"Stand Up. Speak Out. For Safety."
The 7th USW Paper Sector Bargaining Conference to be held in Pittsburgh, PA on April 5-7, 2016. Delegates should plan for arrival on Monday, April 4 and for departure after 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 7. There will be an evening registration on Monday, April 4 beginning at 3:00 p.m., and a morning registration on April 5, with meetings beginning at 8:30 a.m.
A meeting will be held on Monday, April 4 for locals that bargain in 2016. If your local has a contract that expires in 2016, please plan to arrive on Sunday, April 3 in order to attend this meeting. There will not be a registration process for this meeting.
Click Here for a copy of the Call Letter
The theme for the Conference is “Stand Up. Speak Out. For Safety." The paper industry is the most dangerous industry in our Union; it leads all other sectors in fatalities, and the tragic events keep growing in number. We will focus exclusively on safety at the Conference. Our ability to turn this situation around so that our members can come to work and go home depends on the attendance of your Local leaders.
The agenda will include plenary presentations and panels where we can share our ideas, a review of a study on the most recent fatalities, workshops designed around our findings and developing a safety plan for the sector.
Hotel Information
The block of rooms at the Westin is now sold out. We have set up overflow guestrooms at the Wyndham Grand Hotel Pittsburgh (600 Commonwealth Place; Pittsburgh, PA, 15222). Attendees will be able to book their rooms at the rate of $119 by either of the two options listed below:
- Call 412-594-2266 (between 8am and 5pm) or 1-877-999-3223 and let the operator know that you need a room in Pittsburgh for the United Steelworkers Paper Bargaining Conference
- Click the link here and it will take you to a site specifically created for this meeting.
Conference Registration
In order to cover conference costs, a registration fee of $100 per participant has been set. Part of your registration fee will go towards a shirt for each attendee from your Local Union. Please use this Registration Form to ensure your attendees receive a t-shirt. If we do not receive a form we cannot guarantee that a t-shirt will be available in the sizes of your attendees. For Internet registration, Click Here.
To assist in planning, we ask that you register in advance through one of these three options:
(1) internet; (2) fax; or (3) regular mail (see particulars below). This Registration Form must be completed and returned by March 4, 2016.
Registration alternatives:
(1) For Internet registration, Click Here.
(2) Fax registration. Complete the enclosed Registration Form and fax to Laura Donovan at (412) 562-2275 and mail your fees to the address above in (1).
(3) Mail Registration. Mail your completed enclosed Registration Form and appropriate fee(s) to the address above in (1).
Airline Information
In cooperation with Professional Travel, Inc., we have made special arrangements for air transportation to the Conference. At your option, reservations may be made with them by calling 1-877-499-1149 (select option “4”) Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m., or via email at groups@protrav.com. Please reference group code 2016PAPER when calling or emailing.
Shuttle Information
Discounted SuperShuttle shuttle service has been set up for those conference attendees who require transportation from Pittsburgh International Airport to the Westin Convention Center Hotel. Click here for information.
In accordance with prior conferences of this nature, your Local Union must bear the entire expense of its delegates’ participation.
We look forward to discussing the state of the paper sector, our advances, our challenges and charting a course for action on safety with you at the Conference.