The BCTGM International Executive Officers, the General Executive Board and International Staff welcome all delegates and guests to the BCTGM’s 42nd Constitutional Convention.
Daily Convention proceedings will take place in the Grand Ballroom. The Convention is officially called to order at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 28. Doors to the Convention Hall will open at 9 a.m.
Important Convention business, scheduled events and delegate action will be posted on the 2026 BCTGM Convention website, bctgm2026convention.org. The site will include daily updates and features from the convention, a photo feed, videos and more. Follow along and post photos on your own social media channels using #BCTGM2026 and #BCTGM140.
The theme of the BCTGM’s 2026 Convention is “UNION WAVE: Mobilize, Organize!” A secondary theme for the week will celebrate the 140th anniversary of the founding of our Union in 1886. Throughout the proceedings, we will recall the history of our great union, remember the UNION WAVE of the 1930’s and imagine ways to mobilize for progress a century later. Numerous local union delegates and activists will play a part in special features from the Convention stage.
Each day of the Convention will wrap up by 2 p.m., and be broken up by a mid-morning break.
Day One: Tuesday, July 28
The Convention will be opened with the U.S. and Canadian National Anthems. International President Anthony Shelton will deliver his keynote address, reflecting on the many ways the BCTGM has strengthened and grown in the four years since our last Convention.
Following the first video reflection of our 140-Year History Series, International Secretary-Treasurer David Woods will address the delegates.
We are very excited to be joined by AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, who will also address the delegation mid-day.
Prior to adjourning, Convention photographer Keith Mellnick will take the commemorative panoramic photo of the 2026 Convention. Please come dressed in your best union shirts and be photo ready!
Due to the shorter format of this convention, the convention photo will not be printed on-site this year. A digital version will be available for free on the convention website at bctgm2026convention.org/downloads. Local unions and delegates will be able to download the file to print after returning to their home towns, or use the image freely on their websites and social media feeds.
During the week, other digital goodies may be made available at bctgm2026convention.org/downloads. Photos will be posted throughout the week at bctgm2026convention.org/photos, and videos shown on-screen during the proceedings will be put up as they appear at bctgm2026convention.org/videos.
Day Two: Wednesday, July 29
The first part of this day, we will discuss Collective Bargaining and the importance of affiliating with area, state and provicial labor federations. We are excited to be joined by Quebec Federation of Labour President Magali Picard, who will address delegates in the morning.
President Shelton will deliver the Officers’ Report, and then the nomination and election of the International Executive Officers, BCTGM Regional International Vice Presidents and members of the General Executive Board will take place.
Day Three: Thursday, July 30
Following ORGANIZING DAY tradition, please remember to wear the BCTGM shirt that all delegates received at registration on this day.
The day will kick off with discussions on Political Action. We will watch a video about the history of political action in our union, and then Executive Assistant to the President Matthew Clark, who leads the BCTGM’s political program, will deliver a report reflecting on the Union’s political action efforts since the last Convention.
Later, International Secretary-Treasurer/Director of Organization David Woods will present the BCTGM’s Organizing Report. Woods will reflect on the Local 26 (Denver, Colo.) WIN at Bimbo QSR, and recognize delegates in right-to-work states for their efforts to strengthen our union through internal organizing.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Tuesday, July 28
First-Time Delegates Breakfast
All first-time delegates have received tickets to the First-Time Delegates Breakfast from 8 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. in Atlantic Ballroom 1&2. A BCTGM Convention tradition, this special breakfast provides new delegates with an opportunity to meet the International Union Officers and staff, as well as other first-time delegates. This breakfast is restricted to first-time delegates only (no guests). *Please remember to bring the breakfast ticket that was provided with your registration materials.
Welcome Reception
A reception featuring appetizers and cocktails will be held from 6-8 p.m. in the Grand Foyer for all delegates and guests. Please remember, all delegates and guests should wear their convention badges at
all times.
Wednesday, July 29
Delegate “Grill and Chill”
A casual buffet dinner will be provided for delegates and families in the Grand Foyer. Come anytime between 5-6:30 p.m. *No alcohol will be served at this event.
Thursday, July 30
2026 Convention Reception & Banquet
Delegates received tickets to this special Convention-end reception and dinner banquet in their registration kits. The reception will take place in the Grand Foyer at 5:30 p.m., followed by the banquet in the Grand Ballroom at 6:30 p.m. Live music and entertainment will take place from 7:30 until 10 p.m. *The Convention banquet tickets must be presented to servers at the banquet.
CONVENTION BOOTHS
A Union Privilege representative will be available throughout the Convention to provide information on the various Union Plus/BCTGM Power programs in which the BCTGM participates. Stop by the Union Privilege table and sign up to win free prizes, which will be given away throughout the week.
The B&C Health Benefits and Pension Funds will have representatives available before and after the Convention sessions in Conference Room 215 to provide information and answer questions.
Representing MUMS Dues Processing Software, Richard Van Elgort will be available throughout the Convention to answer questions, provide software demonstrations and discuss how MUMS can assist local unions with dues processing and membership management.
140-YEAR HISTORY DISPLAY
A 140-year history gallery will be on display all week in the Grand Foyer. Spend time learning the story of our union by topic: The Founding of each BCTGM sector followed by 140 Years of Organizing and Bargaining, Political Action, Elections & Consequences, and Holding the Line (Strikes).
A commemorative 140-Year wall calendar has been included in your registration kits to mark this historic event. Hang it up and relive the history of our great union through the end of 2027!
