UFCW Convention convenes, activists thanked for “making the dream accessible”

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Chicago – August 15, 2013 – The UFCW 7^th Regular convention convened Thursday in Chicago, wrapping up a historic gathering for North America’s most progressive and leading force for workers and their families.

In an emotional speech to more than 2,500 UFCW activists, award-winning actress and social justice activist Ashley Judd thanked the union movement today for “making the dream accessible.”

Delivering the closing keynote address to the convention, Judd focused on family, and the essential role that UFCW activists play in protecting communities from the spread of poverty, and in protecting the dream and hope that fairness and economic justice can be built upon from one generation to the next.

Praising the efforts of union activists, Judd echoed the importance of union solidarity and combined action by saying "the greatest progress for the greatest number depends on unity."

In addition to Ashley Judd, conventioneers also heard from civil rights and social justice trailblazers like Lilly Ledbetter, who addressed delegates earlier in the week.

On Tuesday delegates re-elected the Hansen Team to lead the union’s Unity Agenda as the UFCW Executive Committee, which includes International President Joe Hansen, Secretary-Treasurer Marc Perrone, and Executive Vice Presidents Wayne Hanley, Bill McDonough and Pat O’Neill.

Delegates also voted to amend the constitution to increase UFCW Canada’s representation on the International Executive Board.

Throughout the convention, the groundbreaking efforts of UFCW members were featured in a number of videos and images that combined to create the most-cutting edge and multi-media international convention in the union’s history.

Summing up the political challenges facing Canadian working families and communities, NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair was also warmly welcomed by conventioneers who demonstrated their solidarity in stopping the ultra-conservative agenda.

In addressing the convention on Wednesday, National President Wayne Hanley outlined the crucial difference UFCW Canada is making for the membership in the workplace and well beyond, as the leading force in challenging the global greed of transnational employers in the country’s fastest growing industries. First though, delegates enjoyed a new video about UFCW Canada’s values and groundbreaking work.

Full coverage of the historic convention is now available on the UFCW Canada #ufcwconvention page at ufcw.ca.