Delegates Reaffirm Commitment to Union’s Future  

Delegates to the convention on Wednesday reaffirmed the USW’s commitment to empowering workers and building a bench for the labor movement by further investing in Next Generation, education and membership development, and civil and human rights. 

Delegates passed a resolution to provide new and young members with additional leadership training, activism opportunities and a deeper role in the union, following up on a vote earlier in the week to require a NextGen committee at every local.  

In addition, delegates renewed the union’s long-standing investment in the Education and Membership Development Department, pledging to expand both in-person and online learning to equip members with tools they need to lead and organize. 

“The (Leadership-Scholarship) program brings to our locals an opportunity to train the leaders of tomorrow, bring that information back to our locals and mentor the young people coming into our workforce,” said Bonnie Reese, a delegate from Local 7687 in District 10.

The delegates’ resolution on civil and human rights reaffirmed the union’s opposition to discrimination and commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion across the union. It also opposed deportation based solely on immigration status and supported other social justice initiatives. 

“If you have never attended a civil and human rights training, I highly advise you to do so because you will learn so much about yourself and others,” said Steven Reed, a delegate from Local 10-00086, recalling how these kinds of opportunities helped him understand the challenges many of his union siblings overcome.