LAS VEGAS – More than 2,500 elected United Steelworkers (USW) local union leaders from across North America are gathering this week for their union’s triennial international convention at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Under the banner A Union That Works, the USW local leaders will be joined by the union’s international officers and executive board members to hear major political speakers during the four-day convention.
WHO: 2,500 elected United Steelworkers (USW) local union leaders from across North America
WHAT: USW international convention
WHERE: MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas
WHEN: August 11-14
The USW local union leaders are from a diversity of workplaces and industries including: metals, mining, rubber, paper and forestry, oil refining, natural gas, renewable energy, chemicals and education services, plus service workers in offices, technical fields, health care, security, hotels, cab drivers and municipal governments.
Convention proceedings begin on Monday, Aug. 11 at 10 a.m. (PDT). USW International President Leo W. Gerard will deliver his opening keynote address on the state of the union and the challenges facing union members, particularly rising income inequality among North American workers who need unions.
Delegates also will hear from U.S. President Barack Obama (Wednesday, video address), USW Canadian Director Ken Neumann, New Democratic Party of Canada Leader Tom Mulcair (Monday) Nancy Pelosi, Democratic Leader in the U.S. House of Representatives (Monday), U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, (Wednesday)
Tuesday morning’s will focus on international labour matters and USW work around the world. About 88 international union leaders from 24 countries will be at the convention – many representing employees of multinational employers doing business in North America. International speakers include Napoleon Gomez, President and General Secretary of Los Mineros, the major mining and steel union in Mexico; and Tony Burke, Assistant General Secretary for the United Kingdom-based Unite-the Union. Unite is the USW’s partner in Workers Uniting, the first transatlantic-formed labour union.
Tuesday afternoon will be a USW members-only session to focus on delegates determining the union’s policies and future direction.
The USW represents 850,000 members in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Aruba. It is the largest private-sector union in North America.
Highlights from the convention will be made available daily on www.usw.ca/convention.
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Contacts:
Bob Gallagher, 416-434-2221, bgallagher@usw.ca
Wayne Ranick (702) 891-2812, wranick@usw.org
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