Teamsters mobilize in Missouri

President Hoffa and Clint Zweifel

Hundreds of Missouri Teamsters are lobbying at the state Capitol in Jefferson City today. They're there to fight against anti-worker legislation moving through the Legislature.

Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa and International Vice President Ken Hall are in Jefferson City meeting with representatives right now to discuss key issues that impact Teamsters in the state. Hoffa told the Teamster members participating in the lobby day:

Across this country, workers are under attack. I've been to Wisconsin, Indiana and Ohio fighting for our members, our economy and our union. Today, I'm going to be working side-by-side with you in Jefferson City. We're going to tell our elected representatives that we don't improve the economy by eliminating the middle class. We're going to ask them to work together to create good-paying jobs.

Hoffa and Hall met with a number of leaders, including Missouri State Treasurer Clint Zweifel, who is also a Teamster member. Rep. Tim Meadows, vice president of Teamsters Local 600 in St. Louis, recognized Hoffa on the floor of the House.

A paycheck deception bill, which would silence workers' voice in politics, passed the Senate last week and will soon go to the House. In March, right-to-work (for LESS) legislation was debated for three hours in the Senate before it was tabled -- at least for now.

Brother Munroe is in Jefferson City and had this to report:

Good energy in the Capitol with hundreds of members talking to the state reps. Entire Teamster families have set aside their time today to make this trip and make sure their voice is heard on anti-worker legislation like right-to-work.

More to come this afternoon.