Delegates Honor Past Leaders

As they convened to chart the USW’s future, delegates made a point Monday to honor former leaders who forged the union into the force it is today. 

The delegates’ first resolution acknowledged former USW international presidents as well as the presidents of other unions that merged into the USW.  

Many delegates have powerful memories of two leaders in particular: Leo W. Gerard, who served as international president from 2001 to 2019, and Tom Conway, who led the USW from 2019 until his death in 2023. 

Pete Trinidad Sr. was a young union activist about 20 years ago when Bethlehem Steel began to struggle. One day, he recalled, Conway looked over at him working and told a group of other union leaders: “We can’t let guys like Petey get laid off.” 

“As tough as he was on the outside, Tom was always aware of his surroundings and the people he represented,” recalled Trinidad, president of Local 6787, Conway’s home local, after delegates passed the resolution. “He had that balance.” 

Delegates also passed a resolution memorializing union members who died since the 2022 convention, including Conway, former United Rubber Workers President Kenneth Coss, former PACE Vice President Robert Smith and dozens of union staff members and retirees.