Hoffa: Corporate-Funded Conservative Politicians Out to Destroy Middle Class

'This Fight is About the Economy, It's About Jobs and It's About Rebuilding America'
 
WASHINGTON - Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa today said he stands by his criticism of corporate-funded conservative politicians who are out to destroy the middle class.

"We didn't start this war – the right wing did. My comments on Labor Day in Detroit echo the anger and frustration of American workers who are under attack by corporate-funded politicians who want to destroy the middle class," Hoffa said. "We're tired of seeing good-paying jobs shipped overseas. This fight is about the economy, it's about jobs and it's about rebuilding America. As I said yesterday in Detroit, we all have to vote in order to take these anti-worker politicians out of office."

Hoffa said the battle began when anti-worker politicians, funded by billionaires and CEOs such as the Koch brothers, were elected last fall. Instead of focusing on voter priorities such as restoring the U.S. economy and job creation, the first act of these newly elected politicians was an attempt to gut the middle class. They launched a coordinated, well-financed war on workers in states such as Wisconsin and Ohio, where they stripped workers' collective bargaining rights. They also filed right-to-work-for-less legislation in 14 states, which workers successfully fought and defeated.

"We're fighting back. That's what Teamsters do – we stand up for what is right," Hoffa said.
"I will never apologize for standing up for my fellow Teamsters and all American workers."
Hoffa has been widely praised for calling out the hypocrisy of anti-union politicians, who would rather run the U.S. economy into the ground to win the presidency and gain seats in Congress next year than put America back to work.

He also criticized anti-worker media such as Fox News, the Drudge Report and others for not airing the entire clip of his remarks that clearly show he was referring to voting out Tea Party politicians in 2012, not inciting violence against members of Tea Party organizations.

Media Matters, the independent media watchdog group, had this to say about coverage of Hoffa's remarks:
Right-wing bloggers misled by dishonest Fox News video editing are attacking Teamsters President James Hoffa for supposedly urging violence against Tea Party activists during a Labor Day speech. Conservatives are also attacking President Obama, who appeared at the event, for "sanctioning violence against fellow Americans" by failing to denounce Hoffa. But fuller context included in other Fox segments makes clear that Hoffa wasn't calling for violence but was actually urging the crowd to vote out Republican members of Congress.

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. For more information, visit www.Teamster.org

Teamsters Urge Passage of Jason's Law

Hoffa Supports Rep. Tonko Bill To Create More Rest Areas for Tired Truckers

WASHINGTON, March 17- Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa today announced the Teamsters' support for Jason's Law, which would help alleviate the shortage of parking for tired long-haul truckers.

The bill is named after Jason Rivenburg, a long-haul truck driver who was murdered last year after he stopped to rest at an abandoned gas station in South Carolina. A news conference was scheduled today by the bill's sponsor, Rep. Paul Tonko, D-N.Y., and Jason Rivenburg's widow Hope.

"For many of our members, the highway is their workplace and we want to make sure it's safe," Hoffa said. "It's unusual for Teamsters to sleep in their trucks because they're covered by a good union contract, but if they do get tired they should have a safe place to pull over. And tired truckers pose as much of a threat to Teamster drivers as they do to the rest of the driving public.

"Whether it's keeping dangerous Mexican trucks off the highway or making sure tired drivers have a protected place to rest, safety is a top priority for us."

Hoffa thanked Rep. Tonko and Rep. Erick Paulsen, R-Minn., for sponsoring the legislation.

The bill, H.R. 2156, would authorize funds for constructing safe new rest areas where commercial truckers can park. It would also help pay for expansion and safety improvements at existing rest areas.

Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., introduced a companion bill (S.971) in the U.S. Senate.

Founded in 1903, the Teamsters Union represents more than 1.4 million hardworking men and women in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

Teamsters Protest U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Extreme Agenda

WASHINGTON, Oct. 31 - Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa today criticized the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for a failed policy agenda that has hurt working families.

Members of the Teamsters Union today demonstrated their opposition to the Chamber's extreme positions on climate change, health care reform, financial re-regulation, and workers' rights. They joined members of other unions and progressive groups at a rally outside the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's convention in Philadelphia.

"The Chamber's support of tax cuts, deregulation, bad trade deals and corporate welfare has resulted in economic disaster," Hoffa said. "It's time for the Chamber to join the 21st century and help move America forward again."

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.