Teamster bosses on both sides of the border denounced the Canadian truckers’ Freedom Convoy that exploded into an international movement.
Truckers were largely considered “essential workers” in Canada and the U.S., making them effectively exempt from vaccine mandates and other restrictions. But as the countries moved to push the Covid shot on all people, truckers were faced with compliance or losing their livelihood.
That was the red line in the sand for many who indicate they maintain the right to choose whether to take the newly-created shot or not. Thousands have joined the Canadian Freedom Convoy, with protests growing in Europe and the U.S. In a move many see as counterintuitive, leaders of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters appear to be siding with government officials.
“The so-called ‘freedom convoy’ and the despicable display of hate lead by the political Right and shamefully encouraged by elected conservative politicians does not reflect the values of Teamsters Canada, nor the vast majority of our members, and in fact has served to delegitimize the real concerns of most truck drivers today,” François Laporte, president of Teamsters Canada, reportedly stated. “Teamsters Canada would welcome collaboration with government and employers to address today’s real challenges in the trucking industry to keep the supply chain going and Canada’s economy growing.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Liberal Party of Canada politicians, and members of the mainstream media focused attention on a handful of right-wing symbols in the peaceful protest. This provided a political talking point used to denounce the Freedom Convoy and thousands of supporters. But the overwhelming majority of truckers interviewed consistently state the movement is about eliminating restrictions, maintaining freedom of choice, and regaining normalcy.
Teamsters Canada president Laporte represents upwards of 55,000 truckers. His statement denouncing the Freedom Convoy echoes that of James Hoffa Jr., general president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
“The Teamsters Union denounces the ongoing Freedom Convoy protest at the Canadian border that continues to hurt workers and negatively impact our economy. The livelihood of working Americans and Canadians in the automotive, agricultural, and manufacturing sectors is threatened by this blockade,” Hoffa reportedly stated. “Our members are some of the hardest workers in the country and are being prevented from doing their jobs. The Teamsters call on the organizers of this action to end this protest and instead, engage in meaningful political discourse with the Canadian government to find a solution.”
It seems ironic that Teamsters bosses would unite against hard-working truckers protesting against government mandates. The union has a long and controversial history of organized protests, strikes, and less-than-peaceful confrontations.
Teamsters trace their roots to a pivotal 1934 strike in Minneapolis that resulted in repeated violent clashes with police. Not only did workers go without pay while on strike, but many also died fighting for their collective bargaining rights. Like the early Teamsters organizers who went without money to secure fair labor treatment, fought government opposition, and experienced condemnation in the media, Freedom Convoy protestors appear to be largely on their own.
Sources: mndigital.org, politico.com, cbsnews.com
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