Focus on Political Involvement at Six-State Conference (10/9/08)

Over 200 RWDSU leaders from West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Indiana, and New York met in Novi, Michigan, for the union's annual Six-State Conference on October 3-4.  The conference focused on training to help make the RWDSU an even more effective voice for workers both on the job and in the community. Special attention was given to the union's efforts to make workplaces safer and the RWDSU's 2008 political action program.

After the general sessions of the conference, RWDSU members engaged in literature drops and face to face meetings to encourage working families in Michigan to support pro-worker candidates including Barack Obama and Mark Schauer.

Guests included Michigan Lieutenant Governor John Cherry, who presented the RWDSU Michigan Joint Council with a grant from the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration to conduct health and safety training for members working in food processing facilities. Also joining RWDSU members was state senator and Michigan Senate Democratic Leader Mark Schauer, who discussed his campaign for Congress in Michigan’s seventh district.

 State Senator Mark Schaur (left) with RWDSU President Stuart Appelbaum

Michigan Lt. Governor John Cherry

RWDSU members came from West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Indiana, and New York for the conference.

Workshops helped RWDSU members hone their representational skills.