Coli: Joint Council 25 Never More Dedicated to Empowering Workers
CHICAGO, Nov. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- After nearly a decade of proven leadership under President John T. Coli, the Executive Board of Teamsters Joint Council 25 was unanimously re-elected for another four years in a special meeting at Teamster City on November 8, 2011.
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More than 100 delegates representing the 20 affiliated local unions of the Joint Council erupted in applause and congratulations as the current board members were nominated and subsequently re-elected without opposition.
"The representatives of Joint Council 25 are leaders-for Teamsters across metropolitan Chicago and for workers nationwide," said Coli, who has served unopposed as President since 2002. "I am incredibly humbled by the faith and loyalty our local unions hold for this Executive Board. I'm so grateful that I have the opportunity to work with some of the most passionate and dedicated labor leaders in the world."
In addition to Coli, the Joint Council 25 Executive Board includes Secretary-Treasurer Thomas W. Stiede of Teamsters Local 703, Vice President Terrence J. Hancock of Teamsters Local 731, Recording Secretary Brian Meidel of Teamsters Local 734 and Trustees James T. Glimco of Teamsters Local 777, Michael B. Haffner of Teamsters Local 301 and Michael L. Yauger of Teamsters Local 786.
After being named Joint Council 25 President nine years ago, Coli's first executive order was appointing a blue ribbon commission of Teamsters throughout Illinois and Indiana to re-imagine the role the union could play for members in and around Chicago. During the Executive Board's last two terms in office, the Joint Council has evolved beyond the role of an appellate body for local unions into a thriving support system for more than 100,000 workers.
"The organizing, political and communication departments of Joint Council 25 are second to none," said Coli, who has served as Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 727 since 1992. "We have harnessed the best talent among our officers, agents and stewards to deliver representation our members rely on.
"Never before has a Teamsters Joint Council been so involved in empowering its affiliates and improving the lives of its members," Coli added.
Member services and organizing power have become trademarks of the current Executive Board, who worked to organize more than 3,300 Cook County correctional officers in 2009, established Chicago's first Teamsters Women's Committee in 2010, helped more than 40,000 military veterans earn gainful employment and commercial drivers' licenses and continue to raise millions of dollars for breast cancer, autism and other charities nationwide.
"Joint Council 25 celebrated its 100th anniversary this year in Chicago," said Coli, "but it feels like we're just getting started. I have no doubt that the leadership and vision that exist today amongst all of our affiliates will pay dividends to hardworking Teamsters for centuries to come."
SOURCE Teamsters Joint Council 25, Chicago
