What Would Jimmy Hoffa Say?
By Vince Leibowitz on Mar 28, 2006 in Organized Labor | | Sphere: Related Content |
I am on about a zillion (and that’s a conservative number, I’m sure) email update lists and notification lists for groups ranging from the ACUL and Texas Freedom Network to NARAL and People for the American Way. Well, in my inbox this morning was an interesting update from the AFL-CIO announcing the establishment of the Teamster’s GLBT Caucus:
AFL-CIO is pleased to announce the recent establishment of the Teamsters Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) Caucus. The Caucus joins the growing ranks of national and international unions observing and reacting to the need for an internal venue for GLBT members to meet and organize. Teamsters GLBT Caucus President Bill Munger invites members to “be a part of something historic and support extending basic rights and equality to thousands of honest, hard-working GLBT Teamsters.”
“This is great news! It is thrilling to see yet another major union form a caucus to address the needs of its membership of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals,” said Nancy Wohlforth, Pride At Work Co-President. “The Caucus is sending a strong message and boosting the visibility of LGBT Teamsters, and the administrative support the group has already received is reiterating that message to other unions.”
Members have been working several months to ensure the smooth founding of this group, and have earned formal recognition by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters as an official constituency group. Having just publicized its creation, the Caucus has already formed a Board of Directors and Advisors, approved a three-year strategic plan, and begun developing its own website.
“The Teamsters Union is committed to promoting diversity and eliminating all forms of discrimination that divide us on the job, in society and in the labor movement,” said Director of Teamsters Human Rights Commission, Cheryl Johnson. “Now more than ever, all workers must stand together in unity and strength as we fight against the growing, unchecked power of big business in this country.”
The Teamsters GLBT Caucus will be making their first splash at the Teamsters International Convention in Las Vegas this June. For more information, and to become a member, contact Bill Munger, President at bill_munger@teamstersglbt.org or visit the caucus on the web at http://teamstersglbt.org/
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