Call Issued
To the 66th UE Convention
PITTSBURGH, Pa.
The call to the 66th UE Convention has
been mailed to all local unions and district councils. The convention will
take place at the Omni William Penn Hotel in Pittsburgh from Sept. 16 to 20.
Signed by Genl. Sec.-Treas. Bob Clark, the call states:
"The 66th National Convention of
the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America (UE) will take
place from Sunday, September 16 through Thursday, September 20, 2001 in the
Omni William Penn Hotel in Pittsburgh. We have 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.
"Last year marked the fiftieth anniversary of the union
set up with the help of the bosses and politicians to take our place. Last
year also marked its demise — a month after our convention, the IUE elected
to liquidate itself and become part of the CWA. Fifty years later, they are
gone, and we are still here. We’re a bit smaller than we were a half century
ago, but we’re still fighting to advance the interests of working people,
still operating on the basis of rank-and-file control. We aim to keep it that
way.
PRIDE IN INDEPENDENCE
"The financial plan adopted by the General Executive
Board offers a sound approach to UE’s long-term stability and growth. There
are no easy answers, and no real answers without membership involvement. The
careful consideration of the plan by the rank-and-file delegates to the 66th
Convention is essential to this process.
"These are not the best of times, not with a President
and Congress largely indifferent to workers’ needs, not with the plague of
plant closings and layoffs and the threat of further job loss through
expansion of NAFTA. But we have victories to celebrate — especially first
contracts achieved and the renewal of agreements that mean a better life for
our members. We continue to make a contribution through our unique and vital
international, education and political action programs. We can take pride in
our independence of thought and action — as, for example, last year’s
convention when we chose to reject the easy option in the presidential contest
in order to promote alternatives to the two-party trap.
"Please note that proposed resolutions and constitutional
amendments must be received in the National office no later than August 16.
See you in Pittsburgh!"
