Teamsters Hail Law Restoring Bargaining Rights to Defense Workers

Teamsters Played Big Role in Four-Year Battle to Restore Rights

January 29, 2008 -- (Washington, D.C.) _ The Teamsters on Tuesday celebrated the restoration of collective bargaining rights for Department of Defense civilian workers under a bill that was signed into law by President Bush.

The Teamsters, along with other unions, worked for four years to have the bargaining rights restored for nearly three-quarters of a million civilian workers. The provision was included in the 2008 National Defense Authorization Act that Bush signed Monday. In 2004, Defense Department officials eliminated collective bargaining rights for union members.

“I am proud that the Teamsters and many other unions worked together to regain an important voice in the workplace for the Defense Department’s civilian workers,” said Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa. “Basic civil liberties, like the right to organize and bargain collectively, must be in place for every American.”

The Teamsters and other unions challenged the Defense Department’s elimination of bargaining rights in court, and brought the matter to Capitol Hill. Last week, the U.S. Senate voted 91-to-3 to pass the Defense Authorization Act. The House passed the bill earlier by a 369-to-46 vote.

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

Source: Teamsters