Vern Beck

What is unusual about your hometown, place of work or job?

We serve 1.2 million customers across the state of Indiana in gas and electric generation. We are the largest utility in the USW family.

What does this year’s theme, “Everybody’s Union” mean to you?

Everybody’s union means that we do everything. Anyone who wants to be a union member, we will organize them.

What issues will be important when your Local’s contract expires?

It’s always wages, that’s always one of them. Keeping our pension – they’re always trying to take that away.

What’s your go-to dance move?

My wife always says that I can’t dance. 

Every leader has a good tune to walk out to when introduced. What’s your walk-up song?

“We Are the Champions” by Queen.

Who would you most like to have dinner with, and why: Jennifer Lopez, Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson, George R.R. Martin, Liz Cheney, Michael Jordan or Drake?

Jennifer Lopez, she’s been entertaining for a long time, and I’m sure she’s had to deal with a lot of issues over the course of her career.

What things have you done or hope to do while you’re here?

I’m looking forward to meeting more people and making more connections. I’ve gotten to see a lot of people, friends that I haven’t seen in a long time.

Have you yet decided how you will put the convention to work when you return home?

The idea of fighting for legislation to make it easier to unionize. We need more ammunition to help support unionization.