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| UE delegates had plenty to cheer in a busy and very successful five-day convention. |
President John Hovis opened the final session of the 72nd UE Convention on Thursday morning, Sept. 29, by raising the question of the packet of eight resolutions the delegates had been given earlier in the week. In order to save time, it was not planned to discuss these resolutions on the floor, but Hovis asked if anyone wished to have discussion on any of them. With no such discussion requested, the delegates voted to approve the eight resolutions and make them part of UE Policy for the coming two years. The resolutions were: Support the Family Farmer, End Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation, End the Cuba Blockade, Stop the Ten-Hour Day, UE Retiree Committees: A Necessary Ally, Promote High-Speed Rail, Protect the Planet for Future Generations, and Restore the Right to Strike.
Resolutions Committee member Sherry Filiatrault, Local 222, read the resolves to the resolution "Public Education - Stop the Attacks." Peter Knowlton, Northeast Region, and Lauro Bonilla, Local 1110, spoke on the resolution, which was approved.
The resolution "For a Safe and Healthy Workplace, Fix OSHA Now!" was read by Matt McCracken and Sherry Filiatrault. Chris Wolford, Local 170, described the ongoing fight to get OSHA protection for West Virginia public employees. Karel Hoogenraad, Local 1139, said there have been two worker deaths at his employer in the past five years. "To see people die on the job, that's no place to be," he said. Mary Ann Zaleski, Local 1107, said her company tried to choose which workers OSHA could talk to, but members spoke up anyway. Shirley Harrison, Local 1135, said the union needs to be involved in all OSHA meetings at your workplace. But unfortunately, we have no say in OSHA lowering its fines.
Also speaking on the OSHA resolution were Phil Dedera (1177), Lauro Bonilla (1103), Larsene Taylor (150), and Ray Pompano (243).
Matt McCracken read the resolution "Workplace Struggle," which passed without discussion. McCracken and Sherry Filiatrault read the resolution "Rights of the Healthcare Worker." McCracken commented, "Those of us who work in lean factories certainly don't want to see those management methods applied to our healthcare." Larsene Taylor reported that Local 150's fight for a Mental Health Workers' Bill of Rights has led to a bill in the North Carolina state legislature. "We are making progress" but need to do more. Nola Lilly, Local 170, said workers in West Virginia hospitals are working far too many hours. Also speaking for the resolution were Lauro Bonilla and Mary Ann Zaleski, Local 1107. The resolution was approved.
The final resolution, "Defend Our Civil Liberties," was read by Matt McCracken and Sherry Filiatrault. McCracken reminded delegates that all of us "might be considered dangerous militants." Western Region President Carl Rosen pointed out that repressive legislation historically gets used to attack unions, so we have to see how overreaching "anti-terrorism" measures can be used against us. Armando Robles (Local 1110), Angaza Laughinghouse (150) and Marie Lausch (222) also spoke in support of the resolution, which was approved. The delegates then voted to dismiss the resolutions committee with the thanks of the Convention.
President Hovis thanked Bruce Klipple and UE's new office manager, Salia Warren, for their hard work in making the Convention a success. Hovis thanked other members of the UE office staff, and the international representatives and field organizers who worked on the Convention. A motion to thank them all was approved, as was a motion to adjourn, and UE's 72nd National Convention came to a close.