Teamsters closer to leaving AFL-CIO

CHICAGO, July 21 (UPI) -- The Teamsters authorized their leaders to pull out of the AFL-CIO if it doesn't accommodate a dissident group at Monday's quadrennial convention in Chicago.

The Change to Win Coalition, which includes various unions including the Teamsters, has demanded the AFL-CIO restructure and put fresh emphasis on grassroots membership drives as opposed to lobbying in Washington.

The coalition also wants to see new leadership of the AFL-CIO.

The Teamsters' general executive board unanimously authorized James Hoffa, its president, to pull out of the nation's largest labor federation if it "does not agree to changes that substantially accomplish the goals set forth in the amendments and resolutions that have been submitted to the AFL-CIO convention" by the Change to Win Coalition.

"We are committed to organizing the unorganized and negotiating the wages and benefits workers deserve," Hoffa said.