May 1, 2008: John Coli, the president of the Chicago Joint Council, has finally gotten his wish: Chicago Trade Show and Movie Teamsters will transfer to his own Local 727. It’s a lucrative prize.

The trade show Teamsters have always been in Local 714, which is run by the Hogan family, who also own equipment and companies operating within the trade show industry.

Coli made the announcement of the switch at an April 29 meeting of affected members. He said the switch was to dodge a recommendation of the Independent Review Board (IRB) to trustee Local 714, where Bobby Hogan was recently ousted from the union.

Coli warmly praised Bobby Hogan. He also stated that the International Union has given its blessing for the switch.

Coli told members that their contracts, health care, and stewards would remain the same, that he would be their business rep, and that they would have the right to vote on their contract, which expires at the end of this year.

The trade and movie show division has long been a breeding ground for payoffs, nepotism and sweetheart deals. The principal officers or International officials in numerous locals have been expelled from the Teamsters over corruption in this division, including in Dallas, Miami, Orlando, Chicago, Tampa, and Las Vegas.