Teamsters Say Stimulus Package Must Help Unemployed, Add Jobs

Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa today said any short-term plan to stimulate the economy should aim to protect people who have jobs and to help those who don’t.

He supports an extension and increase in unemployment benefits, spending on infrastructure and federal aid to cities and states.

Hoffa also said Americans also need long-term solutions to strengthen the economy.

“Good jobs at good wages are the best way to put money in people’s pockets,” Hoffa said. “If we’re serious about fixing our economic problems, we need to fix these so-called free-trade policies that send good American jobs to China and Mexico.”

For the immediate future, Hoffa said the unemployment system must be strengthened. “It’s the right thing to do,” Hoffa said. “And people who don’t have jobs will spend that money immediately.”

He also urges Congress to send financial help to state and local governments, which are feeling the pinch of the mortgage crisis as families are losing their homes.

“With property values falling, state and local governments will be forced to lay off police officers, teachers, bus drivers and prison guards,” Hoffa said. “Aid to cities and states will keep those employees working and spending money. We must also find ways to keep people in their homes if they’ve been victims of predatory lending.”

He supports more spending to fix America’s crumbling roads and bridges. “Fixing our infrastructure is long overdue,” he said. “A real commitment to repairing our roads and bridges will create jobs and make it more efficient to move goods.”