Every four years, the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) convenes with democratically elected delegates to decide on the Constitution and priorities of the nation’s largest labor federation. In order to protect the health and safety of delegates and hold a safe, in-person event in Philadelphia, the AFL-CIO Executive Council unanimously delayed the AFL-CIO's quadrennial convention from October 2021 to June 12-15, 2022.
As delegates from across the country arrived in Philadelphia on Friday and Saturday, the AFL-CIO held welcoming events, committee meetings, organizing sessions, the Unity Summit, and a special tribute to the late Richard L. Trumka. The Convention officially went into session on Sunday, June 12. Liz Shuler, the first woman and member of the IBEW to lead the AFL-CIO, was re-elected President and Fred Redmond was re-elected Secretary-Treasurer. President Joe Biden, who became the first sitting President to visit the IBEW Convention in May, made his speech to the AFL-CIO on Monday, June 13, thanking the Labor Movement for building America and laying out the hard road ahead of us.
Local 3 “A” journeywomen Lowely Cheung and Caleen Davis also had the opportunity to deliver remarks from the Convention stage. Lowely shared her personal story as a young immigrant from Hong Kong, to her pre-apprenticeship program with NEW (Non-traditional Employment for Women), and currently her career in the New York City electrical industry as a Local 3 member. Watch her video featured at NEW’s annual luncheon awards on May 12.
