November 2, 2007
Metal Trades Department 68th Convention
Delegates to the 68th Convention of the Metal Trades Department re-elected Ron Ault to his second full term as President, by acclamation. The two-day convention at Bally’s in Las Vegas approved a program of stepped-up political and legislative action—specifically aimed at continuing the Department’s work to roll back the controversial National Security Personnel System (NSPS), enforce the Jones Act as it applies to shipbuilding and to support nuclear energy as a viable source of clean and renewable energy generation. Delegates also ratified the Department’s efforts to support U.S. shipbuilding.
Delegates updated the Department’s funding formula to allow for additional resources and activities.
AFL-CIO President John Sweeney congratulated the Department on the eve of its centennial celebration (the Metal Trades Department was chartered on June 15, 1908) and affirmed the federation’s support in the battle against the NSPS.
Metal Trades workers can count on their brothers and sisters in the Building Trades, said newly elected Building Trades President Mark Ayres. “You have an ally in the Building Trades,” he emphasized.
The Metal Trades Department strengthened its bond with trade unionists from the UK, hosting Amicus National Officer Dougie Rooney and a contingent of representatives from British unions engaged in decommissioning nuclear facilities. In his address to the convention Rooney stressed the common concerns among workers dealing with nuclear sites—for work sites that are safe for workers and the public, paid properly with pensions and benefits. “In short, we both expect workers to be treated properly as individuals,” he said.
Metal Trades Department, AFL-CiO • 815 16th Street, NW •Washington, DC 20006
Phone: 202-508-3705 • Fax: 202-508-3706 • email: metaltradesweb@aol.com
