James Riddle “Jimmy” Hoffa was American labor leader who suddenly disappeared under mysterious circumstances in 1975. Jimmy Hoffa was the personification of all that is associated with the words "union boss". His rise and fall is the classic story of a “self-made” man, a man who made himself, made his way from the bottom of society through perseverance, energy and talent, but then mired in the abyss of corruption and politicking (Biography.com, 2017).
The 1920s in the USA was a time of class struggle and the rapid growth of the trade union movement. Jimmy Hoffa`s colleagues at the store he worked organized a trade union as well. Despite his young age, he quickly gained credibility among his colleagues thanks to his daring courage in dealing with the administration. In his struggle for the rights of workers, he ferociously defended employees` rights, for which he could pay a heavy price, including his freedom. Soon, he became leader of the Teamsters union.
Needless to say, leaders of organized crime fully appreciated the potential of the labor movement, and decided that it would be beneficial to take it under control: with the help of the trade union, they could take under control not only private industries, but also local authorities, the police, as well as the legislative process. As a result, trade union bosses became a kind of mafia, hiding behind the interests of the working class.
During his later years before imprisonment, Jimmy started actively interacting with mafia, for which was pleased guilty by US law and put in prison. Nevertheless, he never played on the mafia`s side only. He was threatening the mafia with revelations apparently relying on the authorities and their assistance. Thus, Hoffa became unfavorable for the mafia, as well as a kind of criminal for US authorities.
Jimmy Hoffa was a rather controversial person. He was a fighter for the interests of ordinary people. At the same time, he was a man who loved power, effective manager, a man of the Mafia and a man using mafia for benefits of unions, and, thus, ordinary laborers. He was the person using various approaches, including criminal one, for his activities and steady work of the union – a kind of "The Godfather" with his own principles of justice.
References
Biography.com. (2017). “Jimmy Hoffa Biography”. biography.com. Retrieved 20 Jan. 2017 from http://www.biography.com/people/jimmy-hoffa-9341063#personal-life
