Hoffa: Tell Wal-Mart to Create Good Jobs

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International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Jul 20, 2011, 03:42 ET

Teamsters Leader Says Retailer Contributes To Economic Woes

WASHINGTON, July 20, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa today issued the following statement about the White House event recognizing retailers that expand in underserved communities:

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"I admire First Lady Michelle Obama for her work to improve the lives of American children. However, we are very concerned that companies like Wal-Mart, which don't pay their workers a decent wage, condemn children in this country to poverty, poor nutrition and shrinking prospects for their futures.

"Wal-Mart's CEO recently commented that the company's shoppers are 'running out of money.' That's a big clue that the problem with our economy is the lack of good jobs.

"I urge the White House to reconsider its involvement with Wal-Mart unless Wal-Mart agrees to create the kind of good jobs that can provide its employees with a decent standard of living. In these hard times, we desperately need the White House to recognize employers that pay living wages, provide adequate health care and make positive contributions to the communities they serve. Wal-Mart does not fit any of those categories. Only by creating good jobs in America will our economy recover."

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents more than 1.4 million hard-working men and women in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Go to www.teamster.org for more information.

SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters