79th Convention Daily Updates

On the final day of the 79th UE Convention, delegates debated and passed resolutions on jobs, peace, healthcare, civil liberties, public education, climate, and the economy. Taken together, these resolutions outline a comprehensive vision of a future in which all working people have good jobs and safe workplaces; housing, education, healthcare, and a secure retirement; the freedom to speak their mind without fear of retaliation; and a peaceful and livable planet to leave to their children.

Elections for UE’s three top officer positions were held this afternoon at the 79th UE Convention. Scott Slawson, the president of UE Local 506 in Erie, PA, was elected General President of the National Union. Secretary-Treasurer Andrew Dinkelaker was re-elected as Secretary-Treasurer, and UE Staff Coordinator Kim Lawson was elected as Director of Organization. Lawson will be the first woman to serve as Director of Organization, and the second woman to serve UE as a national officer.

Today, delegates to the 79th UE Convention unanimously endorsed a resolution, “End the Genocide in Palestine,” which demands that the U.S. government immediately cease all military aid to Israel, and instead pressure Israel to end its genocide against the Palestinian people.

Hundreds of UE members took to the streets during the second day of the 79th UE Convention, shining a light on the role of a local Chicago billionaire, Valor Equity CEO Antonio Gracias, in engineering a massive transfer of resources into the pockets of corporations and the wealthy.

UE’s 79th Convention opened today in Chicago with the theme “One Voice, One Fight, One Future.” The fifth UE convention to be held in the Windy City, this convention is also the largest in recent memory, with over 150 delegates and alternates, joined by more than 60 staff and guests.