(The International Brotherhood of Teamsters issued the following news release on June 26.)
LAS VEGAS — The Teamsters enacted sweeping constitutional reforms today at the 27th International Convention that prohibit membership discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and emphasize the union’s commitment to diversity.
“These changes to our Constitution make the Teamsters one of the most progressive unions in the American labor movement,” said General President Jim Hoffa. “I am proud that our great union has taken these important steps to protect and defend our members. These actions show that the Teamsters are truly united in moving forward together.”
The new provision prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation was added to language in the Constitution that already forbids membership discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, physical ability and national origin.
The Teamsters’ commitment to diversity was also cemented in the Constitution, stating: “The International Union is proud of its history of unifying a diverse group of working men and women from different cultures and ethnic backgrounds in order to advance their economic, social and political interests. We are committed to the development of an organization which values and encourages the participation of women, individuals of various sexual orientations and members of racial, cultural, and ethnic groups in the policymaking and leadership roles at all levels of the International Union and its affiliated bodies.”
More than 7,000 Teamster delegates, retirees and guests from across North America are attending this week’s convention. The convention is the union’s supreme governing body that sets priorities of the union on such issues as continuing to fight for strong contracts that set industry standards, organizing new members and building political and economic power for Teamsters and all workers.