UAW Region 9A Weekly Newsletter: June 5

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HAPPY PRIDE MONTH!

June is LGBTQIA2S+ Pride Month! The International UAW honors those who continue the fight for equality and stand for dignity and fairness in the workplace.

Union contracts are our strongest shield against discrimination. Let’s build a world where everyone thrives—solidarity makes change possible!

LOCAL & ORGANIZING UPDATES

Local 2322: Child Care Workers on Strike at Square One in Springfield, MA

After over a year of bargaining, more than 50 UAW child care workers went on strike starting Tuesday in Springfield, Massachusetts. UAW Local 2322 represents teachers, staff, cooks, and drivers who are fighting to make living wages at Square One, an early education and family support services provider.

Staff currently earn less than $22.05 per hour, below the $24.06 living wage set by the MIT Living Wage Calculator for Springfield. Union members voted to reject Square One’s most recent offer “because with the gas prices going up, everything, inflation, it still won’t be enough,” explained Amaris Cook-Mitchell, who has taught at Square One for seven years.

Amaris expressed her and her coworkers’ dedication to their work but dissatisfaction with compensation, stating, “I love what I do, but I don’t love how much we get paid.” She also noted broader support for the striking workers: “We have our parents out here supporting us, we have the people of Springfield on the streets supporting us, we just need our company to support us.”

The Square One Teachers and Staff Union and management will meet on Friday afternoon to seek a resolution to the ongoing strike. Supporters will rally from 2 to 4 PM on the picket line to show management that the Springfield community stands with workers on strike! 

How you can support the strike:

1. Join the picket line in Springfield every weekday from 7 AM to 3 PM.
2. Sign the petition asking Square One to settle a fair and equitable contract.

Sign up to deliver food to striking members on the picket line.

Local 5118: HGSU Votes to End Strike Before Summer, Fight for Fair Contract Continues

The Harvard Graduate Student Union-UAW Local 5118 ended its 40-day strike on Monday without securing a new contract, wrapping up the longest work stoppage in the local’s history.

After 14 months of bargaining without meaningful progress, major disruptions to teaching and research operations caused by the graduate workers’ strike finally prompted the university to engage with the union on several core issues.

“Harvard has indicated in a way that they haven’t before that they’re willing to move on some of our key issues,” HGSU Vice President Evan Lemire said. “This strike was not ended because the fight is over. The fight is not over, and we’re going to be continuing to fight for a new contract… If we have another reason to strike, we are prepared, willing, and ready to strike.”

HGSU’s bargaining team will return to the table this summer with this momentum, determined to win a fair contract: one that provides living wages, real recourse for harassment and discrimination, protections for non-citizen workers, and provisions for union security. “Our members leave the picket line more organized, more unified, and more committed than ever to advocate for the basic protections they deserve,” the union wrote.

Read more in the Harvard Crimson, and follow @hgsuuaw on Instagram for the latest updates as the local’s fight for a fair contract continues.

Local 1596: Coolidge Corner Theater Union Rejects Management’s Offer After SAV

After two years of negotiations for their first contract, Local 1596 members at the Coolidge Corner Theater voted to reject management’s “last and final” offer, following the union’s successful strike authorization vote in March.

Now, instead of returning to the negotiating table, the Theater has filed a baseless unfair labor practice charge against the union with the NLRB. After refusing to accept the results of the vote they asked for, they are now resorting to frivolous legal tactics to distract from their unwillingness to bargain.

Read more at Boston.com, and follow @cctunion on Instagram for the latest updates as they set their strike deadline!

Local 2325: Brooklyn Defenders’ Union Rallies Before Contract Expiration

On Wednesday, Local 2325 members at Brooklyn Defender Services in Queens and Brooklyn showed up in numbers to picket for a fair contract now. The union showed that they will not stand for management’s unacceptable counteroffers on salary—including a proposed $3,000 raise across the board, which doesn’t even keep pace with inflation, and an unlivable $61,000 starting salary for support staff.

With only 27 days until the contract expires, time is ticking for management to make reasonable counter offers. Follow @bds_union on Instagram for updates!

COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM (CAP)

Puerto Rico: UAW Members Continue the Fight Against Freezing the Minimum Wage

On Thursday, UAW joined other unions and community organizations for a rally to continue the fight back against the effort to effectively freeze the minimum wage in Puerto Rico. The proposed House Bill 1115 would eliminate the Minimum Wage Evaluation Commission, composed of academics, experts, and representatives from different sectors who have the power to review the minimum wage every two years, and thus prevent future wage increases.

Emilio Nieves from the Central Puertorriqueña de Trabajadores (CPT) spoke at the rally about the importance of the minimum wage for collective bargaining processes. “Defending the minimum wage is everyone’s responsibility, because all workers in Puerto Rico deserve a fair wage that allows them to live. Thanks to increases in the minimum wage, better conditions for collective bargaining have been achieved,” he said. “Eliminating this Commission would be handing over the right to live with dignity to others. We will continue to take to the streets and demonstrate in front of the Capitol building to defend this Commission and its continued existence.”

Supporters announced the next rally taking place next Thursday at 4 PM at the Capitolio. “We need jobs with decent wages so we don't have to leave the country, and PC 1115 dismantles the mechanisms for progress toward wage justice,” said Chrys Marie Cuencas Alamo, a student at the University of Puerto Rico. “That's why we're taking to the streets on June 11.” Read more news coverage in Spanish.

New York City, Let's Get Out the UAW Vote!

It's time to get out the vote for our UAW-endorsed candidates in New York City ahead of the primary elections on Tuesday, June 23.

We have the opportunity to elect a new generation of champions for the working class, including five UAW members—but only if we knock enough doors and ring enough phones to get New Yorkers to the polls.

Join us at the following events this week to build political power for NYC's workers!

UAW Rally & Canvass for Claire Valdez for Congress with Mayor Zohran Mamdani
Sunday, June 7 | 1:45 - 5 PM | Greenpoint, Brooklyn, NY

Join fellow UAW members this Sunday for a rally and canvass for Claire Valdez for Congress—featuring Mayor Zohran Mamdani! We’ll have conversations with our neighbors about our UAW sister Claire and her commitment to delivering across housing, healthcare, and workers' rights.

You can also sign up to canvass with UAW and Labor for Claire on Thursday, June 11, from 5:30 to 8:30 PM in Williamsburg.

UAW Canvass for Darializa for Congress and Conrad for Assembly in Harlem
Sunday, June 7 | 12 - 3 PM | 3 - 6 PM | Harlem, NY

Join us to talk to our neighbors in Harlem about two fellow UAW members running for office—Darializa Avila Chevalier for Congress and Conrad Blackburn for the New York State Assembly.

Darializa and Conrad believe that in the wealthiest city, in the wealthiest country in the history of the world, working people shouldn't have to struggle for a dignified life. We must divest from the corporations profiteering from wars and exploitation and invest in our communities and our children.

GOTV with Workers for Brad Lander for Congress
Saturday, June 6 | 11 AM - 2 PM | Greenwood Playground, Brooklyn, NY

Brad Lander's campaign for Congress is kicking off the month with a rally alongside unions and labor partners.

Brad has joined UAW members on the picket line time and time again. Now it's our turn to join Brad for a rally, canvass launch, and social afterwards as we build momentum towards the election!

UAW Rally & Canvass for Eon Huntley for Assembly & Jabari Brisport for Senate
Saturday, June 6 | 1 - 5 PM | Herbert Von King Park, Brooklyn, NY

Join Eon Huntley and State Sen. Jabari Brisport for a rally and canvass featuring City Councilmember Alexa Avilés and community organizations including UAW.

The rally will begin at 1 PM, then we will hit the doors from 2 until 5 to canvass for Eon and Jabari. Together we are fighting to tax the rich, win universal childcare, expand rent control, stop deed theft, and get ICE out of NYC!

Join the Maine AFL-CIO to Get Out the Vote for Troy Jackson for Governor

Over the last few months, hundreds of volunteers have talked to thousands of voters about why UAW member Troy Jackson is the best choice to be Maine's next Governor. Voters agree with us that the time is now to elect a candidate who will fight for working people. Election Day is coming up on Tuesday, June 9, so now we need to do the final step—get out the vote!

We need people to go out and remind our Troy supporters to get out to the polls, and make sure they know where and when to vote. The finish line is within sight. Polling shows the race will be close. Let's leave it all on the field for Troy, as he has always done for us. Sign up to canvass!

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

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.

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—email Aaron Eisenberg at aeisenberg@uaw.net. 

Region 9A CAP in the News

“Massachusetts State Auditor Diana DiZoglio endorsed Evan C. MacKay on Tuesday in their campaign…for a seat in the State House, injecting a high-profile endorsement into the contentious primary less than two months before Election Day… MacKay has also been endorsed by a litany of other left-wing groups, including Cambridge and Boston chapters of Democratic Socialists of America, United Auto Workers Region 9A, Our Revolution Cambridge, and Progressive Victory.”

• Harvard Crimson: MacKay Endorsed by State Auditor DiZoglio, Citing Legislative Transparency (June 2)

“Paid family leave is a right that millions of New Yorkers take for granted since the state launched the benefit in 2018, enabling them to take vital paid time off from their jobs to care for sick family members and bond with their new children. But the law carved out upwards of 100,000 teachers at charitable, religious and educational institutions, leading to disastrous consequences for educators, their students and the institutions where they teach. Albany lawmakers can close this glaring loophole this week, by passing S.9560A/A.9071A, a concise bill introduced by state Sen. Christopher J. Ryan and Assembly Member Claire Valdez. The bill would close the loophole that has excluded certain academic workers from this important benefit for far too long.”

• City & State NY: Opinion: Require all New York employers to offer paid family leave (June 3)

FROM REGION 9A

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. Join our next quarterly meeting, which will be both in-person in Connecticut and on Zoom.

On the agenda will be this year’s UAW Women’s Conference, taking place from August 9 - 14 in Houston, Texas, as well as how to support Local 2322 child care workers currently on strike in Springfield, MA.

For more information and to get involved with the Region 9A Women’s Council, 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.

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.

Learn more about what happens at the Convention at uaw.org/convention.

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.

Registration Now Open: UAW Standing Committees & EAP Institute
October 4 - 9 | Onaway, MI

Building and strengthening local union Standing Committees and Employee Assistance Programs will be the focus of this week-long training to be held at the Walter and May Reuther UAW Family Education Center in Onaway, MI.

The Standing Committees Institute explores the direct link between strong local union standing committees and the collective power of our union, equipping standing committee members, other interested members, and local leaders to build and bolster their committees.

The EAP track provides EAP representatives, local leaders, and other interested members with the training, resource connections, and fellowship needed to negotiate and build a new local program or strengthen and support an existing one.

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.

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
• Laborers' Local 79 | Senior Strategic Researcher | 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

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

UAW Standing Committees & Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Institute
October 4 - 9 | Onaway, MI