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RSS FeedsA Letter to USW District 9 Members - Thursday, October 21, 2010
A Letter to USW District 9 Members
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
As we move into the final month of the 2010 election cycle, it is important that you know the proactive measures your Union and District are taking on behalf of our members. Therefore, I want to share with you some of the highlights within District 9 over the past several months.
Approximately 550 members from every area and sector of the District were represented at our Education Conference hosted at the Hilton in Destin, Florida during August. Members responded excellently by attending the educational classes faithfully, being courteous and respectful of the facility and its staff and participating in activities throughout the week. This year’s Conference was a huge success and we are certain the delegates took information gained back to their locals where it can and will be applied to the betterment of all members. Thank you for a great Conference!
In September we began the task of getting worker and labor friendly candidates elected to offices throughout the District. We have local union activists working along side Staff who are dedicated to the Labor 2010 Program. States we are concentrating on within District 9 are North Carolina, Tennessee, Florida and Alabama. We know that our members always vote for a candidate that supports you and we are working hard to provide our members with the facts and pertinent information on candidates seeking office within the District. You are encouraged to become and stay active; most importantly, VOTE on Election Day for worker friendly candidate(s) in your State.
We have also been successful in bringing new members into our Union. Our internal organizing program has produced great gains within our existing Local Unions, adding strength and solidarity to those Locals, the District and International. Externally, we are working hard to assist unorganized labor in gaining the benefits of collective bargaining. LDARVI LLC in St. Croix, Virgin Islands organized in September, bringing the right to bargain to the ten (10) new members at that location. In October, 289 workers at Smurfit Stone Paper Mill in Stevenson, Alabama stood strong and voted overwhelmingly for the USW. This is the first paper mill to be successfully organized in some time. These workers faced great adversity but remained strong and stood together to gain their Union.
Our District continues to be a leader within Rapid Response, Political Action and Contracts. We are working hard to organize the unorganized, strengthening our bargaining power for those newly organized, as well as existing, members. While there are many challenges ahead, with the continued support and solidarity of our members in District 9, as exhibited in the past, we will not only be successful but stronger!
Thank you for all you do to help our Union and District 9 grow and thrive!
In Solidarity,
Daniel Flippo
USW District 9 Director
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