Teamsters Canada in the News

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters opened their 28th International Convention with plenty of noise and a new resolve to stand up for the American Dream. The Convention opened in grand style, living up to its theme of “Vision, Solidarity, Action”.

Delegates and guests were witness to a raucous tribute to the Union, which included images and videos of both current and historic events. The halls and lobbies of the Paris & Bally’s Hotels were swarmed by a sea of red vests worn by Teamsters men and women, as they made their way into the Convention hall. Members celebrated their role in the fight for workers’ rights as drummers, dancers and Harley Davidson motorcycles revved up the opening ceremony.

Away from the official business of the IBT Convention, the two Canadian Women’s Caucus from Ontario and Quebec held a raffle to fundraise for the Breast Cancer Foundation to benefit research into the cure of this dreadful disease. Tickets for the raffle were sold from the Teamsters Canada exhibit booth by Sister Brigitte Sottile, for the Teamsters Quebec Women’s Caucus, and by Sister Lavinia de Mello, for the Teamsters Ontario Women’s Caucus. They were also assisted in their sales by the many Canadian representatives who just pitched in to make the fundraiser a great success. The grand prizes for the raffle were two VIP tickets to the Viva Elvis show, which was running at the Aria on the Las Vegas strip, and a bottle of Champagne with $200.00 cash attached to it.

The Viva Elvis tickets were won by a long time Teamster member, Brother Harry Nespoli, who in turn gave them to Brother Trevor Marshall of the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference – Maintenance of Way Employees Division. Brother Nespoli was unfortunately flying out of Vegas on the evening of the show. In an act of compassion and generosity, Brother Marshall, in turn, gave the tickets to Patricia Cirigliano, the widow of Brother Brian Cirigliano. Brother Cirigliano, President of Teamsters Local 1035, was representing a Teamsters member at a disciplinary hearing in August 2010, at Hartford Distributors in Manchester, Connecticut, when he was fatally wounded in a massacre that left nine people dead and many injured. Mrs. Cirigliano was very appreciative to receive the tickets.

The bottle of Champagne and money were won by Sister Jeannie Braun, who was absolutely thrilled with her win. By coincidence, our General President, Brother James R. Hoffa was in the vicinity when Sister Braun was awarded her prize, which led to her life-long wish to have a photograph taken with President Hoffa.

The two Women’s Caucus groups raised in excess of $8,500.00 for the cause, which will be donated to the Breast Cancer Foundations in their respective areas.