Nearly 1,100 Pasco County Workers Vote to Join Teamsters Local 79

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International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Sep 30, 2010, 02:20 ET

County Government Employees Seek Job Security, Fairness, Strong Voice

TAMPA, Fla., Sept. 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Nearly 1,100 Pasco County government employees have voted to join Teamsters Local 79 in Tampa in their quest for job security, fairness and being treated with respect and dignity on the job, Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa announced today.

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"Once again, hardworking public employees have turned to Teamsters Local 79 for strong representation," Hoffa said. "The workers know about Local 79's track record of negotiating solid contracts that provide county government workers with the rights and protections they deserve."

"We are very pleased to welcome the Pasco County workers into our Local 79 family," said Ken Wood, Local 79 President and International Vice President. "They join their colleagues in Hernando and Collier counties who have recently joined our union. Now we will work hard to negotiate a contract that will provide the Pasco County workers with the brighter future they deserve."

Ballots were mailed to county workers on Sept. 7 and counted today. The county employees include parks and recreation workers, building inspectors, information-technology workers, probation officers, emergency communications officers, library employees and numerous other classifications. Workers are also seeking a fair seniority process, an effective way to challenge unfair management decisions and a strong voice and strong union representation.

"This is welcoming and wonderful news," said Warren Johnson, special equipment operator for the county Utilities Division. "It's been a long fight for over a year, and we look forward to negotiating a strong contract."

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 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