UAW members are unique in that their local communications come from members in their local union. It’s one of the many ways the UAW is powered — by members communicating with each other. With so many ways to communicate today, it’s crucial local union members have the latest information wherever they turn.

That’s why local union communicators gather once a year to learn the most up to date communications available and celebrate one of the strongest member-to-member communication networks in the country.

Local union communicators from around the country will gather for the UAW-LUCA (Local Union Communication Association) Communications Conference at the Walter and May Reuther Family Education Center at Black Lake Aug. 21-26 to learn communication skills and share knowledge with each other in the scenic environment of the Black Lake campus.

Delegates will study a variety of the latest communication methods with instruction in classes such as social media, including Facebook, Twitter and websites, video, digital photography, writing, media relations, interviewing techniques and more. They’ll also participate in study sessions focusing on news topics affecting UAW members, including the Flint water crisis and trade policies.

Because this is an important presidential election year, delegates also will focus on messaging and effectively communicating with their local members about the presidential election and what’s at stake this election year.

Delegates will wrap up the week honoring the best communications produced by locals last year with an awards presentation for winners of the UAW-LUCA Excellence in Communications Contests.