UE Gears Up
For Labor Party
Convention
PITTSBURGH
UE is gearing up for the Labor Party’s First Constitutional
Convention which takes place at the Pittsburgh Convention Center here from Friday, Nov. 13
to Sunday, Nov. 15. The National union will be the host for the convention, while more
than 100 rank-and-file delegates will represent UE.
More than 1,000 delegates are expected, representing a wide spectrum of
unions and local chapters.
Genl. Sec.-Treas. Bob Clark, who opened the founding convention of the
Labor Party in Cleveland in June 1996, will again have a prominent role in the
proceedings. Rank-and-file leaders from around the union are expected to have seats on
convention committees. UE staff will assist in the detailed work of staging a convention.
Convention delegates will have the tough job of deciding an electoral
strategy for the new party; the founding convention delegates opted to postpone
determining if, when and how the Labor Party might run candidates. Delegates will also
make important decisions about the party’s program and organizing plan.
Just like a UE event, the Labor Party convention will include a rally;
delegates will take to the streets to protest health-care ripoffs and demand a national
health care system.
The convention will be addressed by Buzz Hargrove, president of the
Canadian Auto Workers, and film-maker Michael Moore (Roger and Me), among other
speakers.
The convention will mark the final appearance of the traveling exhibit,
"What’s Left in Political Cartooning?"
Organized by UE Cartoonist Gary Huck with the backing of the National union , the
exhibit’s artwork will be auctioned off to raise funds for the Labor Party.
Registration will take place Thursday, Nov. 12 from 4 to 8 p.m. and again
Friday morning from 7:30-10:30. The convention is scheduled to open at 10:30 a.m. Friday.
