LAS VEGAS, June 28, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The
Teamsters' 29th International Convention opened its
second day with a focus on global solidarity and building worker
power through organizing in key industries.
Len McCluskey, General Secretary
of Britain's largest union, Unite,
and Tony Sheldon, National Secretary
of Australia's Transport Workers
Union, delivered a message of unity to the thousands of Teamsters
attending the convention.
"The Teamsters is the most iconic trade union on our planet and
you should be proud," McCluskey said.
McCluskey referenced successful partnerships with the Teamsters,
including the fight to drive up standards for school bus and
transit workers at multinational corporations.
"The Teamsters are one of the strongest, most successful forces
for economic justice," Sheldon said. "The Teamsters stood with us
through fierce battles that we will never forget, and we stand with
the Teamsters in the fight against global greed."
In addition to the United
Kingdom and Australia,
unions from Belgium, Ireland, Italy, France, South
Africa and Israel sent
greetings to the Teamsters' International Convention.
Teamsters General Secretary-Treasurer Ken Hall reported that the union is able to do
the work of representing members and take on key fights thanks to
the union's solid financial standing.
"I'm proud to report that our union's finances are stronger than
ever. Because of our union's strong resources, we are able to win
battles at Sysco, US Foods, XPO/Con-Way, FedEx Freight, the ports,
at tech companies and at school bus companies," Hall said.
Delegates on the second day of the convention covered a number
of priorities for workers, including organizing campaigns in
freight, warehousing, the ports, Silicon Valley and more.
"We never could take on these companies without the brave
rank-and-file workers who took on the union busters," said
Steve Vairma, International Vice
President and Director of the Warehouse Division, on efforts to
organize and represent workers at Sysco and US Foods.
"With the Teamsters we are fighting back against
misclassification and winning back millions from employer wage
theft," said Daniel Uaina, a port driver.
"Organizing at FedEx can be done. We've proved that," said
Bill Hamilton, International Vice
President, referencing bargaining taking place with FedEx Freight
in Philadelphia and Charlotte.
Leslie Marshall, host of The Leslie Marshall Show, a
syndicated radio program featuring labor topics, gave a rousing
address to the crowd.
"Corporations and billionaires want to divide and conquer, but
no one can divide a union as strong as the Teamsters," Marshall
said. "If you stand strong for the long haul, they will cave.
Workers need to rise up."
Other guests included musicians The Swon Brothers, who are sons
of Teamsters Local 516 Secretary-Treasurer Kelly Swon, and UFC Heavyweight Champion Stipe
Miocic.
Delegates passed resolutions today on executive pay/Capital
Strategies; freight organizing; warehouse organizing; and port
organizing.
Nominations took place for At Large Vice Presidents and
Trustees.
The International Convention, held every five years, is the
supreme policymaking body of the union with the power and authority
to modify the Constitution, establish programs, address fiscal
issues and set priorities.
This week, delegates will consider a number of constitutional
measures and resolutions. Delegates will also nominate candidates
for the International offices of General President, General
Secretary-Treasurer, Vice Presidents and Trustees.
Founded in 1903, the Teamsters Union represents 1.4 million
hardworking men and women throughout the
United States, Canada and
Puerto Rico. Visit
www.teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter
@Teamsters and "like" us on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/teamsters.
Contact:
Kara Deniz, (202)
497-6610
kdeniz@teamster.org
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SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters