To: UE Locals and District Councils
Subject: Call to the 67th UE Convention
September 15-19, 2002

Dear Sisters and Brothers:

The 67th National Convention of the United Electrical, Radio & Machine Workers of America (UE) will take place from Sunday, September 15 through Thursday, September 19, 2002 in the Sheraton Capital Center Hotel in Raleigh, North Carolina. We have much important work to do and tough choices to make — as well as victories to celebrate. Please begin to plan now to attend this important convention.

This will be a historic event for our union, as we again take the lead for the labor movement. Ours will be the first national union to hold such an event in North Carolina since the late 1800s. This choice of a convention site sends a clear message: We are here to stay, demanding dignity on the job for all and taking the lead in the fight for collective bargaining rights for state employees.

The financial plans adopted last year by the membership has put us on track towards financial stability for our future. However, more rank-and-file input is needed to establish a fairer and more equitable system for per capita payment. Careful consideration of a wage-based per capita system and other important cost-saving measures by the rank-and-file delegates to the 67th Convention is essential in order to preserve our type of independent, rank-and-file unionism for the next generation of UE members.

We enter our 67th National Convention in difficult times: The one-year anniversary of the tragic September 11 attacks approaches. Unemployment levels continue to rise as a result of escalating plant closings and layoffs. The President and Congress who, in the shadows of September 11, quickly pushed through legislation that weakens hard-won civil liberties and workers’ rights. The Administration and Congress continue to show an indifference to workers’ rights by pressing forward with "fast track" legislation, allowing for the expansion of NAFTA and other trade deals with the threat of further job loss.

Please note that proposed resolutions and constitutional amendments must be received in the National Office no later than August 15. See you in Raleigh!

In Unity,
Bruce J. Klipple
General Secretary-Treasurer