UAW Region 9A Weekly Newsletter: March 13

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter!
Download this newsletter as a PDF.

LOCAL & ORGANIZING UPDATES

NYU Contract Faculty Set Unfair Labor Practice Strike Deadline of March 23

It’s been almost two years since contract faculty at NYU voted for their union, Contract Faculty United-UAW, by an overwhelming margin. Yet for more than 16 months of negotiating, the NYU administration has dragged its feet, committed unfair labor practices, and refused to make strong proposals that respond to faculty member’s legitimate needs.

Instead, they’ve repeatedly broken the law by refusing to negotiate over important benefits such as housing; by unilaterally changing the terms and conditions of employment; and by attempting to prevent non-union coworkers from exercising their right to honor picket lines. The administration has ignored petitions and rallies and swatted away arguments and testimonials at the bargaining table.

Now contract faculty have set a deadline and will strike if necessary if the administration doesn’t start bargaining in good faith and settle a fair contract by Monday, March 23. 

Please stand in solidarity with CFU-UAW and send a letter to NYU’s Board of Trustees and high level administrators urging them to bargain in good faith and settle a fair contract.

Local 2322: Members Advocate for First Contract Campaigns & Political Priorities

Last week, UAW Local 2322 members attended the Western Massachusetts Area Labor Federation's legislative breakfast. Members heard from Governor Healey and Senator Markey, as well as spoke to elected officials about state funding for research in higher ed, paid family and medical leave inclusion for graduate student workers, and first contract campaigns at the Smith College Early Child Care Center and at Transhealth.

Local 2179: Nitehawk Cinema Workers Union Rally in NYC

Local 2179 members at Nitehawk Cinema in Brooklyn, community supporters, and elected officials—including former NYC Comptroller Brad Lander and New York Assembly Member Robert Carrol— joined the union’s first ever rally today.

Follow @nitehawkunion on Instagram for more as the workers continue their long fight for a fair contract!

More Region 9A Locals in the News

“One of New York’s largest nonprofit homeless shelter service providers is charged with violating federal labor law by threatening to permanently replace IT workers on strike since November, according to new charges filed Wednesday. UAW Local 2325 accuses CAMBA Inc. of failing to bargain in good faith, retaliating against workers and threatening to replace staffers since they went on strike after more than a year of trying to bargain a first contract.”

• The City: Homeless Shelter Provider Accused of Violating Rights of Striking IT Workers (Mar. 12)

“The administration’s aim ‘is to make all the jobs at the university—full-time faculty, part-time faculty, student workers, and staff—less secure,’ UAW Local 7902 President Jaclyn Lovell said.”

• New School Free Press: 10-foot-long anti-restructuring letter delivered by New School faculty, staff, and students to University President Joel Towers during fourth anti-restructuring demonstration this year (Mar. 6)

COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM (CAP)

1,000 Calls for Universal Child Care in New York
Tuesday, March 17 | 12:30 PM ET | Online

Governor Hochul, legislative leadership, and our representatives are negotiating the final budget before the deadline on April 1—and they need to hear directly from the parents, providers, and New Yorkers counting on them to make sure their campaign promises for universal state-wide Pre-K, 2-K in NYC and more are in the budget. We also need them to deliver on state-wide 3-K and progressive revenue so we can get to truly universal child care in the next five years.

Join us for a lunch hour Zoom action where we’ll call the Governor, state leadership, and our legislators together. During the call we will call decision-makers, urge them to include universal child care wins in the final budget, and reach out to our networks using a simple text script to bring even more people into the effort. Our goal is 1,000 calls to Albany before the budget is finalized. Together we can make sure the people making the decisions hear loud and clear from the families who need child care now.

UAW Canvass for Conrad Blackburn for New York Assembly
Saturday, March 14 | 1 - 4 PM | Morningside Park, New York, NY

Join the mighty UAW to canvass for one of our own, ALAA Local 2325 member Conrad Blackburn! On Saturday, we will be knocking doors in Harlem and talking about bringing power back to the people. All are welcome. No phone banking or canvassing experience necessary. Training provided before sending folks to the doors!

Labor Solidarity with Palestine: Lessons from Italy and Britain
Wednesday, March 18 | 1 - 2:30 PM ET | Online

What can labor solidarity with Palestine look like in practice? Join the National Labor Network for Ceasefire and In These Times for a conversation with trade unionists from Italy, Britain, and the U.S. discussing how workers have taken direct action for justice for Palestinians—and what those efforts can teach unions in the United States.

The webinar comes at a critical moment. On October 3, 2025, Italy’s CGIL joined a national strike for Palestine involving more than 2 million workers and shutting down transport and logistics across the country. In Britain, workers have also taken bold action in solidarity with Palestinians while facing attacks on their civil liberties. As the killing in Gaza continues, billions more in U.S. weapons flow to Israel, and war escalates across the region, this discussion will explore how labor can organize against war and injustice.

Panelists include Jo Grady of Britain’s University and College Union, Salvatore Marra of Italy’s CGIL, Puneet Maharaj of National Nurses United in the U.S., Lara Kiswani of the Arab Resource & Organizing Center, and Maria Elena Delia of the Global Sumud Flotilla, moderated by UAW Region 9A’s Brandon Mancilla.

UAW Regions 9 & 9A New York State CAP Lobby Conference
March 22 - 25 | Albany, NY

Join the New York State CAP Council for our annual lobbying conference in Albany. Region 9A will join members and leaders from UAW Region 9 to advocate for issues including unemployment, student loan assistance, temporary disability insurance, the NY Health Act, and the EmPIRE Act.

All members are welcome to join us in Albany! Active participation by our local union members helps us attain the positive results we need to fight for our issues at the legislature.

Save the Date: Next No Kings March
Saturday, March 28 | Nationwide

UAW is a proud supporter of No Kings!  We’re coming together again on March 28 to make clear to President Trump that his fear and intimidation aren’t working against a united working class. In America we have #NoKings, and we’ll do whatever it takes to protect our neighbors. Find an event (or start one!) in your area.

Massachusetts Runs on Research Funding: Support the DRIVE Act

The DRIVE Act, part of an initiative proposed by Governor Maura Healey, fights back against the federal government's attacks on science by ensuring continued investment in critical life-saving research here in Massachusetts.

With thousands of members across nine institutions in Massachusetts—including the University of Massachusetts, Harvard University, Boston University, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Wellesley College, and Northeastern University—the UAW appreciates DRIVE's $200 million commitment as an investment in union jobs, innovative research, and our collective future.

Add your name to this open letter urging the Massachusetts state legislature to urgently pass Governor Healey’s DRIVE Act to provide state-level funding to Massachusetts researchers! On Saturday, March 7, UAW members will be speaking and tabling about the importance of the DRIVE Act at the Stand Up For Science march and rally on the Boston Common.

Region 9A CAP in the News

“A coalition of public defenders, district attorneys, and labor unions also joined forces to cheer on a targeted $4 million expansion to the state’s student loan forgiveness program included in both proposals. The Legal Aid Society, the District Attorneys Association of the State of New York, and UAW Region 9A argued that Hochul should embrace that expansion to help streamline the court system.”

• News10: New York’s budget proposals draw mixed reactions (Mar. 11)

FROM REGION 9A

Learn More & Apply to Region 9A's Student Loan Assistance Fund
Apply by April 1, 2026

Applications are now open for student loan assistance from the UAW Region 9A Education Fund! Members at participating workplaces through your union contract—currently NYLAG, Legal Aid Society (attorneys), and Riseboro Community Partnership—are eligible to receive up to $5,250 annually.

If your workplace is not currently eligible, consider bargaining for the Student Loan Assistance Fund in your next contract. Learn more about student loan assistance and all the other benefits offered by the Education Fund.

Applications for the 2026 Richard 'Dik' Days Scholarship Now Available
Apply by May 8

The Scholarship Committee is pleased to announce the availability of the 2026 Richard ‘Dik’ Days Scholarship application. Connecticut graduating high school seniors attending college full-time in the fall and current full-time undergraduate students are eligible to apply. Three $2,000 scholarships will be awarded this year. The application deadline is May 8, 2026.

The Richard ‘Dik’ Days Scholarship Fund is an initiative formed through collaboration between the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists Connecticut Chapter, UAW Region 9A and the Days Family. The Richard ‘Dik’ Days Scholarship Fund was created in memory of Richard Adam Days, who was a labor educator for the UAW. Prior to his retirement he was the Education & Civil Rights Director for UAW Region 9A. Read more about Brother Days and learn more about the scholarship on the Region 9A website.

Massachusetts Higher Education Summit
Saturday, April 4 | 9:30 AM - 6 PM | Dorchester, MA

As our universities face an onslaught of authoritarian attacks from the federal administration, campus groups often organize separately while decision-making power concentrates in the hands of our administrators, board of trustees, and local politicians. It’s time to unite to protect colleges as accessible, affordable, and high-quality public goods. Join students, faculty, staff, and alumni from over a dozen colleges to bridge gaps, build trust, and strengthen on-campus organizing to shift power back into our hands.

The summit will consist of panel discussions and workshops and will provide an opportunity for campus teams to deepen their organizing skills and strategize with one another as well as build community across campuses. This summit is organized by the Emergency Campaign to Support Higher Education, the Educational Freedom Project, SEIU, MTA, UAW, AFT, UE, Crimson Courage, Campus Climate Network, the American Association of University Professors, Higher Education Labor United, and the MA Higher Education Table. Contact Zoe Carey at zcarey@uaw.net with any questions.

FROM THE INTERNATIONAL UAW

UAW Joins Lawsuit to Block Targeting Immigrants Based on Country of Origin

UAW joined a coalition of immigrant service organizations and labor unions in filing a lawsuit this month challenging a series of sweeping new discriminatory policies by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that have effectively shut down large portions of the legal immigration system for many people already living in the United States.

The policies include a nationwide halt on asylum adjudications, an indefinite freeze on immigration benefit applications for people from countries subject to the Trump-Vance administration’s travel ban, a sweeping re-review of previously approved immigration benefits, and new guidance instructing immigration officials to weigh an applicant’s country of origin against them when deciding discretionary benefits.

Read more about the complaint, which explains how these four policies have left millions of people in legal limbo: preventing asylum seekers from obtaining protection, blocking immigrants from renewing work permits or applying for green cards, putting previously granted legal status at risk of revocation, and exposing applicants to national-origin-based denials of immigration benefits.

UAW Higher Education Council Virtual Meeting
May 8-9, 2026 | Elect delegates by April 15 | Online

Last year, over 300 UAW members in the Higher Ed sector gathered in Pico Rivera, California, for the first meeting of the UAW’s Higher Education Council. We discussed our “Kill the Cuts” campaign to protect and increase federal funding for science, and we strategized how to fight back against further attacks on free speech, the rights of workers in all immigration statuses, and job security at our local institutions. While we’ve had many wins in 2025, we know the fight isn’t over.

For 2026, a busy year for our union, we are planning a virtual meeting for the Higher Education Council. This will help minimize costs for local unions and enable more members and prospective members to attend our Higher Education Council meeting. Learn more and register to attend.

Save the Date: 2026 UAW Constitutional Convention
June 15-18 | Detroit, MI

Call letters for the 39th UAW Constitutional Convention were delivered to local unions this month. Each local union elects delegates to the Constitutional Convention, which occurs every four years in Detroit. For information about delegate elections, contact your local union. Region 9A delegate lodging and registration information will be available soon, and keep an eye out for upcoming regional trainings on how to prepare to serve as a delegate.

Apply Now for the 2026 Family Scholarship at Black Lake
July 12-16 | Onaway, MI | Apply by June 1

Since 1970, thousands of UAW members and their families have participated in the Walter and May Reuther UAW Family Education Center Scholarship Program—changing their lives and those of their loved ones forever!

Located in scenic Onaway, Michigan, on Black Lake, the Center was envisioned by legendary UAW President Walter Reuther to be a place where UAW members and their families could come together to learn and relax.

Through educational and recreational activities, the Family Scholarship Program provides an opportunity for adults and children to learn and think about how our union empowers us to change our workplaces and communities for ourselves and future generations.

Learn more and apply for the Family Scholarship Program today!

Update Your Membership Records with the International UAW

The International UAW is committed to improving our member records. This effort is led by the UAW Membership Department. Maintaining accurate member records allows the UAW to effectively represent and communicate with active and retired members, provide relevant educational and training opportunities, better allocate resources, deliver targeted support, and facilitate International and local union elections.

Please take a moment to enter your contact information by completing the quick online form available at myinfo.uaw.org. Updating your mailing address now will help ensure that you receive a ballot to vote in the 2026 UAW International Officer Election, as well as other important communications and union updates in a timely manner. Download a flyer to share with your fellow members.

SOLIDARITY REQUESTS

Add Your Name: Advocate for a Fair Union Contract and Wages at NIJC
Stand in solidarity with Immigrant Justice Workers United, the NOLSW Local 2320 members at the National Immigrant Justice Center in Chicago, as we advocate for a fair union contract. Our union membership, consisting of attorneys, paralegals, receptionists and coordinators, work tirelessly on the front lines of immigrant rights advocacy. We are fighting for a say in our workplace and livable wages. Please sign this petition to urge the leadership of NIJC to work with our union to achieve a contract that provides fair pay and protects employees’ right to have input in the workplace.

Women’s Institute for Leadership Development (WILD) in the Winter
Saturday, March 14 | 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM | Worcester, MA
The Women’s Institute for Leadership Development (WILD) provides education, training and support to help women become ever more effective organizers and leaders: in their unions and the labor movement as a whole; in the political arena and within their communities.

Solidarity Rally & Vigil for Fishers outside the North American Seafood Expo
Monday, March 16 | 4:30 - 6 PM | Convention Center, Boston, MA
Migrant fishers in Taiwan's distant-water fishing industry, who catch the tuna that ends up in the cans we buy, face routine labor rights violations, including injuries and even death. Fishers are at sea for 6 months or longer without a way to communicate with their families, unions, or regulators, unable to report injury and abuse. Despite the known labor risks in Taiwan’s tuna industry, U.S. companies continue to purchase tuna from the Taiwanese fleet without investing in real protections for workers, putting their own profits ahead of workers’ rights, health, and safety. The fishers need our support more than ever. Please join us for a rally and vigil for those lost at sea in front of the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center to show solidarity with migrant fishers working in Taiwan and elsewhere who face dangerous, abusive conditions and extreme isolation at sea.

Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition Day at the State House
Wednesday, March 18 | 9:30 AM | State House, Boston, MA

MIRA’s 30th annual Immigrants’ Day at the State House! With momentum building after the governor submitted her bill to the Legislature to protect immigrants from ICE, advocates statewide are using the annual lobbying day for immigrants rights to highlight support for the Protect Act and other bills and budget items.

Progressive Mass: How MA Can Opt Out of Trump’s Corporate Tax Cuts
Wednesday, March 18 | 7 PM | Zoom
Trump’s regressive corporate tax cuts are going to cost Massachusetts nearly half a billion dollars this year alone — on top of billions of dollars in cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and other federal programs we rely on. States across the country are already saying NO and opting out, protecting essential revenue, and Massachusetts needs to join them. Phineas Baxandall of Mass Budget explains what's at stake.

2026 CUNY SLU Strategic Corporate Research Summer School
June 21 - 26 | Apply by April 1 | New York, NY
The SCR Summer School is now accepting applications! This school is a great way for union staff, community organizations, social movement organizations, and activists to develop skills for organizing, corporate accountability, and campaign building. To get all the details visit 2026 Strategic Corporate Research Summer School, and apply by April 1.

Connecticut AFL-CIO Health and Safety Committee Scholarship Essay Contest
Apply by April 1
The Connecticut AFL-CIO Health and Safety Committee is excited to announce the return of our Scholarship Essay Contest for high school seniors in Connecticut. This contest invites students to thoughtfully explore the real world impact of workplace hazards on workers and their families. Students are asked to submit an original essay of 1,000 words or less, responding to one of the scenarios listed below. The contest awards three scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $2,000. All applicants must have a parent or grandparent who is a member of a union affiliated with the Connecticut AFL-CIO. Learn more and apply by April 1.

Maine Scontras Center Strategic Research & Campaigns Training
Thursday, April 2, 2026 | 7-9 PM | Online

Join a webinar with Tom Juravich to learn how you can use a rank-and-file approach to research the boss! Find out how we are using a member-based, democratic approach to train rank-and-file researchers to investigate and beat the firms that control so much of our lives. Hear about how we did it with workers at Delta Air Lines, Google, Apple, Trader Joe's, The New York Times, Tyson Chicken processing plants, and more.

Apply for the WILL Empower Apprenticeship Program
Apply by April 10
The WILL Empower Apprenticeship Program is a multipronged initiative designed to identify, nurture, and train a new generation of women’s and non-binary people’s labor leadership. As a WILL Empower apprentices, you can work in a variety of capacities, including organizing, research, communications, politics, mobilization, and policy. Apprentices benefit from a formal mentorship program, with mentors both within and outside of the host organization.

Union Hiring Hall

• New York State Nurses Association | Area Director | New York, NY
• UAW Local 4100 | Organizer | New York, NY
• SEIU Committee of Interns & Residents | Worksite Organizer | Providence, RI
• Muslim Advocates | Senior Staff Attorney | New York, NY
• Community Labor United | Senior Researcher | Boston, MA
• Community Labor United | Organizing Director | Boston, MA
• Community Labor United | Development Director | Boston, MA
• Emergency Campaign to Support Higher Education | National Campaign Director
• Emergency Campaign to Support Higher Education | National Organizing Director
• NY United for Child Care | 3-K & Pre-K Campaign Manager | Outside NYC, NY
• Ranking Member Sen. Bernie Sanders’ Office, Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee | Paid Internships | Washington, DC
• May Day Strong | Campaign Coordinator | Albuquerque, NM (flexible)

UPCOMING EVENTS

UAW Region 9A Labor History Event at NYU’s Tamiment Library
Tuesday, March 31 | 5:30 - 6:30 PM | NYU Tamiment Library, New York, NY

UAW Member Mobilization Institute
April 19 - 24, 2026 | Onaway, MI

UAW Higher Education Council Virtual Meeting
Friday, May 8 & Saturday, May 9 | Virtual

55th International Convention of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists
May 20-24 | Atlanta, GA

39th Constitutional Convention
June 15-18 | Detroit, MI

Family Scholarship at Black Lake
July 12-16 | Onaway, MI | Apply by June 1