Without comment or evident emotion, the new teamsters leader headed back to his room.

($59.95) includes journalists' and colleagues' reflections on the Teamsters leader, who disappeared in 1975.

At the news conference yesterday, teamster leaders joined state and borough officials in pledging to fight to keep the plant open somehow.

Barry Feinstein, the teamsters leader, said that the union leaders would unleash an army of 10,000 workers to press the Mayor to restore their jobs.

"Ever since the 1980's when we really began publicizing the members of the $100,000 club, the number of teamster leaders earning that much has declined steadily."

Teamsters leaders reluctantly agreed to the election as part of the settlement of a civil racketeering lawsuit that the Government brought against the union in 1989.

The reversal leaves James P. Hoffa, son of the legendary teamsters leader, as the front-runner.

If Mr. Hoffa is cleared to run, union officials agree that his well-known name and infighting among teamsters leaders will make him a favorite.

Teamsters leaders strongly opposed enactment of the Taft-Hartley Act and repeatedly called for its repeal.

The suit seeks the removal of teamster leaders, including Mr. Presser, if they are found to have violated racketeering laws.