Machinists Union Convention Opens in Cincinnati, Ohio on Sept. 19

Washington, D.C., September 16, 2004 – The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) will hold its 36 th International Convention on September 19-25, 2004 at the Cincinnati Convention Center in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The quadrennial event, known as the Grand Lodge Convention, will draw more than 2,500 delegates and guests from 50 states and six Canadian Provinces. The delegates, elected from more than 448 local lodges, are charged with updating the 116-year old IAM Constitution and crafting policies to guide the union through the next four years.

Numerous convention events are open to the media. IAM International President Tom Buffenbarger will give the keynote address on Sunday, September 19, 2004 at 4 PM. Additional opening day speakers include U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland; Vice Mayor of Cincinnati Alicia Reece; Ohio AFL-CIO President Bill Burga and Dan Radford, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Cincinnati Federation of Labor.

A complete schedule of convention events and times can be found at www.goiam.org. The site will also provide daily updates of convention events and video interviews with delegates, guests and speakers.

The IAM is among the largest industrial trade unions in North America and represents nearly 700,000 active and retired members and administers more than 5000 contracts in transportation, woodworking, aerospace, manufacturing and defense related industries.

If you have any questions, please call or email Frank Larkin: 202-285-3831