UAW Region 9A Weekly Newsletter: May 29

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LOCAL & ORGANIZING UPDATES

Local 5118: HGSU Strike Continues Through Commencement

Over the past 15 months, the Harvard Graduate Students Union (HGSU-UAW) representing research and teaching assistants has fought to secure a fair contract. On April 21, HGSU-UAW members began what is now the longest strike in the local’s history.

Given that Harvard’s administration has refused to make any meaningful progress in bargaining since the beginning of the strike, HGSU-UAW continued picketing through this week’s commencement activities, asking scheduled speakers not to cross the picket line and instead join members on strike.

Congresswoman Katherine Clark joined HGSU-UAW members on the picket line this week, and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu cancelled her scheduled remarks at Harvard Law School’s commencement in solidarity. "A picket line is only as strong as the solidarity it commands, and we are grateful to Mayor Wu for her support," the union wrote.

Among the issues UAW members are fighting for are living wages so that workers at the richest university in the world no longer qualify for food stamps, contractual protections against rampant sexual harassment on campus, and the university’s commitment to not allow ICE on campus except with a judicial warrant.

Join HGSU from 1 to 4 PM on the picket line outside this afternoon’s bargaining session, and follow @hgsuuaw on Instagram for the latest updates on how to support the strike!

In the news:

Harvard Crimson: A Month Without TFs: How HGSU-UAW’s Strike Reshaped the End of the Spring Semester (May 28)
Mass Live: Mayor Wu drops Harvard Class Day speech to honor grad student strike (May 27)
In These Times: A Conversation With Graduate Student Workers on Strike at Harvard (May 27)
Harvard Crimson: Boston Mayor Michelle Wu Withdraws as HLS Class Day Speaker After Union Urges Her Not to Cross Picket Line (May 27)
WBZ: Mayor Wu Withdraws From Harvard Law School Class Day Ceremony (May 27)
Harvard Crimson: Graduate Student Union Protest Disrupts Class of 2026 Baccalaureate Events (May 27)
Cambridge Day: Lesley faculty ratify contract; Harvard, MIT unions feel stalled (May 23)

State Legislators Join Massachusetts Runs on Research Virtual Town Hall

Yesterday, UAW researchers from across Massachusetts hosted a statewide virtual town hall to fight for state-level funding for research through Governor Healey’s DRIVE Act. Over a hundred researchers spanning ten institutions across the state met with policymakers to share their experiences with the devastating impacts of federal funding cuts to research and show their support for the urgent passage of the DRIVE Act.

Over the past year, Trump's attacks on science funding and higher education have forced mass layoffs of our members, driving talented scientists out of our state and country and stalling progress on the ground-breaking science we do in Massachusetts. In order for Massachusetts to stay at the forefront of medical and technological innovation, it is critical for our state’s elected officials to invest in this life-saving research. We are grateful for the legislators who took time to attend and hear about the importance of this funding directly from early-career researchers, and we hope they will join us in supporting this urgent funding. Add your name to our open letter in support of the DRIVE Act!

Local 2322: Square One Child Care Workers Headed for Monday Strike Deadline

After more than a year of bargaining, more than 50 UAW child care workers are headed back to the bargaining table today with a Monday night strike deadline looming. Local 2322 represents teachers, staff, cooks and drivers at Square One, an employer providing early education and family support services in western Massachusetts.

“Obviously, strikes are the last resort,” Local 2322 President Patrick Burke told MassLive. “We haven’t seen management make offers that are making progress for our folks.”

In response to the union’s strike deadline, Square One management has intimidated union members without presenting counterproposals to the union or made serious efforts to avoid a strike and settle the contract.

Sign the petition to support Square One workers, and follow @uawlocal2322 on Instagram for the latest updates.

Region 9A Locals in the News

“‘This is not the first time that something like this has happened,’ Olga Karounos, a staff attorney at the Legal Aid Society, told me at the demonstration, which was organized by the Association of Legal Advocates and Attorneys (UAW Local 2325). Three people have died from insufficiently treated medical issues in the 120 Schermerhorn courthouse since early 2025, all arrested for minor charges, and ‘no changes have happened from that,’ Karounos said. ‘So I think people just really felt like [Randazzo’s giving birth] was the last straw.’”

The Nation: Why the Brooklyn Courtroom Birth Was the Last Straw for Public Defenders (May 29)

“Workers at the Whitney who are members of UAW Local 2110 are negotiating their second contract since the museum voluntarily recognised the union in June 2021. It took 16 months to negotiate the first contract, which was ratified in March 2023 and expires next month. The union represents around 185 workers at the museum across departments including education, curatorial, visitor services, conservation and administrative roles. The action on 19 May was organised to draw greater visibility to the bargaining process.”

The Art Newspaper: Whitney Museum workers rallied outside fundraising gala amid contract negotiations (May 27)

COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM (CAP)

Join Our Weekly Region-Wide Phone Banks for UAW-Endorsed Candidates
Wednesdays, 1-2 PM | Thursdays, 12-1 PM | Zoom

As our CAP Councils roll out endorsements across Region 9A, it’s time to get out the union vote! We’re hosting two member-to-member phone banks each week to spread the word about our UAW-endorsed candidates.

On Wednesdays at 1 PM and Thursdays at noon, UAW members and allies are invited to join us on Zoom to make phone calls to fellow members who vote in critical districts, starting with our Maine and New York City candidates in advance of their primaries in June.

Sign up to join us on Wednesdays and Thursdays! And if you can’t make it at that time, you can phone bank on your own at another time that works for you.

ALAA Local 2325 member Zachary Nowosadzki represented UAW Region 9A at the relaunch of the Not On Our Dime Act, a bill that our New York City CAP members voted to endorse in 2024 that bars New York nonprofits from funding war crimes and illegal settlements in Palestine in accordance with international law.

“We recognize that the saying ‘an injury to one is an injury to all’ is not merely a labor slogan, but is a universal truth grounded in our material conditions,” he told the assembled crowd, which included many elected officials and fellow UAW members.

NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani Endorses UAW’s Darializa Avila Chevalier for Congress

On Monday, UAW members and community allies joined our own UAW Local 2325 member Darializa Avila Chevalier running for Congress at a powerful rally in Washington Heights.

Region 9A Director Brandon Mancilla told the crowd, which included fellow Local 2325 member Conrad Blackburn running for State Assembly in Harlem, “The bosses and companies would never give us a living wage, healthcare, retirement security if we and the generations before us didn’t fight for it. Now we need fighters in Congress to make our issues loud and clear.”

In a show of power that proved that the campaign is building momentum in its challenge to the political establishment, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced his endorsement of Darializa for New York’s 13th Congressional District today.

“This is a New Yorker who has not only secured the release of our neighbors from undue ICE custody, also someone who has been on the front lines of that fight for affordability, and I can’t wait for her to be introduced to so many across the city and across this country, as we fight for that affordability agenda from New York City to DC,” he said.

UAW Members Rally with Graham Platner, Troy Jackson, & Bernie Sanders in Maine

UAW Local 7650 members from UMaine joined UAW-endorsed candidates Troy Jackson and Graham Platner onstage at their rally with Senator Bernie Sanders in Orono on Sunday.

Wearing “UAW for Troy Jackson” shirts, UAW members have been joining the Maine AFL-CIO to canvass for Troy ahead of the gubernatorial primary on Tuesday, June 9. This week, Graham announced that he ranked Troy #1 on his ballot for governor, boosting Troy’s candidacy at a critical time.

“I ranked Troy Jackson #1 when I voted. Troy and I are entirely aligned on labor issues and organizing issues, and I think our policies align quite closely. And as many of you probably know, organized labor is a key to what I think the future of the Democratic Party is,” said Platner.

“I’m proud to have my friend Graham Platner’s #1 vote. Maine needs the working class to step up and fight back against the billionaires and corporations holding us down. That’s why Graham and I are running—to make government work for workers. And kick some billionaire ass,” said Jackson.

AFA-CWA & President Sara Nelson Endorse UAW’s Claire Valdez for Congress

AFA-CWA, which represents nearly 55,000 flight attendants across 20 different airlines, announced its endorsement of UAW member Claire Valdez for Congress in New York.

“As a union member, Claire Valdez understands how solidarity transforms lives,” said AFA-CWA President Sara Nelson. “As a union leader, she learned how to build the power we need to win. And as a New York Assembly member, she fought for and alongside working people every step of the way. We need leaders like Claire in Congress who understand our struggles and are ready to fight. Flight Attendants are proud to endorse Claire Valdez for NY-07.”

AFA’s endorsement follows endorsements from Senator Bernie Sanders, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Leaders We Deserve, and more who believe Claire is the fighter we need in Congress. Join Labor for Claire to canvass this weekend!

UAW for Eli Northrup Day of Action
Saturday, May 30 | 3 - 5:30 PM | Upper West Side, New York, NY

Join Team Eli and UAW Region 9A for a day of action this Saturday on the Upper West Side. We'll knock doors, connect with our neighbors, and spread the word about former UAW Local 2325 member Eli Northrup’s campaign for New York Assembly District 69! Sign up to join us.

Join Workers for Alex Bores for Congress
Saturday, May 30 | 1 - 2 PM | Hell’s Kitchen Park, New York, NY

Join Alex Bores and our endorsed unions for a day of action to elect Alex to Congress! On Saturday, we will meet in Hell's Kitchen Park at 1 PM to build community and momentum ahead of Election Day. We can't wait to see you there!

More Canvasses & Events for UAW-Endorsed Candidates

Maine

Join the Maine AFL-CIO to canvass for UAW member Troy Jackson ahead of the gubernatorial primary on Tuesday, June 9!
Join Troy at more events including an Orono meet & greet on May 29 and a live interview with The Dig in Portland on May 30.

New York

On Saturday, May 30, join Conrad Blackburn for State Assembly for a block party from 12 to 4 PM with food and music in Harlem!
On Friday, June 5, join DSA Labor for barbecue and button making to elect their endorsed slate of candidates, all of whom are also endorsed by UAW!
On Saturday, June 6, get out the vote for Brad Lander for Congress with Workers for Brad! Meet at Greenwood Playground in Brooklyn to canvass from 11 AM to 2 PM.

Massachusetts

On Saturday, May 30, and Thursday, June 4, canvass in Cambridge for Evan MacKay for Massachusetts State Representative!
On Thursday, June 4, at 6:30 PM, join Evan MacKay for a Good Government Town Hall in Cambridge.

FROM REGION 9A

Local 664 Retirees Commemorate 30th Anniversary of Tarrytown Plant Closure

This month, UAW Local 664’s retiree chapter representing the retirees of the North Tarrytown General Motors plant met to commemorate the 30th anniversary of their plant closure.

Joined by Connecticut State Senator and former Region 9A Director Julie Kushner along with Region 9A Director Brandon Mancilla, members honored being together and our retirees’ commitments to building the UAW. We also stood firm that we need to continue our fight to end plant closures that decimate working class livelihoods and communities across the U.S.

UAW Region 9A Retired Workers Council Meets in Hartford

As we say in the UAW, our retirees are the foundation of our union. The UAW Region 9A Retired Workers Council met today in Hartford to discuss issues affecting retirees, including retirees’ right to vote in UAW elections and the upcoming Constitutional Convention.

To learn more about or get involved with our Retired Workers Council, visit region9a.uaw.org/retirees or contact Aaron Eisenberg at aeisenberg@uaw.net.

Region 9A Revisits Our History at the NYU Tamiment Library

This month, UAW Region 9A members in New York City paid a visit to the Tamiment Library located at New York University to look deeper into the history of the UAW in New York City! From subway concession workers organized with District 65 to Local 259's daring civil rights campaigns, the UAW and its predecessors were at the forefront of the labor movement in our city.

Members were able to look through primary source newspapers, flyers from organizing campaigns, meeting minutes, photographs, and other documents from our UAW history that are located in the library's vast labor archive.

UAW Region 9A Women’s Council Meeting
Thursday, June 11 | Local 571 Office, Groton, CT

The Region 9A Women's Council focuses attention on the issues and concerns of women in the workplace. Save the date for our next meeting, which will be both in-person and on Zoom.

For more information and to get involved, please email Amy Fehr at afehr@uaw.net.

Join the Region 9A Dik Days Scholarship Committee for the Juneteenth Parade!
Saturday, June 20 | 10 AM | Bloomfield, CT

Every year UAW Region 9A joins the Dik Days Scholarship Committee to march in the Bloomfield Juneteenth Freedom Day Parade. We will show our support for the local community, the legacy of Juneteenth, and honor our three scholarship winners.

Please arrive at the First Cathedral at 10 AM to line up for the parade. After the parade, we will be heading to a local restaurant for a celebration luncheon for the scholarship winners at 1:30 PM. Please RSVP to join us in June!

UALE Northeast Summer School for Women in Unions
July 20 - 24 | New York, NY

The 49th Annual United Association for Union Educators (UALE) Northeast Summer School for Women in Unions and Worker Organizations will take place July 20–24, hosted by the CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies in New York City. The theme of this year’s school is: Resist · Rebuild · Renew: Sowing Seeds of Solidarity.

The Women’s Summer School is a five-day program bringing together more than 150 rank-and-file members, staff, and officers of unions and worker organizations to develop leadership, build community, and strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the labor movement. Sponsored by the United Association for Labor Educators, the Northeast Summer School rotates among host institutions across the region.

Learn more about the Summer School, and if interested in attending contact your local union.

Region 9A Building Our Power Leadership Series
July - December 2026

As part of our focus this year to equip local leaders with the tools necessary to win, Region 9A is excited to announce our Building our Power educational series, which will begin in July 2026. This program is specifically designed for busy local leaders who want to further their union leadership skills and build strong, militant, and effective unions.

The series will be composed of a small 10-15 person cohort across Region 9A who will meet virtually once a month. Participants will dive deep into collective bargaining, membership mobilization, and strike strategy. Together, we will learn to understand and assess the economic conditions of our industries and identify organizing and mobilization strategies that advance our struggles.

The first four sessions will be conducted once a month from July to September via Zoom on Tuesdays from 6-8 PM. Participants are required to commit to attend all sessions. The final session will be an all-day event in either the Hartford or NYC Regional Office, to be determined.

Please see the attached call letter for more information and apply by June 1. Space in this program is extremely limited and will be approved based on evaluation of application.

FROM THE INTERNATIONAL UAW

2026 UAW Constitutional Convention
June 15-18 | Detroit, MI

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.

Members have now elected delegates to represent our locals at the ConCon. In order to prepare for the Convention, we will be holding an orientation meeting for delegates and alternate delegates on Tuesday, June 2, at 6 PM via Zoom. We plan on covering the basics of the Constitutional Convention for new delegates as well as hearing from different locals about how to participate fully as delegates from our region.

Last Chance! 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!

Last Chance! Apply Now to the Union Hall Arts Residency Program
August 10 - September 7 | Detroit, MI

The UAW Education Department is proud to support the UNITE HERE Education and Support Fund (501c3) and Talking Dolls Studio to pilot the Union Hall Arts Residency.

This four-week artist residency program will launch this summer in Detroit, Michigan. The program will bring together a talented cohort of 4-6 members of various unions to hone their artistic skills and unleash their creative expression to make art for our movement.

Visit the Union Hall Arts website for more details about this extraordinary opportunity: www.unionhallarts.org.

Save the Date: UAW Women’s & TOP Conference
August 9 - 14 | Houston, TX

UAW members are bringing the heat, the power, and the purpose to Houston, Texas from August 9-14, 2026 at the Marriott Marquis Houston!

This year, we are fusing the incredible strength of our Women’s Committees with the vital expertise of our Technical, Office, and Professional (TOP) members. Prepare yourself for an unforgettable week packed with high-energy workshops, major leadership building, and the kind of sisterhood and solidarity that fuels the labor movement.

Registration Now Open: UAW Civil & Human Rights Conference
August 23 - 28 | Onaway, MI

The dates for the 40th Annual UAW Civil and Human Rights Conference are August 23-28 at the Walter and May Reuther Family Education Center. The theme for this year is “Our Legacy, Our Fight, Our Generation’s Defining Moment: Celebrating Our 40th Civil and Human Rights Conference.” See the call letter for more information.

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

May is Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month!

The Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA) was established in 1992 when 500 AANHPI labor activists from across the United States gathered for its first convention in Washington, DC. APALA is a constituency group of the AFL-CIO and the nation’s first national organization of AANHPI workers.

APALA is committed to developing a comprehensive strategy to organize Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islanders into unions, and to promote the participation and leadership of Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islanders within the labor movement.

Support the work of APALA during AANHPI Heritage Month!

Become a member & join the Massachusetts or New York chapters.
Donate to the APALA Archives Project to help us preserve our history.

MELL Summer 2026 Community of Practice & Fellowship Application
June 10 - August 16 | Apply by June 3

The Movement Educators Learning Lab (MELL) Summer 2026 Community of Practice is a peer network program for those who embrace facilitation, leadership development, and capacity-expansion as core components of their contribution to social movements dedicated to justice and equity. The MELL Summer Fellowship is an additional opportunity to support movement educators in hosting a public-facing training, which includes a modest stipend, individual coaching, and the option to attend a training. The deadline for applications is June 3 at 5 PM.

Sign the Petition for the Workers Union of Disability Rights Oregon (UAW Local 2320)

The Workers Union of Disability Rights Oregon (WUDRO) would love support in sending out and endorsing their new petition. Please share with fellow UAW members and community supporters! These workers fight for the most vulnerable Oregonians and they need a living wage and a seat at the table. This small but mighty group of workers is taking serious action after bargaining for over a year with little progress. They are making connections and turning up the heat on unscrupulous management.

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

Ranking Member Bernie Sanders’ office of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee | Paid Internships (Fall 2026) | Washington, DC
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

Pride at Work Membership Convention
June 1 - 4 | Minneapolis, MN

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

Family Scholarship at Black Lake
July 12-16 | Onaway, MI

UAW Women’s & TOP Conference
August 9 - 14 | Houston, TX

UAW Veterans Conference
August 9-14 | Onaway, MI

UAW Civil & Human Rights Conference
August 23 - 28 | Onaway, MI

UAW Bargaining & Contract Enforcement Bootcamp
September 20 - 25 | Onaway, MI

UAW Member Mobilization Institute
September 27 - October 2 | Onaway, MI