Senator Barbara Boxer, a California Democrat who is also the Ethics Committee chairwoman, has joined forces with Teamsters President James P. Hoffa, in an attempt to persuade BMW North America to reconsider its stance on a local labor dispute over 65 jobs.
The German automaker has said it will not renew its contract with Teamsters Union Local 495 that expires on Aug. 31 and will instead hire an outside company to run its parts distribution center, located in Ontario, California.
In a letter sent to BMW North America CEO Jim O'Donnell, the California Senator said that the Bavarian company should rethink its decision and take into consideration the fact that it received $3.6 billion in low-interest loans during the 2008-2009 taxpayer bailout.
