Jimmy Hoffa 1955. IBT staff was also enlarged during this period, with many lawyers hired to assist with contract negotiations. Following his 1952 election as vice-president, Hoffa began spending more of his time away from Detroit, either in Washington or traveling around the country for his expanded responsibilities. Hoffa's personal lawyer was Bill Bufalino. Hoffa took over the presidency of the Teamsters in 1957, at the convention in Miami Beach, Florida. His predecessor, Beck, had appeared before the John Little McClellan-led U.S. Senate Select Committee on Improper Activities in Labor or Management Field in March 1957, and took the Fifth Amendment 140
Waterproof Garment Workers' Trade Union at J. Meek and Co, in Manchester, and unhappiness about its handling of it led to the whole executive being replaced. This did not affect union membership, which reached a peak of 3,100 in 1947, with about three-quarters of members being women. From the 1950s, membership of the union declined in line with employment in the industry, and by 1971 it had only 714 members remaining. The following year, it voted to amalgamate with the National Union of Tailors and Garment Workers. Waterproof Garment Workers' Trade Union The Waterproof Garment Workers' Trade Union was a trade union representing workers involved