Convention Highlights

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)

Selected stories about the ongoing AFL-CIO Convention in Pittsburgh, PA from
the AFL-CIO Now blog
Obama: We Need Strong Unions for a Strong Economy: President Barack Obama had a strong, inspiring message for delegates to the 2009 AFL-CIO Convention: We're going to make this country work again. In a speech punctuated by chants and standing ovations, Obama said he's committed to the same goals as the union movement: restoring the economy, getting health care for everyone and passing the Employee Free Choice Act.
AFL-CIO Delegates Elect Trumka, Shuler and Holt Baker: Today is a great day at the 2009 AFL-CIO Convention: Delegates just elected a historic ticket. Our new President Richard Trumka will be joined in leadership by two women, Secretary-Treasurer Liz Shuler and Executive Vice President Arlene Holt Baker. Shuler, 39, is the youngest person ever to become an officer of the AFL-CIO. The dynamic team will lead the union movement into an exciting future.
State and Local Bodies: The Heart of the Union Movement: Today's theme at the 2009 AFL-CIO Convention is "The Power of Many," and in support of a strong movement across the country, members approved a resolution to step up involvement with state federations and central labor councils. Resolution 8 encourages leadership development and training, attention to diversity, alliances with community organizations, accountability and transparency at the state and local levels, as well as the continued pursuit of solidarity charters to keep all unions engaged and unified in pursuit of a pro-worker agenda.
Taking the Next Steps to Build Strength Through Diversity: The diversity of the union movement is its strength. Building on the success of the historic Resolution 2 passed in 2005, the AFL-CIO Convention adopted a far-ranging policy to create more inclusive unions and a more diverse leadership.
Helping Women Workers Helps Us All: Delegates to the AFL-CIO Convention today took steps to further secure basic workplace rights for working women, who make up 40 percent of the global workforce, but suffer a disproportionate amount of discrimination on the job. Women also are sexually assaulted on the job and denied the time to take care of family responsibilities.
– photos: President Obama greets convention delegates, including Alliance for Retired Americans President Barbara Easterling; photos by Bill Burke/Page One