Teamsters Announce Presidential Candidate Forum Focused on Worker Issues

As 2020 presidential hopefuls continue to vie to win working people’s votes, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT), will be hosting a presidential forum on December 7, 2019, at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

The forum, organized in partnership with The Guardian and The Storm Lake Times, will focus on issues affecting Teamsters and their families.

Vice President Joe Biden, Gov. Steve Bullock, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Sen. Kamala Harris, Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Sen. Bernie Sanders are confirmed to participate. Presidential candidates who agreed to sign the union’s three-point pledge and participated in an on-camera interview with the IBT were invited to attend the forum.

Presidential candidates looking to win the union’s support are required to sign the IBT’s three-point pledge on key member issues; participate in an on-camera interview; grant card-check neutrality if their campaign staff seeks to form a union; and partner with the union in support of specific organizing campaigns, strike efforts or contract negotiations.

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Visit www.teamster.org and www.teamstersvote.com for more information.

On Friday November 8^th and Monday November 11^th, Teamsters Local 743 sponsored free flu shots for the members at Bagcraft.

For several years, Bagcraft provided free flu shots to their employees but decided to discontinue the practice for the 2019/2020 flu season.

Local 743 stewards at Bagcraft contacted the union to inform them of the company’s decision to no longer provide this service to Local 743 members.

“The Flu hurts people, it hospitalizes people, and it can kill people,” said Jewel Williams, a steward at Bagcraft. “I’m so grateful that Local 743 recognized how important it was that our members get vaccinated.”

As flu cases begin to pop up in Illinois, medical experts say that though it’s hard to predict the severity of the upcoming season, there are indicators it could be harsh, reminiscent of the deadly influenza that spread two years ago.

Local 743 would like to recognize the stewards at Bagcraft; Deanna, Joe, Bob, Charlie and Jewel for contacting the union and helping to organize the event.

On Tuesday, November 13, 2019, the Teamster Joint Council 25 Executive Board was elected to a new three-year term at the Novembers Joint Council’s delegates meeting.

The Hancock-Steide Unity Slate, under the leadership of President Terrence J. Hancock, ran without opposition and won re-election in front of an enthusiastic crowd of delegates.

Local 743 President Debra Simmons-Peterson made history by becoming the first African American Woman to be elected to Joint Council’s Executive Board.  "It is an honor and a privilege to represent so many hardworking Teamsters in the City of Chicago, and throughout the State of Illinois and northwest Indiana," President Simmons said. I vow to have the same commitment to providing excellent service to our local union affiliates as I have to our Local 743 members.”  

Ms. Debra Simmons-Peterson joined Teamsters Local Union No. 743 in 1975 while working in the Transportation Department of Rush Presbyterian St. Luke’s Hospital. In 2003, Ms. Simmons-Peterson resigned from her position in the Transportation Department to pursue her own entrepreneurial endeavors. She enthusiastically returned to IBT Local 743 in 2008, serving as a Union Representative. In 2010, she was appointed to serve as the Vice President of IBT Local 743 and subsequently elected to the position of Secretary-Treasurer in 2011. Debra was elected to her current position as President of Local 743 in 2013, making her the first African American female to be elected to this position. Debra has also served as the President of Teamsters Joint Council No. 25 Women’s Committee and on the Teamsters Volunteers in Politics (T.V.I.P.) Committee.

Teamsters Joint Council 25 is America’s premier labor union for Illinois and Northwest Indiana, representing more than 100,000 men and women with 25 local union affiliates

Join the Teamsters Joint Council 25 Women's Committee  for an afternoon of fun, food, bowling and charity.

The Women's Committee will be hosting a bowling party on Saturday November 9, 2019 from 2pm-5pm at Pinstripes Bistro and Bowling. Located at 7 Oakbrook Center Mall, Oakbrook IL, 60523. Tickets are $20

The Women's Committee will also be collecting hats, scarves and gloves to distribute to women and children who do not have these simple things to keep them warm this winter. *Items must be new or unused.

You may purchase tickets via PayPal by visiting their website at www.teamsterwomen.com

Or you may contact: Tracy Reed  (773) 220-9893 01reed01@gmail.com

*Tickets must be purchased prior to the event.

Teamsters Local 743 President Debra Simmons-Peterson makes history as Joint Council 25 first African American Woman appointed to the Executive Board

In a notice sent to all Teamsters Joint Council 25 affiliates, Joint Council 25 President Terrence Hancock announced the formal appointment of Local 743 president Debra Simmons-Peterson as trustee to the Joint Council 25’s Executive Board effective July 1, 2019.

Joint Council 25 President Terrence Hancock personally congratulated and welcomed local 743 President Simmons to the seven-member board and expressed how much he looks forward to working with her.  “I am pleased to announce the formal appointment of Debra Simmons-Peterson to a position of Trustee to the Joint Council No. 25 Executive Board. I, along with the entire Executive Board and staff, look forward to working together and move our joint agenda forward to fulfill our continued commitment to provide unwavering service to our Local Union Affiliates and members.” Said Joint Council 25 President Terrence Hancock.

As president Simmons- Peterson takes on her new role as trustee she will become the boards first African American female board member in it’s over 100-year history.

Mrs.  Simmons-Peterson has garnered many “firsts”.  In 2013 Mrs. Simmons-Peterson became the first African American female to be elected as President of Teamsters Local 743. In January of 2016, Simmons-Peterson was appointed as the first African American female to serve on the Teamsters Volunteer in Politics (T.V.I.P) Committee which convenes monthly to review and provide financial support to political candidates for state and local office who support the interests or organized labor.

.  “I am both honored and excited, but I also understand the weight of the commitment and responsibility to our local affiliates and members. “says Local 743 President Debra Simmons-Peterson, The history of Joint Council 25 is a powerful legacy of empowerment, equality and justice for over 100 years and I am eager to work with the fellow board members as we work together to fulfill our commitment to provide great service to the members of Joint Council 25. 

TEAMSTERS JOINT COUNCIL 25's Executive Board is comprised of elected officials from Joint Council 25's local affiliates. representing more than 100,000 men and women with 25 local union affiliates.

Last year, Teamsters Local 743 in partnership with Joint Council 25 Women’s Committee raised over $13,000 dollars for the American Cancer Society’s 2018 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walks. 

This year Teamsters Local 743 and JC25 Women's Committee will again join forces and has committed to be the popular Pink Chair Sponsor at the Soldier Field Walk which will be held Saturday October 19, 2019.

The American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Walks event is a noncompetitive 3 to 5-mile walk that brings people together to make a difference for everyone who has been touched by breast cancer. The events raise money to fund innovative research, provide free information and support, and to help people reduce their breast cancer risk or find it early when it's most treatable.

We're excited to build on last year's success of raising over $13,000 to fund breast cancer research. The dedication and commitment of our walkers knows no limits. We are certain that we can successfully meet this year's goal, building on the momentum from last year’s walk. There will be bus transportation leaving from the local offices to take our team to the walk and back. Every Local 743 member that pledges $10 to the cause will have their donation matched with an additional $15. 

To join our team or to donate, please download the form below.

For more information please contact;

Christine Salamone (773) 254-7460

Tracy Reed (773) 220-9893

Making Strides Registration Form.jpg

Making Strides Registration Form_L743.pdf

Making Strides fundraiser_squares.pdf