NEW: DETAILED SCHEDULE NOW AVAILABLE

9/19/21: A detailed schedule for the week is now available. Please click one of the links below to view a detailed schedule for your timezone:

• Eastern [9]
• Central [10]
• Mountain [11]
• Pacific [12]

Sunday, September 19

• Women’s Caucus — start 4pm ET / 3pm CT / 2pm MT / 1pm PT
• African American Caucus — start 7pm ET / 6pm CT / 5pm MT / 4pm PT

CONVENTION OPENS

Tuesday to Friday general sessions include time for debating resolutions. Official business will conclude by 6pm ET / 5pm CT / 4pm MT / 3pm PT Tuesday — Friday.

Monday, September 20th — Starting at 11am ET / 10am CT / 9am MT / 8am PT

• Invocation
• Welcome: Ed Gainey, PA State Representative
• Address: Carl Rosen, UE General President
• Convention Committee Meetings

Tuesday, September 21st — Starting at 11am ET / 10am CT / 9am MT / 8am PT

• Speaker: Jerry Dias, UNIFOR, President
• Photo Exhibit: Al Hart, Retired Managing Editor of UE News
• Organizing Report: Gene Elk, UE Director of Organization

Wednesday, September 22nd — Starting at 11am ET / 10am CT / 9am MT / 8am PT

• Speaker: Dr. Linda Murray, Civil Rights and Public Health Leader
• Workshops: Morning / Afternoon Sessions
• UE International Report
• Industrial Caucuses

Thursday, September 23rd — Starting at 11am ET / 10am CT / 9am MT / 8am PT

• Speaker: Sara Nelson, Association of Flight Attendants, President
• Policy Action Report
• Budget Review: Andrew Dinkelaker, General Secretary-Treasurer
• Constitution Amendments
• UE Officer Elections

Friday, September 24th — Starting at 11am ET / 10am CT / 9am MT / 8am PT

• Speaker: Chris Townsend, Amalgamated Transit Union, Organizing Director
• Speaker: Rep. Chuy Garcia, IL Congressman
• Publicity and Education Report

TECH SUPPORT LINE: If you (or someone you know) is having trouble joining the convention, please call the UE Convention Tech Support Line: 412-746-7630

Convention Sessions

The main sessions of the Convention will be held as a Zoom webinar. In the webinar format, the “panelists” (the people you will see on screen) will be the people who would be at the front of the convention hall during an in-person convention, plus anyone who has been recognized to speak (like someone who is speaking at the microphone during an in-person convention).

To make sure that only UE members who are credentialed delegates are participating in convention business, Zoom access will be linked to convention registration. Registered participants (including invited guests) will receive an email each morning with the links they need for that day, including to the main session, committee meetings, workshops, and caucuses. These are individualized links for delegates or other registered participants and should not be shared.

The reason these shouldn’t be shared is that the link will be connected to your name, which will be identified in Zoom as a delegate, alternate, or guest. Just like in an in-person convention, only delegates will vote and only delegates can address the convention, unless others are given permission by the Chair.

For committee meetings, workshops, and caucuses, we will use regular Zoom meetings, like what you have experienced at regional council meetings. We encourage you to turn on your cameras to see each others’ faces during those meetings. This is also why individual delegates need their own devices to fully participate in convention — we won’t all be in the same big meeting for the full week of convention.

Speaking to the Convention

If you want to speak to a resolution, second a motion, or be recognized by the Chair for some other reason, use the Q&A function. The Q&A is the equivalent of coming up to one of the microphones on the floor of the convention at an in-person meeting.

Click on the Q&A link at the bottom of the screen. In the Q&A, write your request, which in most cases should either be “I want to speak on the motion” or “second.” A staff person who has been assigned to monitor the Q&A will respond, letting you know you are on a list for the Chair to call on to speak. Do not use the Q&A for comments — it is simply a way to let the Chair know you wish to speak. The Q&A will also be used by delegates to type in a “second” to a motion.

Once you are on the list to speak, you will receive a Zoom notification inviting you to become a “panelist.” You will need to accept the invitation, and then, when the Chair calls on you, you will need to unmute yourself and, if you wish, turn on your video (it is strongly encouraged to turn on your video, so other delegates can see you). After you are done speaking, you will be returned to being an “attendee.”

When you get promoted to a panelist, and again when you are returned to being an attendee, it may look like you are getting disconnected from the Zoom for a second. This is normal. You will reconnect in your new role shortly.

Voting

When we’re ready to proceed to a vote, we will use the Zoom poll function. This is the equivalent of a voice vote.

Only delegates should vote. Everyone’s name will be labeled as a delegate, alternate, or guest. A member of staff will be monitoring who is voting in Zoom polls and will notify the Sergeant at Arms if anyone who is not a delegate is attempting to vote.

If the Zoom poll is within a margin of error to account for delegates whose votes may be weighted, the Chair will call for a roll call vote.

Delegates may also call for a roll call vote in accordance with the Convention Rules of Order.

In the event of a roll call vote, time will be set aside for locals to caucus about how to cast their votes because each local will need to have one person report out how their local is casting their votes. If your local has two delegates, we assume you can call each other to discuss your votes. If your local has three or more delegates, and you have notified the National Union in advance, you will receive in your daily convention email a separate link to a Zoom meeting with breakout rooms for caucusing. If you wish to request this, please contact UE Communications Director Jonathan Kissam at jkissam@ueunion.org [13] or (802) 343-1745.

Chat

The Chat feature will be open in the main sessions. This is a good place to say hi to other members. You can also ask a general question there and our Chat monitors will try their best to answer. However, Chat should not be used to debate convention business. One way to think of this is that the Chat is not part of the official convention proceedings. This is more like talking to someone in the hallway or the back of the main convention hall. Be sure to keep the chat amiable — our anti-harassment policy applies there as well as to other convention spaces.

Convention Emails

Every day of convention, you will receive an email in the morning which will contain links for that day. You will also be receiving emails with convention documents and materials for committee meetings and workshops.

If you use gmail, there is some chance that your convention emails will not show up in your primary inbox, but will instead show up in your Promotions tab. If this is the case, drag the convention email into your Primary tab. This will train gmail that UE Convention emails should come to your primary inbox.

There is also some possibility that convention emails will show up in your spam folder. In this case, mark them as “not spam.”

Each day’s email will include links to the resolutions that will be discussed that day. The resolutions will be view-only Google docs. If you have access to a printer and wish to print out the resolutions ahead of time, you can do so by going to the File menu in the upper left-hand corner. If you use Chrome, it will open a dialog that will allow you to print the resolution directly. If you use a different browser, you may need to “allow downloads” from Google docs, and it will download a PDF file you can print.

Interpretation

We will have Spanish interpreters at the Convention, and delegates will be able to listen and speak to the convention in either English or Spanish. When you are in the main convention session, you will need to click the globe icon at the bottom of your screen to select your preferred language.

Switching Between Zoom and Other Programs

While you are in the webinar, if you wish to return to your browser or email program, a quick method to do this is to hold down the Alt key and press the Tab key (on Macs, hold down the command key and press the Tab key). This will pull up a screen of icons of the different programs you have open. Continuing to hold down Alt (or Command), press the tab key until the program you wish to switch to is highlighted. This will allow you to look at resolutions or return to your email (and then return to Zoom).

Using Phone Audio

If your audio is breaking up during the webinar, you may choose to listen to the webinar on your cell phone or landline. Click on the up-arrow next to the the audio settings button in the lower left-hand corner and select “switch to phone audio.” A dialog box will come up with a phone number to call. Once you call the phone number you will be prompted to enter the meeting ID and participant ID. You can then listen to the webinar on your phone, and use it to speak if you wish to address the convention. Please note that this is only possible if you are using a computer to participate in the webinar.

Due to serious health and safety concerns arising from negative developments caused by the Delta variant of COVID-19, the UE General Executive Board voted on August 11 to hold the UE convention virtually rather than in-person. Please check back for information on any modifications to the Local Union Subsidy Program that this will entail.

The National Union, as approved by the General Executive Board (GEB) in January 2001, offers to eligible UE Locals convention hotel and lost time reimbursement for one delegate per local.

Remember, this is a reimbursement for expenses. Locals are expected to pay up front and the National Union will reimburse you for qualified expenses. See details below.

Qualifications

To qualify for the above convention reimbursement subsidies UE Locals must prove that they have no more than $10,000 in their General Fund accounts, which includes checking, savings and CDs. These eligibility requirements will be determined and verified with the information that is submitted on the Local’s quarterly audit report for the period April, May and June 2021. It is very important for all Locals to be up-to-date in the filing of these quarterly audit reports. There will be no other acceptable documentation for determining and verifying eligibility.

Reimbursement Subsidy Amount

Reimbursement will be made for four (4) days lost-time and four (4) days hotel room at the single/ double room rate of $145.00 + 14% tax. For delegates unable to drive in Sunday morning, a hotel subsidy will be paid for a fifth night. As in the past, the delegate must attend all of the convention sessions to have the subsidies paid.

To Receive Reimbursement

Subsidy forms will be available at the convention and Locals are to submit these completed forms with a voucher and hotel bill. Locals will have a 90-day time limit (from the last day of convention) to submit their subsidy reimbursement requests to the National Union. All requests received after this 90-day period will be denied.

Locals that are not in the financial position to follow these guidelines should contact General Secretary Treasurer Andrew Dinkelaker at 412-471-8919 [14] to make special arrangements. Please remember that we must have your quarterly audit report for April, May and June 2021 for any special arrangements to be considered.

UE General Executive Board - January 23-25, 2019 - Previously approved by regions during their Fall 2018 council meetings

Anti-Harassment Principles

Building rank-and-file democracy and solidarity demands that we prioritize respect for each other so that all may fully participate in meetings, union activities, and the broader struggle.

All members, officers, and staff have the right to participate in the affairs of the union free of harassment and discrimination regardless of sex, gender identity, race, disability, age, religious views and any other status protected by state or federal law. Harassment within our union demoralizes and weakens the solidarity necessary among members and workers to collectively protect and defend ourselves against the organized forces of the system and employers that are against us. We all have an obligation to challenge and overcome behaviors that divide us as a working class. UE will not tolerate any forms of harassment, bullying, discrimination, or violence in any level of the union, and violations may result in actions being taken against members, officers, or staff.

Our Responsibility

It is all of our responsibility to create and preserve an environment of dignity and respect at all levels, and not to passively observe, nor encourage or participate in behavior which is unwelcome, unwanted, uninvited, inappropriate, or illegal. It is all of our responsibility not to partake in words or actions which humiliate, insult, or degrade any person. This may include, but is not limited to, unwanted comments, slurs, racist, sexist, transphobic, or homophobic jokes, offensive pictures or posters, bullying or intimidation, graffiti, non-consensual physical contact of any kind, inappropriate remarks about a person’s appearance or personal life, unwelcome sexual advances or demands, suggestive looks or gestures, mockery of religious practices or customs or desecration of religious imagery.

Anti-Harassment Procedures

Ombuds and the national office anti-harassment coordinator(s) shall be voluntary positions, as selected in the manner prescribed below.

Ombuds shall work during national conventions and regional council meetings or other national or regional meetings. The national office anti-harassment coordinator shall assist with complaints made in between meetings and may be, also, called upon to assist those situations which occur during national or regional meetings.

Expenses and per diem shall be paid for this work in accordance with UE Constitution and policy for GEB members.

Each person who agrees to be in one of these positions will receive the training necessary in order that the approach and the tools necessary for the work are done are in a manner consistent with the UE Constitution and UE Anti-Harassment Principles and Responsibilities.

If someone believes they are being harassed during, or in between, UE regional or national meetings because of their race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression they should take the following action:

1. If possible, make it clear verbally or in writing to the harasser that such inappropriate behavior is not welcome.
2. If the inappropriate behavior persists the individual harassed may approach the designated ombud(s), or national office coordinator if in between meetings, who will investigate and attempt to resolve the matter informally. Request for assistance from an ombud or national office anti-harassment coordinator may be asked for right away if the complainant is unwilling to approach the harasser directly.
3. Each incident will be handled confidentially and quickly. Where the safety of any individual is compromised or a criminal act is alleged to have occured, the appropriate authorities will be contacted.
4. When the matter cannot be resolved informally the person harassed may file a written complaint with the national office anti-harassment coordinator, who will issue a recommendation to the National Officers and/or the GEB to resolve the issue. In the event that an individual disagrees with the ombudsperson or anti-harassment coordinator’s determination of a matter, they may request a hearing which will be conducted in accordance with the principles described in Article 24, Section B. of the UE’s Constitution and By-Laws. Staff may use the grievance procedure available to them to dispute disciplinary action taken against them by the officers.
   Reprimands, suspensions, or expulsions from union office or membership, or in the case of UE staff discipline and discharge, in accordance with the procedures outlined in the collective bargaining agreement, may also be considered depending on the circumstances of the situation(s).
5. The national office anti-harassment coordinator and ombuds for the national convention and meetings shall be appointed by the General President subject to approval by the GEB, and for Regional Council and other regional meetings by the Regional President subject to approval by the Regional Executive Board.
6. The national union shall provide the designated ombuds with the training, forms and other material necessary to carry out this procedure. The ombudsperson or national office anti-harassment coordinator shall also provide those making a complaint with such forms and material.
7. During regional and national meetings the designated ombud(s) will be announced at the start of the meeting and these Principles, Responsibilities, and Procedures distributed to each attendee.

Updated August 27, 2021

WHO

Eight UE members from racial and ethnic backgrounds who are currently underrepresented in UE leadership or on the UE staff to participate in a special year-long structured program beginning with a fall virtual orientation up to two days. (Date and time TBA.)

Costs covered by the National Union during the program year include lost time, per diem, hotel and travel where applicable.

WHAT

Program participants will gain experiences and develop skills to give greater leadership within the union. The program will focus on the skills and analysis required for leadership, organizing, servicing and a better understanding of what is the UE and robust political discussions. Participants may be called upon to take part in short-term field work during the year as well as an additional group program.

HOW

Members interested in participating should email UE Director of Education Kari Thompson at kthompson@ueunion.org [17] no later than September 10 to be considered as a candidate for the program.  Locals are encouraged to sponsor additional participants. Contact Kari Thompson for more information.