Teamsters for Obama

It's not surprising that one of the United States oldest and most powerful Unions, The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, has voiced their support of Barak Obama. As of February 2008, Teamsters has endorsed Obama for President. That not only means throwing money behind Obama, but, according to James P. Hoffa, Teamsters President Teamsters are manning phone banks, making home visits, and participating in voter education.

Hoffa led the Teamsters to endorse Obama because he feels Obama offers real change working families need. He has also evaluated the candidates based on The Employee Free Choice Act, Mexican trucking, worker misclassification legislation, trade policies, and aircraft maintenance outsourcing, among other issues. Hoffa believes Obama is the man who will provide answers Teamster and its families need, citing McCain as the man "on the side of big business."

The Employee Free Choice Act is important to Teamsters and all Unions because it allows employees to choose to join or organize a Union without interference from their employer. This would enable employees in traditionally non-unionized business sectors, such as retail, to create or join a Union. Such legislation could break the back of businesses which base pay on sales and performance. Unionized employees have the potential and the tendency to demand pay raises and benefits that, sometimes, employers are unable to provide.

True Employee choice comes when the employee chooses the industry in which they will pursue a career. They should be aware of potential benefits, pay scales, and setbacks.

Teamsters firmly support Obama as the candidate who "understands the rank and file" and who will make changes need for working families. As a member of a retired Teamster family it seems to me those who employ Teamsters for transportation also need the support of our next president. If employers are taxed to death, Teamsters are going to lose more jobs. Unionized bargaining power is of little use in gaining pay raises, benefits, and resolving work issues when an employer is taxed to the point of closing the doors.