Teamsters Blast Romney For His Disdain For Workers

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International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Sep 19, 2012, 02:54 ET

Romney Tells Millionaires He Regrets That Unions Would Stop Deep Federal Workforce Cuts

WASHINGTON, Sept. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Teamsters Union blasted Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney today for saying that he wishes labor unions didn't prevent him from slashing the federal workforce as much as he'd like if he is elected.

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"Mitt Romney's blatant disdain for workers is outrageous," said Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa. "He was caught on video disparaging them to the people he is most comfortable with—rich campaign donors. His comments raise even more disturbing questions about whether he would be a president for all Americans or just the wealthy."

Romney's remarks came at a private fundraising event with millionaire donors in May, and were captured on video published exclusively by Mother Jones magazine. Romney, who was urged by a donor to "clean house" if elected, said: "I wish we weren't so unionized so we could go a lot deeper than you're actually allowed to go."

"Workers are dying in unsafe mines," Hoffa said. "Contaminated food is killing people and their pets. A drug war is raging on our border. Air traffic controllers are overworked. We're on heightened alert for terrorist attacks. How can Mitt Romney justify jeopardizing the safety of Americans?"

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, including more than 7,500 delivery drivers and merchandisers at Hostess. Visit www.teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and "like" us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/teamsters.

SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters