UAW Region 9A Weekly Newsletter: April 3

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MESSAGE FROM REGION 9A DIRECTOR BRANDON MANCILLA

UAW members across our region have been standing up in 2026. Workers walked picket lines from Bath Iron Works in Maine to NYU. Our members at UConn and Foxwoods brought their power to the bargaining table to win strong agreements. And all this time, our siblings at CAMBA in New York City remain on strike fighting for their jobs against outsourcing.

UAW members have proven over and over again that winning a strong contract takes a willingness to fight for one. When we go into bargaining understanding that our power comes from a united membership that is ready to fight, we can set standards, defend our coworkers, and force the boss to say yes when they want to say no.

One way we build power is by preparing to strike—which is why we say the best way to avoid a strike is to be ready for one. Our contract campaigns depend on the membership’s unity and solidarity. But they also require a plan based on taking escalating action together. This only works when we end blackout bargaining and communicate directly with the membership.

Region 9A Director Brandon Mancilla highlights recent and ongoing fights across our region.

LOCAL & ORGANIZING UPDATES

Local 3999: BMDA Ratifies Agreement After Powerful Week-Long Strike

On Saturday, the Bath Marine Draftsmen’s Association-UAW Local 3999 voted to ratify a four-year collective bargaining agreement with General Dynamics Bath Iron Works, ending a powerful week-long strike.

“While the changes from the ‘best and final offer’ rejected by the membership last week—which resulted in the BMDA going on strike—to the tentative agreement today did not achieve all of the contract campaign goals, the improvements in the accepted tentative agreement do represent a win for the membership,” said Trent Vellella, president of BMDA.

“The BMDA Negotiating Committee maintains that every member should hold their head high and not lose sight of this real win. The internal organization and activation of the membership moved GDBIW. Establishing not only a better contract foundation for the next negotiation but also developing an engaged and motivated membership; that now has this experience to bring to bear in any future negotiation or organizing activity."

More than 600 members of Local 3999 walked off the job last Monday—the union’s first strike since 1967—after rejecting BIW’s earlier “best and final” offer because it did not adequately address key priorities such as competitive wages, affordable health insurance and retirement security. BMDA workers were visited on the picket line last week by community leaders including two UAW-endorsed candidates, Graham Platner running for U.S. Senate and UAW Local 2320 member Troy Jackson running for Governor.

The new contract secures a 29.2% total wage growth over four years, which is 5.4% more than the company’s offer before the strike. Congratulations to BMDA members on holding the line!

Local 6950: UConn Grad Workers Reach Tentative Agreement After Weeks of Pressure

After seven months of intense organizing and negotiations, the member-elected Graduate Employees United-UAW Local 6950 bargaining committee finally reached a tentative agreement with UConn! The TA protects graduate assistants from attempts to weaken existing contractual rights and expands members’ rights with new contract articles.

Even though Connecticut law prohibits public sector workers from striking, GEU members sustained the pressure on UConn by taking action beyond the bargaining table, including gathering petition signatures, garnering support from elected officials, collecting student and even parent testimony, and marching to the university president’s office.

Members will vote this week on ratifying the agreement. At a time when public higher education is facing unprecedented attacks, congratulations to GEU members on showing that it’s possible to win more through solidarity!

Local 2121: Members Ratify New Contract at Foxwoods with Health Care Wins

On early Sunday morning, after 12 hours of informational meetings on Friday and the polls being open for 15 hours, Local 2121 members voted to ratify UAW’s fifth contract at Foxwoods Casino.

The bargaining committee had the difficult task of balancing the issues, many of which are unique to gaming, while protecting the majority of members' healthcare. For the first time in the local’s history, the union was able to reach a tentative agreement without proceeding to interest arbitration. Congratulations!

NYU Contract Faculty United Share TA Highlights During Ratification Vote

NYU Contract Faculty United members reached a tentative agreement last week after their two-day strike, with hundreds taking to the picket line including students, fellow union members, and elected officials. The strike is paused pending members’ vote on whether to ratify the contract, because the members are the highest authority in the union.

In the meantime, the bargaining committee is sharing highlights from the TA, including wins on salaries, benefits, job security, academic freedom, family leave, anti-discrimination protections, and more.

• Won at least a $14,000 raise by fall 2026 for all members.
• Secured neutral arbitration for non-reappointment and non-promotion grievances.
• Created a $1 million family care fund to cover the cost of child care.
• Started a $200,000 annual fund to assist members with immigration-related legal costs.
• Protected existing medical, dental, and vision benefits.

Local 5118: HGSU Votes to Authorize Strike, HAW Opens SAV Vote This Week

The Harvard Graduate Student Union (HGSU-UAW) overwhelmingly voted to authorize a strike, with 95.8% of ballots cast in favor and 79% of members participating. As the union enters its second year of contract negotiations with Harvard, little progress has been made on key issues including compensation, protections for non-citizen workers, and real recourse for harassment and discrimination.

“We have had thousands of conversations over the period of when the strike authorization vote was open, and we talked about whether or not it made sense to strike at this point,” bargaining committee member Denish Jaswal said to the Harvard Crimson. “And I think the numbers speak for themselves.”

Meanwhile, the Harvard Academic Workers (HAW-UAW) launched a strike authorization vote last Friday after 32 bargaining sessions with the university. After beginning negotiations for a first contract over 20 months ago, the union has only been able to reach tentative agreement on 13 proposed contract articles out of 37. Core issues including academic freedom, time caps for non-tenure-track faculty, and protections for non-citizen workers remain unresolved after nearly 100 hours at the table.

Bargaining committee member J. Gregory Given said the decision reflected growing frustration among members. “We felt confident opening the strike authorization vote because we knew it was a step that our colleagues were frankly asking us to take, and we're ready to take, and they’re tired of how long this bargaining has been driving on,” he told the Crimson.

Follow @hgsuuaw and @haworkers for the latest news on both contract campaigns.

COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM (CAP)

Massachusetts Runs on Research Phone Bank
Thursday, April 9 | 3 PM | Online

Researchers across the state, including UAW members, are organizing in support of Governor Healey's proposed DRIVE Act. Recently, the Committee on Economic Development & Emerging Technology has put forth a redraft of the bill that cuts the funding from $400 million to $200 million and excludes private institutions from accessing state-level funding.

These cuts reflect a deep misunderstanding of how federal cuts have impacted researchers in Massachusetts. World class research requires consistent, stable investment, and the state of Massachusetts must act quickly to restore reliable funding to the research that undergirds our state’s economy.

Sign up to join us on Thursday, April 9, for a phone bank to call our state legislators and let them know that our labs urgently need funding to continue producing life-saving research!

UAW Canvass Launch for Claire Valdez for Congress
Sunday, April 19 | 12 - 3 PM | New York, NY

Save the date and sign up to join fellow UAW members to canvass for our very own Claire Valdez for Congress! Claire, a former shop chair in UAW Local 2110, is running to represent New York’s 7th Congressional District spanning North Brooklyn and Western Queens.

Following endorsements from the UAW and NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Sen. Bernie Sanders also announced his endorsement of Claire this week. “Claire Valdez is a union organizer who worked minimum-wage fast food jobs and understands firsthand how this economy fails working people,” he said. “In my view, Congress needs more voices who come from America’s working class.”

From New England to Puerto Rico, UAW Members Say No Kings

From Puerto Rico to Massachusetts and everywhere in between, UAW Region 9A members showed out at No Kings rallies on Saturday!

In Puerto Rico, our members joined LCLAA and other unions to rally outside the Capitolio in San Juan. Union Comedores Escolares president Nelly Ayala León addressed the crowd to talk about the struggles faced by Puerto Rican workers.

Meanwhile in Massachusetts, CORE-UAW members talked to fellow attendees about our fight to #KillTheCuts to scientific research funding. Add your name to our open letter to the Massachusetts state legislature.

NYC UAW Members Rally to Tax the Rich & Fund Worker Protections

On Sunday, UAW Region 9A joined fellow labor unions for a Tax the Rich rally with Senator Bernie Sanders ahead of the April 1 budget deadline in New York.

Antonio Hernandez, a member of Einstein Researchers United (ERU-UAW), spoke at the rally. “At our workplaces and as a community, we reject this false logic of management, that says we need to take a smaller piece of a shrinking pie,” he told the crowd. “By taxing the rich, we can not only fund lifesaving research, we can also make things like childcare, healthcare, housing, and public transit more accessible and affordable, not just for researchers, but for all workers in New York to be able to live with security and dignity.”

On Monday, UAW members joined other unions and NYC Council members on the steps of City Hall to call for additional funding for the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection. Given the massive budget shortfall, unions are asking Governor Hochul to fill the gap with the revenue generated by taxing the wealthy to fund agencies like DCWP doing critical work to fight for the working class.

Council Member Harvey Epstein, who chairs the Council's Committee on Consumer and Worker Protection, argued that funding DCWP is a smart investment. “This is one of those agencies that makes us money,” he said. “Every time they hire another lawyer, we can expect millions of dollars to go into the coffers of New York City or the hands of workers.”

NYC Unions Oppose City Council’s Attempted Restrictions on Right to Assemble

UAW Region 9A joined fellow unions and advocates that represent thousands of faculty and staff at New York City’s higher education institutions in a public statement opposing City Council Intro 175-B, legislation regarding security perimeters adjacent to education facilities.

Despite recent amendments, this bill remains unnecessary and unconstitutional. Multiple revisions have only further exposed the intent of the bill to compel the NYPD to erect security barriers and aggressively police speech with which they disagree. We urge Mayor Mamdani to veto this bill.

Massachusetts CAP Votes to Endorse Local 5118 Member Evan MacKay for State House

Region 9A’s Massachusetts CAP Council voted to endorse UAW Local 5118 member Evan MacKay to represent the 25th Middlesex District in the State House.

As a former president of the Harvard Graduate Students Union-UAW Local 5118, Evan has been deeply involved with union organizing and contract campaigns at Harvard since the local was certified in 2018. From showing up for fellow union members on picket lines across the city to pushing for the UAW's political priorities in state and local government, they have been an advocate for social and economic justice both within and beyond the UAW.

“Over the past decade, Evan has been a leader within our organizing efforts in Massachusetts. And they were a key organizer in the attempt to reform the UAW and increase union democracy," said Brandon Mancilla, UAW Region 9A Director. "Evan will take these same principles and commitments to a much-needed institution—the state legislature—that could serve the interests of workers but currently isn’t. We’re ready to get to work to elect Evan!”

FROM REGION 9A

Enroll in Labor Studies at CUNY with Fellow UAW Members This Fall
Sign up by May 1 | August 28 - December 1 | New York, NY

For the past few semesters, UAW Region 9A has been partnering with the City University of New York School of Labor & Urban Studies to offer courses. We are excited to offer placement in a variety of labor studies courses this fall, including U.S. Labor History, New Directions in Collective Bargaining, Power & Strategy, and Perspectives in the Labor Movement.

Integrated into the course will be both UAW members and members from other unions and the labor movement. We are offering both undergraduate and graduate versions of the class on different nights for the fall 2026 semester. We ask that only members who want to enroll fill out the form to sign up. Please contact UAW Region 9A Education Rep Alexi Shalom at ashalom@uaw.net with any questions.

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.

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.

FROM THE INTERNATIONAL UAW

UAW Constitutional Convention Coverage 101
Tuesday, April 14 | 6:30 PM | Online

The UAW Constitutional Convention is the union’s highest governing body, where delegates from local unions gather every four years to make critical decisions, including constitutional amendments and resolutions on workplace and social issues.

This LUCA webinar gives labor communicators an inside look at how to cover the convention as press—reporting accurately, highlighting key decisions, and delivering clear, engaging updates back to members. Participants will learn strategies for capturing the story, from live coverage to post-convention summaries, ensuring that members stay informed and connected to their union’s work.

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 | Elect delegates by May 16

The 2026 UAW Constitutional Convention (ConCon) is on June 15-18, 2026, in Detroit! ConCon is at the heart of our democratic processes as a union. It will bring together over 1,000 UAW delegates from across the country to debate and pass resolutions on our priorities for the upcoming years, consider amendments to the UAW Constitution, and nominate candidates for the International Executive Board elections.

Each Local will be apportioned a certain number of delegates to represent you at the Convention. Delegates must be democratically elected. Refer to the UAW Constitution, Local Union Election Guide, and your Local Union Bylaws for full election process requirements. The deadline for delegate elections this year is May 16, 2026.

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

Massachusetts Jobs with Justice Community Aligned Response Essentials (CARE)

The CARE Initiative (Community Aligned Response Essentials) is a statewide, community care and mutual aid effort supporting workplaces, workers, and neighbors across Massachusetts in knowing their rights. CARE supports people in preparing for the possibility of government agents arriving in their workplace or gathering spaces.

CARE centers the essentials that keep our communities aligned: shared preparation, clear information, and mutual support so people feel more confident and less isolated in moments that can be confusing or intimidating—especially in the places where we work, shop, gather, organize, and connect.

Sign up to receive updates on the CARE Initiative as it launches and expands; information about orientations, educational resources, and learning opportunities; and opportunities to get involved as a volunteer, partner organization, or participating workplace.

Higher Ed Labor United Distributed Organizing Training
Wednesday, April 8 | 7 PM | Online
At a basic level, people need meaningful roles to stay engaged. As your organization grows, responsibilities must be distributed effectively. Small teams are the best structure—they allow members to take on real responsibility and build relationships with each other, not relying on a staff organizer.  The training will focus on practical tools and ideas for building teams that develop leadership at scale—teams that perform well, grow stronger over time, and support members’ growth and learning. This training explores the foundations of base-building, what makes teams strong and scalable, and how to coach teams to succeed. The training will center on the Emergency Campaign to Support Higher Education and will offer pathways for participation to get involved.

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.

Connecticut for All New London Area Democracy School
Saturday, April 11 | 1 - 4 PM | New London, CT
Connecticut for All is bringing together labor, students, Indivisible groups, immigrant defense networks and faith communities in the New London area to rise to this moment—moving from analysis of local challenges to disciplined, collective nonviolent action that escalates pressure on the Governor at the state level. Together, we’ll build the unity, skill, and courage to act in coordinated and powerful ways, preparing to confront authoritarianism, challenge inequality, and grow the organized people power needed to pose a credible threat to the status quo and win lasting and meaningful change.

Stand Up Connecticut Day of Action
Wednesday, April 15 (Tax Day) | 10 AM - 3 PM | Hartford, CT
Join us on Tax Day to advocate for Connecticut for All’s Stand Up CT agenda, critical adjustments to the fiscal guardrails and the need to fix Connecticut’s upside down tax system. This is an important escalation moment for our campaign and it’s important that you’re there to ensure we’re effective in pressuring state leaders.

Connecticut AFL-CIO Workers Memorial Day
Tuesday, April 28 | 12 PM | Bushnell Park, Hartford, CT
On April 28, the unions of the AFL-CIO will observe Workers Memorial Day to remember those who have suffered and died on the job, and to renew the fight for safe jobs. Elevating workplace safety and health issues is more important than ever. At a time of deep division, the desire for a safe and healthy workplace is something that unites people, and is important for our organizing, bargaining and advocacy. This is an urgent moment to hold the line against attacks on worker health and safety. Each day, more than 380 workers are killed and more than 8,600 suffer injury and illness because of dangerous working conditions that are preventable. Join us on April 28 to hold the line for safe jobs!

Western Maine Labor Council May Day 2026 Mural Rededication
Friday, May 1 | 5 - 8 PM | WMLC Local 14 Solidarity Center, Jay, ME
The historic mural on the Local 14 hall has been restored and reinstalled. Join us for a celebration of today and a little history. The fight then is the fight today—people and communities before profit and greed. Sponsored by the Western Maine Labor Council and the WMLC Local 14 Solidarity Center.

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.

Maine AFL-CIO Summer Institute 2026
August 5-6 | Orono, ME
We have an exciting program in the works for this year's Labor Summer Institute on August 5-6, 2026 at the University of Maine in Orono! Labor Summer Institute is a two-day event for union members to learn and share skills and information important to building our labor movement. The Summer Institute is held at the University of Maine with the Bureau of Labor Education & Scontras Labor Center. Stay tuned for more details on registration and hotel rates. FMI: Sarah, sarah@maineaflcio.org or 207-356-7322.

Union Hiring Hall

• New York State Nurses Association | Area Director | 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
• NY United for Child Care | Director of Organizing and Campaigns | New York, NY

UPCOMING EVENTS

UAW LUCA Webinar: Constitution Convention Coverage 101
Tuesday, April 14 | 6:30 PM | Virtual

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

UAW Higher Education Council Virtual Meeting
May 8-9 | 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

UAW Veterans Conference
August 9-14 | Onaway, MI