Governor, Legislative Leaders Rally Teamsters

Legislators Talk With Union Representatives About Importance of Nov. 2 Election

Gov. Pat Quinn (right) with Teamsters Joint Council 25 Recording Secretary Brian Meidel.

With Election Day fast approaching, three prominent Democrats in Illinois – Gov. Pat Quinn, Senate President John Cullerton and House Speaker Michael Madigan – this week discussed the importance of this crucial election with Teamster leaders.

Teamsters Joint Council 25 President John T. Coli also reiterated the Nov. 2 election’s significance to his delegates.

“This election is more important to us than any other election in recent history,” said Coli. “We have so much to lose, the choice is so clear. The election falls to us as leaders. We have to wake up.  Get your family members, co-workers, and members to wake up. We’re not going to get a second chance.”

“It’s now or never,” said Coli as he introduced Gov. Quinn as a “great friend to Teamsters and to labor” to the 100-plus Teamster delegates in attendance on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2010, at Chicago’s Teamster City.

Gov. Quinn, a former Teamsters Local 786 member, stressed his pro-union stance and how his opponent, State Sen. Bill Brady, would be detrimental to the state and unions, if elected.

“I believe in unions, I believe in organizing,” said Quinn. “I believe in hard work and decent wages on a job well done. We have to stand together.”

“We know there’s a wolf at the door,” said Quinn in reference to Brady. “I’m not going to let him take away the union movement that we’ve built in Illinois. … I want to make sure that working people get a fair shake.”

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Madigan echoed similar sentiments, adding that voters are angry and that’s why this election is going to be a tough battle.

“There are many voters today who are frustrated, they’re angry, they’re volatile,” said Madigan. “All of us must be concerned about voter anger and frustration. We’re in a lot of tough contests because of anger and frustration.”

“But the Republican Party has laid its cards right out on the table … if you select a Republican governor who is a (private) contractor, it will hurt the unions,” Madigan said. “He doesn’t feel unions are good for the economy of Illinois or the people of Illinois, and he is doing everything he can to eliminate unions from the State of Illinois.”

“We have to carry this message to independents because Brady thinking is not mainstream thinking in this state,” said Madigan.

Cullerton agreed.

“I serve with this guy (Brady),” said Cullerton. “Let’s list this guy’s legislative accomplishments (long silent pause). We’re done. He’s done nothing. He wants to do things that are impossible. He’s not for you. “

“You have to vote for the party which has consistently been on your side,” said Cullerton. “Vote your pocketbook.”

Coli emphasized at the end of the event that members’ votes are crucial to the Teamsters’ cause.

“They felt it was important enough to come down here and speak to us about the election. Are we ready to come out and show them how important this race is to us?" Coli asked the crowd.

The unanimous response from the delegation of Teamster leaders was, "Yes!"

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

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