Home  ->  UE News -> 2000 Archives	For Immediate Release August 25, 2000
PRESS RELEASE
	For More Information Contact: Peter Gilmore, 412-471-8919

Rally, Mural, Candidates,
Stewards’ Theme Give an Edge
To the UE National Convention

ERIE, Pa — Some 200 delegates from coast-to-coast will gather in Erie’s Avalon Hotel from Sunday, August 27 through Thursday, August 31 for the annual convention of the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America (UE). Delegates will set the Pittsburgh-based national union’s policy for the next year and elect the 30,000-member organization’s officers.

The convention will take up the 2000 Presidential election, but don’t expect the independent UE to fall into line with an endorsement of the AFL-CIO’s backed Democratic ticket. Consumer crusader Ralph Nader, the Green Party Presidential nominee, will the addresses the convention Tuesday afternoon at 4:30.

Delegates will be bused to a rally in support of workers who are fighting for their first union contract with The Electric Materials Company (TEMCO) on Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. The rally will be addressed by Fourth District Congressman and Senatorial candidate Ron Klink. Negotiations for a first contract between UE and TEMCO have yielded little progress since they began February 4. The National Labor Relations Board recently cited TEMCO for the firing and suspension of union leaders and for failure to provide necessary information to the union.

A mural celebrating women’s role in unions and international solidarity will be inaugurated with a reception Tuesday evening at 7 o’clock. Created by internationally respected muralist Juana Alicia, the mural is being created on the wall of the UE Local 506 Hall at 3923 Main Street in Lawrence Park.

The crucial role of stewards in UE is the convention theme, and it is anticipated that hundreds of 506 stewards — from the Erie General Electric plant — will also attend the convention as observers.

Buzz Hargrove, president of the Canadian Auto Workers union, will address the convention on Sunday morning at 11 o’clock; United Mine Workers President Cecil Roberts speaks on Wednesday afternoon. Delegates will be welcomed to Erie Sunday morning at 9 by Mayor Joyce A. Savocchio. Major addresses will be given by UE General President John Hovis Sunday morning and by Director of Organization Robert Kingsley Monday at 2 p.m.

Also speaking will be Father Roy Bourgeois, a Maryknoll missionary dedicated to closing the U.S. Army School of the Americas, and Jaribu Hill of the Southern Regional Office of the Center for Constitutional Rights, who combats hate crimes.

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UE News - 08/00

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