Maine AFL-CIO COPE Convention Will Be Held June 25-26 in Auburn

This year, the Maine AFL-CIO will be holding our Committee on Political Education (COPE) Convention on Thursday and Friday, June 25-26, 2026 in Auburn.

At the convention, union members from across Maine will share bargaining, organizing and issue updates; consider and ratify our Contract with Maine's Working Class agenda; discuss and plan our 2026 political program; assess progress in our effort to build a high participation, year round political program; and make endorsements in key races. We hope to have every affiliated union represented. If you are interested in attending as a delegate or alternate, please contact your local union leadership.

Thursday Banquet & Awards!

On Thursday evening of convention, we will recognize outstanding award winners and hear from a panel of workers who are organizing. Our convention awards banquet is open to members and allies to attend; RSVP required. Let adam@maineaflcio.org know if you would like to attend. We will be recognizing:

• Solidarity Award:Doug Born,IATSE 114 & past Maine AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer,for showing up for every union picket line and worker fight and for years of work building the labor movement.
• President’s Award:Bath Marine Draftsmen’s Association (UAW 3999) Strike Captains for stepping up to build their union and organize their co-workers.
• Working Class Hero Award:Peter Kellman, UAW 1981 &President Emeritus Southern Maine Labor Council,for teaching all of us to use history as an organizing tool, for developing the leadership and analysis of so many labor activists and for putting his life into building people’s movements.  
• Edie Beaulieu Legislative Award:State Senator Mark Lawrence (D – York) for always reminding colleagues the difference a good union job makes, for working doggedly to make clean energy jobs good union jobs and for championing the cause of working people.

Shop Steward of the Year Award: We will also recognize this year’s Shop Steward of the Year. Nominations are open until Friday, May 22, 2026. Please nominate a steward from your local: https://maineaflcio.org/steward