Teamsters Rally Highlights Fight for Workers' Rights in America

Hoffa Says Bad Trade Deals Costing Thousands Of Jobs

SAN PEDRO, Calif., April 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Teamsters General
President Jim Hoffa said Thursday that bad trade agreements made by this
administration are costing thousands of workers their jobs at a time of
economic uncertainty in this country.

Hoffa made his remarks at a rally with thousands of Teamsters to highlight the
union's fight for workers' rights. The rally was part of the three-day "March
From Hollywood to the Docks" that brought together working people from all
industries, other unions and activists to the Port of Los Angeles at San
Pedro.

"The Teamsters took part in this march because we believe the fight for
workers' rights must be a top priority among lawmakers in this country," Hoffa
said. "Our most immediate struggle is taking place now, as bad trade deals are
taking the jobs of so many Americans in this country."

Hoffa said Americans greatly need a president who will put workers first and
end trade deals where U.S. companies shut down their domestic plants and ship
the jobs to foreign countries. The Teamsters have endorsed Sen. Barack Obama,
who is seeking the Democratic nomination for president.

Hoffa was joined at the Teamsters rally, and at the march's final event, by
workers who recently joined the Teamsters or are seeking union representation.

United Airlines mechanic Rich Petrovsky told the crowd he voted to join the
Teamsters because of the union's efforts to battle outsourcing of maintenance
work. Last month, a majority of mechanics voted to join the Teamsters, adding
more than 9,000 new members to the union.

"Even before we became Teamsters, the union showed us their dedication and
determination to keep United from outsourcing our jobs," said Petrovsky, one
of the lead mechanics in the organizing effort. "That kind of representation
is what workers need in this economy."

Port driver Oswaldo Hernandez said he hoped one day to join the Teamsters. The
port drivers have been trying for more than 20 years to gain union
representation for better wages and working conditions.

"We need a stronger voice in our workplace to keep our jobs safe," Hernandez
said. "We must all stand together in solidarity and fight for workers'
rights."

Hoffa said the Teamsters would not rest until the union gained economic
justice for all workers. Hoffa remarked on the string of organizing victories
the union has racked up this year alone -- at United Airlines, UPS Freight,
DHL and with school bus drivers nationwide.

The Teamsters rally was highlighted by hundreds of members driving trucks and
motorcycles to lead the union's contingent to the march's final event. Los
Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn, other Teamster leaders, United Farm
Workers President Arturo Rodriguez, and Unite Here President Bruce Raynor also
spoke at the rally.

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

SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Galen Munroe of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, +1-202-439-7427,
gmunroe@teamster.org