The 2009 Convention: A New Building and a New Mission

Posted at Blog/205 by Doug Collier, Local 205 President>>

This is my first post on the new “Blog/205” here at our website, so it’s as good a time as any to thank all the folks who attended Local 205’s Convention on May 9.

The 2009 Convention was the first time that most people got to see our new building, which is located in the Woodbine neighborhood in South Nashville. And while there’s still a lot of construction to be done in the big meeting room in the back of the building, the feedback I heard was overwhelmingly positive. People don’t just like the new building, they like that our union has a place now that we can call our own. So thanks to the executive committee members, the delegates, and the rank-and-file members who all came out to celebrate our open house and to have fun with their union brothers and sisters on their day off.

I also want to thank elected officials who came out as well. From Metro - Parker Toler, Sandra Moore, Frank Harrison, Buddy Baker, Walter Hunt, Vic Lineweaver, and John Arriola. And from out of town, thanks to State Senator Andy Berke and candidate for Governor Ward Cammack for making an appearance.

And I want to thank the Nashville staff of Local 205, who have been working around the clock over the last few weeks to move everything into the new building and then to get set up for the Convention. Thanks to Scotty, Benny, Maura Lee, Jessica, Matthew, William, Trista, Teresa, and Mark for all their help. Whether it was moving furniture, cleaning, painting, rewiring, or coordinating all the activity, their hard work has been greatly appreciated.


In case you haven’t seen the news in the last few months, we still have a lot of work to do. Helping elect President Obama was just the first step in making the changes needed so that working people can start to get ahead in this country again. The major fight ahead of us right now is the effort to pass healthcare reform as the enemies of change from big business are already starting their campaign of lies. We cannot create a solid middle class in this country again until we have healthcare reform. Period. We also need to see passage of the Employee Free Choice Act, another piece of legislation that helps the middle class because it will allow workers the freedom to choose a union without the fear and intimidation by their bosses. And our struggle isn’t just at the national level, either. Locally, we have to make sure that cities and counties are spending taxpayer dollars wisely – not using the recession as an excuse to lay off employees, cut pay, or renege on pension and health insurance obligations they have. All of these struggles have one thing in common… they require your involvement in order for us to win. Change isn’t going to happen just because we have a new President. It is up to us to be the change we want to see.

I hope you and your family enjoy the Memorial Day weekend. But I hope you will take a moment to make a pledge to yourself that you will get more active with your union over the next several months as we face these challenges. Like our motto says, we are “Stronger Together”. Now, as we have a new home for our union and a new, pro-worker President in the White House, it is time for us to move forward and help rebuild the middle class and the promise of America.

Click HERE to see pictures from the 2009 Convention!