President Joe Schaffer
President – Joe Shaffer
Joe has been a Local 701 member for over 31 years and has worked at Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and Toyota dealerships and was a Shop Steward at Ettleson Cadillac. Before being elected President, Joe was elected as a Trustee and then Secretary-Treasurer for Local 701. In addition to his 13 years' experience on the Executive Board, Joe is a delegate to the Chicago Federation of Labor and has served on the Union's By-Laws Committee. He was an alternate delegate to the Illinois State Council of Machinists, elected as a delegate to the 2016 IAM Grand Lodge Convention and has attended many Union classes including Leadership I and financial secretary classes.
Vice President Terry Kelly
Vice President – Terry Kelly
Terry has been a member of Local 701 since 1988 and works at Crane and Machinery, servicing heavy equipment. He has served Local 701 in many capacities including Conductor Sentinel, Vice President and President. He has worked on the Union's By-Law Committee, assisted the Union's Social Club, worked on the Pit Crew Competitions, assisted in several organizing campaigns and strike lines. He is a delegate to the Chicago Federation of Labor.
Secretary Treasurer Rick Brown
Secretary Treasure – Rick Brown
Rick is the Union's full time Secretary Treasurer. He has been a member of Local 701 since 1986 and has served as the Union Steward for nine years, while working at Zimmerman Ford. He previously worked at Al Piemonte Ford where he served as Union Steward, served on the Audit and By-Law Committees, volunteered for the Pit Crew Competitions and Skills USA Competitions. He also stood strong with his Union brothers on numerous strike lines and served as a Trustee on the Executive Board before becoming our full time Secretary Treasurer in 2017. His Union training includes Leadership I, Financial officers and Negotiation Preparation classes.
Recording Secretary Brian Ilic
Recording Secretary – Brian Ilic
Brian is a 5-year member of Local 701 and is a Senior Master Technician who is currently working at Fair Oaks Ford/Lincoln. He was a Strike Captain on two picket lines, including the Standard Automotive Agreement strike last year. He's worked with our Organizing Committee and assisted with the Locals Family Picnic/Car & Bike shows, World of Wheels and is also a co-founder of "Solidarity Nights", a collaborative effort between the building, electrical and automotive trades to strengthen solidarity between Unions in our area. His Union training includes IAM Leadership I and AFL-CIO organizing campaigns.
Conductor Sentinel Greg Costanero
Conductor Sentinel – Greg Costenaro
Greg is a 16-year member of Local 701 and currently works for Chicago Mack/M&K Truck center in Summit. He has been the Union Steward at M&K for eight years and assisted in contract negotiations in 2013 and 2017. He worked at Jimmy Diesel for 26 years and was instrumental in organizing the Union at that location back in 2002. He has also stood strong with his Union brothers in numerous strike lines and has volunteered for several of our Social Club events, active on several Union Committees and attended several Union classes including the Political Class.
Trustee John Buttney
Trustee – John Buttney
John has been a member of Local 701 since 1985 and currently works as a Journeyman Technician at Haggerty Auto Group, where he serves as the shop Steward. He has worked on Local 701's Organizing Committee, the By-laws Committee, the Standard Automotive Negotiating Committee and chaired the Standard Automotive Trial Committee. John is very active on the Union's Organizing Committee and has volunteered on several Union organizing campaigns, strike lines and Union training which includes Collective Bargaining Negotiation Preparation.
Trustee Al Violet
Trustee – Al Violet
Al has been a member of Local 701 for 32 years and currently works at Equipment Depot, where he has been the shop Steward for seven years. Al has been on the Bargaining Committee for the past four contract negotiations and helped secure contracts for our members. He has assisted in several strike lines, elections and other Union duties, as well as, served on the 701's By-Law Committee. He volunteers for several Social Club events, assists our Organizing Committee and volunteered his time to check in members and hand out strike signs at the SAA contract votes in 2017.