PHOTOS: At December Meeting, Secretary-Treasurer Delivers Annual State of the Union Address
Standing before a packed Union Hall, Secretary-Treasurer John Coli Jr. delivered the annual State of the Union Address for 2017 to members. The Annual Address listed all the accomplishments made throughout the year in terms of contracts, grievances, arbitrations and other Union business during Teamsters Local 727’s general meeting on December 17, 2017.
The staff of Local 727 had a very busy year, bargaining and signing more than 86 collective bargaining agreements and filing more than 476 grievances. The most egregious employers offending were Great Lakes Coca-Cola Distribution, with 84 grievances; Pepsi, with 59; and Standard Parking, with 57.
Three of the largest member contracts Local 727 negotiated this year were with the Funeral Directors Services Association of Greater Chicago (FDSA), Chicago Tribune and Hinckley Springs.
Among the biggest accomplishments of the Union in 2017 were the repeal of the Cook County beverage tax and the written agreement by CDT’s new owner, National Express, to reform its work conditions which are having such a negative effect on the Union’s paratransit members.
“I’m proud of our entire staff for doing such a tremendous job this year,” said Coli. “Their hard work and dedication are a testament to the strength of this Union. With a budget surplus and record pension increase, Local 727 is very financially strong, which is important now more than ever considering the current political climate.”
Local 727 members whose employers participate and contribute to the Funeral Industry pension plan or the Parking Industry pension plan, thanks to their union contract, saw a 10% increase in their pension accrual. The Local 727 pension plan increased its funding ratio to 115%. Never before has it been this strong. The Legal and Educational Assistance Fund also had a strong year and awarded more than $3 million in college tuition reimbursement to participants.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Secretary-Treasurer Coli handed out perfect attendance certificates to 23 members who were present at every general membership meeting this year.
The next general membership meeting will be held at noon on Sunday, January 28, 2018, at the Local 727 meeting hall, 1300 W. Higgins Road, Suite 114, Park Ridge, IL. Pastries and coffee will be served, and prizes will be raffled.
Category: Union News
