Hoffa Statement on Fast-Track Passage

Hoffa Statement on Fast-Track Passage

Official Statement of Teamsters General President James P. Hoffa

December 7, 2001

The House of Representatives has turned its back on the needs of America’s working families.

Members of Congress should be devoting their energy to programs that will create good jobs and assist those who are suffering during the current recession. Instead, they have chosen to pave the way for more unfair trade agreements that will accelerate the export of American jobs and shrink the middle class.

Fast-track is a special holiday gift to multinational corporations. Fast-track will aid the never-ending effort to lower standards of pay, workers’ rights, public health, consumer protection and the environment.

The battle against unfair trade continues. Congress must turn its attention to job creation and assisting those who are suffering during the current recession.

The 1.4 million members of the Teamsters Union call on the Senate to more critically scrutinize the implications of unfettered fast-track authority for the President and defeat this anti-worker legislation.