Railroad Workers United will conduct our 9th Biennial Convention April 18th - 21st, 2024 in the "Railroad Capitol of the World" - Chicago, Illinois. Please join us as we chart the course for the organization in the coming years and celebrate 16 years of Rank & File Action!

RWU Members convene in Chicago in June of 2022 for the Eighth Biennial Convention

Registration

All members in good standing are encouraged to register and attend the 9th Biennial RWU Convention Thursday and Friday, April 18/19th. We will discuss and debate resolutions, adopt bylaws changes, hear reports, and elect a new Steering Committee. In addition, we will conduct a series of workshops and presentations on issues of concern to railroad workers starting Thursday and continuing through the weekend, including but not limited to: Coordinated Bargaining of All Rail Unions; the Struggle Against Single Person Crews; the Fight Against Precision Scheduled Railroading and Long & Heavy Trains; Envisioning a Robust and Green Railroad Future; Using the RLA to our Advantage; Railroads in the Public Interest; Building Effective Internal Union Caucuses and more. Note: RWU urges all members to attend both the RWU Convention and the big Labor Notes conference that immediately follows on the weekend in the same hotel/convention center. See below for more info and to Register separately for the Labor Notes portion.

Lodging and Accommodations

Book your room NOW! The hotel will sell-out! When booking your room, remember to make sure to get the "Labor Notes" rate. Click on the button below to book your room. RWU will coordinate room mates for those who wish to share a room, so feel free to Contact RWU NOTE: The hotel may be sold out. If it is, check with other area hotel listed below.

If the Convention Hotel is sold out, please try one of the other area hotels located just a few blocks from the Hyatt Convention Center

Labor Notes Conference

The 9th Biennial RWU Convention will be conducted in conjunction with the Labor Notes Conference. Join more than 4000 union workers from all industries - auto, trucking, steel, airline, warehouse and more - from across the country and around the world. Throughout the weekend, railroaders can take part in numerous workshops and presentations that speak to issues of concern to us. RWU members will serve on a number of panels at workshops and trainings all weekend. Click on the buttons below for more info and to Register.

Resolutions

The Convention generally considers a number of Resolutions that have been submitted. All members are eligible to submit Resolutions. NOTE: In the interest of time and to gain a better chance of passage, members are encouraged to work with the Steering Committee in the coming months on wording and language. Please submit Resolutions in a fashion similar to the one at the left (click on it to view).

Six Resolutions for example, were adopted at the 2018 Convention including one in support of a Rail Safety Coalition; one opposing the criminalization of railroad workers who make a mistake; one in support of electro-pneumatically controlled (ECP) braking to be installed on trains; a resolution in support of a single bargaining coalition of all rail labor; a pledge for RWU to undertake a Sustaining Members drive; and a resolution in support of immediate implementation of PTC. Check out every Resolution ever adopted by RWU HERE.

To submit a Resolution, use the button below, and please be sure to put in the subject line RESOLUTION FOR CONSIDERATION.

Bylaws Amendments

Each Convention the members discuss and debate a limited series of proposed Bylaws changes. The RWU Bylaws are a minimal document designed to guide the organization and its conduct between Conventions. If you would like to submit an amendment to the Bylaws for consideration, please click on the button below. To expedite passage and avoid confusion, it is suggested to work with the Steering Committee on proposed Bylaws changes. When submitting, please put in the subject line BYLAWS AMENDMENT, and be clear what section you wish to see amended.

RWU Steering Committee

The RWU Steering Committee has traditionally been composed of working railroaders from all of the various crafts and union affiliations. The International Steering Committee (ISC) is currently composed of 11 Regulars and 5 Alternates in addition to 3 Trustees. These positions will be nominated and elected at the convention. Members do not have to be present at the Convention to be nominated. But you must have a member in good standing in attendance to nominate you. (No second is necessary).

Last But Not Least

Once the Convention/Labor Notes conference concludes Sunday afternoon, RWU Members plan to have dinner that evening and engage in some valuable discussions about the future of RWU, as older members retire and the younger generation takes the lead. Please stay on for this important discussion (dinner and drinks provided!) Please make sure to answer the final question on your registration form.

Questions?

After reading this Convention Call, if you have any questions, please submit them HERE. Put "Convention Question" in the Subject line. Thank you!