The TDU Convention begins this Friday, October 1. Here is all the information you need.

Take a look at the Convention Program. It’s shaping up to be our best program ever.

If you have any questions, get in touch with us.

CONVENTION INFORMATION

The TDU Convention features three days of union education, steward training, networking with Teamster activists and leaders, and strategizing about the future of our union. It begins on Friday, October 1 at noon and ends on Sunday, October 3 at 3 pm. All workshops and sessions will be held at the Crowne Plaza Chicago O’Hare 5440 N River Rd, Rosemont IL 60018.

FEATURED SPEAKERS

We will be joined by local union leaders and members of the OZ Teamsters United Slate, including Sean O’Brien, Fred Zuckerman and several other candidates.

Other guest speakers, including Rand Wilson, an architect of the 1997 strike victory at UPS on how the Teamsters can fight back and win from UPS to Amazon.

New York News Guild President Susan DeCarava will share lessons on how she ran for union office, won, and is now leading successful strikes and organizing drives and rebuilding her union’s power.

THE 2021 TEAMSTER ELECTION

The ballots for the 2021 Teamster election will be mailed to all Teamsters the day after our Convention.

At the Convention, we will make plans to get out the vote and discuss opportunities, challenges and plans for building union power after we’ve elected the OZ-Teamsters United Slate.

On Friday afternoon, we will hold a roundtable discussion with OZ-Teamsters United candidates on the challenges and opportunities for our union after the election.

THE FUTURE OF TDU

The Convention is TDU’s highest-making decision body. TDU members will elect our International Steering Committee for the coming year and vote on our strategic priorities and plans.

Only attendees who are TDU members can vote on our priorities and steering committee. Now is the time to join or renew your membership.

We will also vote on a series of changes to the TDU Constitution proposed by our Steering Committee; most are simple changes to update our Constitution. The most significant change is replacing the position of Organizer with a new position, Staff Director, to be hired by the Steering Committee.

TDU Organizer Ken Paff is stepping down from that position at the Convention. He will continue to work part-time for TDU.

Click here to read the proposed constitutional changes. Talk to a TDU Steering Committee member or staff organizer if you have any questions.

HOTEL INFORMATION

Crowne Plaza Chicago O'Hare: is located at 5440 N River Rd, Rosemont IL 60018. The phone number is (847) 671-6350 if people need to reach you at the hotel. The hotel has a fitness center and free internet in all guest rooms.

Shuttle and Taxis: The hotel's airport shuttle runs from 5 am to 9 pm, with no shuttle at 1 pm. It leaves the hotel on the hour and drops off departures at their gates. The shuttle then picks up guests at Door 2 of the Hotel Shuttle Center (located one floor below the baggage claim). On Friday morning, there will be additional shuttles running on the half hour.

A taxi costs about $15 + tip and may be a better and quicker option for many people arriving.

Parking: Discounted $17.00/car either overnight or day parking. Pick up a parking coupon from the registration table and use it in conjunction with your ticket to receive the discount.

Your Hotel Reservation: We want to make sure that your room is correctly reserved. Please let us know right away of any changes in your arrival or departure date to make sure your room will be available when you need it. If you are sharing a room, make sure we have that information to allow for easy check-in. Call TDU, not the Crowne Plaza, with any reservation changes.

Food Information: Full convention registration includes dinner on Friday and Saturday and lunch on Saturday and Sunday.

If you have special food needs such as food allergies let us know right away and we will do our best to accommodate you. All of our meals will be buffet style with meat and vegetarian options.

COVID HEALTH & SAFETY

• TDU will abide by CDC and Chicago regulations regarding COVID.

• Unvaccinated individuals should get a COVID test prior to coming to the Convention. Thank you all for looking out for each other.

• Masks are required on planes, buses, and in transportation hubs such as airports.

• Masks are required at indoor venues, including the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

GOT MORE QUESTIONS?

Call us at 313-842-2600, email us at [email protected] or contact a TDU Organizer.

Staff will be at the Crowne Plaza Chicago O'Hare on the afternoon of Thursday, September 30.

We look forward to seeing you there!