Teamsters' Largest GOTV Effort In History Helps Re-Elect Obama

Massive Program Leads to Victories on Ballot Initiatives, State and Federal Races

WASHINGTON, Nov. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- President Barack Obama's re-election last night was aided by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters' largest political effort ever. The Teamster Power 2012 program not only helped the president to victory, but was instrumental in ballot initiative victories in several states and the election of pro-worker candidates at the state and federal level.

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"Working people proved something last night: When they fight, they can win against a corporate, anti-middle-class candidate, even after the Citizens' United decision," said Jim Hoffa, General President. "President Obama stood up for working families during one of our nation's most difficult economic times. That's why he won wherever unions put their resources. I congratulate President Obama and Vice President Biden on their well-deserved victory, and our Teamster members who worked tirelessly on their behalf."

Tens of thousands of Teamsters volunteered for the union's massive member mobilization efforts. Hoffa and General Secretary-Treasurer Ken Hall barnstormed key battleground states across the country, motivating Teamsters to volunteer and go to the polls for Obama.

The Teamster Power 2012 program builds on the strengths of previous campaigns and uses new technologies to communicate with even more Teamsters at work and at home.

Teamster efforts included:

• 400 Teamsters participated in the program full time
• More than 500,000 worksite contacts
• 100,000 Teamster contacts through the national Teamsters phone bank
• 124 direct mail pieces developed and more than 3 million pieces of mail sent to Teamster members
• Hundreds of thousands of Teamsters contacted through additional phone programs including state specific teleforums with General President Hoffa and a national leadership call with Vice President Biden
• Social media outreach including text messaging notifications for volunteer opportunities, early vote programs and voting reminders

Additionally, Teamsters registered tens of thousands of new voters, conducted precinct walks, canvassed neighborhoods, drove voters to the polls and countless other activities.

Teamsters fought successfully against Prop 32 in California, which would restrict union money in politics but exempted billionaires. They also defeated the voter suppression amendment in Minnesota. In states such as Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Missouri and Indiana they worked extremely hard to defeat anti-worker extremists.

"We didn't win every election, but we made progress on behalf of the middle class with a renewed energy, focus and organization," Hoffa said.  "In Wisconsin and in Ohio especially, we helped put Obama over the top and won Senate victories because of our experience in past battles.

"Now let us all come together and support the President in order to continue to create good-paying jobs in America," Hoffa continued. "The gridlock in Washington must end. I call on the Republican leadership to stop opposing efforts to create jobs. Instead of trying to thwart the President, I hope they will work to find common ground."

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

SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters