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![]() Day 2 Photo Gallery President Gettelfinger
State of the Union Address Representative Marcy Kaptur Speech - Vice-President General Holiefield Bio -
Vice-President James Settles Bio |
Day 2 Report Day two of the UAW 34th Constitutional Convention was
called to order by Secretary-Treasurer Elizabeth Bunn at promptly 9:00AM
Pacific time. The day’s activities began with an introduction
of our brothers and sisters from labor unions around the world. The
UAW understands that international solidarity is essential to the fight
for economic and social justice around the world. General Secretary
of the International Metalworker’s Federation (IMF) Marcello Malentacchi,
who represents 25,000,000 workers at 200 affiliated unions in 100 “It is my honor to be here with you today, in solidarity with our members around the world,” Brother Malentacchi stated. “Multinational corporations around the world have tried to exploit workers in different countries by dividing and pitting workers against each other. The UAW has been at the forefront of fighting the battle to protect workers and their families from these greedy corporations. A perfect example of this is the current attempt by Delphi CEO Steve Miller to undermine the rights and lively hood of the members there. The UAW is fighting the good fight at Delphi and other places to protect these workers from these merchants of greed. The IMF stands with the UAW in this fight to protect workers world wide against these corporate raiders.” (click here for the fill text of the speech) Next NAACP Chair Julian Bond addressed the conference. “We are greatly appreciative of the help and support the civil rights movement has received from the UAW through the years,” Chairman Bond stated. “Since the early days of the Civil Rights movement the UAW has been there supporting equal rights for all workers. I remember standing there listening to the speakers during the March on Washington in 1963 as UAW President Walter Reuther addressed the crowd. President Reuther asked how could we fight for equal rights around the world why denying those same rights to people here at home. These are troubling and trying days but we know that everything that has been won as come with a struggle. We must keep that fight up today. The Voting Rights Act must be renewed in 2007 and the current administration sees no need for the extension of the act. However these are the same folks who have displayed such an indifference to other issues that working Americans of all races face. Our struggle is far from over as is yours, and together we will fight to insure the rights and respect of all Americans.” (click here for full complete text of speech) Another guest speaker of the morning was
California Congressperson and House Democratic Leader Nancy - Amendment to Article 16 of the Constitution Concerning Fees and Dues. Each month local unions collect dues from members and remits 32% of those dues to the International Union and 30% to the International Union’s Strike Insurance Fund. The local union retains 38%. The International then returns a portion of the dues allocation to the Strike Fund to local unions. The resolution was submitted to increase the amount of the rebate to local unions from the strike fund to place more dues back to the local unions. After much debate on the floor, the resolution was passed. - Resolution to Article 11 of the Constitution. This section of the constitution covers the salary of the International Executive Board members. A resolution to present a 3% raise to the IEB passed the floor. - Amendment to change the wording of Section 2, 6, 11 and 14 of the Language on Initiation Fees and Dues to read strike assistance from the current term strike insurance. - Amend Section 1, 3 and 5 of the Civil Rights Department language to read Civil and Human Rights. - Amended Section 11 of the Local Union Officers language. Current language stated that election protest must be made at membership meetings. The language was changed to add a provision that if membership meetings had been suspended by affirmative membership action the protest could be submitted to the local union recording secretary within seven days of the polls closing.
The demonstration was followed by an address
by Farm Labor Organizing Committee President Baldemar I hear these people talk about the “the need to have elections for a democratic process for allowing a union to enter the workplace.” I tell you brothers and sisters that joining a union in the workplace is democracy, not having to work against these anti-worker organizations to win union representation. The Bible tells us the story about the first organizer who was sent down into Egypt to organize a group of slave brick makers. Moses didn’t ask Pharaoh to let those slaves vote to see if they wanted freedom. No, he told Pharaoh that God said to “Let My People Go.”
The conference was adjourned at 5:00PM and
reception was held for the retiring International Executive Board. The
convention will reconvene at 9:00AM on July 14, 2006 with the election
of the International Executive Board and Regional Directors being the
main event on the agenda. |
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