Rule Restores Basic Worker, Democratic Rights, Says Teamsters President

WASHINGTON, June 21, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa today said the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) proposed a common-sense rule to make sure workers have the basic right to vote.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100127/IBTLOGO)

The NLRB would eliminate voting delays and modernize the outdated system of union organizing elections. The public has 75 days to comment on the rule.

"The federal government has let big corporations abuse the legal system for too many years," Hoffa said. "Irresponsible corporations often delay organizing votes and retaliate against employees who want to form a union.

"In our experience, more than a third of employers fire workers who want to unionize. That's why America has lost 10 percent of its middle-class jobs since 2000. This rule gives workers a reasonable chance to join together to restore fairness and balance.

"If corporations can join together to hire lobbyists without being challenged by abusive lawsuits, then workers should also have that right.

"I'm not surprised the same CEO-backed anti-worker extremists who are attacking nurses, firefighters, police officers and snowplow drivers are attacking this rule. The CEOs are all getting richer while the average worker is struggling to get by. I strongly commend the NLRB for giving workers a bit of help to get ahead in this economy."  

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, please visit www.Teamster.org.

SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters

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