USW Convention: June 30-July 3 in Las Vegas

First Global Union Being Created to Build Bargaining Power

USW Pres. Gerard Giving Keynote to 3,500 leaders from U.S & Canada

PITTSBURGH, June 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The United Steelworkers (USW) top international officers, executive board and 3,500 elected local union leaders from North America's steel, paper, rubber and tire, mining, oil and service sector workplaces will meet for an International Convention, Jun. 30-Jul. 3 at the Paris-Bally's Conference Center in Las Vegas to create the first global union and build trans-Atlantic bargaining power.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080131/DC12982LOGO )

Leo W. Gerard, USW international president, will deliver his keynote address: "Seize the moment, this is our time," at the 10:00 am (PDT) convention opening that follows greetings by Danny Thompson, Executive Secretary Treasurer of the Nevada AFL-CIO.

The formal signing of the agreement creating the first global union with Derek Simpson, general secretary of the UK-based international union Unite (Amicus Section) will be on Wednesday, Jul. 2 at approximately 11:45 am, PDT London: 7 London: EDT London: 45. The signing and remarks by Gerard and Simpson will be transmitted via live webcast linked on the union's website: http://www.usw.org.

The name and structure of the new global union will be announced to USW convention delegates. The new union will represent more than three million active and retired workers from the U.S., Canada, Great Britain and Ireland. Further information concerning the new global union will be available after the agreement is signed on the websites of the USW (U.S. and Canada sections) and Unite (Amicus and T&GWU sections) at: http://www.usw.org, http://www.steelworkers-metallos.ca, http://www.amicustheunion.org, and http://www.tgwu.org.uk.

Amicus and T&GWU merged to form Unite in the UK on May 1 and will have completed a fully integrated merger process in November.

Each day of the USW convention will have guest speakers and resolutions. Day One starts at 10:00 am (PDT). A 90-minute daily lunch recess is at 12:00 Noon. Days 2-4 convene at 9:00 am (PDT) and adjourn at about 5:00 pm.

The USW represents 1.2 million active and retired workers in the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Aruba. It is the largest private sector union in North America, dominating representation in a wide range of industries, including metals, mining, rubber, paper and forestry, oil refining, plus office, technical and service workers in healthcare, security, hotels and municipal agencies.

USW CONVENTION COVERAGE SERVICES & EVENT FACILITIES

A press section for credentialed correspondents and TV-Radio crews is located near the main stage on the convention floor (stage right) with wireless Internet service. TV and digital camera shooters require press credentials for floor, main stage and podium access. A press work room with Internet cable and phone service (toll calls require credit card) will be available in a room at the adjacent Bally's Hotel.

Video, photo, audio and text highlights from the convention will be made available daily on the union's website. The newly-designed interactive Web 2.0 site features live blogs, social networking, multimedia and news, offering USW members and working families around the world a valuable tool in online education, mobilization and activism at: www.usw.org.

Hotel Rooms can be booked at the adjacent Planet Hollywood Hotel & Casino: 3667 Las Vegas Blvd., South, Las Vegas, NV 89109; 866-716-8130; Reservations, 866-716-8130; http://www.planethollywoodresort.com.

FOR MORE INORMATION: Gary Hubbard (USW), 202-778-4384 (Washington, DC office); 202-256-8125 (mobile); ghubbard@usw.org. Alternatives to email or mobile: after Jun. 25 (Wed.): call Bally's Hotel main number for guest room: 702-967-4111. After Jun. 28 (Sat.), call Paris-Bally's Conference Center, 3655 Las Vegas Blvd., South, Las Vegas, NV 89109--ask for USW Communications Office via Bally's Hotel: 702-967-4111.