Times.'' October 27, 1987. * Noble, Kenneth B. "Teamster Move Is Seen As Harmful to U.S. Suit." ''New York Times.'' October 24, 1987. * Noble, Kenneth B. "Teamsters and Major Freight Carriers Reach A Pact As Other Talks Go On." ''New York Times.'' April 1, 1985. * Noble, Kenneth B. "Teamsters Ask to Be Allowed In A.F.L.-C.I.O." ''New York Times.'' October 23, 1987. * Noble, Kenneth B. "Trucking Industry May Request Lower Wage Scale For Teamsters." ''New York Times.'' January 30, 1985. * Noble, Kenneth B. "Unions Support Teamsters In Fight With Justice Dept." ''New York Times.'' September 14, 1987. * Ostrow, Ronald J. "FBI 'Promises' Cited For Lack of Presser Charges." ''Los Angeles Times.'' July 25, 1985. * Ostrow, Ronald J. "FBI Told Justice Dept. of Presser Role, Sources Say." ''Los Angeles Times.'' July 30, 1985. * Ostrow, Ronald J. and Jackson, Robert L. "Crime Panel Wants to Question Presser." ''Los Angeles Times.'' October 1, 1985. * Ostrow, Ronald J. and Jackson, Robert L. "Informant Alleges Mafia Ties to Presser." ''Los Angeles Times.'' September 24, 1985. * Ostrow, Ronald J. and Jackson, Robert L. "Presser Abetted Violence By Teamsters, Panel Says." ''Los Angeles Times.'' November 27, 1985. * Ostrow, Ronald J. and Jackson, Robert L. "Presser An FBI Informant Since 1970s, U.S. Aides Say." ''Los Angeles Times.'' June 6, 1984. * Ostrow, Ronald J. and Jackson, Robert L. "Presser Insisted FBI Gave Permission For Pay Scheme." ''Los Angeles Times.'' July 26, 1985. * Ostrow, Ronald J. and Jackson, Robert L. "U.S. Plans Suit to Get Control of Teamsters." ''Los Angeles Times.'' June 10, 1987 * Ostrow, Ronald J. and Jackson, Robert L. "U.S. to Curtail Its Effort to Take Control of Teamsters." ''Los Angeles Times.'' June 2, 1988 * Ostrow, Ronald J. and Jackson, Robert L. "U.S. to Drop Fraud Probe of Presser." ''Los Angeles Times.'' July 24, 1985. * Ostrow, Ronald J. and Quigley, Eileen V. "18 Teamsters Sued As Tools of the Mafia." ''Los Angeles Times.'' June 29, 1988. * Parry, Robert. "Reagan Unaware Appointee Had Reputed Crime Links." ''Associated Press.'' December 16, 1980. * Perl, Peter. "Presser Gets Regal Reception." ''Washington Post.'' May 21, 1986. * Perl, Peter. "Senate Subcommittee Requests Files On Aborted Probe of Teamsters Chief." ''Washington Post.'' July 26, 1985. * Perl, Peter. "Some Teamsters Find Contract Ominous." ''Washington Post.'' April 4, 1985. * Perl, Peter. "Teamsters Reject New Trucking Contract." ''Washington Post.'' July 13, 1985. * Perl, Peter. "Truck Labor Talks Start." ''Washington Post.'' January 16, 1985. * Perl, Peter. "Typographical Union Prepares to Vote On Teamsters Merger." ''Washington Post.'' July 8, 1985. * Perl, Peter and Russakoff, Dale. "Teamsters Endorse GOP Ticket." ''Washington Post.'' August 31, 1984. * Perl, Peter and Swoboda, Frank. "AFL-CIO Chiefs Said to Plan On Readmitting Teamsters." ''Washington Post.'' October 23, 1987. * Porrello, Rick. ''To Kill the Irishman: The War That Crippled the Mafia.'' Novelty, Ohio: Next Hat Press, 2004. * Pound, Edward T. "Union Dissidents and 2 In Congress Assail Teamster In Reagan Group." ''New York Times.'' December 17, 1980. * "Presser Allegedly Sought Help From Crime Figure." ''United Press International.'' December 18, 1980. * "Presser and FBI Agent Indicted." ''Los Angeles Times.'' May 16, 1986. * "Presser Is Called Informer Since '74." ''Associated Press.'' November 27, 1987. * "Presser Prepares Concession Proposal." ''Associated Press.'' August 3, 1983. * "Presser Reported Alert, Undergoing Tests In Cardiac Unit." ''Associated Press.'' June 30, 1988. * "Presser Terms Union Demands 'Heavy'." ''Associated Press.'' August 1, 1985. * "Presser, 2 Aides Plead Innocent." ''United Press International.'' May 30, 1986. * "Presser Will Advise Reagan On Labor." ''Associated Press.'' December 19, 1980. * "Printers Proceeding In Talks On Merger With the Teamsters." ''New York Times.'' September 28, 1983. * Raab, Selwyn. "Top Teamster Informer Told F.B.I. That McCarthy Asked Mafia Help." ''New York Times.'' March 17, 1989. * Richey, Warren. "Despite Legal Probes, Jackie Presser Seems A Cinch For Teamster Reelection." ''Christian Science Monitor.'' May 12, 1986. * Sawyer, Kathy. "ITU Members Replace Chief, Reject Teamsters." ''Washington Post.'' July 28, 1984. * Sawyer, Kathy. "Teamsters President Agrees to Resign to Avoid Jail During Appeal." ''Washington Post.'' April 16, 1983. * Seppy, Tom. "Court Rejects Presser Bid to Avoid Crime Panel Questions." ''Associated Press.'' April 5, 1985. * Serrin, William. "Dissident Teamsters Count Some Gains Despite Convention Losses." ''New York Times.'' June 8, 1981. * Serrin, William. "Jackie Presser's Secret Lives Detailed In Government Files." ''New York Times.'' March 27, 1989. * Serrin, William. "Kirkland Opposes Teamsters Merger." ''New York Times.'' October 7, 1983. * Serrin, William. "Ohio Leader Named Teamsters' Chief." ''New York Times.'' April 22, 1983. * Serrin, William. "Teamster Delegates Elect Williams. Any Objections?" ''New York Times.'' June 7, 1981. * Serrin, William. "Teamster Presidency Race Narrows." ''New York Times.'' April 20, 1983. * Serrin, William. "Teamster Says Union Prefers Reagan to Mondale." ''New York Times.'' September 26, 1983. * Serrin, William. "Teamster's Tough Road." ''New York Times.'' October 23, 1983. * Serrin, William. "Teamsters Open Convention With Reagan Message." ''New York Times.'' June 2, 1981. * Shabecoff, Philip. "Fitzsimmons, Ailing, May Quit Union Job." ''New York Times.'' April 16, 1981. * Shenon, Philip. "Corrupt Unions to Be the Target of Justice Dept." ''New York Times.'' November 22, 1986. * Shenon, Philip. "Officials Say U.S. Plans Indictment of Teamster Chief." ''New York Times.'' May 10, 1986. * Shenon, Philip. "Teamster Leader Is Indicted by U.S. For Racketeering." ''New York Times.'' May 17, 1986. * Shenon, Philip. "U.S. Sues to Oust Teamster Chiefs." ''New York Times.'' June 29, 1988 * Shipp, E.R. "Teamsters' Leader Is Silent at Inquiry by Crime Panel." ''New York Times.'' April 24, 1985. * Silberg, William. "Fitzsimmons May Step Down." ''United Press International.'' May 8, 1981. * "Suit Charges Teamster Chief 'Rigged' Vote." ''Los Angeles Times.'' September 1, 1984. * Swoboda, Frank. "Presser Terminally Ill, Doctor Tells U.S. Judge." ''Washington Post.'' June 8, 1988. * Swoboda, Frank. "Presser Trial Postponed For Health Review." ''Washington Post.'' January 26, 1988. * Swoboda, Frank. "Teamsters, U.S. Settle Pension Suit." ''Washington Post.'' November 11, 1987. * Swoboda, Frank. "Unanimous AFL-CIO Council Votes to Readmit Teamsters." ''Washington Post.'' October 25, 1987. * Swoboda, Frank. "U.S. Sues to Take Over Teamsters." ''Washington Post.'' June 29, 1988 * "TDU Blasts Salaries For Top Teamsters Officials." ''Associated Press.'' July 26, 1982. * "Teamster Chief Ordered to Testify About Union." ''Associated Press.'' April 6, 1985. * "Teamster Chief Taking Leave." ''Associated Press.'' May 6, 1988. * "Teamster Chief Tells Senators He Opposes Racketeering Bill." ''Associated Press.'' June 8, 1983. * "Teamster Complains About Stand On Mondale." ''Associated Press.'' March 27, 1984. * "Teamster Group Opens Drive Against Presser." ''Associated Press.'' October 16, 1983. * "Teamster Leader Undergoes Triple Bypass Heart Surgery." ''Reuters.'' November 9, 1983. * "Teamster Leader Was Paid $530,000." ''Associated Press.'' May 2, 1985. * "Teamster President and Dissidents Disagree Over UPS Proposal." ''Associated Press.'' August 18, 1984. * "Teamster Wants Merger With Printers' Union." ''Reuters.'' July 30, 1983. * "Teamsters Accept A New Contract." ''Associated Press.'' May 18, 1985. * "Teamsters Approve Car Haulers Contract." ''United Press International.'' September 13, 1985. * "Teamsters Hold Off." ''Washington Post.'' January 20, 1984. * "Teamsters Leader Jackie Presser Hospitalized." ''Associated Press.'' June 28, 1988. * "Teamsters Officials Served As Informants in 1970s." ''United Press International.'' August 23, 1981. * "Teamsters President Hospitalized, Reportedly Has Brain Cancer." ''Associated Press.'' May 14, 1988. * "Teamsters President Retains Policy Post." ''New York Times.'' February 15, 1983. * "Three-Way Race Surfaces For Teamsters President." ''Associated Press.'' May 1, 1981. * "Top Teamsters Informed On 'Enemy' Union Members, Time Says." ''Associated Press.'' August 23, 1981. * Townsend, Ed. "Teamster Vote Results Seen As Blow to Union Leaders." ''Christian Science Monitor.'' September 21, 1983. * Tucker, Brian. "Presser Helped By Father In Teamsters Rise." ''Associated Press.'' April 21, 1983. * Turner, Wallace. "Documents Show Strong Ties Between Organized Crime and 2 Top Teamsters." ''New York Times.'' September 29, 1980. * "25 Teamster Officials Made More Than $100,000, Group Says." ''Associated Press.'' June 23, 1980. * "20,000 Union Members Go On Strike." ''Associated Press.'' July 26, 1985. * "Typographers Reject Teamsters Merger." ''Associated Press.'' August 28, 1985. * "Union Boss Denies Newspaper Charges Through Lawyer." ''Associated Press.'' August 24, 1981. * "U.S. Gives Up Effort to Indict Teamster Chief As Embezzler." ''New York Times.'' July 25, 1985. * Von Bergen, Drew. "ITU, Teamsters In Merger Talks." ''United Press International.'' September 28, 1983. * Von Bergen, Drew. "Teamsters Officials In Big Bucks." ''United Press International.'' July 25, 1983. * Von Bergen, Drew. "Teamsters Open Convention." ''United Press International.'' June 3, 1981. * Von Bergen, Drew. "Teamsters Push Pay Hikes and Turn Back Investigation." ''United Press International.'' June 3, 1981. * Von Bergen, Drew. "Teamsters Settlement Does Not Involve Presser." ''United Press International.'' May 6, 1983. * Von Bergen, Drew. "Teamsters Sticking With Reagan." ''United Press International.'' June 8, 1983. * Von Bergen, Drew. "Union Leader Beaten In Re-Election Bid." ''United Press International.'' July 27, 1984. * Warren, James. "Old Union Swallows Its Pride to Survive." ''Chicago Tribune.'' November 30, 1986. * Warren, James. "Printers Reach Accord." ''Chicago Tribune.'' January 10, 1985. * Warren, James. "Printers Union Votes to Join Phone Workers." ''Chicago Tribune.'' November 26, 1986. * Warren, James. "Union Clearing Way For Merger With ITU." ''Chicago Tribune.'' July 17, 1986. * Warren, James and Strong, James. "Teamsters Urge Contract OK." ''Chicago Tribune.'' April 4, 1985. * Weinstein, Henry. "AFL-CIO Votes to Let Teamsters Reaffiliate." ''Los Angeles Times.'' October 25, 1987. * Weinstein, Henry. "116 Receive More Than $100,000." ''Los Angeles Times.'' July 28, 1987 * Weinstein, Henry. "Unionists, Lawyers and Law Professors Tell Discomfort." ''Los Angeles Times.'' June 14, 1987. * Weinstein, Henry and Jackson, Robert L. "Presser Takes Leave of Absence As Chief of Teamsters, Citing Illness, Sources Say." ''Los Angeles Times.'' May 5, 1988. * Weinstein, Henry and Ostrow, Ronald J. "Teamsters Rally Forces to Battle U.S. Takeover." ''Los Angeles Times.'' September 10, 1987. * Welch, William M. "Settlement Reached In Teamsters' Pension Fund Case." ''Associated Press.'' November 10, 1987. * "William Presser Dies." ''United Press International.'' July 18, 1981. * Yancey, Matt. "Indictment Seen As Unlikely To Harm Presser's Election." ''Associated Press.'' May 16, 1986. * Yancey, Matt. "Presser Takes Leave As Teamsters Takeover Case Falters." ''Associated Press.'' May 5, 1988. * Yancey, Matt. "Teamsters Elect Presser Overwhelmingly." ''Associated Press.'' May 21, 1986. * Yancey, Matt. "Teamsters Leaders, Dissidents Alike Decry Possible Government Takeover Move." ''Associated Press.'' June 11, 1987. * Yancey, Matt. "Teamsters, Trucking Lines Reach Accord On National Contract." ''Associated Press.'' March 31, 1988. * Yost, Pete. "Presser's Career A Parade of Sharp Changes In Fortune." ''Associated Press.'' May 16, 1986. * Yost, Pete. "Truckers Agree to New 3-Year Contract." ''Associated Press.'' April 1, 1985.


External links


IMDB entry on ''Teamster Boss: The Jackie Presser Story''
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Presser, Jackie Presidents of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters American trade union leaders American people of Austrian-Jewish descent People from Cleveland 1926 births Federal Bureau of Investigation informants 1988 deaths Activists from Ohio