Hoffa: Teamsters Stand with Union Brothers and Sisters at Verizon

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International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Aug 09, 2011, 02:34 ET

Official Statement of Teamsters General President James P. Hoffa

WASHINGTON, Aug. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- "As our 45,000 brothers and sisters walk the picket lines today, I want to let them know there are 1.4 million Teamsters supporting their fight for respect and justice in the workplace.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100127/IBTLOGO)

"We cannot allow Verizon to strip away benefits and protections on the job for no other reason then to further enhance their profits. Verizon's executives should be ashamed of their behavior – demanding concessions that include outsourcing jobs, elimination of job security, freezing of pensions, raising health care costs and ending disability benefits – all while taking home hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation.

"To add insult to injury, Verizon has generated $108 billion in revenue this year, with a net profit of $6 billion, yet management is choosing to wage class warfare by trying to destroy thousands of good-paying jobs.

"We will not stand by and let big business continue its assault on working families. The Teamsters stand with these brave men and women who are now on the front lines of this war on workers. Their fight is our fight."

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.

SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters