Coli, Strzechowski Sworn in as Teamsters International Vice Presidents

News provided by

International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Mar 22, 2012, 03:31 ET

Chicago Leaders Elected to Five-Year Terms on General Executive Board

WASHINGTON, March 22, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Chicago Teamster leaders John T. Coli and Becky Strzechowski joined Teamsters General President James P. Hoffa, General Secretary-Treasurer Ken Hall and the newly elected International Vice Presidents and Trustees as they were sworn in today to five-year terms on the union's General Executive Board.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100127/IBTLOGO )

The Hoffa-Hall slate won the 2011 IBT International Officer Election by a wide margin in November. The election results were certified on Jan. 6. Hoffa took office in March 1999 and won re-election in 2001 and 2006. Under his stewardship, the Teamsters Union has regained its place as the strongest labor union in North America.

"John and Becky are true champions for working families," Hoffa said. "We have accomplished so much as a union since 1999, but our work is not done. Workers are under attack in this country and unions are the only ones standing up for people with no voice. With the support of strong leaders like John and Becky and the entire General Executive Board, the Teamsters Union will continue to lead the fight to protect the middle class and the American dream."

Coli, who was re-elected as a Central Region International Vice President, is also President of Joint Council 25 in Chicago and Secretary-Treasurer of Local 727. He has been a Teamster since starting work as a parking lot attendant in 1971. He has served on the General Executive Board since 2007.

"It is a great honor to be re-elected by our members," Coli said. "I have been very fortunate to be surrounded by such great Teamsters here in Chicago. Everything we have been able to accomplish has been because of our unity and ability to work towards common goals together."

Strzechowski began her Teamster career with Local 727 in Chicago in 1987. She was the first female business agent at the Local and the first woman to be elected Vice President of the Local. She was recently elected Secretary-Treasurer of Local 700 representing the city's public employees.

Strzechowski was appointed Central Region International Vice President by the General Executive Board to assume the office left open by the untimely death of former Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 705 in Chicago, Steve Pocztowski, who was elected as part of the Hoffa-Hall slate.

"It is a real privilege to serve on the General Executive Board with this group of Teamsters," Strzechowski said. "As an International Vice President, I will continue to advocate for raising contract standards, expanding workers' rights and providing the best representation possible for our members in the Central Region and throughout the entire union."

Founded in 1903, the Teamsters Union represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Visit www.teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @TeamsterPower.

SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters