Hoffa Pledges Continued Support of Effort to Turn Green Jobs Into Good Jobs

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International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Mar 15, 2012, 07:01 ET

Teamsters General President Speaks at 2012 Good Jobs Green Jobs West, Rallies in Support of Workers at American Reclamation

LOS ANGELES, March 15, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa reinforced the union's support of building a sustainable, green supply chain that also provides jobs with good wages and benefits. Hoffa addressed the 2012 Good Jobs Green Jobs West Conference in the morning and then spoke at a rally in support of recycling workers fighting for respect in the workplace during the afternoon.

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The Good Jobs Green Jobs West Conference is the nation's leading forum for sharing ideas and strategies for greening America's economy and creating good jobs. The conference is held by the BlueGreen Alliance, a national, strategic partnership between labor unions and environmental organizations dedicated to expanding the number and quality of jobs in the green economy.

"Right here in Los Angeles, the Teamsters and our environmental allies have been fighting to raise standards for drivers in the port and for workers in the solid waste and recycling industry," Hoffa said. "Through the Clean Truck Program and the Don't Waste L.A. campaigns, we are well on our way to making a real difference for workers who have been exploited by these industries for too long."

The Teamsters, along with the support of Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, have reduced the deadly diesel pollution in the port through the Clean Trucks Program. Now a group of Los Angeles port drivers employed by Australian company Toll, have taken their first step toward gaining respect on the job by filing for a union election to join the Teamsters Union.

"When these drivers vote to join the Teamsters, they will represent what may be the biggest victory for our union in the port industry," Hoffa said while surrounded on stage by more than 20 of the Toll drivers. "They will be the first of many of workers who will help change the way the port industry treats their workforce."

Following his remarks at the conference, Hoffa spoke at a rally in support of a Teamsters organizing effort at American Reclamation to help recycling workers gain a voice on the job.

The organizing campaign is part of the Don't Waste LA effort, a coalition of community, environmental, faith and labor organizations working for clean air, green jobs and recycling for all Angelenos through region-wide standards and accountability in our commercial and multifamily waste and recycling system.

Hoffa was joined by labor and environmental allies including Allison Chin, Sierra Club director, Ron Herrera, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 396, Greg Good, director of Don't Waste L.A., Ananda Lee Tan from the Global Alliance of Incinerator Alternatives and Adrian Martinez, Natural Resources Defense Council.

Hundreds of supporters rallied outside American Reclamation bearing signs that read, "Fight for Recycling Workers."

"This is what its all about," Hoffa said. "We are here fighting to make these green jobs good jobs for the hard-working men and women here at American Reclamation that are just trying to provide for their families. There will be justice at American Reclamation!"

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 @TeamsterPower.

SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters