(The International Brotherhood of Teamsters issued the following on June 28.)
LAS VEGAS — Paul Engel Jr., an organizer with Local 294 in Albany, New York, paid tribute to the Teamsters serving in the military in Tikrit, Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere. He has a unique insight into Teamsters serving overseas because he was recently stationed in Iraq until recently.
“I’ve had a lot of difficult jobs in my life, but that was the toughest job I’ve ever had in my life,” Engel said.
In Iraq, Engel was a Blackhawk helicopter pilot. In his address, Engel thanked the Sikorsky Teamsters of Local 1150 for manufacturing the helicopters, as well as the M-Cubed Teamsters of Local 326 for manufacturing the bulletproof vests and related safety equipment for U.S. troops. Engel also talked about all the Teamsters he met while serving, and said one of the bright spots about coming home was job security.
“Thanks to the Teamsters, I knew certain things would be waiting for me when I got back—like my job, my seniority and my Teamster contract,” Engel said. “I’d like everyone to not only keep the Teamster soldiers in your thoughts and prayers, but everyone serving deserves the same treatment.”
“Just as we fight for the future of the Teamsters, these soldiers fight for future and security of our great nation,” said Jim Hoffa, Teamsters General President. “We salute them. Without them, everything we have gained would be nothing.”