Leaders, Working Families Speak Out Against Proposed Legislation

STOCKTON, Calif., Nov. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Hundreds of Teamsters joined other union members and working families throughout the Stockton area for a major rally today to protest against Proposition 32 – a ballot initiative that would silence the voice of working families.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100127/IBTLOGO)

"Our members and union families across the state know that Proposition 32 will silence their political clout," said Rome Aloise, President of Teamsters Joint Council 7 in San Francisco and Teamsters International Vice President. "They will go to the ballot box and vote NO on Proposition 32." Teamster local unions in California registered more than 23,000 people in a massive, statewide voter registration drive.

More than 800 working families from the Stockton area turned out for a spirited rally at Weber Point downtown today. Some participants came from as far away as San Francisco to join with like-minded union members to build momentum to defeat Proposition 32, which is part of tomorrow's Election Day ballot.

"We are fighting back against Prop. 32," said Sam Rosas, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 439 in Stockton. "It was written to limit the voice of union workers." Local 439 represents men and women working in five counties in the Valley and in Stockton.

Pushed under the guise of campaign finance reform to "stop special interests," Proposition 32 is specifically aimed at crippling unions while allowing corporate special interests to continue their free-wheeling spending through Super PACs. Teamsters and other labor unions have been doing numerous precinct walks throughout Stockton and the surrounding area for months in order to educate people about Prop. 32.

"Prop. 32 would paralyze our ability to fight for workplace safety, so I am against it," said Geraldine Coseip, a member of Teamsters Local 439 in Stockton and an employee of Leprino foods in Tracy, Calif. "I count on the union to represent our interests in the state legislature and defeating Prop. 32 will help ensure that the union has the power it needs to get things done for us."

Candidates running for local offices in the greater Stockton area joined the union members in a strong sign of support during the rally.

"One of my central pledges has been to help defeat Proposition 32," said Rep. Jerry McNerney (D, 11^th District). "This type of legislation will only hurt middle class families, so I am against it."

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.

SOURCE Teamsters Local 439, Stockton