Buy union holiday gifts that keep giving

Spend money on products, services that support our working families
James Hoffa
One of my favorite holiday movies, "A Christmas Story," concerns Ralphie, who is about 8 years old, and his effort to persuade his parents that on Christmas morning he should receive what he fantasizes to be the ultimate gift: a Red Ryder BB gun.

Adults in his life repeatedly tell Ralphie that BB guns are dangerous. Even Santa Claus, the guy who supposedly can't deny a kid's Christmas wish, tells him, "You'll shoot your eye out, kid." The view is so practical it'd break any kid's heart.

If you're anything like me, you root for Ralphie throughout the movie while understanding the adults' realistic concerns. That's also my perspective this time of year, when we're bombarded with advertisements and wish lists.

Consider source of gifts

As children, we don't question the provenance of gifts and toys, but as adults we can consider several important factors, such as where a BB gun is produced, what retail store sells it and what company ships the item. These are valid concerns that have consequences that stretch well beyond this holiday season.

Metro Detroit residents know better than most the devastation that can be caused when good-paying American jobs are shipped overseas thanks to the lowest-common-denominator practices of companies like Wal-Mart.

That's why with every gift you give this year, be sure to also give the gift of good jobs. We do this by spending our money on products and services that support working families. These funds will continue to circulate through our local and national economies.

A good place to start your holiday shopping is at one of the three area Costco warehouses. Not only are the staff and products high-quality, the chain has been dubbed "the anti-Wal-Mart" for good reason: It fairly compensates employees and provides them and their families with solid benefits. Americans need more jobs like these.

When shipping gifts, I urge you to utilize the union carriers, UPS and DHL. Unlike FedEx, which aggressively thwarts workers' wishes to become unionized, all UPS and many DHL employees receive strong wages and solid benefits for themselves and their families. More than 220,000 UPS employees are Teamsters, as are more than 12,000 workers in the DHL system.

Powerful Snap-on Tools make an excellent array of gifts for anyone who values sturdy, dependable tools. Sockets, wrenches, air ratchets and other products are known for their quality, thanks to the unionized work force.

For good books, consider the pro-union employer Powell's Books. Among other titles, the bookselling giant offers Golden Books, a classic, union-made line for young kids. If coffee is your, well, cup of tea, be sure to consider the USA Coffee Company and Eight O'Clock Coffee . Both companies produce java thanks to solid unionized work forces.

Have you seen recent TV commercials in which a Lexus sedan, topped with a giant bow, is given as a holiday gift? These ads make me so angry.

Buy a Big 3 vehicle

Here in Detroit, if we're buying an automobile, we choose a Ford, General Motors or Chrysler product. Not only do these makers produce fine cars, they're based here in Michigan. Other American-made high-quality vehicles include Harley-Davidson motorcycles and -- for those who have been especially good this year -- a Teamster-built Sikorsky helicopter.

Another wheeled option is a Radio Flyer wagon, available at RedWagons.com. Watch out -- the plastic wagons are assembled in China.

At holiday parties, eat and drink well with union-made goods. Some of the finest cheeses in the world are produced by the Tillamook County Creamery Association plant in Tillamook, Ore. Lipton, Coca-Cola and Pepsi products are made and often delivered by unionized workers, as are Budweiser and Miller beers. And locally, it's important to shop at unionized grocers Kroger, Farmer Jack and Spartan for your holiday food needs.

For the Teamster in your life, I urge you to visit TeamstersMerchandise.com. Merchandise on the site is union-made and a portion of the proceeds goes to a scholarship fund named after my father that has benefited thousands of promising students over the years. If giving back to our community isn't part of the spirit of the holidays, I don't know what is.