A first in union history was recorded Aug. 9 when the 2021 UIW Convention took place virtually. Because of the COVID-19 Pandemic, union leadership earlier this year took a cautious approach and scrapped plans for conducting the scheduled in-person quadrennial conference that traditionally spans two days at the union-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Maryland. Instead, they opted for an online event in order to maximize safety.
UIW President Michael Sacco, flanked by UIW Secretary-Treasurer David Heindel and UIW General Counsel Leslie Tarantola, gaveled in the proceedings at noon while situated in the Maryland Room at the Paul Hall Center. Joining President Sacco virtually from various locations across the country as well as the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico were area vice presidents, delegates and members from the conference’s credentials and auditing committees.
After calling the convention to order, President Sacco delivered opening remarks followed by his report (see Page 2) in which he examined the state of the union. President Sacco’s report was followed by presentations from the secretary-treasurer, UIW National Director Karen Horton-Gennette and each of the union’s six regional vice presidents (these reports appear throughout this edition).
Because of the pandemic, the 2021 iteration of the UIW Convention did not feature any guest speakers nor the reading of any resolutions, with one notable exception. Secretary-Treasurer Heindel read the “In Mememoriam” decree which formally recognized UIW members and others from the labor movement who have passed away since the last convention.
The final order of business for the 2021 UIW Convention was the election of and swearing in of officers. Those elected, and their respective positions were: President Michael Sacco; Secretary-Treasurer David Heindel; National Director Karen Horton-Gennette; Vice President Atlantic Region Joseph Soresi; Vice President Caribbean Region Jacqueline Dickenson; Vice President Great Lakes Region Monte Burgett, Vice President Gulf Coast Region Dean Corgey; Vice President Midwest Region Chad Partridge; and Vice President West Coast Region Nick Marrone.
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