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Teamsters Praise Obama Crackdown On Companies That Abuse Workers

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(WASHINGTON) – The International Brotherhood of Teamsters strongly supports President Obama’s executive order to crack down on corporations that break laws but still win government contracts.

Two members of the Teamsters Union stood with President Obama today to announce the new policy. They are Mike Petro of Baltimore, a UPS driver with Teamsters Local 355, and Etta Epps of Landover, Md., also a UPS driver, with Teamsters Local 639.

“I am so proud of how my union makes sure I earn a good wage, health care benefits and retirement security,” Petro said. “As a taxpayer, I believe the government should support companies that let workers support themselves through collective bargaining.”

“My Teamster contract guarantees that I earn equal pay to a man who does the same job I do,” said Epps. “The government shouldn’t compensate companies that attack women by attacking their unions.”

“Taxpayers shouldn’t reward lawbreakers that bust unions, steal wages and endanger workers,” said Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa. “President Obama is right to make it harder for companies that abuse workers to receive federal contracts.

“Corporations now know they can break wage and hour laws with impunity. Men and women who work hard and play by the rules should not be sending their tax dollars to companies that mistreat their employees. Bad actors don’t deserve the financial support of the federal government.”

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Visit www.teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and “like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/teamsters.