The International Brotherhood of Teamsters have endorsed Senator Barack Obama for the President of the United States. He is the best candidate to help working families, to lead the country in the right direction and the only one who can right the destructive wrongs of the past eight years. Senator Obama has long said the North American Free Trade Agreement was over sold since it's inception, and will work to fix NAFTA so it's fair for American workers. Senator Obama understands that America need fair trade policies that will create a level plying field with our trading partners.

Trade, of course, is not the only reason why the Teamsters Union has endorsed Senator Obama. He will fight for the Employee Free Choice Act, and improved health care system, retirement security and good jobs. He will join the Teamsters in their commitment to rebuild the nation's transportation infrastructure. "we're ready to take the offense for organized labor" Obama said in late 2007. "It's time we have a president who didn't choke saying the word Union. We need to strengthen our Unions by letting them do what they do best - organize our workers. If a majority of workers want a Union, they should get a Union.It's that simple. We need to stand up to the business lobby that's been getting their friends in Congress and in the White House to block card check. That's why I was one of the leaders fighting to pass the Employee Free Choice Act. That's why I am fighting for it in the Senate. And That's why we'll make it the law of the land when I'm President."

Senator Obama supported the rights of workers to strike if necessary. According to Obama, "The system of collective bargaining is out of balance when workers who exercise their right to strike can be permanently replaced, effectively losing their jobs. As President, I will work to ban the permanent replacement of striking workers, so workers can stand up for themselves without worrying about losing their livelihoods."

Barack Obama stands with the Teamsters on many important issues, such as the misclassification of workers as Independent Contractors when they should be considered employees. A loophole in the current tax law encourages employers to exploit this practice. Obama has lead efforts in th U.S. Senate to stop this abuse by introducing the Independent Contractor Proper Classification Act of 2007 to close this loophole and create a level playing field for workers and employers.