Teamsters Support UK Strike by Public Sector Workers

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International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Nov 30, 2011, 07:42 ET

Pensions Under Attack by British Government

WASHINGTON, Nov. 30, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Teamsters are joining the National Nurses Union and other union members at the British Embassy today to stand in solidarity with the more than three million public sector workers on strike in the UK to protest government austerity measures and attacks on pensions there.

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"Unfortunately, this is a fight we also know all too well in the United States, and we are proud to stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in the UK as they fight to preserve their retirement security," said Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa. "Politicians in the UK and here at home should not be slashing workers' pensions to balance budget deficits caused by the corporate greed of banks and financiers."

The British government has refused to negotiate over its plans to force public sector workers to contribute more toward their pensions and work longer before they can collect benefits.

"I am a proud Teamster member who is standing behind striking public sector workers in the UK," said Diane Talley, an employee of the Washington Nursing Facility and a member of Teamsters Local 639 in Washington, D.C. "There is a war on workers being waged across the globe and we must all stand together."

The demonstration at the British Embassy is being organized by National Nurses United in support of UNISON, the UK's public sector employees union.

Founded in 1903, the Teamsters Union represents more than 1.4 million hardworking men and women in the United States and Canada. Visit www.teamster.org for more information and follow us on Twitter @teamsterpower.

SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters