Nearly 900 delegates convened in Detroit on Monday for the start of the UAW’s 39th Constitutional Convention as our union charts the path forward for the next four years.

The theme of this year’s convention, “Our Generation’s Defining Moment”, highlights the importance of our fight to win on our four core issues, both at the bargaining table and in the halls of Congress, at a time when worker rights and unions face unprecedented attacks from powerful corporate interests.

During the four-day event, elected local delegates will discuss and debate numerous issues facing UAW members and decide the most effective strategies to win for the working class.

Day one saw delegates vote to set the ground rules for the rest of the convention, and AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield, and Reverend Dr. Wendell Anthony of the Detroit Branch, NAACP gave inspiring speeches to the hundreds of delegates in attendance.

“We know what our political enemies and the billionaires want. They want us divided,” Shuler told attendees. “But as they try to turn us against each other, I’ve never seen working people more unified. The billionaires got their money. Corporations have their lobbyists. But we have each other.”

“Just the other day, Elon Musk became the world’s first trillionaire while families can’t afford healthcare and we’re in the midst of a housing crisis,” Sheffield said. “We need the UAW now more than ever. To continue to fight corporate greed, provide pathways to the middle class, and demand dignity for an honest day’s work. The time to organize and fight is now.”

“The power of the people is always greater than the people in power,” said Anthony. “We must reject any notion that we will be steamrolled from participating in our own democracy. The mandate is for us NOT to turn back. Don’t agonize, UAW. Organize.”

Convention delegates honored former President Ray Curry by passing a resolution to bestow upon him the title of President Emeritus, while recently retired UAW Vice President Chuck Browning received the UAW Social Justice Award.

Delegates heard and approved reports of the Credentials Committee and the Rules Committee, setting the stage for the business of the convention. Delegates voted to pass several constitutional amendments, from the establishment of Health & Safety standing committees, to enshrining our UAW Veterans Department in our UAW Constitution, and other business items.

Day two of the convention will convene at 9 am tomorrow morning.

For more information about the UAW’s 39^th Constitutional Convention: https://uaw.org/convention/