Hoffa: Don't Let Big Box Stores Buy Washington State's Vote

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International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Oct 25, 2011, 04:15 ET

Official Statement of Teamsters General President James P. Hoffa

WASHINGTON, Oct. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is an official statement today from Teamsters General President James P. Hoffa on the union's opposition to Initiative 1183, a liquor privatization measure in Washington State bankrolled by big box stores.

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"History was made in Washington State. In an effort to convince voters to dismantle the state's regulatory authority over alcohol, corporate America has poured in $23 million to pass Initiative 1183.

"Big box stores are known for lots of things, but coming up with good public policy isn't one of them. This measure would eliminate nearly one thousand middle class jobs, and lead to a rapid expansion in liquor sales with no money for expanded alcohol enforcement.

"As you might expect from an initiative written by corporate lawyers, it contains tax and distribution advantages that aren't available to smaller retailers. Pure and simple, this is an effort to tilt the playing field in favor of huge corporations at the expense of communities.

"In a deeply cynical political move, the initiative campaign's political consultants are spending their $23 million war-chest to create the lie that public safety officials actually want unregulated liquor sales. But across the state, the Washington State Council of Fire Fighters and sheriffs, police chiefs and prosecutors have lined up strongly against I-1183. Small business is opposed to I-1183, and working families are urging their friends and neighbors to reject I-1183. Their voices are more powerful than any campaign that money can buy."

Background on Initiative 1183 and Washington State's alcohol control system:

Corporations have tried for years to change Washington's alcohol control system. They failed in the courts and the legislature and now they've turned their attention to corrupting the state's citizens' initiative process.
The big commercial retailers tried, and dismally failed, to buy the system last year through I-1100, which was soundly rejected by the voters. This year they seem to think throwing more money, more ads, more polling, and more mail at the voters will convince them. Voters are too smart for that.
Washington currently has the lowest rate of sales to minors in the country thanks to state run stores.
Washington's beer, wine and liquor system currently supports thousands of family wage jobs held by members of UFCW, WA Public Employees Association, and Teamsters at Local 313, Local 174, and Local 117.
Washington's Legislature just passed a bill (SB5942), with Teamster support, to outsource the wholesale distribution services. Teamsters supported this idea to bring speedier delivery to wholesale customers and to generate more revenue for the state's dwindling school and health programs. That is now out for bid and the state is expected to make a decision on the final bid in the next 2 weeks.

Founded in 1903, the Teamsters Union represents more than 1.4 million hardworking men and women in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Visit www.teamster.org for more information.

SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters