PA CONFERENCE OF TEAMSTERS

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PA CONFERENCE OF
TEAMSTERS

2010 PRIMARY ELECTION 
ENDORSEMENTS

ELECTION DAY IS MAY 18, 2010

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PA CONFERENCE OF TEAMSTERS ENDORSE DAN ONORATO FOR GOVERNOR

February 4, 2010

PHILADELPHIA: The Pennsylvania Conference of Teamsters today endorsed Dan Onorato for Governor at their headquarters on Delaware Avenue in Philadelphia.  The Teamsters’ endorsement is the first statewide labor union to make an endorsement in the Democratic gubernatorial primary.  Later today, Dan will travel to Wilkes-Barre to discuss his plan to rebuild Pennsylvania’s economy at a press conference at the Wilkes-Barre union hall.
 
          “I am honored to receive the endorsement of the hardworking men and women of the Pennsylvania Conference of Teamsters,” Onorato said.  “I am the proud son of union members and I know your support is one of the most sought-after by candidates, because you work tirelessly to elect the candidates you believe in, and I am grateful to have you in my corner.”

          “Dan Onorato is the only candidate for Governor who knows what it takes to help lead and manage a large economy – because he has done it,” said Bill Hamilton, the President of the PA Conference of Teamsters, Eastern Region International Vice President.  “We have seen Dan’s work as Allegheny County Executive and his commitment over his career to helping create good jobs and family sustaining wages.   He’s stood up for workers and we are proud to stand up for him.”

          The Pennsylvania Conference of Teamsters has 92,000 members across the Commonwealth.  Though originally a union of freight drivers and warehouse workers, current members work in virtually every occupation imaginable, both professional and non-professional, in the private and public sectors.  Formed in 1903, the Teamsters are nationally recognized as America’s largest and most diverse union.

          “We need to grow Pennsylvania’s economy, and Dan is the only candidate with the experience to lead us out of this economic crisis,” said Roy Marshall, Secretary-Treasurer PA Conference of Teamsters.  “Our members in Allegheny County have seen and benefited from the economic revitalization Dan put in motion, and we know he can replicate that revitalization across the Commonwealth.”

          In January, Onorato released a plan to grow Pennsylvania’s economy and help create family-sustaining jobs.  Onorato’s plan has five (5) central tenets:

• Establish a climate where businesses can succeed;
• Launch a “Grow Your Own” success strategy to help firms start, expand and prosper;
• Encourage entrepreneurship and innovation;
• Boost export opportunities for Pennsylvania companies and attract foreign companies to the state; and
• Ensure that Pennsylvania’s workforce is prepared for and able to access high-skill, well-paying jobs.

          As Allegheny County Executive Onorato has focused on helping create a strong business and jobs climate.  After six years of his leadership, Allegheny County now has more jobs than any other county in Pennsylvania and the county’s unemployment rate is one of the lowest in the state and over two percentage points lower than the nation’s.

Biden's a Friend of Workers, Says His Former UPS Driver

September 19, 2008

Democratic vice presidential nominee Joe Biden is a pro-labor guy, says John Ryan, President of Local 326 in New Castle, Delaware.

And Ryan ought to know. He knows Biden personally. Prior to becoming president of his local, Ryan was Biden's UPS driver. The two have been friends for more than 30 years.

They recently reconnected after a political rally in Delaware. "As soon as he finished his speech, Joe came down from the stage and asked me how I'm doing," Ryan said. "The thing about Delaware is it's so small. Everyone knows everyone. I've been praying that he becomes vice president. He's so pro-labor."

Following the lead of General President Jim Hoffa, Ryan has been encouraging all members of his local to get involved this political season, including registering to vote and getting to the polls.

"The future of the American worker is at stake," he says. Whether it's the Employee Free Choice Act, which would make it easier for workers to form unions, tax breaks that put working families and job creation first, affordable health care, affordable energy, or watching out for the middle class as Washington bails out Wall Street, there are many important issues that will have an impact on unions, members and families this November.

Ryan believes that Democratic Presidential Nominee Barack Obama, and his old friend Joe, are the two candidates who will take the side of average Americans. That's not because of all the rhetoric tossed around this election year, but because he knows Joe.

"Joe Biden is a down-to-earth, great guy who's always willing to lend a hand. He's very involved and very labor-friendly," Ryan said.

Local 261 President Doug Robbins attends the “Rally in the Valley” held in Sharon Pa. on September 27, 2008.