Teamsters Hail Passage of Zadroga 9/11 Bill

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International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Dec 22, 2010, 07:56 ET

Hoffa Says America Did the Right Thing for the Heroes of 9/11

WASHINGTON, Dec. 22, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa commended Congress today for passing the James Zadroga 9/11 bill to monitor and treat workers who got sick because of their work at Ground Zero.

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Many firefighters, police officers and construction workers developed respiratory and other illnesses from exposure to World Trade Center dust. The bill is named after James Zadroga, a New York Police Department officer who died of respiratory illness similar to those of many Ground Zero workers.

"This is the very least that the American people can do to honor the sacrifice and courage that these heroes made after the 9/11 attacks," Hoffa said. "Teamsters are among those suffering heart and lung problems because of their tireless work at Ground Zero. Some have lost wages, and some have lost their health benefits. I am so pleased that Congress is doing the right thing for these brave patriots."

The James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act will pay for tens of thousands of people who were exposed to the air around Ground Zero.

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters