Teamsters quit AFL-CIO

Teamsters quit AFL-CIO    The International Brotherhood of Teamsters board of directors voted unanimously Monday to withdraw from the AFL-CIO, the long-time umbrella organization for America’s labor unions.
   “This decision has been reached through a lengthy and thoughtful process,” said Teamsters general president James P. Hoffa in a statement Monday. “It has been a difficult decision to make and we do not take this step lightly.”
   The Teamsters left the AFL-CIO based on differences on how to turn the tide of general union membership, which has taken place during the past decade.
   The Teamsters has partnered with seven unions in the Change to Win coalition “to organize the unorganized and create real power for the working families of America,” Hoffa said.
   The Service Employees International Union also voted Monday to leave the AFL-CIO to focus its efforts on the coalition.
   Hoffa said the coalition will cooperate with the AFL-CIO.