Keegel’s retirement, which he had said was to spend more time with his family, was apparent when union President James Hoffa unveiled his slate for Teamsters offices and the board in the February Teamster magazine. Keegel wasn’t there. Ken Hall, president of Local 175 in Charleston, W. Va., a board member and director of its Package Division, who negotiated contracts with UPS, is Hoffa’s running mate.

Following union rules, the magazine published literature from so-far accredited candidates – those who submitted petitions signed by at least 2.5% of the Teamsters’ members as of last Dec. 10. The Hoffa-Hall group includes Graphic Communications Conference President George Tedeschi and Southern California Teamsters Joint Council 42 President Randy Cammack.

Delegates to the union convention, from June 27-July 2 in Las Vegas, will also be able to nominate candidates from the floor, a union spokesman said. The Oakland (Mich.) Press reported last year Local 805 President Sandy Pope of New York was circulating nominating petitions to oppose Hoffa, but she did not get enough signatures by the deadline. A website for dissenting Teamsters reported Fred Gagare, a current at-large vice president and board member – who was left off Hoffa’s ticket – also plans a presidential run. The mail-in and electronic ballot election will be late in 2011.

This article was written by Press Associates, Inc., news service. Used by permission.