Teamsters Applaud Confirmation of Patricia Smith as Labor Solicitor

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International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Feb 04, 2010, 05:10 ET

Hoffa Says Smith Will Uphold Nation's Labor Laws

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa today applauded the confirmation of Patricia Smith as Labor Solicitor, making her the third-highest ranking official in the Labor Department. The U.S. Senate voted 60-37 today to confirm Smith.

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"Patricia Smith has shown that her priorities are making sure the rights of workers are upheld and protected," Hoffa said. "As the labor commissioner in New York state, Smith was able to bring together business leaders, union officials and workers. She has the backing of every single member of the New York state congressional delegation."

In 2008, Smith leveled enforcement actions on minimum wage and overtime law violations that amounted to $12 million in unpaid wages in New York State. She helped some of the most vulnerable members of the workforce: delivery workers, wait staff, kitchen staff, retail clerks, street vendors and bathroom attendants.

"In this economy, some businesses will do anything they can to save money, and that includes shortchanging their workers," Hoffa said. "Patricia Smith has shown that she will not let companies get away with that."

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters was founded in 1903 and represents more than 1.4 million hardworking men and women in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters