Teamsters Urge Immediate Worker Relief in Economic Stimulus Package

Teamsters Urge Immediate Worker Relief in Economic Stimulus Package

Union Stands With Working Men and Women Against Congressional Inaction

December 10, 2001

(Washington, DC) – The Teamsters Union joined working men and women and members of the House and Senate leadership Friday at a rally on Capitol Hill urging members of Congress to pass a worker-friendly economic stimulus package.

Teamster Moon Kim, a laid-off worker from Gate Gourmet at Dulles Airport appeared at an early morning press conference with House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt (D-MO). Moon spoke of the hardships shared by many Americans now unemployed.

“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.”

At a subsequent rally led by Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD), Daschle and his colleagues blasted Republicans for stalling needed economic assistance for American families.

“People who have lost their jobs are starting to lose hope, and some are losing their homes,” Daschle said.

Gephardt noted that it has been more than two months since the airline bailout package passed the House, and working Americans are still waiting for their economic assistance while Congress considered unneeded measures such as fast-track.

“Without my job, I cannot afford the COBRA payment or the medication my wife needs for diabetes,” Kim said. “Please help now before it’s too late.”

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents more than 1.4 million workers throughout the United States and Canada.