The International Brotherhood of Teamsters officially announced their endorsement of New York State Governor George E. Pataki?s reelection campaign yesterday. Teamsters international president James P. Hoffa spoke at the news conference held at a Manhattan Teamsters hall, lauding Mr. Pataki for his key support of anti-sweatshop and other pro-working family legislation. Mr. Hoffa voiced a clear message---inherent in the decision by the Teamsters and numerous other unions to endorse Mr. Pataki (see WIT?s for March 20, 2002 and Feb. 19, 2002)---that organized labor will not blindly give its support to any one political party, but will instead endorse candidates who prove their commitment to ?fight for the rights of working families.?
See "Pataki Gets Teamsters' Support", STEVEN GREENHOUSE, Los Angeles Times, May 21, 2002