USW Labor Council Holds Fall Labor Council Meeting

The following report comes from USW's Maine Labor Council:

On October 24 and 25, the United Steelworkers held its fall Maine Labor Council meeting in Bangor. This was the first official meeting since the election of new officers this past May. Around 60 people were in attendance, including delegates from the USW Huhtamaki Council, which held its group meeting on the night of the 24th.

The theme of the Maine Labor Council was supporting candidates who support labor. Patrick Carleton was recognized for his 12 years as President of USW Maine Labor Council with a plaque presented by USW Staff Rep Mike Higgins, on behalf of the Maine Labor Council.

PHOTO: Congressman Jared Golden with Dave Hebert (USW 291) and Linda Deane (USW 900 retiree)
 

Keynote speakers in attendance were:

• United Steelworkers International Secretary-Treasurer John Shinn, Howard Bochner from the bargaining dept, District 4 Director Dave Wasiura, Legislative Coordinator Mark McDonald, Sub-District Director John Buonopane and Staff Reps. Mike Higgins, John Perry and Al Smith
• Eastern Maine Labor Council President Jack McKay, Food and Medicine/Solidarity Harvest
• Maine AFL-CIO (Sarah Bigney McCabe, Matt Schlobohm & Adam Goode)
• Congressman Jared Golden
• Senator Troy Jackson
• Marc Cryer - University of Maine Dept of Bureau of Labor Education
• Matt Emmick and Linda Deane from the Charles A. Scontras Center for Labor & Community Education
• Patrick Carleton - Former USW MLC President

The Council developed a plan to expand to a Tri-State council which would include USW locals from New Hampshire and Vermont. Much positive feedback was received overall. We look forward to our future meetings which are usually held each spring and fall.