Rich Diffley has been a member of Teamsters Local 688 since 1968, the longest of any staff member or officer. Since his early days with the Local, he has seen membership and manufacturing jobs decline and general working conditions rise, as he has moved from warehouseman to Business Agent to Executive Board officer. Throughout the years, Diffley has maintained perspective on and commitment towards the working members he serves. "I try not to forget where I came from," he says. "I'm not that far removed from who I'm representing."

Rich Diffley began his career at Central Hardware, served as a shop steward and member of contract negotiation, fair election and political education committees before being hired as a business representative in 1979. As business representative, Diffley gained contract negotiation and servicing experience in a variety of industries, including parcel and small package, grocery, manufacturing, food processing and soft drink. Diffley has special expertise in health and welfare benefits for Local 688 members, serving as a Trustee for Teamsters Negotiated Pension Fund and the Insurance and Welfare Fund. He served as Recording Secretary before being appointed Vice President in December 2004.

“Our benefit plans at Local 688 are proof of the difference a union can make,” Diffley said. “By sticking together, our members have negotiated some of the best benefits in the nation.”

Diffley has been a member of Teamsters Local 688 since 1968, the longest of any staff member or officer. Since his early days with the Local, he has seen membership and manufacturing jobs decline and general working conditions rise, as he moved from warehouseman to Business Agent to Executive Board officer. Throughout the years, Diffley has maintained perspective on and commitment to the working members he serves. "I try not to forget where I came from," he says. "I'm not that far removed from who I'm representing."

Diffley's experience has helped him gain a deep understanding of trust funds. As Director of Trust Funds, Diffley manages four union trusts, including Teamster Negotiated Pension Plan. He holds the responsibility of safeguarding the long-term security of the trust funds.

Career Overview:

• Current Roles in Local 688:
  • Vice President
  • Business Representative
  • Director of Trust Funds
• Appointments:
  • Trustee, Local 688 Insurance and Welfare Fund
  • Trustee, Teamsters Negotiated Pension plan
  • Trustee, Banquet Union Employees Pension Plan
  • Alternate Trustee, Teamsters Medicare Trust
  • Ex-Officio Member, Local 688 Budget Committee
• Labor Experience
  • 1967-1968: Marlo Coil
  • 1968-1979: Central Hardware
  • 1970-1979: Shop Steward, Central Hardware
  • 1979-Present: Business Representative, Local 688
  • 2001-2004: Recording Secretary, Local 688
  • 2004-Present: Vice President, Local 688
• Personal
  • Family - Married wife Donna in 1983. He has two adult children from a previous marriage, Rich and Sheri. He has six grandchildren: Alexa and Harrison (children of Rich and his wife), and Blake, Austin, Chase, and Skylar (children of Sheri and her husband).
  • Hobbies/Interests - – spending time with his grandchildren, gardening, yard work, fixing things around the house.

Contact:
314.513.5803
rdiffley@688online.org