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Teamsters Denounce GOP Bill to Roll Back NLRB Joint Employer Ruling

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(WASHINGTON) – The Teamsters Union today denounced the introduction of legislation by House Republicans that would roll back the 2015 National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) “joint employer” ruling in the case of Browning-Ferris Industries, Inc. The decision established stronger protections for millions of American workers by holding employers that rely on temporary or contracted workers accountable.

The joint employer rule prevents companies from claiming they are not responsible for workers employed by agencies retained by the company. The 2015 NLRB ruling resulted from a 2013 case brought by Teamsters Local 350 in Daly City, Calif., against Browning-Ferris, a waste management company that is owned by Republic Services. The union maintained that Republic had control over wage and working conditions for its workers employed through Leadpoint Services, a staffing agency, and counted as a joint employer with that agency.

“Rolling back the joint employer ruling would reopen the door for unscrupulous companies to manipulate the system to avoid their responsibilities to temporary and contracted workers,” said Jim Hoffa, Teamsters General President. “The joint employer ruling should not be reversed – all workers deserve fairness in the workplace.”

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.