This and That
Our 61st International Convention was held August 18-23, 2025, in New York City. During our convention, the delegates enacted changes to our Constitution and General Laws, adopted many resolutions, and elected the International Officers.
The 61st International Convention was the eleventh convention I have attended, three as the President of my Local 1338-Dallas, TX, and seven as a member of the General Executive Board. I have spent literally half of my life and the majority of my adult life representing and fighting for the members of the ATU. I have enjoyed it, and I am immensely honored and grateful for the trust the members have given me.
Strength in Solidarity Across Borders
After the convention, I had the privilege of attending the ATU Canada Conference, where our Canadian siblings gathered to discuss our working conditions, the policies of their country, and to elect officers. The right wing in Parliament is proposing attacks on our union rights by pushing bills to restrict union dues and to defund our unions. These efforts mirror the struggles facing the U.S., showing that our collective challenges transcend national borders. The unity and passion shown by our Canadian members reaffirms the importance of standing together, because when one of us is under attack, all of us are.
No matter which side of the border we are on, the fight is the same for our existence, to grow our movement to protect our rights to collective bargaining to improve our wages and working conditions. Every conversation, rally, picket line, and negotiation remind us that progress is never handed to us. It’s earned and fought for.
The Power of Participation
At this very moment, the U.S. government reopened after the longest shutdown in history over issues dear to us in the states, for healthcare, and for many people, the ability to provide food for their families. The bottom line is that elections matter, who you elect matters, and we must be involved in these elections. Our voices at the ballot box are just as powerful as our voices on the picket line. We have to continue educating and mobilizing our members to ensure working people shape the future of our communities.
As I close, we have ended another three-year cycle in our Union and another year. Our perseverance and strength in this fight must continue! Let’s carry the energy and unity from our convention into the year ahead, ready to confront new challenges and celebrate new victories. Happy Holidays, and thank you for trusting and supporting me.