Teamsters Take Advantage of Free English Language Classes

Local 743 Offers Educational Assistance to Diverse Membership

The leadership of Teamsters Local 743 is speaking the language of its growing membership by establishing new educational classes for Spanish-speaking workers.

Nearly 30 members of Local 743 are currently enrolled in a weekly English as a Second Language (ESL) course offered at the local this spring. The communications course is Local 743’s latest effort to increase free training opportunities for members and promote diversity in the union.

“With more than 11,000 members in Local 743, we have to remain committed to finding new ways to support each and every one of our Teamster brothers and sisters,” said Donnie Von Moore, Local 743 President. “Spanish-speaking workers make up a powerful portion of our membership. We want to be as committed to our members as they are to preserving justice in the workplace.”

Participants in the current ESL training meet at the Local 743 union hall twice a week for 15 weeks to learn the fundamentals of English grammar, dictation and conversation. The local provides all course materials, including tools used in an orientation class to introduce members to the ESL experience.

The course is taught by Luis Muñoz of the Latino Organization of the Southwest, the only Latino community-based organization in southwest Chicago. The group offers a variety of educational, cultural and leadership programs to Spanish-speaking residents.

Although the current ESL class will conclude on June 30, 2011, Local 743 expects to offer similar courses and other training opportunities throughout the year. Members interested in upcoming trainings can contact the local at (773) 254-7460.

“In addition to our Spanish-to-English translation services during membership meetings, Local 743 hopes these new educational classes will encourage members to remain as active as possible in their union,” Von Moore said.

Teamsters Local 743 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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