BCTGM May-June 07.indd
BCTGM May-June 07.indd
BCTGM May-June 07.indd
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Regional Councils Set Action Agendas<br />
This spring, three <strong>BCTGM</strong> regional councils held highly<br />
successful annual meetings. Each of the meetings focused on<br />
expanding organizing opportunities, improving communication<br />
between locals and preparing for the crucial 2008 national elections.<br />
A key topic at the meetings was the<br />
Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA),<br />
the most important labor law<br />
legislation in 70 years. Locals in<br />
each region pledged their support to<br />
the International’s legislative effort to<br />
enact EFCA, which will dramatically<br />
improve organizing opportunities<br />
within all <strong>BCTGM</strong> industries.<br />
Fourth Region Council<br />
In early April, delegates representing<br />
a dozen local unions from<br />
throughout the South met in<br />
Memphis, Tenn. for the Fourth<br />
Region Council meeting. Delegates<br />
shared information and ideas on a<br />
wide range of topics including<br />
strategies for signing up new hires<br />
for <strong>BCTGM</strong> membership and<br />
developing effective local union<br />
grassroots political action programs.<br />
In discussing this year’s<br />
Council meeting, International<br />
Vice President Tony Johnson said,<br />
“Our locals are anxious to go out<br />
and add to the organizing, merger,<br />
bargaining and political successes<br />
of the past few years.”<br />
Fourth Region Council<br />
Western Conference<br />
San Diego was the site of the<br />
51st Annual Western Conference<br />
meeting April 30-<strong>May</strong> 3. Delegates<br />
enjoyed a comprehensive agenda<br />
with informative speakers and<br />
productive committee meetings.<br />
Because of the large number of<br />
negotiations within the region this<br />
year, the meeting offered a valuable<br />
opportunity for locals to share<br />
information and strategies for<br />
bargaining success.<br />
International Vice President<br />
Randy Roark described the meeting<br />
as “very valuable to strengthening<br />
<strong>BCTGM</strong> efforts in the west.”<br />
Western Conference<br />
East Central Council<br />
In late <strong>May</strong>, the East Central<br />
Council convened its annual meeting<br />
in Atlantic City, N.J. Delegates<br />
addressed the major changes in<br />
<strong>BCTGM</strong> industries that affect<br />
union members within the First<br />
and Second Regions.<br />
The Council reflected on ways<br />
to build on the tremendous political<br />
successes of the 2006 Congressional<br />
elections in the 2008 presidential<br />
election.<br />
“The Council’s annual meeting<br />
helps us stand strong in solidarity<br />
and continue meeting challenges<br />
in order to protect the livelihood of<br />
our members,” said International<br />
Vice President Bob Oakley.<br />
<strong>BCTGM</strong> International President<br />
Frank Hurt addressed each<br />
council. “I came away from this<br />
series of council meetings reassured<br />
that the foundation of the<br />
International Union, our local<br />
unions, remains rock solid,” concludes<br />
Hurt.<br />
The regional councils also<br />
heard from Secretary-Treasurer/<br />
Director of Organization David B.<br />
Durkee, Executive Vice President<br />
Joseph Thibodeau, Assistant to<br />
the President Harry Kaiser and<br />
B&C Pension Funds Manager<br />
Lewis Davis.<br />
<strong>May</strong>/<strong>June</strong> 2007 www.bctgm.org 11