Lawrence Abbott, a member of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 70, delegate to the Alameda Labor Council and Labor Caucus Co-Chair for Move to Amend, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss that group’s effort to amend the U.S. Constitution to remove money and lobbying from politics and pave a way to improve labor laws.
Teamsters Local 70 members work in waste management, parcel delivery with UPS and manufacturing in Oakland, Calif. Abbott discussed how the deregulation of the trucking industry in California has impacted the union and its members. He discussed his history with the Alameda Labor Council as a political organizer and now delegate representing Teamsters Local 70 on the council. Through his work with the Alameda Labor Council, Abbott spoke about the importance of having labor-friendly politicians and policies to allow unions to organize and protect workers successfully.
In 2010, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission regarding campaign finance laws and free speech. The 5-4 decision prohibited the government from restricting contributions to political campaigns by corporations, nonprofit organizations, labor unions and other associations. Abbott talked about the fallout from the decision as several corporations are able to influence policy and politicians with financial contributions. Until the decision is overturned, labor unions will always face an uphill battle in organizing workers and improving labor law in America, he said.
Finally, Abbott discussed what Move to Amend is doing with the We The People Amendment. Move to Amend is a non-partisan coalition of organizations and individuals working together to amend the U.S. Constitution. Amending the U.S. Constitution is not simple, but Abbott laid out the long road to passing an amendment. While it’s not an easy process, he believes that if organized labor worked together, it would be possible to remove the money from politics and open the door for improving labor laws in America.
To hear more from Abbott, listen to the show above.
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