Teamsters Blast President Biden’s Decision to Cancel Keystone XL Pipeline

Washington D.C. – The International Brotherhood of Teamsters is imploring President Joe Biden to reconsider his decision to block construction of the Keystone XL oil pipeline.

On his first day in office, President Biden followed through on a campaign promise and issued and Executive Order (EO) to revoke the construction permit for the Keystone XL pipeline.

The Teamsters, which strongly endorsed Mr. Biden in last November’s election, seemed to be taken off-guard by the decision.

In a statement, Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa said the cancellation will affect 8,000 union jobs and members’ retirement and health benefits.

“The Teamsters strongly oppose yesterday’s decision, and we would urge the administration to reconsider it,” Hoffa said. “This executive order doesn’t just affect U.S. Teamsters; it hurts our Canadian brothers and sisters as well who work on this project. It will reduce good-paying union jobs that allow workers to provide a middle-class standard of living to their families.”

The Biden Administration is instead betting big that future investments in the renewable energy sector will lead to millions of new “green” jobs.

While that reality may materialize over the coming decade, it does little to keep America energy independent for the foreseeable future.

“America needs access to various forms of energy that can keep its economy running in the years ahead. This decision will hurt that effort,” Hoffa asserted. “Going forward, we expect the President to boost U.S. workers by allowing them to come together and negotiate for better wages, benefits and retirement security as his administration pushes forward with policies that grow good-paying jobs that support American families.”

The Teamsters were not the only union to blast the move.

RECENTLY RELATED

Senator Grills USDOT Secretary Nominee Over Biden’s Order to Cancel Keystone XL Pipeline

Lawmaker Proposes Renaming Florida Highway After “One of the Greatest Presidents”

USDOT Secretary Nominee Lays out “New Climate Vision,” Backtracks on Fuel Tax

In fact, multiple unions that endorsed President Biden, including the Laborer’s International Union of North America, North American Building Trades Union, and United Association of Union Plumbers and Pipefitters also quickly lashed out at his decision to cancel the project.

“In revoking this permit, the Biden Administration has chosen to listen to the voices of fringe activists instead of union members and the American consumer on Day 1,” said the United Association of Union Plumbers and Pipefitters.

Still, despite the strong disagreement over this issue, Hoffa expressed optimism the Biden Administration would make it up to his members.

“The Teamsters know that President Biden is a friend to workers. This union looks forward to working together with him on policy and programs that create good-paying jobs with strong labor standards,” Hoffa stated.