AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Richard Trumka is scheduled to address the 44th Constitutional Convention of the Minnesota AFL-CIO, set for Aug. 20-22 at the Radisson Riverfront Hotel in St. Paul.

Trumka and 4th District Congresswoman Betty McCollum will speak Monday afternoon, Aug. 20. Minnesota's two U.S. senators, Paul Wellstone and Mark Dayton, will address delegates on Tuesday, Aug. 21.

Delegates also will hold a noontime rally Aug. 21, marching to the Holiday Inn RiverCentre to demonstrate against the union-busting tactics of the hotel's new majority owners.

Some 1,000 union members from around the state are expected at the convention. In addition to listening to speeches, delegates will participate in workshops and committees and vote on many resolutions outlining the labor movement's positions on the issues.

The convention officially convenes at 12:30 p.m. Aug. 20, but will be preceded by a number of activities.

* UCAN training, which stands for Union Community Action Network, will take place from noon-6 p.m. Aug. 19 and continue from 8 a.m.-noon Aug. 20. The program, an updated version of the union counselor program that has been available for 50 years, still trains union volunteers to steer members toward the help they need during a strike, layoff or personal problems. But it also gives them additional training in understanding such topics as the economics of globalization, and effective community mobilization strategies.

* Retirees Workshop, 10 a.m.-noon Aug. 20, at the Radisson. Former U.S. vice president Walter Mondale will be featured speaker, discussing Minnesota's achievements in building a better society, and what needs to be done to protect and improve upon those achievements. Other speakers will discuss Social Security, prescription drugs, and general labor issues.

Also on the morning of Aug. 20, delegates can attend a variety of workshops, such as joining community coalitions; politics and legislation; and using the Internet as a communication and research tool.

Other events at the convention:

* Blood drive, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Aug. 21 at the Radisson. To reserve a donation time, call Lori Williams at the Minnesota AFL-CIO, 227-7647.

* Labor history tour of Saint Paul, 3-5:30 p.m. and 5:30-8 p.m. Aug. 20. The free bus tour will visit dozens of locations important in Twin Cities labor history, such as Rice Park, where three public officials were indicted for speeches they made in December 1917 supporting the streetcar strike.

* 4th District COPE Banquet, Aug. 21, in the Great River Ballroom of the Radisson. The banquet, a fund-raiser for voter education and registration activities, begins with a social hour at 5:30 p.m., with dinner at 7 p.m. The evening features a silent auction from 5:30-8 p.m. Entertainment follows at 9 p.m. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased from the St. Paul Trades and Labor Assembly, 411 Main St., Room 202, St. Paul, MN 55102.

* Congress of Labor Union Women Breakfast, 7 a.m. Aug. 22 at the Radisson. Guest speaker is Mary Rosenthal, former state director of the Minnesota AFL-CIO. Tickets will be available at the delegate registration area beginning at 7 a.m. Aug. 20.

For more information

Visit the Minnesota AFL-CIO website: http://www.mnaflcio.org/convention_info_01.htm