USW delegates passed a series of resolutions at the International Constitutional Convention last week meant to strengthen the union’s commitment to fostering an organization for all workers, including several resolutions focused on health care and safety.
Health care workers from several locals were in attendance on the convention’s first day to present the Collective Bargaining resolution, including Melissa Barrios out of District 12 and Jessica Montgomery of District 6. The resolution calls for local bargaining committees to negotiate for full reproductive health services and travel coverage for those members living in states which prohibit such coverage.
A friendly amendment was also proposed on the final day by Local 7600 member and health care worker Tammi Requejo, who is a recent graduate of the USW Tony Mazzocchi Center trainer fundamentals program. She proposed to add the language on “Raising the Bar on Women's Health and Safety” to the general Health, Safety and Environment resolution.
This language is based off of the USW Women of Steel’s newly created guidebook, which aims to provide local union leaders and activists a road map to take on the fight for a safe and healthy workplace for everyone. International President Thomas Conway accepted the amendment on the floor and it was rolled into unanimous vote.
Another win for health care included Resolution 23, which will now allow the USW Health Care Workers Council to have a conference every two years instead of every three years, marking a significant improvement for the sector.
Watch International President Tom Conway’s keynote speech on opening day below.