USW Convention in Las Vegas: Aug. 11-14, 2014

Published on Sun, Aug 10, 2014 (1:11 p.m.)

Submitted by United Steelworkers (USW)

USW MEDIA ADVISORY FOR USE – August 11-14, 2014

USW Convention in Las Vegas: Aug. 11-Aug. 14
Pres. Gerard, Democratic Leader Pelosi Speak on Monday; U.S. Sen. Majority Leader Reid & AFL-CIO Pres. Trumka Appear Wednesday


Contacts: Wayne Ranick (702) 891-2812, [email protected]
Gary Hubbard (202) 256-8125, [email protected]

(Las Vegas, Aug. 10) – More than 2,500 elected United Steelworkers (USW) local union leaders from across North America will be gathering under the banner, “A Union That Works,” joined by top international officers and executive board members to hear major political speakers for an International Convention Aug. 11 to Aug. 14, at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

Convention proceedings begin on Monday, Aug. 11 at 10:00 am (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 in Election 2014, particularly rising income inequality among North American workers who need unions.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) speaks Monday, scheduled at about 2:30 pm (PDT); and later Rev. William Barber, President of the North Carolina NAACP, addresses delegates about 4:15 pm. Wednesday’s (Aug. 13) guest speakers are Congressman Mike Michaud (D-ME) at 9:30 am; and U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, (D-NV) at 11:30 am.

President Barack Obama is set to address the convention by video early Wednesday afternoon, followed by Richard Trumka, President, AFL-CIO.

Each day of the USW convention will have guest speakers and resolutions. The second and third days are 9:00 am-5:00 pm (PDT); the final day Thursday, runs 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.

The 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.

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.

NEWS MEDIA CREDENTIALS REQUIRED – Call Wayne Ranick, or Gary Hubbard of USW to obtain credentials, or visit the USW convention communications office at the MGM Conference Center in Room 121, or call: 702-891-2812. Credentials are needed to be seated in the dedicated press area of the convention floor during proceedings and for news TV cameras and photographers to gain floor access.

Tuesday afternoon (Aug. 12) will be a ‘USW Members Only’ session to focus on delegates determining the policies and future direction of the union.

Tuesday morning’s agenda is about international labor matters and USW work around the world. About 88 international union leaders from 24 countries will be at the convention – many representing multi-national employers doing business in North America. Speakers are: 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 labor union.

Video, photo, audio and text highlights from the convention will be made available daily on the union’s website: www.usw.org/convention2014.