Teamsters Make Surprise Visits to Anti-Union Employers in Atlanta Area

Teamsters Make Surprise Visits to Anti-Union Employers in Atlanta Area

Hundreds of Union and Civil Rights Supporters Protest Companies’ Actions

December 10, 2003

(Atlanta, GA) – Several hundred Teamsters, civil rights activists and other union members and supporters made surprise visits to companies in the Atlanta area that are depriving workers of their legal right to unionize.

“The workers at these companies are trying to exercise their legal right to unionize, yet these companies are doing everything they can to deprive the workers of this right,” Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa said. “Today, we are sending the message that managements’ actions are totally unacceptable.”

The visits are part of a series of events taking place across Atlanta today under the banner “Worker Rights are Human Rights.” The AFL-CIO is sponsoring a series of demonstrations nationwide today as part of International Human Rights Day.

Some of the companies visited today include Sam’s Clubs, AT&T, BFI, CINTAS and USF Dugan.

“The workers are here to say ‘enough is enough’,’” Hoffa said. “It is time for management to realize the workers will not give in to the obstacles being put in their way.”

Also today, Teamsters and supporters protested at the Atlanta offices of Jackson Lewis, the nation’s largest anti-union law firm. The union members and civil rights activists also will rally later today in support of worker rights at the Georgia State Capitol.

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents more than 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States and Canada.