14th Biennial Statewide UE150 Convention
UNITE, EMPOWER, and TRANSFORM
August 15 – 16, 2026
Franklinton Center at Bricks, 281 Southbend Lane, Whitakers, NC
***Deadline to register is today Friday, August 7***
This year’s theme, “Unite, Empower, Transform”, reflects the moment we are in. As we confront ongoing challenges in our workplaces and communities, we must unite across chapters, empower one another through collective action, and transform the conditions that impact workers across North Carolina. With the 2026 statewide elections approaching, our unity and engagement are more important than ever. These elections will influence the policies that shape our rights, protections, and the future of public services, and we must be prepared to advocate for a fair and just path forward.
Because UE150 is a member-run union, your participation is essential. Your leadership, experience, and voice will guide the direction of our organization for the next two years.
This convention will also include the following:
- Election of Local union officers – President, Vice President, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Chief Steward, Assistant Chief Steward, Recording Secretary, and Trustees,
- Skills-building workshops,
- Decision-making sessions,
- Panel discussion with union member worker leaders, and
- Powerful labor and community guest speakers!
CONVENTION AGENDA:
FRIDAY, AUGUST 14
3:00pm: Executive Board meeting
6:00pm: Dinner
7:00pm: Meet and Greet Social
SATURDAY, AUGUST 15
9:00am: President, Willie Brown – Welcoming Convention
9:30am: Treasurer, Dominic Harris – Credentials
10:00am: President, Willie Brown – State of Union Address
10:30am: Cultural Presentation – Rubye Harris
10:40am: Guest Speaker 1 – Dr. Rev. Rodney Sadler
11:00am: Resolution on Independent Political Action
11:15am: Workshop Block 1
12:45pm: LUNCH BREAK
1:45pm: Workshop Block 2
3:00pm: Cultural Presentation – Rubye
3:15pm: Guest Speaker 2 – Rania Masri
3:30pm: Resolution on AI and Data Centers
3:45pm: Worker Organizing Panel – Worker leaders give reports
4:30pm: Nominations of Officers
5:00pm: Guest Speaker: Scott Slawson, UE National President
5:15 pm: Resolution on Organize the South
5:30pm: Guest Speaker: Ashaki Binta, Social Justice Unionism vs Business Unionism
5:55pm: Resolution on Fighting Racism
6:00pm: DINNER BREAK
SUNDAY, AUGUST 16
10:00am: Cultural Presentation – Tom Clark, Durham Labor Choir
10:15am: Credential report – Dominic Harris
10:20am: Guest Speaker – Carlos Perez, NC Association of Educators/Durham Association of Educators
10:35am: Resolution on Collective Bargaining, and Meet and Confer
10:45am: Resolution on Fighting Healthcare
11:00am: Resolution on Immigration
11:15am: Organizing Report, Dante Strobino, UE Staff Coordinator
11:30am: Constitutional Amendments
11:45am: Officer Elections
1:00pm: Convention Convenes.
LUNCH
Guest Speakers include:
- Scott Slawson, UE National General President
- Rev. Rodney Sadler, who recently defeated State Rep. Carla Cunningham in the Charlotte primary
- Rania Masri, Co-Executive Director, NC Environmental Justice Network
- Carlos Perez, Durham Association of Education, NC Association of Educators
Workshops:
- Organizing conversations (Kass to facilitate with William Young and Kahlisemon)
- Public speaking (NCSU grad – Juliette and Benjamin)
- Turning an issue into a campaign – (Hannah)
- How NC government works (Alex from NC Budget and Tax Center)
- Health care (Charles and Dante)
- Them-and-Us Unionism (Scott Slawson)
Pay the Convention registration fee at the link below: