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Message from General President Jim Hoffa
On Tuesday, Nov. 4, Teamsters everywhere should vote for the candidate or candidates who are best for working families. If you haven’t already, start educating yourself on who is running for office and whether your local union, state conference or Joint Council has endorsed a candidate.
Four years ago, hardworking Americans learned firsthand the consequences of staying home instead of supporting politicians who value our contributions to the nation. Since then, we’ve increasingly seen the views of billionaire businessmen like the Koch brothers take priority over those of the middle class. At a time when many workers continue to struggle to support their families, we can’t afford to sit this election out. So the Teamsters are ramping up our efforts to elect candidates who will listen to working families.
General Secretary-Treasurer Ken Hall and I will be visiting states across the country encouraging our Teamster brothers and sisters to put workers’ interests ahead of those of big business.
Other Teamster leaders and rank-and-file members are also spreading out across the nation to get out the vote.
There is no shortage of reasons for Teamsters to care about the midterm elections in November, but here are a few big ones: right-to-work legislation, the minimum wage, and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)—an unfair trade deal like NAFTA.
The wealthy long ago figured out they’re stronger when they band together. Just look at how much the wealthy spend on elections. Working families must use their collective strength to be heard. We all need to stand together and say, “Anti-worker legislation only helps the wealthy.”
That’s why there are more ways than ever for you to make your voice heard. Teamster locals, state conferences and Joint Councils across the country are holding voter-registration drives that you can help with. You can also donate to DRIVE, the Teamsters’ political action committee that helps pro-worker candidates get elected.
This year, the Teamsters Union has also started an online Election Action Center at www.teamster.org/election-center. On the site, you can find out how to register in your state, as well as access the union’s Congressional Voting Scorecard. As Election Day nears, we’ll be putting more information and resources on the page.
For the labor movement, this is an important election. Every Teamster who cares about fair wages, good health care and retirement security should get involved.