(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release, February 12, 2016)
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The following is the official statement of Teamsters General Secretary-Treasurer and Local 175 President Ken Hall on the West Virginia Legislature’s override of Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin’s vetoes of so-called right-to-work and prevailing wage legislation today:
“This is a dark day for our state. Lawmakers have chosen to side with out-of-state billionaires over hardworking West Virginians.
“The Teamsters, together with other union members and working West Virginians, turned out to strongly oppose these bills because we understood passing them would do nothing to help workers earn a fair living. Instead, they’re just another excuse for big business to rake in record profits on the backs of those seeking to provide for their families. Their approval is a continuation of the corporate takeover of the political process.
“We thank those lawmakers who stood up for working families in West Virginia. But pro-worker allies will not forgive nor will we forget those lawmakers who have turned against their constituents. The Teamsters look forward to Election Day 2016 when we will stand together and repay elected officials who sided with billionaire industrialists like the Koch brothers over workers. We will remember in November!”
Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Visit www.teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and “like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/teamsters.