28th National Convention: DAY THREE

Coli Champions Unprecedented Success of Teamster Organizers

Convention Resolution Reaffirms Strength, Focus of Organizing Department

Teamsters Joint Council 25 President John T. Coli praises the
organizing department of the International at the convention.

John T. Coli, President of Teamsters Joint Council 25, stood strong in support of the union’s organizing department as delegates declared the fight for new members to be a top priority at the Teamsters’ 28th National Convention.

“Our entire organizing department has reinvented Teamster organizing,” said Coli. “It is the best organizing staff in the world. We organize strategically in all of our core industries in a time that could be the worst organizing environment in history.”

Coli addressed more than 1,600 Teamsters on the convention floor and voiced his support of a resolution to recommit to organizing across many industries. Delegates unanimously passed the resolution to assist the International and Teamster Joint Councils in determining strategic organizing goals and initiatives for the future.

“We can continue to grow and grow stronger if we stay on track and follow the International’s lead,” said Coli. “The extraordinary successes we have had organizing new members in the last several years are evidence that the best defense is always a strong offense.”

Since 2009, Joint Council 25’s staff of six full-time organizers have helped affiliates in Illinois and Indiana organize thousands of workers in a wide range of industries. While the Joint Council’s largest victory in recent years may be the organization of 3,300 correctional officers in Cook County, the campaign was but one of many; local organizers have recently mobilized nearly 2,000 school bus drivers and aides, as well as police officers, parking attendants, paratransit drivers, automobile technicians, airline workers, transfer drivers, precast workers and even party rental employees.

Organizing was the main focus of the National Convention’s second day, with an emphasis on the school bus, airline and freight industries. Featured speakers included Newark Mayor Corey Booker, Ohio Rep. Steve LaTourette, SEIU President Mary Kay Henry and Steve Turner, international representative with British trade union UNITE.

CLICK HERE to read the Teamsters’ Organizing Resolution.

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

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