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Hoffa, Biden Rally In Detroit On Labor Day
Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa joined Vice President Joe Biden today to rally in Detroit prior to the city’s annual Labor Day parade to honor labor’s legacy and lead the charge for its future.
Thousands of union men and women brought their families out to the rally in a park at Michigan Ave. and Trumbull St. and raised their voices to celebrate everything labor has done for them and to support the ongoing fight for the state and nation’s future.
“People forgot what unions have done. We stand on the shoulders of the people before us they got us here and it’s our job to take it the rest of the way,” Hoffa said. “Where did the 8-hour a day come from? Unions. Where did the 40-hour work-week come from? Unions. Where did Social Security come from? Unions. Where did paid vacations come from? Unions.”
Hoffa called on the crowd to help stop the attack on working men and women by exercising the right to vote in November.
“The reason why we have all the unfairness in the workplace, one million people that voted in 2008, didn’t vote in 2010 and you know what that got us,” Hoffa said. “So what are you going to do in 2014? Vote! If we all go out and do our job – we win.”
Biden echoed these sentiments, highlighting the crucial role unions played in setting the basic standards every worker, union and non-union, enjoys today.
“I still know how to say how to say the word ‘union,’ Biden said. “I talk about unions because you’re the reason why every other American worker has any of the basic rights they have – because of unions.
“Its not hyperbole, unions did in fact build the middle class and here’s what that did – that built the United States of America as we know it,” Biden said. “I am always talking about the middle class. If the middle class is doing fine – everyone is doing fine. The wealthy get very wealthy and the poor have a way up. “
Biden closed with a call to continue the fight for the American Dream, and not allow anyone to deny their right to succeed.
“The American people have not stopped dreaming,” Biden said. “The American people have not walked away from what they believe they are entitled to just give them a chance. No handout – just a chance. Because once you give them a chance, they have never let their country down. It’s time to take back America.”