IFPTE Sec.-Treasurer Gay Henson Addresses CLUW Convention, IFPTE Rep. Karen Bellamy Lewis Reelected to CLUW National Council

IFPTE congratulations to the Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW) on a successful “virtual” convention which was held October 7-9, 2021. Over 400 delegates, observers, and guests attended the convention. 

Keynote speakers included President AFL-CIO Liz Shuler, UAW Vice President Cindy Estrada, APALA Executive Director Alvina Yeh, Washington State Labor Council Secretary-Treasurer April Sims, and SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher.

IFPTE’s Secretary-Treasurer Gay Henson addressed the convention on her birthday and received a special CLUW birthday welcome from hundreds of delegates and guests. 

The business of the convention included consideration and adoption of amendments to the CLUW constitution. The convention also adopted a number of resolutions , including support for the PRO Act, Ending Gun Violence, Worker Organizing and Empowerment, and Recognition of the Equal Rights Amendments, to name a few. 

Newly elected President SAG-AFTRA Fran “The Nanny” Drescher delivers keynote address to CLUW convention

Installation of Officers (left to right): CLUW Treasurer Judy Beard (APWU), CLUW VP Karen Bellamy Lewis (IFPTE), CLUW President Elise Bryant (CWA), and CLUW Executive VP Joanne Sanders (IATSE).

The election of officers was held and IFPTE Staffer Karen Bellamy Lewis was reelected to represent IFPTE on the National Officers Council for four more years.

IFPTE members in attendance included Local 195/Atlantic Council President Tim Rudolph, Local 195 Trustee Chairperson Bridget Bryant, Local 195 Treasurer Fran Biempica, and Local 195 Presidential Assistants Sherry Thomas and Diane Moore.

The convention concluded with the CLUW Gala which was themed “Union Eyez” (Union-ize), and everyone participating wore their best lenses. The theme had a double meaning representing the importance of unionizing, growing our CLUW and Union’s membership, and showing union pride through “union-eyez“.