UE’s 78th Convention is being held from September 17-21 at the Wyndham Grand Hotel in downtown Pittsburgh, with the theme “Building Strike Power.” The Convention Call [1] and other documents were mailed to UE locals on May 17. See the links on the right side of the page (or below, on a mobile device) for information about online registration, hotel, transportation, workshops, and the local union subsidy program; the UE Anti-Harassment Policy and Procedures; a guide to writing convention resolutions; and information about national officer elections.
The UE National Convention, held every two years, is the highest decision-making body in UE. It is composed of rank-and-file delegates elected by members of their local unions, plus five delegates from each Regional Council.
The Convention sets UE Policy for the coming two years — each local and regional council is encouraged to submit policy resolutions for consideration by the delegates. Following discussion and debate, delegates vote to adopt resolutions. Those that are accepted become the policy of the union.
The Convention also elects national officers, sets pay for officers and staff, and votes on any necessary changes to the union’s constitution. Learn more about UE conventions from our online pamphlet, “UE Aims and Structure.” [3]
Registered delegates and alternates for whom an email address is provided will be sent a unique link to register for workshops online. Delegates without an email address may register by printing out and mailing or faxing this form [4] to the National Office (fax: 412-471-8999). The deadline to register for workshops is Tuesday September 5, 2023.
This introductory steward workshop will address steward rights and responsibilities, and help prepare stewards for first step meetings.
The changing climate is already impacting the jobs of many UE members. Learn about our Green Locomotive Project, and discuss new opportunities to improve worker health and safety, and grow our union among workers doing jobs in climate-friendly sectors.
During issue and contract campaigns, it’s vital to be able to tell the union’s story in engaging ways. This workshop will share best practices for crafting the right message and for using videos to spread that message more broadly.
It’s not always easy to know what to do when someone does or says something racist. As UE continues to unite all workers regardless of race, this workshop will build member confidence to stop harassment when it occurs, at work, within the union, or in your community.
What does it take to motivate members to get involved in our organization? A strong workplace issue campaign with creative tactics that put pressure on the boss.
This introductory workshop will help UE members learn how we put the values of “Them & Us Unionism” into practice, and how to bring this home to your local.
Withholding our labor is workers’ most powerful tool, and using it successfully requires a lot of preparation. This workshop will help members consider when and why they should strike, what locals need to do to prepare...and how to win.
In UE, we know that our labor laws were written to give the boss an advantage, not workers. This workshop will explore UE’s approach to the law, including the pitfalls of arbitration and the NLRB, as well as our ability to win anyway!
Identify new leaders and move members into action with skills from this workshop. Members will develop effective one-on-one conversation practices, and discuss how to build and use member lists to mobilize our power at work.
UE General Executive Board - January 23-25, 2019 - Previously approved by regions during their Fall 2018 council meetings
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.
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.
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:
Given the number of newer delegates that are expected at the UE national convention this year, the National Officers and General Executive Board thought it was important to share information about the general organizational process UE has developed over the years for the election of national officers.
Per the UE Constitution [6] any UE member in good standing for a year or more is eligible to run for UE’s three top general officer positions - General President, General Secretary Treasurer and Director of Organization. The responsibilities and duties of all three general officers are outlined in the National Constitution along with their salaries.
It has been typical out of respect to UE principles of democratic rank and file unionism that any eligible member interested in running as a candidate would reach out to locals in the lead up to the convention to get the word out and secure support for their candidacy. Accordingly, it has been standard UE practice for the General Secretary Treasurer, upon request by any candidate for national office, to provide address labels for all the locals in UE so that if they do not already know everyone they can mail out campaign letters.
At the convention itself, it has been common for candidates to make introductions and campaign between sessions and during social events as they are not provided time on the convention floor or in other convention meetings to actively campaign.
Unlike nomination and election officers in UE Locals, that would typically take place over a two step process of taking nominations at one meeting and holding elections at a later date, the National Union nomination and election of officers takes place one right after the other during the main convention program late Wednesday afternoon.
During the nomination process, time is permitted to the delegates making the nomination or seconding the nomination to speak for a few minutes rather that just making a motion to nominate or second the candidate. In past conventions we would see that they would use their time to give a final summation of who the candidate is, why they are running and why others should support them with their vote. Many times this is planned out in advance by the candidate who notifies the convention chair before the elections take place as to who they want to be called upon to nominate and second them Each candidate nominated is asked if they accept or decline the nomination. Typically after the election is held the prevailing candidate is provided the opportunity to say a few words before the convention chair moves on to the next item.
Per the UE Constitution the general officers are sworn in after the elections and the two year term commences on November 1st and ending October 31st of the second year.
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.
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 [8] for the period April, May and June 2023. 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 will be made for four (4) days lost-time and four (4) days hotel room at the single/ double room rate of $154.00 + 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.
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 [9] to make special arrangements. Please remember that we must have your quarterly audit report [8] for April, May and June 2023 for any special arrangements to be considered.
UE Policy [11] is set by UE national conventions, which discuss, debate and adopt policy resolutions submitted by UE locals, regions and the General Executive Board.
Resolutions sent to the convention for consideration need not be complicated or written in imposing language. As in everything else, since “the members run this union,” the membership should feel free to help set the policies of the union through action taken by their own locals — and in their own words.
Each resolution consists of two parts — the body and the “resolves.” The body of the resolution explains why the issue is important, and the resolves are the action(s) that UE members wish to see taken on the issue.
While other unions often use “whereas” to introduce each paragraph of the body, in UE we use simple paragraphs for the body. The body should make the case why this issue is important to UE members, and to working people in general. Elements that contribute to a persuasive body include:
The resolves section should begin with “Therefore, be it resolved that this 78th UE Convention,” followed by a numbered list of actions that the convention wishes take on the issue, with lettered sub-points as appropriate. Generally, the actions take one of two forms:
If you are updating an existing resolution, you can copy the text from your local’s UE Policy book, or visit ueunion.org/ue-policy [11]. Here are some ideas for how to best update a resolution:
How to Submit Your Resolution
Resolutions must be sent to the General Secretary Treasurer so that they arrive no less than one month prior to the convention in order to be considered by the convention. The preferred format is to email a Word document to gst@ueunion.org [12]; however, resolutions can also be mailed to:
UE Attn: General Secretary-Treasurer
4 Smithfield Street, 9th Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-2226
The Wyndham Grand Hotel [14]
600 Commonwealth Ave., Pittsburgh PA, 15222 (Google maps link [15])
Phone: (412) 391-4600 || Fax: (412) 467-3415
Airport Flyer (28X) - a public transportation option, is available at the airport bus stop on the lower level for $2.75 one way and arrives twice an hour. Fare is subject to change and exact fare is required if you are paying cash, but you can also purchase fares on your smartphone using the ready2ride or transit apps. More information about those apps, including links to download them, are available at rideprt.org/gomobile [16].
The 28X schedule can be found at www.rideprt.org [17] (direct link to PDF here [18]).
SuperShuttle (shared ride van service) - Airport to Wyndham Grand Hotel in Downtown Pittsburgh: rates can vary, and can be reserved at www.supershuttle.com [19] or through their smartphone app [20]. Service rates vary.
Uber and Lyft are also available from the Pitsburgh Airport to the Wyndham Grand Hotel. Download their app on your phone through your App Store (iphone) or Google Play Store (android). Service rates vary.
zTrip [21] - Cab service from the Airport to the Wyndham is available. Call 412-321-8100 to book or book through their phone app, zTrip [22], where you can get a quote for your ride. Service rates may vary over time and gratuity is not included.
From the NORTH — via I-79 SOUTH
Take I-79 S toward Pittsburgh
Slight left onto I-279 S (signs for Pittsburgh)
Take exit 1A on the left toward Fort Duquesne Blvd
Keep right at the fork, follow signs for Ft Duquesne Blvd
& merge onto Ft Duquesne Blvd
Turn right onto Stanwix St
Take the 1st right onto Penn Ave
Take the 1st right onto Commonwealth Pl - Wyndham Hotel will be on the right.
From the SOUTH - via I-79 N
Take I-79N to I-279 Pittsburgh.
Follow “from the SOUTHWEST/Airport” directions.
From the SOUTHWEST/Airport - via I-79 N
Follow signs to I-279 N to PITTSBURGH (Fort Pitt Tunnel and Bridge).
Enter the Fort Pitt Tunnel in the left lane; stay in that lane.
At the light Turn LEFT onto COMMONWEALTH PL. - Wyndham Hotel will be on the right.
From the EAST - via I-76W & I-376W
Take I-76 (Pennsylvania Turnpike) and exit on to I-376W towards Pittsburgh.
Take the STANWIX STREET exit, EXIT 70D, on the LEFT.
Turn LEFT onto FORT PITT BLVD.
Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto COMMONWEALTH PL. - Wyndham Hotel will be on the right.
Parking rates differ lot to lot in the city. There is a great web app that you can use to look at an exhustive list of parking lots, spaces available, and rates here: www.parkpgh.org [23].
Apps such as iPark & Spothero offer options for many of the downtown garages. Go Moblie PGH offers on-street parking options.
Wyndham Valet
Valet parking with in/out privileges is available for $38/day.
DIRECT LINK ONLINE [25]
NOTE: The hotel website lists the nights that rooms are available (through the 20th) but to book a room for the full convention, you will need to select the 21st as your checkout date.
OR CALL: 1-888-317-0197, specify “Wyndham Grand”
RATES: Single/Double $154.00 + 14% tax ($175.56) per night
To make reservations, you must either do so online or call the 888 number listed above and give your detailed information to the hotel as soon as possible. Cut-off date for reservations is August 31, 2023 at 5pm Eastern Time. When calling, identify yourself as a UE member making reservations for the “UE National Convention” to receive the convention rate. Have all of your information handy pertaining to Check-in, Check-out, and type of room (single, double).
Reservations must be guaranteed with the hotel by using the following methods:
A major credit card.
Prepaying with a check. The check must be issued by your local, the hotel will not accept personal checks. Your check must arrive at the hotel two weeks prior to your arrival, or your check will not be accepted.
(Note that if a debit card is used at check-in to pay for a sleeping room, the card will be charged immediately for the full amount and an additional $50.00 per night for incidentals.)
If you pay for the room by check, the hotel will still require $50.00 per night for incidentals which can be covered by cash/credit or debit. If using a debit card, the entire bill for incidentals will be charged immediately (if you are staying 5 nights, $250.00 will be immediately debited from your account). Any incidentals not used will be refunded to the debit card approximately 3-5 business days after check-out.
Check-in time is 4:00PM Consequently, morning or early afternoon arrivals may be subject to slight delays before room assignment. The bell staff will be happy to store baggage and appreciate tips.
Check-out time is 12:00PM (noon).
You will be charged for the first night if reservations are not canceled 24 hours prior to the 4:00 PM (EST) check-in time.
The Wyndham Grand Hotel [14]
600 Commonwealth Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Phone: (412) 391-4600 || Fax: (412) 467-3415
Online registration has closed for the UE Convention.
Links
[1] https://www.ueunion.org/sites/default/files/78th_Convention_CALL.pdf
[2] https://www.ueunion.org/tags/ue78th
[3] https://www.ueunion.org/aimsconv.html
[4] https://www.ueunion.org/sites/default/files/ConventionWorkshops2023.pdf
[5] https://www.ueunion.org/sites/default/files/Anti-Harassment%20Proceedure2021.pdf
[6] https://www.ueunion.org/sites/default/files/UE_Constitution_2021_English.pdf
[7] https://www.ueunion.org/sites/default/files/NationalOfficerElections2023.pdf
[8] https://www.ueunion.org/sites/default/files/Local_Quarterly_Audit_Form_Interactive.pdf
[9] tel:412-471-8919
[10] https://www.ueunion.org/sites/default/files/ConventionSubsidyInformation2023.pdf
[11] https://www.ueunion.org/ue-policy
[12] mailto:gst@ueunion.org
[13] https://www.ueunion.org/sites/default/files/GuideToWritingResolutions2023.pdf
[14] http://www.wyndhamgrandpittsburgh.com/
[15] https://goo.gl/maps/mrYQ9yK7xuL2
[16] https://www.rideprt.org/gomobile
[17] https://www.rideprt.org/
[18] https://www.rideprt.org/pdfs/28X.pdf
[19] https://www.supershuttle.com/locations/pittsburgh-pit/
[20] https://www.supershuttle.com/app/
[21] https://www.ztrip.com/
[22] https://ztrip.app.link/ztripdowload
[23] http://www.parkpgh.org
[24] https://www.ueunion.org/sites/default/files/ConventionTransportationInformation2023.pdf
[25] https://book.passkey.com/go/UE2023
[26] https://www.ueunion.org/sites/default/files/ConventionHotelInformation2023.pdf