FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, September 18, 2007

CONTACT: Noreen Nielsen or Greg Denier
202-721-0660
chris.ortman@changetowin.org

Chicago, IL – The seven Change to Win unions are uniting workers in the jobs and industries of the new American economy so that working families of the 21^st century can achieve the American Dream.

On Tuesday, September 25, Change to Win will hold its 2^nd Biennial Convention, “Uniting for the American Dream,” in Chicago, IL, to unite behind a vision for a new union movement for the 21^st century.  During the convention, Celinda Lake, president of Lake Research Partners, will release results from a new Change to Win poll focusing on the impact of growing economic anxiety among voters in the 2008 elections.  The Convention will also feature an American Dream dialogue with 2008 presidential candidates.

Since its founding two years ago, Change to Win unions have developed fully-resourced, industry-wide strategic organizing programs in the industries that form the foundation of the new American economy. Fifteen of the twenty fastest-growing occupations are organizing targets for Change to Win partner unions – in retail, construction, janitorial services, food processing and preparation, health care, hospitality and transportation.

CHANGE TO WIN CONVENTION EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

• What: Change to Win 2^nd Biennial Convention
• When: September 24-25
• Where: Chicago Hilton, 720 S. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60605

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24

4:30 p.m.: Immigrant Worker Rights Town Hall. United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), a Change to Win affiliate, hosts a Town Hall on creating an immigration policy that keeps families and communities safe and protects the rights and dignity of all workers.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25

10:30 a.m.: American Dream Survey: Economic Anxiety in the 2008 Election. Celinda Lake, president of Lake Research Partners, will release results from our new poll – the third of the American Dream series – which focuses on the impact of growing economic anxiety among voters in the 2008 election.

11:30 a.m.: American Dream Dialogue with 2008 Presidential Candidates. Change to Win hosts an “American Dream Dialogue” with 2008 presidential candidates on Tuesday morning and afternoon. Candidates will discuss how they will address voters’ economic concerns and lead with an agenda that makes it possible for America's workers to achieve the American Dream.

4:30 p.m.: Post-Convention Press Briefing Change to Win hosts an officers’ briefing on the convention and the future of Change to Win.

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** Contact chris.ortman@changetowin.org about receiving press credentials. Change to Win business sessions are closed to the press. Listed events are open to the press. Times are tentative and subject to change. **

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About Change to Win
Change to Win is a six million member partnership of seven unions founded in 2005 to represent workers in the industries and occupations of the 21st century economy. Change to Win committed to restoring the American Dream for a new generation of workers – wages that can support a family, affordable health care, a secure retirement, and the opportunity for the future. The seven affiliated unions are: Service Employees International Union, UNITE HERE, United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Laborers' International Union of North America, United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America and United Farm Workers of America.