NC State AFL-CIO’s 66th Annual Convention Brings Labor Solidarity To Asheville

The in-person event brought together nearly 275 labor union activists and leaders to educate and inspire North Carolina workers to keep up historic levels of union organizing!

“Ain’t no mountain high enough, no corporation big enough, and no politician powerful enough to stop us from moving forward until there’s justice and shared prosperity for us all!”

RALEIGH, NC – For the 66th year in a row, hundreds of North Carolina union members and leaders, community organizers, and elected officials came together at the Annual Convention of the North Carolina State AFL-CIO, held Thursday and Friday, Sept. 7th and 8th in Asheville, to say, “Ain’t no mountain high enough” to stop working people from organizing and mobilizing because life truly is better in a union. 

See photos of the 66th Annual Convention on DropEvent.com

With public approval of unions and union organizing victories both at historic levels, the day and a half convention brought together nearly 275 labor leaders and activist members from across North Carolina for inspirational speeches, panel discussions, and rallies all focused on building the labor movement and the solidarity support needed to meet the moment. 

Speakers in attendance included: 

  • North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper
  • AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond 
  • National Nurses United Executive Director Bonnie Castillo 

“Now is our time,” said NC State AFL-CIO President MaryBe McMillan. “We have an incredible opportunity to change workers’ lives and our nation for the better. Together there ain’t no mountain high enough, no corporation big enough, and no politician powerful enough to stop us from organizing and moving forward until there’s justice and shared prosperity for all of us!”

On Thursday morning, National Nurses United executive director Bonnie Castillo kicked things off with an impassioned defense of union organizing to protect patients and working people alike. “Our oath to care for patients doesn’t stop at the hospital wall! We’ll continue to fight for meaningful change and to organize in the South!”

1481EF93 8206 4827 B798 4BA71423DFB0

Local 61 President Mark Greene was invited to speak at an event to bring awareness on workers' rights & health care justice on September 7th, 2023 at Pack Square Park in Downtown Asheville.  This event was held at the end of day one of an annual two day event hosted by the North Carolina AFL-CIO.  The AFL-CIO chose to host their 66th Annual Convention in Asheville this year.  Local 61 was represented by Delegates; Brothers Blake Honeycutt, Shawn Kennedy, Thomas Lupton and Lee Player.  Thank you to our delegates for representing Local 61 at this event. 

You can read more on this event and browse more photos at the following link: https://aflcionc.org/66th-annual-convention-brings-labor-solidarity-to-asheville/

TMS61 Logo WhiteWName 200pxTall

Stay In the Know

If you'd like to keep up with what's happening here at Local 61, we encourage you to sign up for our newsletter. You do not have to be a member to receive the newsletter.




* indicates required