Press Releases
Teamsters Across the United States Join Worker Campaigns for Justice
(WASHINGTON) – Teamsters across the United States participated in actions today to support workers who are waging courageous battles for fair wages, decent benefits and improved working conditions.
Nationally, under the banner “Come Get My Vote,” workers from different industries and occupations walked off the job in 270 cities nationwide, and rallied outside city halls in support of the “Fight for $15” movement.
Teamsters at scores of locations handed out leaflets near FedEx Freight terminals, supporting the drivers in their fight for fair wages and good benefits, including affordable health care. At ports in Los Angeles/Long Beach; Savannah, Georgia; and Newark, N.J., port drivers stood up in their fight to end misclassification and wage theft; and in Las Vegas, valet parking workers at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino and their Teamster allies plan to rally tonight outside the hotel, demanding that the hotel management negotiate a fair contract, something the workers have been fighting for since joining the Teamsters in 2009.
“Teamsters and workers who want to become Teamsters are taking part in today’s actions because they are fed up with corporate greed and the way workers are being exploited,” said Jim Hoffa Teamsters General President. “The workers also want fairness and a more hopeful future.”
“Today our members leafleted and supported drivers at FedEx Freight terminals nationwide, following a similar successful action at Con-way Freight on October 20,” said Tyson Johnson, Director of the Teamsters National Freight Division. “As is the case at Con-way, we stand with the FedEx Freight workers in their fight for a more secure future for themselves and for their families.”
In a separate, independent action, workers at FedEx Freight in Southern California conducted an unfair labor practices strike with the support of Joint Council 42 at FedEx Freight yesterday, and all the workers returned to work today.
In the Teamster port driver campaign, drivers at the three ports took part in actions to support the fight for living wages and good working conditions, and an end to misclassification and wage theft.
“Just days after our five days of active picketing at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, it was exciting for us to take part in today’s campaign for justice across the country,” said Fred Potter, International Vice President and Director of the Port Division. “The Teamsters are committed to fighting for port drivers and our campaign is gaining momentum, as we saw again today.”
Founded in 1903, the Teamsters Union 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.