Category: Magazine

Labor Day Origins Remind Us of the Neverending Battle for Justice Back in the late 1800’s, when the Unites States was experiencing huge economic growth through the industrial revolution, there was also another revolution going on. It was a revolution by the workers who made industrialists at that time incredibly rich. The wealth of people…

SECRETARY-TREASURER’S REPORT Michael Coleman – Secretary-Treasurer Bring Your Energy! This summer, UWUA members from across the United States gathered in Las Vegas for our union’s 31st Constitutional Convention. Once again, we collectively upheld our duty to honor our past, assess the current moment, and plan our union’s move into the future. Our convention theme, Our…

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT Patrick Dillon- Executive Vice President Focusing on Our Mission At the Utility Workers Union of America’s 31st National Convention, I had the extreme honor of being elected to the office of National Executive Vice President. Not only is it an honor to join the national leadership of this great union, but…

Bernie LaBelle, Region II Senior National Representative, Retires Bernie LaBelle, the UWUA’s long time national representative for Region II, officially retired at the close of this year’s convention. Outgoing President Langford paid tribute to LaBelle while presenting him with a plaque for his years of service to utility workers everywhere. “Bernie is a truly outstanding…

Field Lab Techs Win First Contract at MI Consumers Energy Almost two years after winning an organizing election by one vote, members of Consumers Energy’s Electric Field Lab (EFL) group voted 38 to 2 on May 17 to ratify their first contract, thereby gaining equal standing with the rest of the organized members of the…

Water Workers Choose UWUA, Rack Up Victories! Unorganized Water and wastewater workers are seeing the benefits of UWUA membership as shown by the growing number of organizing and first contract victories in water utilities. The UWUA Organizing Department is always on the lookout for opportunities to bring new members into the union through organizing campaigns,…

10 Questions for President Slevin Q: What would you like people to know about you? A: I’m a utility worker, the son of two immigrants and my father was a utility worker. I saw the struggles they went through. Same as the next person, I am continuing to work toward the American Dream. Q: What…

Honoring Langford and VanSlooten After nearly 13 years leading UWUA, Mike Langford and Steven VanSlooten retired at this year’s convention. Together, they left an indelible impact on the organization, taking the union into the 21st century, securing benefits that uplifted members and working to bring diverse new voices and perspectives into the organization. They received…

Antonio DePina Receives 2019 Utility Worker Hero Award! On his way to work one morning, Local 369 member Antonio DePina encountered a woman coming out into the street with her arms full. After taking a closer look, he noticed she was carrying an unconscious infant. DePina took action immediately, positioning his vehicle in the street…

31st Constitutional Convention Coverage For four action-packed days in July, utility workers convened at the 31st Constitutional Convention to chart a course for the union for the next four years and elect new national officers. The election of James Slevin as president and Patrick Dillon as executive vice president topped the proceedings as Mike Langford…