Teamster Joins Congressmen on Capitol Hill

Teamster Joins Congressmen on Capitol Hill

Working Families Press Republican Leadership For Relief

December 13, 2001

A laid-off Teamster joined the House Minority Leader, the Senate Majority Leader, other union members and working families at two press conferences on Capitol Hill on December 7 to urge Republican leaders to pass a family-friendly economic stimulus package.

Moon Kim, a laid-off Teamster from Gate Gourmet at Dulles Airport first appeared at a morning press conference with Rep. Richard Gephardt (D-MO). Mr. Kim and some Teamsters International staff members met at an even larger rally led by Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle.

“A lot of my friends have lost their jobs. Without their jobs, it makes it hard for them to care for their families,” Kim said. “They can’t buy food, pay their rent or get clothes for their children.”

Although talks have resumed this week on the legislation, Democrats and some Republicans are fighting to include more assistance for unemployed and laid-off workers. Republican leaders have steadfastly defended tax breaks for businesses, despite an already passed 10-year, $1.35 trillion tax cut in October.