“Each year, Teamsters Joint Council 65 awards one senator with the “Legislator of the Year” award who we think went out of his or her way to support the Teamsters in their efforts,” said Keith Gleason, President of Teamsters Joint Council 65. “We felt that Senator Rutherford had done an exemplary job representing our members in the Statehouse over the last year.”

The Teamsters Joint Council 65 “Legislator of the Year” award is issued to one representative and one senator annually who the organization thinks have demonstrated exceptional commitment to important labor and union issues considered by the General Assembly throughout the year.

“I’m honored to have been chosen for this award, particularly by an organization that works so hard to protect the rights of its members, both in Springfield and at the bargaining table,” said Senator Rutherford. “The Teamsters Joint Council 65 plays an integral role in promoting the economic stability of the region, and I’ve been happy to work with them on legislation that advances fair labor standards and promotes workplace safety.”

The Teamsters Joint Council 65 consists of men and women who hold jobs and state government and the business sector, from highway maintainers and truck drivers, to security guards, warehouse employees, manufacturers, and road and bridge engineers.  The Teamsters are America’s largest, most diverse union, boasting 1.4 million members and 500 Teamster locals throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.