With nearly 100 attendees, the 71st annual summer United Steelworkers conference officially kicks off Monday, June 5 with check-ins beginning on June 4. Steelworkers from all across Illinois and Indiana will attend one of two programs this week, either the first year of a four-year, four-week program or the week-long alumni class. Students in the first year program will learn about union leadership, labor history and grievance handling; students in the alumni class will learn about workers compensation, unions in politics, and how to talk about unions to the public and community leaders. Each class will learn from both University of Illinois Professors, and Staff Representatives from USW District 7. After an orientation message from Director Mike Millsap, the steelworkers will begin a week of building skills to bring home. These new skills will provide strength in the locals of many unions and give confidence for new leadership and engaging conversations!