Jimmy Hoffa influence and control after 1967, to Hoffa's displeasure. Fitzsimmons also decentralized power somewhat within the IBT's administration structure, forgoing much of the control Hoffa took advantage of as union president. On December 23, 1971, less than five years into his 13-year sentence, Hoffa was released from prison when President Richard Nixon commuted his sentence to time served. Following his release, Hoffa was awarded a Teamsters' pension of $1.7 million, delivered in a one-time lump sum payment. This type of pension settlement had not occurred before with the Teamsters. The IBT then endorsed President Nixon, a Republican, in his presidential re-election
Bathurst Trade Union Bathurst Trade Union The Bathurst Trade Union was the first trade union organization in Bathurst, today Banjul, the capital of The Gambia. It was founded by Edward Francis Small in 1929, out of the Carpenters' and Shipwrights' Society. Small became the chairman of BTU. In October the same year the BTU was joined by other craftsmen associations. BTU received support from the British Labour Research Department and the British section of the League against Imperialism. In the fall of 1929, BTU led a 3-week strike. Its membership grew rapidly. By April 1930 it claimed a membership of around 1000. However,