The 72nd Convention of the Union Label and Service Trades Department (UL&STD) opened on April 23 at 10:20 a.m., bringing together delegates from across the labor movement to advance a clear and coordinated agenda, centered on strengthening the visibility and value of union labor.
The convention began with Nicole Rhine, secretary-treasurer of the National Association of Letter Carriers and a vice president of the Department, leading the Pledge of Allegiance.
Next, UL&STD President Rich Kline welcomed delegates and delivered remarks focused squarely on the Department’s mission: promoting union-made goods and services while reinforcing the connection between workers and consumers. He emphasized that the union label is not symbolic—it is a practical tool that drives accountability, supports good jobs, and gives the public a clear way to back union labor in the marketplace.
That message carried through the convention’s featured remarks.
David Woods, international secretary-treasurer of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers (BCTGM), addressed delegates with a detailed look at his union’s 140-year history and its ongoing work to protect and grow union jobs. He pointed to recent efforts to preserve jobs at major manufacturers, including Kellogg, and highlighted the successful repatriation of approximately 200 jobs back to BCTGM members.
Woods also reinforced a central theme of the convention: the importance of the union label. As detailed in his earlier remarks on the 2021 strike against Kellogg, the fight to preserve the “Union Made” label was not a side issue—it was a defining one. Ensuring that products made by union workers are clearly identified remains a core strategy for building long-term support for union labor.
Nicole Rhine returned to the podium to speak on the role of the United States Postal Service and its workforce, particularly in the context of mail-in voting. Her remarks underscored the essential, nonpartisan role postal workers play in ensuring ballots are delivered securely and on time. As outlined in the Department’s broader discussion on vote-by-mail, that system works because of the coordinated effort of union postal workers across multiple crafts who keep election mail moving efficiently nationwide.
Following these presentations, delegates reviewed the Department’s financial report, providing a transparent assessment of its operations and fiscal health.
The convention then moved into official business. Delegates voted on a series of resolutions addressing collective bargaining, labor policy, and emerging workplace issues—including the expanded use of the union label in contracts, protections for workers in the face of artificial intelligence, and support for federal workers and public institutions.
In a strong show of unity, delegates also voted to reelect the Department’s full slate of officers, signaling confidence in the leadership and a shared commitment to continuing the work ahead.
Taken together, the proceedings reinforced a consistent message echoed throughout the convention and reflected across its resolutions and featured discussions: the union label remains one of the labor movement’s most effective tools. It connects organizing to consumer action, strengthens bargaining power, and ensures that the value of union labor is visible where it matters most—in the marketplace and in the daily lives of working people.
