Bradley Visits Teamsters Picket Line

Democratic presidential candidate Bill Bradley visited a Teamsters picket line at an Overnite Transportation terminal in Moonachie, N.J., last week to garner support from the union.

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The Teamsters have been on strike against Overnite since Oct. 24 over a slew of alleged unfair labor practices by the nation's largest nonunion less-than-truckload carrier, which is based in Richmond, Va.

"I believe the union movement is critical to improving the standard of living for working families," Bradley was quoted as saying by the Associated Press on Dec. 30. "You need somebody on your side. I'm on your side."

Bradley, a former U.S. Senator and pro basketball player, also took the opportunity to voice his support for the strike and call for labor law reforms, including triple back pay and punitive damages for violations.

"It's been 21 [years] since anyone tried to do anything about labor laws," Bradley was quoted as saying in a Teamsters press release. "I think the Overnite effort indicates the real need for labor law reform – over 1,000 unfair labor practices, everything from withholding wages to harassment to surveillance. It's outrageous."

While the AFL-CIO endorsed Vice President Al Gore in October, Teamsters President James P. Hoffa said the union membership was hesitant to back him or any other presidential candidate at the time ["Teamsters Leader Won’t March in Step With AFL-CIO Endorsement of Gore," 10-18, p. 34].