Defending Our Contracts, Delivering Social Justice, Protecting Every Member
Day 3 of the RWDSU Convention brought laser focus to the fundamental purpose of our movement: representing our current membership with relentless dedication. Wednesday’s proceedings centered on three pillar committees – Social Justice, Collective Bargaining, and Health & Safety – demonstrating how union power operates every single day to enforce hard-won contracts, defend member rights, and ensure every shop floor is safe and equitable.
Opening & Convention Business
JoshuaBrewer set an inspiring tone focused on fairness, respect, and our moral obligation to support and uplift one another in the workplace during this morning’s invocation. Reminding all of us that organizing is more than just strategy and structure – it is a spiritual undertaking.
Musicians Francisco, Lilianna, and Rafael Herrera then took the stage, delivering a dynamic performance celebrating the rich cultural diversity of the RWDSU membership.
Delegates then turned to essential internal governance:
Credentials Committee Final Report: The committee delivered its final report, officially seating the full delegation representing RWDSU local unions across the country.
Constitutional Amendments: Delegates reviewed and passed key constitutional amendments, strengthening our internal governance and ensuring our union remains accountable, democratic, and structurally sound for the membership.
Social Justice Committee & The Immigration Panel
The morning session moved directly into the Social Justice Committee Report, which highlighted how standing up for human rights and fighting workplace discrimination are essential components of everyday representation and a long thread in the RWDSU history.
Following the report, delegates voted to pass Resolution #6, reaffirming the RWDSU’s commitment to equity, fairness, and inclusion across all represented workplaces.
Focus: Immigration Panel & Representation for All
Led by Secretary-Treasurer Joseph Dorismond, the segment began with a video showcasing some of the citizenship success stories from immigrant workers in our shops and the critical protection a union contract provides against unfair treatment.
A panel of union members and reps took the stage to share personal experiences of standing up for their rights on the job and finding security through union representation. The panel underscored a core truth: every worker protected under an RWDSU contract deserves equal dignity, safety, and respect, regardless of background or immigration status and a fair pathway to citizenship, which the RWDSU can help with.
The hall then paused for a video focusing on the impacts the loss of the immigrant workforce has had on our food processing plants, including Heinz in Holland, Michigan, where members had faced exorbitant overtime, leading to safety issues and lost time with loved ones, until their latest contract implemented safeguards. Tom Torres, President of Local 705 shared his own personal story of losing time with his father in hospice. Sadly while editing the video Mr. Eleno Torres passed away on July 9, 2026.
Collective Bargaining Committee & Securing Strong Contracts
The convention then turned to the cornerstone of union representation: enforcing and winning strong collective bargaining agreements.
The Collective Bargaining Committee presented its report, outlining strategies to hold employers strictly accountable to existing agreements while preparing locals to fight for better wages, healthcare, and working conditions in upcoming contract cycles. Delegates then considered and passed Resolutions #4 and #5.
Focus: Panel on Winning & Enforcing Strong Contracts
Local leaders, stewards, and bargaining committee members joined a panel to discuss real-world strategies for bargaining table success and effective contract enforcement. Panelists broke down how active contract defense, robust grievance handling, and strong shop steward networks keep employers in check and ensure that hard-won contract language translates into real protections on the shop floor.
Afternoon Transition: Executive Board & Advisory Council Swearing-In
Following a midday recess – during which Executive Board and Advisory Council members convened – delegates returned to the hall.
The afternoon opened with TikTok Video #3, highlighting our union's modern communications efforts to keep members connected and informed, followed by a musical transition.
A highlight of the day took place as the newly elected RWDSU Executive Board and appointed Advisory Council took the stage for their official Swearing-In Ceremony. Members took their oath before the assembled delegation, pledging to uphold the constitution and faithfully serve and defend the membership throughout their term.
Health & Safety Committee & Shop-Floor Protection
The final section of the day focused on protecting the physical well-being of our members. Following a report and video from the Memorial Committee, the Health & Safety Committee took the stage to outline the union's proactive efforts to eliminate workplace hazards.
Committee presenters detailed ongoing efforts to combat unsafe working conditions, dangerous equipment, ergonomic strain, and inadequate staffing across all industries represented by the RWDSU.
Focus: Action on Member Safety
Delegates firmly backed these protections by passing Resolutions #7, #8, #9, and #10, committing the union to:
Empowering active shop-floor health and safety committees.
Demanding rigorous, job-specific safety training from employers.
Pushing back against hazardous line speeds and unsafe working environments.
Holding management strictly accountable for maintaining safe work standards.
Looking Ahead
Day 3 concluded with a featured video showcase from the Mid-South Council, demonstrating how strong union representation and negotiated retirement benefits provide long-term stability and security for union families and build the union for the next generation.
With clear priorities set across Social Justice, Contract Defense, and Health & Safety, RWDSU delegates left the hall ready to carry these protections straight back to their workplaces. Want to hear more member voices? Tune into never before seen TikTok Video #4!