2001 Nevada State AFL-CIO Convention MEDIA ADVISORY FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For more information contact Danny Thompson, Nevada AFL-CIO Executive Secretary-Treasurer Andrew Barbano, Editor, NevadaLabor.com Reno Hilton Convention Center Main Casino Level, Tahoe Room (between casino and bowling center) Convention phone at Hilton: (775) 785-2000 extension no. 2746 MEDIA: PLEASE CHECK IN AT REGISTRATION AREA OR WITH SGT.-AT-ARMS LARRY WILSON FOR ADMITTANCE TO THE CONVENTION FLOOR. Please have a media business card or media credential with you. TRUMKA TO ANNOUNCE NEW INTERNATIONAL AFL-CIO INITIATIVE AT NEVADA AFL-CIO CONVENTION IN RENO ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2001 RENO, Nevada (Aug. 21) -- National AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Richard L. Trumka will announce a major new international initiative at the Nevada State AFL-CIO Convention in Reno this morning at the Reno Hilton. He is scheduled to speak at 9:30 a.m. Mr. Trumka is the former head of the United Mine Workers and was elected to the national organization's leadership with AFL-CIO President John Sweeney in 1995. (Biography, below.) U.S. Senate Majority Whip Harry M. Reid, D-Nev., will precede Trumka in addressing more than 200 delegates from every AFL-CIO affiliated union in Nevada. Nevada AFL-CIO President Walt Elliott of Bartenders Local 165-Las Vegas will gavel the convention to order at 8:00 a.m. Reid will probably speak in the first hour, but times may vary and have done so in the past. The delegates will consider several resolutions, including a timely one on public power submitted by Service Employees International Union Local 1107. The resolution asks support for the Southern Nevada Water District's plan to implement consumer-owned electric utility service. Another resolution asks for opposition to any increase in truck size and weight on the nation's highways. The convention takes place within several weeks of the Reno Hilton becoming almost fully unionized. Members of Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees Local 86 recently ratified the property's first "wall to wall" contract for representation of most non-gaming employees. Flamingo Hilton-Reno workers likewise ratified their agreement. Four other unions represent Reno Hilton workers: the Elevator Constructors; the International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees (IATSE); the Security, Police and Fire Professionals of America (SPFPA); and Stationary Engineers Local 39 (International Union of Operating Engineers-Stationary). Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 350 has a longtime contract with the Flamingo. The Nevada State AFL-CIO is comprised of more than 165,000 members and retirees statewide. The unions comprising Trumka's international umbrella organization represent more than 13 million workers. Access to the convention floor and all other activities is limited to delegates, credentialed guests and media. Convention agenda highlights Tuesday, August 21 Additional speakers * 9:50 a.m. Ken Lange, Exec. Dir., Nevada State Education Assn. * 11:15 a.m, State Senator and Nevada Democratic Party Chair Terry Care, D-Las Vegas * 11:30 a.m. Assemblywoman Debbie Smith, D-Sparks * 11:45 a.m. State Sen. Maggie Carlton, D-Las Vegas, a member of Culinary Union Local 226 * 1:45 p.m. Clark County Commissioner Dario Herrera, Democratic Candidate for Nevada's new third congressional district seat * 2:00 p.m. Retiring Nevada Atty. Gen. Frankie Sue Del Papa * Special Guest: Patricia Madrid, Atty. Gen., State of New Mexico * 2:15 p.m. Nevada State Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus, D-Las Vegas * 2:30 p.m. Nevada Assembly Speaker Richard Perkins, D-Henderson * 2:45 p.m. State Sen. Mark Amodei, R-Carson City * 3:00 p.m. Nevada Supreme Court Chief Justice Bill Maupin * 3:15 p.m. Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev. Awards Banquet, Tahoe Room, 7:30 p.m. * Nevada Gov. Kenny C. Guinn, R, Guest Speaker * Bill Bennett Employer of the Year Award to Sparks Postmaster Roberta McKay (see 8-20-2001 Daily Sparks Tribune, page one) McKay's award is a genuine rarity and perhaps the first of its kind. Nevada Assn. of Letter Carriers President Joe Assalone, a 40-year veteran of the U.S. Postal Service in both Nevada and New York, has been scouring union records and putting out requests nationwide inquiring if any other postmaster has been so honored by her workers. To date, he has found none. * AFL-CIO Contractor of the Year: Robert B. Pahor, Pahor Air Conditioning, Inc., Las Vegas; a 40-year member of Sheet Metal Workers Union Local 88. Wednesday, August 22 8:00 a.m.-12 Noon, committee reports and workshops, Tahoe Room 12 Noon-2:00 p.m., Awards Luncheon, Nevada Room * Jim Arnold, Sr./Stan Jones/Claude S. "Blackie" Evans Scholarship Awards * Nevada Association of Letter Carriers Scholarship Awards * 2:15 p.m Nevada Labor Commissioner Terry Johnson Workshop on changes in Nevada labor law * Special guest — Sen. Bernice Mathews, D-Reno/Sparks Other workshops scheduled until about 4:00 p.m. after which Nevada State AFL-CIO Executive Secretary-Treasurer Danny Thompson will lead the assembled delegates in hands-on field training. [8-23-2001 Editor's note: this was a surprise picket at the executive offices of Washoe Medical Center. Tales, details, crooked tails and photos at this website soon.] Thursday, August 23 * 8:05 a.m. Sandra Stein, Milberg Weiss Bershad Hynes & Lerach * 8:30 a.m Jonathan Saidel, Controller, City of Philadelphia * 9:00 a.m. Moshe Bialac, Nevada State AFL-CIO dislocated worker program * Special guest: Lonnie Feemster, President, NAACP Reno-Sparks Branch * 9:30 a.m. Audrey Arnold, United Labor Agency of Nevada * 9:45 a.m. B.J. Thomas, Andrew Barbano, Larry Wilson — A. Philip Randolph Institute * 10:15 a.m. Kevin Mead Closing remarks by Danny Thompson with final adjournment expected by noon. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES For the latest on sweatshop retailing in Nevada, go to the Wal-Mart War Room National AFL-CIO launches international campaign against major retailers to fight sweatshop labor Unions and civil rights and religious groups from around the world have joined forces to battle sweatshops on two fronts—in the countries where the abused and exploited workers manufacture products and at the stores where most of these goods are sold and bought. BIOGRAPHY AND PHOTO — RICHARD L. TRUMKA AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer The youngest secretary-treasurer in AFL-CIO history, Richard L. Trumka was elected to the post in October 1995 at the age of 46. Born in Nemacolin, Pa., on July 24, 1949, Trumka was elected to the AFL-CIO Executive Council in 1989. At the time of his election to secretary-treasurer, he was serving his third term as president of the Mine Workers. At the UMWA, Trumka led two major strikes against the Pittston Coal Co. and the Bituminous Coal Operators Association. The actions resulted in significant advances in employee-employer cooperation and the enhancement of mine workers' job security, pensions and benefits. In 1994, President Clinton named him to the Bipartisan Commission on Entitlement and Tax Reform to represent the interests of working families. Back to the front page of NevadaLabor.com This site composed, designed and maintained by Deciding Factors (CWA 9413 Signatory) Comments and suggestions appreciated. Sign up for news bulletins.