2026 Labor Notes Conference: Full Schedule

9:00am CDT

The Fight for the VA: Veterans and Union Members Organize

Saturday June 13, 2026 9:00am - 10:45am CDT

The murder of VA nurse and AFGE member Alex Pretti, during anti-ICE protests in Minneapolis, drew national attention to the role of federal workers in resistance to the Trump administration. This panel brings together VA caregivers and health care reform advocates to discuss union mobilization of vets within their own ranks, efforts to build cross-union unity among VA labor organizations currently stripped of bargaining rights, and “Save The VA” coalition-building.

Moderators

Mark Smith

National Federation of Federal Employees, Local 1

Speakers

Mae apGovannon

AFGE Local 2157, Federal Unionists Network

Suzanne Gordon

NewsGuild-CWA

David Marshall

CWA Local 6215, Texas AFL-CIO

Aimee Potter

AFGE Local 789, Federal Unionists Network

Latisha Thompson

AFGE Local 1793, Federal Unionists Network

Saturday June 13, 2026 9:00am - 10:45am CDT
Mirabel

Politics Health Care Workers Government Workers

2:15pm CDT

Caucuses and Contract Campaigns

Saturday June 13, 2026 2:15pm - 4:00pm CDT

Mirabel

Contract time is an opportunity for a rank-and-file caucus to expand its reach within the union and demonstrate a more powerful way to fight the boss. Hear how caucus activists built successful contract campaigns despite opposition from local union leaders, and grew their network in the process.

Moderators

Reform Caucuses Contract Campaigns Building Trades Workers

2026 Labor Notes Conference

9:00am CDT

Mark Smith

Mae apGovannon

Suzanne Gordon

David Marshall

Aimee Potter

Latisha Thompson

2:15pm CDT

Marc Kagan

Grady Johnson

Brandon Benson

Amy Reynolds

Andrea Reynolds

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