JUNE 14 -17, 2010

Highlights: Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday

UAW President Ron Gettelfinger
State of the Union

Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm "We must level the playing field up."

Mike Smith, Director, Walter P. Reuther Library of Labor and Urban Affairs

Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich. Text of Rep. John Dingell's speech to 35th UAW Constitutional Convention

Rep. Betty Sutton, D-Ohio Sutton vows to continue fight for Fair Trade

Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga.

Richard Trumka, AFL-CIO President Trumka: "Stand With Us"
Text of AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka's speech to the 35th UAW Constitutional Convention

5 resolutions approved

Delegates OK measures on health care, manufacturing jobs, political action, organizing and veterans

Delegates approved proposed resolutions calling for:

Health care reform – Delegates approved a measure acknowledging the disparities in health care coverage in the United States, supporting the recently passed national health care reform legislation and vowing to continue efforts toward adoption of a single-payer health care system.  “God bless the UAW for negotiating collectively for health care reform,” said UAW Local 602 President Brian Fredline.

Creating auto and manufacturing jobs for the future – A resolution was approved supporting a strong U.S. manufacturing sector by protecting existing jobs, green technology and product development, fair trade, regulation of hedge funds and the establishment of a consumer financial protection agency. Brian Schneck, president of UAW Local 259, said the resolution is crucial to stopping job loss. “Corporate greed has led us to this point. We have an opportunity to create a new, green technology and partner with business and labor to accomplish this.

Right to Organize – Delegates approved a resolution that calls for strengthening labor laws to allow all workers in all sectors to organize free of employer interference. The resolution also calls for overturning Bush-era anti-worker decisions and insisting that Congress act now to pass the Employee Free Choice Act.

Supporting Our Troops and Honoring Our Veterans – UAW delegates passed a resolution that calls for policies that respect and honor America’s active and veteran military personnel and their families.

Political Action – Delegates passed a resolution that encourages and equips members to become effective lobbyists and political activists, and build coalitions with other labor and progressive groups. The resolution also urges continued support of the UAW’s Voluntary – Community Action Program) V-CAP.

Joan Silvi and Sandra Davis

 

 

Photos by Dan Macut UAW Local 14

UAW President Ron Gettelfinger.
Text of UAW President Ron Gettelfinger's 35th Constitutional Convention speech.

Region 2B Director Ken Lortz

UAW Local 14 members present on the convention floor. From right front, Shop
Chairman Tony Hoard, President Ray Wood, Delegates John Chapman, Kathy Schroeder,
Lori Schultz and Heather Finfrock.

The convention floor in the Wayne Ballroom Cobo Hall, Detroit, MI.

UAW President Ron Gettelfinger

Retired UAW Local 14 President Oscar Bunch

UAW Vice President General Holiefield addressing the delegates.

JUNE 15, 2010

Tuesday highlights

Economy, international labor solidarity resolutions pass [read more]

Pictured above and below is John Chapman, UAW Local 14 Safety Rep. speaking in
favor of the resolution to support American jobs, "...We need to support those who
support us."

Delegtes, Kathy Schroeder and Lori Schultz at Cobo Hall. Below: Tammy
Van Riper, Local 14 President Ray Wood and Heather Finfrock.

Above is Marian Wright Edelman. She is an American activist for the rights for children
and is the president and founder of the Children's Defense Fund and is recognized by
the UAW for her service. Also pictured Below with Marian Wright Edelman is General
Holiefield, vice president; Elizabeth Bunn, secretary-treasurer; Joseph Aston, Region
9 director; Bob king, vice president and Ron Gettelfinger, president.

Above is Senetor Tom Harkin D-Iowa, who spoke via satellite about fighting for the
Employee Free Choice Act and "we need to get tougher on our stand for Free Trade
and make it "Fair" Trade...protect American worker's rights.

 

Above: Arturo Rodriguez President, United Farm Workers. Below: President
Ron Gettelfinger, presents a check for $75,000 to the United Farm Workers.
Also shown (l-r) General Holiefield, vice president and Bob king, vice president.

Above: Elizabeth Bunn, UAW secretary-treasurer and Ron Gettelfinger, UAW
president rally on the convention floor.

Above: Jyrki Raina, President, International Metalworkers Federation [remarks]

Above: Ray Wood and Kathy Schroeder. Below: Kathy Schroeder and Lori Schultz

Above: Bob King, vice president signs autographs for delegates during the rally
on the floor. Below: Ron Gettelfinger, president.

Vice President Jimmy Settles and retired UAW President Owen Bieber.

UAW Local 14 Retiree Chapter Vice President Alice Artrip with Kathy and Lori.

Wednesday highlights

Election Results:

UAW delegates elect General Holiefield, Jimmy Settles, Joe Ashton and Cindy Estrada as vice presidents.

Bob King is elected new UAW President replacing Ron Gettelfinger

Photos from the day:

Above: Region 2B Director Ken Lortz recognizes retired Region 2B Director Lloyd
Mahaffey for his service. Below: Lloyd accepts his award. Pictured (l-r) is Elizabeth
Bunn, Sharon Mahaffey, Ken Lortz and Ron Gettelfinger.

Elizabeth Bunn, honors Ron Gettelfinger for his life long dedication to the
UAW. Below: Ron and his family with his award.

Region 2B delegates

Above our delegates listen to the nominations and prepare to cast their vote.

President Gettelfinger recognizes the nomination of Bob King as UAW President

Gettelfinger congratulates Bob King on his nomination. Below: Bob King
accepts his nomination

The convention floor Wednesday. Nominations are accepted and local units
cast their votes.

After the election, delegates line up to shake hands with the new officers

 

Thursday highlights

Installation of new officers

President Bob King's acceptance speech

Tribute to the late Ted Kennedy

Ben Jealous, President and CEO, NAACP

Hilda Solis, Secretary, U.S. Department of Labor

Newly elected UAW leaders join labor and community supporters against Wall Street in a marh in downtown Detroit today, Thursday, June 17, 2010

 

PHOTOS

Retiree UAW President Owen Beiber swears in the newly elected officers,
Thursday morning, June 17, 2010

Ken Lortz, Region 2B director

Ron Gettelfinger and Owen Beiber hand over the president's gavel to Bob King

Region 2B Director Ken Lortz is sworn in Thursday, June 17, 2010

Newly elected officials celebrate their appointments and show SOLIDARITY

Hilda Solis, Secretary, U.S. Department of Labor, speaks on our fight for good
paying jobs and the legacy of the American auto industry

Region 2B Director Ken Lortz

UAW President Bob King makes his closing remarks

Bob King speaks for economic justice

UAW Delegates from UAW Local 14 march in downtown Detroit, MI on Thursday
in support against Wall Street greed. Pictured (l-r) Kathy Schroeder, Lori Schult,
Heather Finfrock, former Shop Chairman Tim Cobb and John Chapman.

Marchers leaving the convention floor at COBO Hall for the rally in downtown
Detroit

UAW Local 14 delegates Kathy Schroeder, Heather Finfrock and Lori Schultz

Also from UAW Local 14 is Alice Artrip, retiree chapter vice president and
Steve Rupley, former shop chairman and current UAW Servicing Rep.

UAW leaders lead the delegates through Downtown Detroit

NAACP President and CEO Ben Jealous and UAW President Bob King

UAW president Bob King speak during the rally Thursday in Detroit