The election for the presidency of the 1.4 million-member union is scheduled for this spring.

Using Federal racketeering laws, the Justice Department is seeking to remove the senior leadership of the 1.7 million-member union.

Federal officials say the 1.4 million-member union is significantly cleaner after a decade of supervision.

Mr. Hoffa promises to make the 1.4 million-member union a powerful player again, vowing that it will throw its weight around in politics, organizing and contract talks.

The 1.4 million-member union is made up of long-haul truckers, warehouse workers, flight attendants and others.

But Federal investigators say Mr. Carey has yet to meet the high standard he set for himself as the first democratically elected head of the 1.4 million-member union.

The monitors' task, as set by Judge Letts, was to supervise a "house cleaning" of the 1.6 million-member union.

Judge Edelstein's ruling was the latest move in a Government drive to rid the 1.9 million-member union of what prosecutors said were its remaining ties to organized crime.

But Ms. Feldman said the million-member union would make such a concession on seniority only if there was trust and respect between labor and management.

In his absence, the 1.6 million-member union will be directed by its secretary-treasurer, Weldon L. Mathis, teamsters officials said.