City Workers Attend Special Meeting on Chicago Municipal Election

Local 700 Trustees Join Members to Discuss Candidates, Labor Issues

Members of Teamsters Local 700 who live and work in Chicago came together for a special membership meeting on December 28, 2010, to address the 2011 Chicago Municipal Election.

John T. Coli, Trustee of Local 700, joined Assistant Trustees William P. Logan and Becky Strzechowski to call the meeting and speak directly with members about the future of city government in Chicago. With the mayoral and aldermanic elections less than two months away on February 22, 2011, local representatives acknowledged the importance of offering public employees a forum to evaluate the candidates.

“With city workers under the constant threat of reduced hours and benefits, furlough days and privatization, it’s crucial for Local 700 to play an active role in the upcoming elections,” said Coli. “We want to hear what our members think about their elected officials. We need our members to be engaged in the conversation to strengthen the voice of our local.”

Informational packets were given to all participating members at the start of the meeting, breaking down each mayoral candidate’s position on issues affecting public employees. The privatization of Midway Airport, public employee pensions, city revenues and the privatization of citywide recycling and garbage were among key issues discussed. Local 700 also shared with members the results of four independent polls regarding the mayor’s race. Among them was a poll commissioned by Teamsters Joint Council 25 in November.

“The purpose of this special membership meeting was to share as much information and generate as much discussion as possible with our Chicago members,” said Strzechowski. “Members were encouraged to look at the facts that are out there about the candidates, and share their thoughts on the issues they believe are most important.”

“City workers need government leaders who will recognize organized labor and take their concerns to heart when making the decisions that run our city,” said Logan. “Labor must be involved in making these decisions, and the conversation starts with the members.”

Coli welcomed Joint Council 25 Political Director Mike Ciaccio to speak with members during the meeting as well. Ciaccio addressed several upcoming races for Chicago aldermen, and later joined Local 700 representatives to answer additional questions from members.

Teamsters Local 700 represents more than 13,000 public employees in Illinois, including more than 5,000 workers in the City of Chicago. Local 700 is an affiliate of Teamsters Joint Council 25, which represents more than 100,000 hardworking men and women throughout Illinois and Indiana.

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