(The International Brotherhood of Teamsters issued the following news release on March 2.)
MIAMI — On March 3 hundreds of Teamster organizers from across the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico will demonstrate in support of Miami’s exploited and underpaid drivers at the Port of Miami.
Led by Teamsters National Organizing Director Jeff Farmer and Teamsters International Vice President and Port Division Director Chuck Mack, the organizers will arrive by bus, taking time out from a conference they will be attending.
“These are the most exploited truck drivers in the United States,” Mack said. “Not only are they low paid, they are forced to haul unsafe containers on unsafe trailers, they are forced to wait in line for hours creating a pollution hazard for themselves and the citizens of Miami, and they are forced to perform free work for the wealthy terminal operators as a condition of entering the terminals. The Teamsters are calling on the county to drop its lawsuit and the county’s request for a permanent injunction aimed at preventing the drivers from staging protests at the port.”
WHAT: Rally In Support of Port of Miami drivers
WHO: Jeff Farmer, Teamsters’ National Organizing Director
Chuck Mack, Teamsters’ International VP and Port Division Director
WHERE: Near Port of Miami
5th Street and Biscayne Blvd.
Miami, FL
WHEN: Thursday, March 3, 2005
7:00 — 8:00 a.m.