Teamsters Joint Council 7 Stands Up For Immigrant Workers

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 31, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In the wake of the Trump administration's executive orders on immigration, Teamsters Joint Council 7 reaffirmed its commitment to protecting immigrant workers.

"Teamster food processing jobs have been the path to the middle class for several generations of Latino workers in California's Central and Salinas Valleys," said Rome Aloise, President of Teamsters Joint Council 7. "Our recent organizing efforts with rideshare drivers, port truckers, and more, have brought workers of every national origin, religion and race into the labor movement. The Teamsters will fight any attempts to split up families or exploit workers around their immigration status."

Last Wednesday, President Trump signed executive orders directing money toward building a wall on the United States/Mexico border and to increase immigration enforcement. On Friday, these orders were followed by an order temporarily banning immigration from seven predominantly Muslim countries. 

Following the inauguration, Teamsters throughout Northern California joined marches against the new administration's agenda. 

On Thursday, Teamsters leadership joined San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee as he stood up to the administration, saying San Francisco will remain a sanctuary city despite threats to cut off federal grants. San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose and many other California cities and school districts are not backing down despite the threat.

California's elected leadership, including Governor Brown, the state legislature, and many congressional members, have promised to oppose the administration on issues from immigration to climate change and more.

"The Teamsters are standing with our elected officials and our coalition partners to hold the line on these fundamental issues," Aloise said. "Our country is strengthened by diversity, not weakened by it."

Teamsters Joint Council 7 represents over 100,000 workers in Northern California, the Central Valley, and Northern Nevada.

Contact:
Doug Bloch, (510) 333-1179
[email protected]

SOURCE Teamsters Joint Council 7