WASHINGTON, DC | The annual IBT Political Coordinators Conference was held last week in Washington, DC. Teamsters Local 710 Secretary-Treasurer & Principal Officer Mike Cales and Recording Secretary & Political Coordinator Mike Ramirez attended the conference to lobby on Capitol Hill and listen to our country’s representatives speak on labor.

“There are plenty of major issues facing the labor movement today, and we are finally getting more of the attention we deserve in Washington,” said Secretary-Treasurer Cales. “Labor keeps this country moving forward. Our representatives need to really listen to the issues that our members are facing day in and day out, and to act in ways that have a lasting effect on workers everywhere.”

Tuesday, September 13

Political Coordinators from across the country packed the house and welcomed keynote speakers. Assignments for lobbying the next day were received.

Wednesday, September 14

Secretary-Treasurer Cales and Recording Secretary Ramirez joined with other Teamsters to lobby on Capitol Hill. They met with Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, Senator Tammy Duckworth, and Legislative Staff of Congressman Darin LaHood with Teamsters Joint Council Political Coordinator Mike Ciaccio as well as Coordinators from Locals 50, 916, and 703, and IBT DRIVE Representative Bob Kopystynsky. 

The group spoke in opposition to autonomous vehicles and platooning, and our support for the PRO Act and Warehouse Workers Rights Act. Cales voiced his concerns regarding public safety and the potential loss of jobs, explaining that Local 710 represents more than 14,000 members, of which an estimated 60% hold a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and that these issues will have a significant impact on our members.

Thursday, September 15

The Conference concluded with special guest speakers Senators Charles “Chuck” Schumer and Amy Klobuchar. General President Sean O’Brien and General Secretary Treasurer Fred Zuckerman joined the conference on Thursday, with President O’Brien addressing the participants.

Teamsters Local 710 is an affiliate of Teamsters Joint Council 25 and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, providing strong Union representation to more than 14,000 members across the Midwest.