Orange County

UAW Changing of the Guard: The United Auto Workers, one of the nation’s largest and most influential industrial unions, is holding its 31st constitutional convention in Anaheim beginning Sunday. Stephen Yokich, the combative vice president for the UAW’s General Motors division, is expected to be elected the new president. He would succeed Owen Bieber, who is retiring at 65 after 12 years at the union’s helm. Unlike other recent raucous conventions, this one is expected to be a mild affair with little opposition to current policies. Topics are likely to include the need for stronger organizing efforts, the year-old Caterpillar strike and national health care. The convention runs through June 16 at the Anaheim Convention Center.