2024 Rapid Response Legislative and Policy Conference

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Click here to download this call letter as a PDF.

USW Local Union Presidents, Recording Secretaries, and Rapid Response Coordinators:

We are full steam ahead into the New Year and excited to announce the 2024 Rapid Response, Legislative, and Policy Conference. It will be held from May 19-22, 2024, in Washington, D.C., at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill.

Every time we walk into our workplaces or negotiate a contract, laws and policies impact us. Elected officials are making decisions on these issues every day. The question is, will those decisions benefit us or do us harm?

In the last few years we have made incredible strides in moving policies that are beneficial to working people forward:

We must keep this momentum going. That takes every members’ collective voice to make that happen. Getting involved in Rapid Response and our union’s legislative work does just that by bringing our perspective to the table and directly in front of lawmakers. By attending the conference, locals will gain knowledge on the key issues of today, learn how to share those issues with your broader membership, and build skills to help your local engage in actions that boost our union’s power to impact government decisions – whether that’s in Washington, in your state, or even your local community.

Whether your local has attended this conference in the past or is contemplating attending for the first time, we welcome everyone to participate. We will hold sessions for advanced activists and those who are learning about Rapid Response and our union’s legislative work for the first time. The three-day event will include plenary sessions, workshops, opportunities to connect with other locals, meetings with your federal lawmakers, and more.

We encourage every local to take part. We all have a stake. Rapid Response Coordinators, Team Members, and Local leadership are strongly encouraged to attend. 

If you have any questions regarding the registration process or conference details, please contact the Rapid Response Department at 412-562-2291.  We look forward to your local’s participation in what promises to be a very exciting conference.

REGISTER

Please pre-register online, by mail, or by fax before April 19, 2023.

There is a registration fee of $275 per delegate. Checks should be made payable to  USW Secretary-Treasurer. Please be sure to specify your shirt size on your registration. Although not a guarantee, this will help us order properly.

Online Registration

Click here to register online. Payment can be made online or by mailing a check to the address below.

Mail Registration

Click here to download the registration form as a PDF. Complete the form then mail it and your check to:

Fax Registration

Click here to download the registration formas a PDF. Fax the completed form to the USW Rapid Response Department at 412-562-2266, then mail checks to the address below.

United Steelworkers Rapid Response
60 Blvd. of the Allies
Pittsburgh, PA 15222

HOTEL AND TRAVEL INFORMATION

Hotel

A block of rooms has been reserved at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.  Attendees should make their hotel reservations by calling the hotel and referring to the conference code, G-USW4.   

If you prefer to book online, click here or visit http://usw.to/RRregistration

The hotel will accept reservations until April 19, 2024.  Our conference hotel always fills up, so to ensure availability, please make your reservations as soon as possible.

The room rate is $279 a night plus tax. A credit card will be needed to reserve the room. If a reservation must be cancelled, please do so 48 hours before arrival or your card will be charged. Check-in is 4:00 p.m. and check-out is 11:00 p.m. Hotel parking is valet-only at a discounted conference rate of $39 daily.

Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill
400 New Jersey Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20001
Reservations: 1-877-233-1234 (Conference code: G-USW4)
Reserve your room online here

The hotel direct number is 202-737-1234.

Note: For any guests pre-paying by check, please send full payment including tax to the address above, Attn: Jessica Frazee.  Checks should be made out to Hyatt Regency Washington.  Checks will need to include the guest’s name as well as the corresponding confirmation number, and should arrive no later than one month in advance of check-in date. Guests will still need to bring a credit card for incidentals if they wish to have charges routed to their rooms.

Air Transportation

In cooperation with Direct Travel, we have made special arrangements for air transportation to the conference.  Reservations may be made by calling 1-877-499-1149 and selecting prompt “4” (group meetings).

When calling, please identify yourself as a participant in the 2024 Rapid Response and Legislative Conference. Please call between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday; otherwise, an after-hours transaction fee of $16.00 will apply if the call is outside of these regular business hours.

In accordance with our established policy, the International Union will not be responsible for the cost of delegate(s) participation. Your local union must bear any expenses for attendance, including airfare and hotel fees.

SCHEDULE

Registration – Conference registration will take place on Sunday, May 19, from 3:00-6:00 p.m., and on Monday, May 20, from 7:00-9:00 a.m.

Sunday, May 19 – Optional Orientation – For those who are interested, orientation will be held at 7:30 p.m. We will share strategies to navigate Washington, D.C., and Capitol Hill, find landmarks and restaurants, and learn about the conference. This is particularly helpful for first time conference attendees.

Monday, May 20 & Tuesday, May 21– The conference will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Monday. General sessions and workshops will continue throughout Monday and Tuesday. Check our conference website at www.usw.org/RR-conference  for announcements on speakers, additional details, and instructions on how to download our conference app.

Wednesday, May 22 – Lobby Meetings and Closing Reception – In the morning, we will head to Capitol Hill for a day of fighting for our agenda and meeting with elected officials. That evening is a special, laid back closing reception in appreciation of your hard work. 

STAY CONNECTED