Check Out Live Webcast of AFL-CIO Convention

by James Parks, Sep 10, 2009

The AFL-CIO’s 26th Constitutional Convention—for the first time ever—will be webcast live, via Ustream, beginning at 3 p.m. Sept. 13 and running through the closing gavel on Sept. 17. To check out these historic proceedings, stop by our convention site here.

There will be a lot to see on the Ustream webcast. Many of us on the AFL-CIO staff are leaving today by bus for Pittsburgh to set up and prepare for the convention. Not only will delegates elect new leaders for the federation, we will pay tribute to retiring AFL-CIO President John Sweeney.

In addition to live webstreaming, we plan to blog, post video clips and photos and update you via Facebook and Twitter. (Follow the AFL-CIO on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AFLCIO and Twitter at http://twitter.com/AFLCIO. We will use the hashtag #aflcio09 for our convention updates.)

Last fall, working people mobilized in record numbers to elect new leaders in Washington, and this year we will welcome President Obama, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Labor Secretary Hilda Solis.

As part of the packed agenda, delegates will debate and decide on the union movement’s next steps and long-term strategies when they consider proposed resolutions that will guide the AFL-CIO for the next four years. Resolutions cover labor law reform, health care reform, the economy, political action, retirement security and much more.

Delegates also will take part in major discussions on ways to reach out to a new generation of union members and strategies and success stories to increase the diversity of the movement. All of us will look at ways to build a stronger grassroots movement through our state federations and central local councils. We will celebrate global union solidarity and hear about ways to help workers without union contracts.

We will demonstrate our support for green jobs in discussion and action: Not only will delegates consider a resolution on green jobs, the convention itself will take place in the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, the largest and one of the first all-green facilities.

Delegates also will have the opportunity to explore Pittsburgh’s rich labor heritage, with many key sites in the history of the union movement located in or near the city, and to experience all the other great attractions the city offers.

Remember: If you cannot come to Pittsburgh, join us online on our Ustream webcast.

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