ADVISORY: NC AFL-CIO to Honor Retiring President, Elect New Leadership at 68th Annual Convention
Media Advisory for September 10, 2025
North Carolina AFL-CIO to Honor Retiring President McMillan, Elect New Leadership at 68th Annual Convention, September 10-12th in Wilmington
Over 350 local, state, and national labor leaders will gather to elect new leadership and continue building a North Carolina where every worker is guaranteed freedom, safety, and respect on the job.
(Wilmington, NC)—Over 350 attendees including union leaders from across the state and country will gather for the 68th Annual Convention of the North Carolina State AFL-CIO in Wilmington this week to celebrate 20 years of leadership by outgoing President MaryBe McMillan, hear from prominent speakers, and elect new leadership for the future.
On Wednesday morning, President MaryBe McMillan will open the conference and give remarks. Attendees will also hear remarks by Gwen Mills, International President of UNITE HERE, and Governor Josh Stein.
On Thursday, SEIU International President April Verrett will deliver remarks, and the 2025 P.R. Latta Rank-and-File Award will be presented to the Union of Southern Service Workers (USSW).
On Friday, AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler will deliver remarks about the national fight for workers in light of federal attacks. Finally, NC Supreme Court Associate Justice Allison Riggs will speak and swear in the newly elected President and Executive Board members.
Immediately after the convention adjourns Friday, attendees will rally with National Nurses United (NNU) in front of Senator Ted Budd’s nearby office and call on him to protect the union rights of VA nurses and all other federal employees and protect the right of veterans to receive the fully-funded, high-quality healthcare they deserve.
WHAT: 68th Annual Convention of the NC State AFL-CIO to celebrate 20 years of leadership by outgoing President MaryBe McMillan, elect a new President and Executive Board, and rally support for federal workers.
WHEN: Wednesday, September 10th at 9am to Friday, September 12th at 1pm.
WHERE: Hotel Ballast Wilmington, 301 N. Water Street, Wilmington, NC, 28401. Post-convention rally: Eastern Office of Senator Ted Budd, 201 N. Front St. Suite 809. Wilmington, NC 28401.
SPEAKERS:
- North Carolina State AFL-CIO President MaryBe McMillan
- National AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler
- North Carolina Governor Josh Stein
- NC Supreme Court Associate Justice Allison Riggs
- UNITE HERE International President Gwen Mills
- SEIU International President April Verrett
UNIQUE PHOTO / VIDEO: The sight of hundreds of union members, led by national AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, standing with VA nurses, veterans, and AFGE members, with signs and chants outside of Senator Ted Budd’s office.
PRESS AVAILABILITY: Limited to speakers and the post-convention rally. Press credentials required. Contact [email protected] or [email protected] to request access, for interviews, or to get more information.
CONTACT: Jeremy Sprinkle, 336-255-2711 / [email protected] & Sydney Roberts, 202-417-4095 / [email protected].
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The North Carolina State AFL-CIO is the largest association of local unions and union councils in North Carolina, representing over one-hundred twenty-five thousand union members, fighting for good jobs, safe workplaces, workers’ rights, consumer protections, and quality public services on behalf of ALL working people. PO Box 10805, Raleigh, NC 27605.