The International Brotherhood of Teamsters General Executive Board unanimously passed a resolution supporting John Kerry for President, during its quarterly meeting in Orlando, Florida, on March 25.

“John Kerry is the right candidate for working families,” said James P. Hoffa, Teamsters general president. “It is time America had as president one who cares about all of its citizens, not just the privileged few.”

Teamsters Local 237 President and IBT Vice-President Carl Haynes commented that the action was necessary to reaffirm Labor’s unity behind one candidate. “The media would have the world believe that Organized Labor is in such disarray that we can’t unite behind one candidate,” Haynes said. “That is so untrue. Kerry is solidly pro-labor and pro worker. Labor is solidly behind him to help defeat George W. Bush in November.”

The Teamsters, in conjunction with the Alliance for Economic Justice, formally endorsed Kerry in Milwaukee on Feb. 17.

Here’s the text of the resolution:

Whereas, it is in the best interest of all working Americans to have a strong friend and supporter in the White House; and

Whereas, members of the Teamsters Union would benefit in having the President of the United States share their concerns about jobs, health care, retirement security, and the right to organize; and

Whereas, during the course of his administration, President George W. Bush has established a clear record of opposing initiatives beneficial to American workers; and

Whereas, President Bush has initiated a direct assault on the American Labor Movement by rolling back regulations on ergonomic standards, opposing increases in the minimum wage, opposing project labor agreements in the building and construction trades, attempting to implement onerous, expensive and unnecessary regulations to alter union reporting and record keeping requirements, and proposing a prescription drug proposal that would roll back benefits from existing and future retirees with employer-sponsored health care programs; and

Whereas, these actions demonstrate that the interests of the Teamsters Unions would be better served by a change in administrations; and

Whereas, Senator John F. Kerry has served in the United States Senate since 1984 and has established a record of support for Teamster issues; and

Whereas, Senator Kerry has been an advocate of working families throughout his career, supports our legislative priorities and embraces Teamster values; and

Whereas, Senator Kerry has a 92 percent lifetime voting record on Teamster issues, including being the first Senator to sign onto the Employee Free Choice Act; and

Whereas, if elected president, Senator Kerry has committed to making all trade agreements subject to a 120-day review by a blue ribbon committee including labor officials;

Now Therefore, be it resolved, that the International Brotherhood of Teamsters expresses the unequivocal support and commitment to electing Senator John F. Kerry as the next President of the United States.