F. Christophe “Chris” Silvera, the longtime leader of Teamsters Local 808 is the closest you will probably ever come to an actual revolutionary in the Teamsters union. I believe that I met him at our International Convention in Orlando Florida in 1991 after he had succeeded John Mahoney as Local 808 leader in 1990. Silvera was an immigrant from the Caribbean. He was always hostile to imperialism, colonialism and unregulated capitalism. He was a direct action trade unionist in the mold of James R. Hoffa, Mike Quill, John L Lewis, James Connolly, Harry Bridges and Eugene V. Debs. He was a courageous union leader and chairman of the IBT National Black Caucus. He was fearless in speaking truth to power. He even invited Minister Louis Farrakhan to speak to the Teamster Black Caucus in Chicago in 2005.

I am proud to have known him and have him as a Teamster brother. I look forward to reading his book: “1934, A Year of Good Trouble”. We should all study and learn from him. He will be missed in the labor movement and particularly in the Teamsters and his home local, IBT 808. Condolences to his family and local union. Rest in Peace and Power Brother Silvera.

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