Joseph Konowe, retired Director of the Teamsters Industrial Trades Division and former Special Assistant to James R. Hoffa, died January 6 at his home in Margate, Florida. He was 95.

Konowe, who helped spearhead the Teamsters involvement in civil rights and political action, remained active in the community long after retirement, serving as a hospital volunteer well into his 90s.

Konowe was born Joseph Konowicz on October 12, 1913, to Romanian immigrants in the Bronx. He began his career in the labor movement as a cofounder and organizer of the Retail, Wholesale, Department Store Union, CIO in 1930. He became President of his own local in 1937, and in 1953 was given a charter with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, where he worked until July 1993. In 1937 he also became a General Organizer for the CIO and met James R. Hoffa for the first time. The two would develop an enduring friendship.

In his 40 years with the Teamsters Union, Konowe served in many capacities: as Secretary-Treasurer of Local 210 in New York City, General Organizer, and Administration Assistant to General President James R. Hoffa. Hoffa trusted him with many assignments and relied on him to help keep things on track. Konowe helped organize civil rights activities and met with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on behalf of the Teamsters. He traveled with Hoffa to Israel in 1956 to open a children’s home and later was a key figure in raising funds for an Israel Emergency Fund drive. Konowe was the first Director of the Industrial Trades Division and acted as chairman of the hearing panel, handling grievances from locals throughout the U.S. and Canada. He and the Executive Board of the Industrial Trades Division brought together 253 locals with a membership of 400,000. Because he was multi-lingual, Konowe’s assignments took him to Puerto Rico and other Latin American and European countries. He also served as a board member and lecturer to many European conferences.

During World War II, Konowe was a labor representative serving various government agencies, such as War Labor Board, War Manpower Commission and Office of Price Administration. During that time, Konowe also served in the U.S. Navy as a medic. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in science from Empire State College and Pace University respectively, and later taught labor history at the State University of New York and Pace University. He also lectured at many universities in the United States on the history of the Teamsters Union and the labor movement and was commended by Cornell University for his services to the Labor School from 1980 to 1989. A highlight of Konowe’s life was his service to the state of Israel. Israel honored him with the Medal of the Negev, an award given to non-citizens for extraordinary service.

Known for his generosity, Konowe was associated with many charitable Institutions, serving as a Vice President of B’nai B’rith; as a member of the board of directors of the City of Hope for 35 years; as a cochairman of the Prisoner Rehabilitation Board on Riker’s Island in New York City. He also served on the executive board of the Urban League in Westchester County, New York, where he resided.

In September 2003, Konowe was honored with the James R. Hoffa Lifetime Achievement Award, presented to him by James P. Hoffa, Teamsters General President. This award was the crowning achievement celebrating his 63 years in the labor movement.

“Joseph Konowe was a giant in the history of the Teamsters Union and he will be greatly missed. His importance to the success of this union was enormous,” Hoffa said.

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