Press Releases
Teamsters Stand Up for Taxi Drivers at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport
(MINNEAPOLIS) – Today, Teamsters in coordination with the MSP Taxi Drivers Association will testify in opposition to the Minneapolis-St. Paul Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) ordinance proposal that would increase wage disparities for communities of color.
With over 500 recently organized taxi drivers at Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport (MSP), Teamsters Local 792 intends on demanding justice, dignity and respect for this group of workers that are predominantly from a community of color.
“It’s unfortunate that the MAC would propose such drastic changes to the ordinance, acknowledging that wages will drop considerably,” said Lawrence Yoswa, President of Teamsters Joint Council 32. “This is unacceptable that a government agency would take this direction, understanding that the impact would, in fact, lower wages for this community and further increase wage disparities in our state and region.”
During a recent public hearing, MAC staff acknowledged that the proposed change will likely lead to lowered wages for the taxi community at MSP. Yet, the MAC committee decided to accept the staff recommendation to go forward with the proposal.
“We can no longer accept the disparity of wages for communities of color in Minnesota and we must be intentional on fixing them. Government agencies should be leading the way at improving these horrendous statistics, not proposing policy changes to make them worse,” said Edward Reynoso, Political Director for Joint Council 32.
With 62,000 active and retired members in the state of Minnesota, Joint Council 32 is determined to provide a voice for the taxi industry not only at MSP but throughout the region.
The demand this evening by the Teamsters Union will also include mandatory fingerprint background checks for all modes of public transportation at MSP.
“This is the only way we can assure the general public that all drivers have been fully vetted and are safe,” Yoswa said.
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 on Facebook at www.facebook.com/teamsters.