August 29, 2011

General President Hoffa Says Employees Need Information About Their Rights

(WASHINGTON) – Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa today applauded the National Labor Relations Board for requiring large employers to tell their workers of their basic fundamental legal right to join a union.

The new rule, which takes effect Nov. 14, requires large companies to post an 11” by 17” poster that notifies workers of their rights under the National Labor Relations Act. Employers must already inform workers about health, safety, wage and discrimination rights.

“This is a reasonable reform that gives workers clear guidelines about their basic rights under federal labor law,” Hoffa said. “Employers have only one reason to oppose this rule: they don’t want their workers to know about their legal protections and fundamental right to organize into union.”

The requirement doesn’t apply to small mom-and-pop businesses, and it excludes agricultural, railroad and airline employers. The notice must be posted in a second language if at least 20 percent of the employees speak a language other than English.

“These days, American workers are under ferocious attack as corporations cut jobs, cut pay and cut benefits to fatten their CEOs’ compensation,” Hoffa said. “Now more than ever, workers need to know they have the right to join together to improve their working conditions.”

Founded in 1903, the Teamsters Union represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Visit www.teamster.org for more information.

Press Contact:

Galen Munroe
gmunroe@teamster.org
202-624-6911