Teamsters, Army Reserve Partner to Create Jobs

Illinois Labor, Military Sign Employment Initiative
to Assist Veterans

The Army Reserve and National Guard signed partnerships last week with Teamsters Joint Council 25, Chicago labor organizations and Illinois state employers to create new job opportunities for U.S. soldiers and veterans.

Launched as part of the Army Reserve Employer Partnership Initiative (EPI), the signings established some of the largest employment alliances in decades between the U.S. military and organized labor. At the Teamsters Local 705 auditorium, labor leaders joined legislators, military representatives and a crowd of hundreds to formalize the relationship between the Army Reserve, employers and organizations.

“The Teamsters are committed to ensuring veteran soldiers forever play a role in strengthening our economy and contributing to the future of our communities,” said John T. Coli, President of Joint Council 25. “Joint Council 25 is honored to bring the Army Reserve and National Guard together with so many of Illinois’ esteemed employers in support of our soldiers and their families.”

On July 28, Teamsters Local 786 hosted trainings for veterans and union members at the auditorium with Helmets to Hardhats, the national organization devoted to helping soldiers gain employment in the construction trades. A partner in the EPI, Helmets to Hardhats also participated in a veteran job fair attended by dozens of labor friendly employers preceding the formal signing on July 30.

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, Secretary of State Jesse White, Congressman Mike Quigley and a handful of other dignitaries met with Joint Council 25 members prior to the formal signing of the EPI. Quinn and White, who’ve made veterans affairs cornerstones of their political careers, spoke passionately about the initiative during the event.

“It is our duty to take care of veterans, who have answered the call to duty and bravely defended our country,” Quinn said. “I salute Helmets to Hardhats and all the partners here today. We join together in signing this memo of understanding so that we can help provide our service members and veterans the jobs they deserve.”

The EPI officially forged agreements with 15 Chicago and Illinois state employers to work collaboratively on new job creation. Partnering companies and organizations include Allied Waste, Vulcan Material, the McCormick Foundation, Albany Park Community Center Work Force, Waste Management, the Chicago Federation of Labor, Teamsters Joint Council 25 and Chicago 2016, the organization helping to bring the Olympics to Chicago, among others.

Lt. Gen. Jack C. Stultz, Chief of the U.S. Army Reserve and EPI founder, was on-hand with Maj. Gen. Dennis L. Celletti, Asst. Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard, throughout the event.

Teamsters Joint Council 25 represents more than 100,000 hardworking men and women throughout Illinois.

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