Organize Here. Win Here. UNITE HERE!

UNITE HERE represents workers in the U.S. and Canada in:

UNITE HERE’s 2009 Convention

UNITE HERE held its first constitutional convention in Chicago from June 29-July 1, 2009. Delegates from across North America gathered to tell their stories; stories of both struggle and success. The convention unanimously elected John Wilhelm as UNITE HERE's President!

UNITE HERE members are more united than ever. Whether it is the workers from the Congress Hotel in Chicago who have been on strike for over 6 years, or workers in non-union companies organizing for the first time during the worst economic recession in decades, our members are ready to Organize Here, Win Here, UNITE HERE!

UNITE HERE members have the labor movement behind them!

Union presidents representing more than 11 million workers pledged their solidarity with UNITE HERE at the convention. Local and state labor councils from over 20 areas nationally have passed resolutions expressing their support for UNITE HERE.

UNITE HERE delegates also approved reforms to the union's constitution that guarantee new levels of transparency for the union's governance, finances, and all other aspects. Reforms include:

The decision-making governing bodies of the union between Conventions -- known as the Executive Committee and the General Executive Board -- will now be composed of a voting majority who will be elected locally and regionally throughout the U.S. and Canada before December 1st, with a high degree of accountability to those who elect them.
A Bill of Rights for union members and elected officers at local and international levels.
Strong guarantees of local and joint board autonomy, including that no local or joint board can be forced to merge with another affiliate unless the members of each of the merging affiliates vote separately in favor of the merger.
An institutionalized commitment to diversity with the election of a new General Vice President for Immigration, Civil Rights, and Diversity, one of the five General Officers; election of three General Executive Board members specifically assigned to form a Diversity Committee; and passage of a new initiative in support of Native American communities.