UAW Region 9A Weekly Newsletter: July 11
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LOCAL & ORGANIZING UPDATES
Rally to Stand Up for Fair Contracts with ALAA!
Tuesday, July 15 | 9:30 AM | 26 Federal Plaza, New York, NY
On Tuesday, legal services workers with the Association of Legal Advocates and Attorneys (UAW Local 2325) will rally with supporters to demand the funding, staffing, and support necessary to continue fighting for justice for low-income New Yorkers.
ALAA represents over 2,000 public interest attorneys and legal advocates in the New York City metro area. Every day, ALAA members provide free legal representation to tenants facing eviction, immigrants at risk of deportation, families navigating child welfare and custody cases, survivors of domestic violence, the unhoused, and people seeking access to health care, disability benefits, and other critical services.
Underfunded for decades, these legal services workers are demanding fair wages, adequate resources, and staffing to reduce burnout and high turnover—issues that directly impact the quality of representation their clients receive. As the cost of living rises and the city’s legal services funding lags, they are taking action to ensure all New Yorkers—especially working-class communities targeted by the Trump Administration’s harmful policies—have real access to justice.
While negotiations are currently ongoing, nine chapters of ALAA could go on strike as early as next week. These members are workers at Goddard Riverside Law Project, NYLAG, Urban Justice Center, Center for Appellate Litigation, Appellate Advocates, Office of the Appellate Defender, CAMBA, and Bronx Defenders, and the Legal Aid Society. Follow @alaa2325 on Instagram for the latest updates.
ALAA in the news:
- AM NY & PoliticsNY: Legal Aid union notifies management of bargaining agreement termination as threat of strike looms (July 9)
- Law360: More NY Public Interest Attys And Advocates Authorize Strikes (July 7)
- Labor Press: Nearly 2, 500 Unionized City Legal Services Workers Voting On Strike Authorization (July 7)
Local 405 Presents Fundraiser to Region 9A Veterans Council in Hartford
In a strong show of solidarity and support, Local 405 recently held a special fundraiser offering custom sweatshirts to members of the local. The proceeds were proudly presented to members of the UAW 9A Veterans Council in a meaningful ceremony held at the UAW 9A Regional Office in Hartford, CT. Presenting the check is Local 405 President, Benjamin Wilcox, along with council members Shawn Tripp, Tom Montgomery, Jason Anderson, and regional liaison Mike Holmes. A special thank you to all who purchased sweatshirts, helped organize the fundraiser, or contributed in any way to its success. Let’s continue standing strong together for our veterans and for each other.
Sign Your Name to Help WOAW-UAW Win a Fair Wage Before the Fall Semester
The Wellesley Organized Academic Workers (WOAW-UAW) are asking for supporters’ help in urging Wellesley College to settle their contract and agree to a fair wage before the fall semester starts. Last week, WOAW members received an email from the College stating that union faculty would not receive a cost of living adjustment until a contract is implemented. After a 29-day strike, the union believes that a contract should have been settled long before now, and we do not want to see negotiations get dragged into another academic year. Read WOAW’s letter and sign your name to urge the College to agree to a fair wage for four courses!
More Region 9A Locals in the News
”Our union has been in negotiations for our first union contract for over 600 days, since November 2023, much longer than average for first contract negotiations. When we began bargaining, UMS said they wanted to work together to improve conditions for graduate workers. Nearly two years later, I’m tired of platitudes and inaction.”
- Bangor Daily News: Graduate student workers are essential to the state’s universities. They deserve a contract now. (July 9)
“Our members called and wrote to their City Council members to urge them to provide the funding and avert layoffs,” Maida Rosenstein, director of organizing for UAW Local 2110, told Hyperallergic. “We are very pleased that the funding came through, and particularly appreciative of the efforts of our fellow unionists at DC37 AFSCME.”
- Hyperallergic: After Pressure, City Saves Jobs at Brooklyn Museum (July 1)
“An infusion of $2.5 million for the Brooklyn Museum included in the city’s Fiscal Year 2026 spending plan for now means that a 10-percent reduction of staff at the institution will not go ahead, union, city and museum officials have said.”
- The Chief: Brooklyn Museum layoffs canceled following Council's funding injection (July 11)
“Instead of recognizing the Union, BronxWorks management has embarked on a concerted union-busting campaign to delay, mislead, and block unionization.”
- New York City Central Labor Council: BronxWorks Legal Services Department Union Members Condemn Management’s Anti-Union Campaign (July 5)
FROM REGION 9A
Last Chance: Register for Region 9A Summer School!
Friday, July 25 & Saturday, July 26 | Sign up by July 8 | New York, NY
We are excited to have so many members from around the Region join us for an exciting Summer School! This will be an exciting experience with members coming from all over our Region to learn and build a strong foundation for our union to mobilize and organize for strong contracts, a strong membership, and political power for the working class. We are also looking forward to a visit from UAW International President Shawn Fain during our Summer School.
Registration for the 9A Summer School is still open until July 15, and we encourage you to invite your co-workers to participate! If you have a member looking to get involved, a shop steward wanting to sharpen their skills, a leader who can inspire others to help build the union, this is the conference for them. All members can register here.
COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM (CAP)
New York Attorney General Letitia James Stands with ALAA Members
As ALAA chapters across New York City continue negotiating for fair contracts before their strike deadlines next week, New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a statement in solidarity with our members, following last week’s statement of support from NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani.
"Legal Aid attorneys are on the front lines of the fight for justice, defending and championing the rights of our most vulnerable New Yorkers," said Attorney General James in a statement issued by ALAA on Wednesday. "As they work to protect their clients' wellbeing, they too deserve dignity, fair pay, and conditions that reflect the value of their tireless service. I am proud to stand with these workers as they fight for a contract that honors their sacrifice and unwavering commitment to justice."
Rally for LGBTQ+ Youth: Hands Off the 998 Lifeline!
Saturday, July 12 | 12:30 PM | Trump Tower, 725 5th Avenue, NYC
On June 18, Trump Administration ordered the termination of the national LGBTQ+ 988 Youth Suicide Lifeline—a devastating move that will end life-saving services to more than 1.3 million LGBTQ+ young people who will no longer be able to receive support when they need it.
Over 200 workers at the Trevor Project who had provided that specialized support learned that they would lose their jobs on July 17, 2025. On July 12, Trevor Project workers represented by CWA 1180 and allies are coming together to say: HANDS OFF 988.
Massachusetts CAP Endorses Sen. Lydia Edwards’s Bill to Ban Legacy Admissions
UAW’s Massachusetts CAP Council voted to endorse SD.38, a bill sponsored by Massachusetts Senator Lydia Edwards to ban legacy preferences in higher education. Legacy admissions predominantly helps wealthy applicants because low-income students are much more likely to be the first in their families to go to college. This is an outdated practice that perpetuates socioeconomic inequality and should be banned. Massachusetts is one of just five states where a majority of public institutions of higher education offer an admission advantage to the children of alumni. This bill would eliminate the practice of legacy admissions across Massachusetts’ higher education institutions, both public and private.
Upcoming CAP Council Meetings
- Rhode Island | Tuesday, July 15 | 9 AM
- New York City | Thursday, July 17 | 9:30 AM
- Connecticut | Tuesday, July 22 | 10 AM
FROM THE INTERNATIONAL UAW
President Shawn Fain in the Detroit News: 'Big Beautiful Bill' betrays working class
“The budget reconciliation bill that the Republicans just passed isn’t just bad policy — it’s a full-blown attack on America’s working class,” wrote UAW President Shawn Fain in the Detroit News on July 8. “Behind the hollow promises and temporary fixes lies a brutal agenda: stripping working-class people of security, dignity and power while lining the pockets of billionaires.”
Women’s Department Talk About It Wednesdays
Tuesday, July 23 | 6 PM | Online
It’s time to talk about what too many workplaces ignore: Hot flashes on the job. Brain fog during discussions and retaining power through midlife. Join us for the next episode of Talk About It Wednesday’s, hosted by the UAW International Women's Department, where we will engage in a powerful conversation about Navigating Perimenopause and Menopause at Work and discover how to help women in transition retain their power as they navigate the Pause.
Our featured guest, Diana Bitner, MD, FACOG, MSCP is a leading menopause expert who will break down:
- The difference between perimenopause and menopause—and why it matters at work
- Symptoms that affect your shift, focus, and confidence
- How unions and leaders can better support midlife members
- Real tools, contract ideas, and ways to advocate for yourself and your sisters
This isn’t just health—it’s a labor issue. Want to ask a question? You can either submit your question to the UAW Women's Dept. at WomensDept1955@uaw.net and we can ask the expert, or you can call-in live during the Q&A segment of the live episode. Because working women deserve contracts, care, and conversation that include every season of life. Don’t miss it.
2025 UAW Civil & Human Rights Conference
August 24 - 29 | Onaway, MI
The 39th Annual UAW Civil and Human Rights Conference is August 24 - 29 at the Walter and May Reuther Family Education Center. This year's theme is Defending…Demanding…Justice… We are the Defenders of Justice.” Labor rights and civil rights are inextricably intertwined. Register for the UAW Civil and Human Rights Conference at the UAW Education Center in Onaway, MI. Talk with your local union leadership and request to attend. Registration is open until August 1st.
SOLIDARITY REQUESTS
Fundamentals of Workplace Organizing: EWOC Training on How to Unite and Win
Saturdays, July 12 - August 2 | 4 - 5:30 PM
In four 90-minute weekly sessions, you will learn how to approach your co-workers, build a team of organizers among them, and develop a campaign. You will meet other workers who are organizing and learn helpful tools, practices, and principles for winning workplace improvements and getting a democratic voice over your working conditions. We also welcome those who are interested in joining EWOC as a volunteer and supporting other organizing workers! Space is limited to 120 participants, so register here today!
New Hampshire Faith & Labor Alliance Screening of Union Documentary
Thursday, July 17 | 6:30 PM | Manchester, NH
The New Hampshire Faith & Labor Alliance, several New Hampshire unions, and friends of labor will screen Union, a documentary of the successful and against-all-odds effort by overworked Amazon employees to unionize Amazon’s JKF8 Warehouse in New York.
The night will start with a panel discussion led by the Rev. Dr. Gail Kinney, a National Writers Union (NWU) member and chair of the economic justice ministry of the NH Conference United Church of Christ. The panel will include New Hampshire union members from the Teamsters, Starbucks Workers United, and the Freelance Solidarity Project/NWU. Speakers will discuss union organizing and the challenges facing New Hampshire workers.
Register for Skills to Win Training: Workers vs. Billionaires
July 19-20 | 12 PM - 6 PM | Online
Join us July 19 and 20 for this special edition of “Skills to Win”, tailored specifically for groups in the May Day Strong and 2028 strike networks who want to sharpen their organizing skills to take on the billionaires. This training program, built on Jane McAlevey’s core organizing methods, will teach members and staff how to build both strike-ready organization and powerful community-labor alignments. The UC Berkeley Labor Center and Bargaining for the Common Good are partnering to host this training, which will be held for two full days over Zoom. Groups are required to attend in groups of at least ten people from your organization, because organizing is a team sport. Learn more and register by June 13!
People’s Summit for Korea
July 25-27 | New York, NY
The People’s Summit for Korea is being convened by Nodutdol for Korean Community Development, in partnership with key organizations in the Korea movement and anti-imperialist movement in the US. We are calling this summit at a critical juncture in Korea’s struggle for sovereignty, with tensions on the peninsula reaching new heights as the US escalates the New Cold War against China. Now is the time to unite across communities, struggles, and borders to oppose U.S. aggression in Korea.
Join us for a three-day convening featuring plenaries, panels, workshops, breakout sessions, and cultural performances led by key figures in the Korean liberation movement and the global anti-imperialist struggle. We call on organizers, artists, intellectuals, students, and community members across the Korean diaspora, South Korea, and beyond to build our movement together.
UPCOMING EVENTS
UAW Family Scholarship
July 20 - 25 | Onaway, MI
LCLAA 25th National Membership Convention
July 28 - August 2 | Atlanta, GA
APRI 54th Annual National Educational Conference
August 6 - 10 | Chicago, IL
UAW Veterans Conference
August 10 - 15, 2025 | Onaway, MI
2025 UAW International Women's Conference
August 17 - 22 | St. Pete Beach, FL
2025 UAW Civil & Human Rights Conference
August 24 - 29 | Onaway, MI
2025 UAW Local Union Officers Institute
October 5 - 10 | Onaway, MI