UAW Region 9A Weekly Newsletter: July 17
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LOCAL UPDATES
Local 2325: Brooklyn Defenders & Justice in Motion on Strike!
Yesterday, UAW members at Brooklyn Defender Services went out on strike in Brooklyn and Queens, joining their ALAA Local 2325 siblings at Justice in Motion who have been out on the picket line since last Friday.
The BDS bargaining committee spent 21 hours straight at the bargaining table beginning Wednesday to attempt to reach an agreement. “Management gave us a counter to try to split the union and made all other offers contingent on such,” the union said. “But we will not be divided, and we will not leave our members behind.”
The strike could soon double in size as ALAA chapters at Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem and Bronx Defenders both passed strike authorization votes last week. If all three unions go on strike, the city could see over 950 public defender attorneys and staff walk off the job.
In the news:
- Gothamist: Hundreds of Brooklyn and Queens public defenders and support staff go on strike (July 16)
- Queens Daily Eagle: Brooklyn Defender Services union goes on strike (July 16)
- AMNY: Brooklyn and Queens public defender union strikes over wage demands (July 16)
- The City Reporter: Walkout: Lawyers for Low-Income Clients Strike in Brooklyn and Queens (July 16)
- ABA Journal: Lawyers for low-income clients strike in NYC (July 17)
Association of Teachers & Staff Reaches Tentative Agreement at New York Film Academy
The Association of Teachers & Staff (ATS-NYFA) reached a tentative agreement with the New York Film Academy on Wednesday, July 15. Pending ratification, these members will have their first contract after 18 months of fierce bargaining and tireless organizing to demonstrate workers’ collective power.
Through these efforts, members secured an agreement that will make NYFA a better place. Throughout this last year, we’ve seen NYFA outsource employees and issue mass furloughs of our colleagues with virtually no notice. Our collective action has compelled NYFA to act with more transparency and provide evidence to explain these actions. With this new information confirming the school’s financial challenges, the final stretch of our contract campaign focused on preserving as much of our current compensation and winning protections in case of ongoing financial instability.
We’ve won, for the first time at NYFA, guaranteed severance pay for layoffs and notice for any layoff (or pay in lieu of). Even though we were limited by financial constraints, our collective courage, hard work, and solidarity has resulted in real gains for our community:
- Gold-star protections from bullying, abuse, discrimination, and harassment
- Protections from overwork and fair scheduling practices, including guardrails on shadow classes, kill fees for cancelled classes, and fees for cancelled shifts
- Increases in vacation days and an expansion of who’s eligible to accrue vacation
- New titles for faculty that better reflect their role at NYFA
- Just cause protections so that NYFA cannot discipline or dismiss employees arbitrarily
- Notice for layoffs and severance pay for laid-off full-time employees
Local 259: Smithtown Kia Technicians Vote Union Yes
Auto technicians at Smithtown Kia on Long Island have voted union yes! On Monday, July 13, following another instance of union-busting by ownership, the majority of technicians at this dealership voted to join UAW Local 259. These technicians sought to form their union to oppose the lack of wage improvements, lack of paid time off, forever increasing healthcare costs, and insufficient respect from ownership for their skills, knowledge and abilities.
Although Smithtown Kia is the sister facility to Smithtown Toyota, where Local 259 has been the collective bargaining representative for decades, the boss Steve Cannata refused to voluntarily recognize the union. Instead, he spent $90,000 to hire a union buster with the goal of getting a majority of the technicians to vote no. In the face of the union busting campaign, the members stayed strong and focused on why they sought to form their union in the first place. Local 259 is now committed to working towards securing an excellent first agreement at this facility.
Region 9A Locals in the News
“Staff at Albany County's Office of the Public Defender want to unionize. But the county has refused to recognize the effort. [...] Staff is seeking to join the Association of Legal Advocates and Attorneys (ALAA), a union of legal and social workers. The ALAA mainly represents members of New York City organizations, but the Albany County office wouldn’t be the first group in the Capital Region to join them. Public defenders in the Schenectady County office successfully unionized with the ALAA in 2024.”
- WAMC: Albany County public defender's office seeks to unionize (July 16)
COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM (CAP)
Maine: UAW Endorses Former UAW Member Troy Jackson for U.S. Senate
UAW Region 9A local unions in Maine unanimously voted to endorse former UAW member Troy Jackson to represent Mainers in the U.S. Senate.
Troy is the labor candidate. He is a fifth-generation logger, card-carrying member of multiple unions, and former member of UAW Local 2320. This week, he was also endorsed by the Maine AFL-CIO. From his time as a union leader to his time as a legislator and President of the Maine Senate, Troy has put working class issues front and center. His campaign will continue building the movement of working Mainers fighting against economic inequality and a broken political status quo.
The UAW’s Maine Community Action Program (CAP) Council, composed of leaders from each of UAW’s local unions in Maine, unanimously voted to endorse Troy’s Senate campaign after previously endorsing him for Governor. Troy joined UAW Local 3999 members on strike at Bath Iron Works in March and rallied with the University of Maine Graduate Workers Union in their fight for a fair first contract. UAW members are already joining Troy on the campaign trail.
“Troy will fight like hell for labor, because he comes from labor,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “UAW members all over Maine are ready to support his campaign and deliver the change working class people demand.”
UAW Region 9A Director Brandon Mancilla added, “Troy has shown up time after time for our members, from the strike at Bath Iron Works to the campaign for a first contract at the University of Maine to supporting the organizing efforts at museums. If that’s any indication, we know he will go to Washington to fight for working people and expand organizing.”
“Tens of thousands of volunteers and 150,000 voters voted for healthcare as a right, housing that isn't a commodity, an economy that isn't rigged for billionaires and corporations, along with real support for workers and veterans,” said Trent Vellela, chairperson of the UAW’s Maine CAP Council from Bath Marine Draftsmen’s Association (BMDA-UAW Local 3999). “We as a Council believe Troy represents Maine voters and values.”
The Maine Democratic Party will hold a nominating convention on Saturday, July 25. UAW members are encouraged to sign up to run for delegate in their counties by Wednesday, July 15, at 5 PM. The Democratic nominee will take on anti-union Senator Susan Collins in the general election in November.
Massachusetts: Higher Ed Members Lobby for State-Level Research Funding
On Thursday, UAW researchers from across the state came together at the Massachusetts State House to lobby our senators in support of state-level funding for MA research. Members from major research institutions including UMass Chan Medical School, UMass Amherst, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Harvard, and Wellesley College spoke with more than half of the state senate, getting commitments to support increased funding for the research that makes the Commonwealth run!
Cuts to federal research funding have resulted in postdocs and university staff facing layoffs and graduate workers struggling to find labs across the country. For more than a year, early-career scientists have been fighting back against these attacks, often while fighting with our employers at the bargaining table for basic workplace protections and fair wages for researchers. Now, our members are taking the fight against funding cuts and instability to the state level alongside Governor Healey and our allies in the legislature.
To help us keep Massachusetts research thriving, you can add your name to our open letter in support of state-level science funding and submit a testimonial telling us how you’ve been impacted by Trump’s funding cuts and why you want to ensure Massachusetts labs stay funded.
New York: Region 9A Director Brandon Mancilla Talks UAW Political Power on NY1
“One labor union stood out with a near sweep on primary night—and I’m talking about the United Auto Workers.” Region 9A Director Brandon Mancilla appeared on Spectrum News NY1 last night to talk about the UAW’s political power and strategy in New York City. Watch the full interview.
Region 9A CAP in the News
“What UAW is doing right now is building a truly democratic union that is getting its members out to doors, asking them to talk to each other about these great political questions of our time,” said Claire Valdez. “That’s what I want to see every single union do.”
- City & State NY: New rules: You don’t need labor during an election; you need them after (July 13)
While most unions played it safe in New York’s recent elections, UAW Region 9A and its director, Brandon Mancilla, took big swings in supporting progressive and socialist insurgent candidates like Claire Valdez and Darializa Avila Chevalier—and won.
- Jacobin: UAW Region 9A’s Big Risks in NYC’s Elections Paid Off (July 8)
FROM REGION 9A
Apply to the 2026-2027 UAW Education Fellowship
October 2026 - May 2027 | Apply by August 10
The UAW International Education Department is excited to announce the 2026-2027 Fellowship Program. The Fellowship is an intensive work-study program designed to develop dedicated UAW members into strong leaders and effective union educators. Graduates of the Fellowship join our roster of Local Union Discussion Leaders (LUDLs), serving as activists in their local union education committees while also being available to assist our regional and national education programs.
The 2026-2027 Fellows will participate in an intensive training program that consists of a mix of in-person and virtual touchpoints from October 2026 through May 2027. This program requires a serious commitment from the Fellows to complete assignments at home, in addition to attending the scheduled touchpoint sessions. Bilingual Spanish/English speakers are strongly encouraged to apply. Members will apply by completing the online application by August 10, 2026.
FROM THE INTERNATIONAL UAW
UAW Offers a New Way Forward on Trade
In a new white paper, the UAW outlines the problems at the heart of the so-called “free trade” regime, and the impacts of free trade on the working class across borders. The union makes bold demands to radically transform the system of North American trade:
- Build here to sell here provisions ensuring that companies create and keep good jobs in the United States if they want to sell in the U.S. market.
- Real labor rights that are enforceable and apply to workers in all three countries.
- Strong standards on pay & other key issues, including a new manufacturing wage floor for North America and strict health and environmental protections.
To read the union's bold new vision on trade, visit UAW.org/trade.
Upcoming UAW International Officer Elections in 2026
This fall, UAW members will vote by mail in the 2026 UAW International Officer Election for International President, International Secretary-Treasurer, three International Vice Presidents, and nine Regional Director positions. More information about the upcoming elections is available at uawmonitor.com/elections.
Ballots will begin to be mailed on or about August 21, 2026, and must be received by October 5, 2026 in order to be counted. All UAW members in good standing as of September 30, 2026, are eligible to vote in the 2026 election, including members who are part-time workers, reinstated members, and retired members.
Submit Your Questions for the 2026 UAW International Officer Candidate Forums
Get informed! Tune in on YouTube to hear directly from candidates running in the 2026 UAW International Officer Election about their vision for our union. Virtual candidate forums will be held for the following offices on these dates:
- Thursday, July 23, 6 PM: International Secretary-Treasurer
- Monday, July 27, 6 PM: International Vice Presidents
- Thursday, July 30, 6 PM: International President
Steven Greenhouse, American labor and workplace journalist and writer, will serve as the independent moderator for the candidate forums.
Any member who wishes to submit a question for the moderator to consider can email UAWMonitor-Election@jenner.com with the subject line “Candidate Forum Question.” The email should specify 1) whether the question relates to a specific candidate or position and, if so, which one; 2) whether the individual submitting the question wishes to be identified with the question or remain anonymous; and 3) whether the individual submitting the question is a member in good standing of the UAW and, if so, their local union number.
Don't miss this opportunity to learn about each candidate's priorities and make an informed decision before ballots are mailed in August!
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
Mass-Care Strategy and Working Conference: Path to Medicare for All in Massachusetts
Saturday, July 18 | 10 AM - 4 PM | Clark University, Worcester, MAThe health insurance crisis is deepening, and inequality in health care is growing. All manner of gimmicks and tweaks to “improve” the present private insurance offerings are being discussed, but none of them will correct the enormous burden on union members, workers, and our families with our present system of private health insurance. Premiums are skyrocketing and coverage is decreasing. We know the solution is some version of single payer as outlined in the legislation “Medicare for All in Massachusetts” (H1405 and S860), a solution which would bring huge financial and health care benefits and relief to all residents of MA. A solution which would enable the state to address critical health care needs for our communities: affordability and access, primary care physician shortages, and equity driven care that serves all residents. At 1:30pm the afternoon of the conference there will be a labor sector meeting. As an employer-based system, unions have a special role to play in health insurance and health care. We negotiate contracts that provide health insurance to our members and administer health and welfare funds. Unions represent over 100,000 health care workers in MA.
Higher Ed Labor United Training: Grievances, Anti-Discrimination & Organizing Strategy
Saturday, July 25 | 12 - 3 PM ET | 5 Steeple St, Providence, RI or Zoom
The Graduate Labor Organization at Brown University (GLO-AFT Local 6516) and HELU invite union members in higher education to a deep-dive session about grievance procedures, anti-discrimination protections, and organizing to win better and more comprehensive defenses in our workplaces.
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
- Connecticut AFL-CIO | Legislative Director | Rocky Hill, CT
- Massachusetts Working Families Party | Organizing Director | MA
- 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
UAW Women’s & TOP Conference
August 9-14 | Register by August 24 | Houston, TX
UAW Veterans Conference
August 9-14 | Register by July 17 | Onaway, MI
UAW Civil & Human Rights Conference
August 23-28 | Register by August 7 | Onaway, MI
UAW Bargaining & Contract Enforcement Bootcamp
September 20-25 | Register by August 10 | Onaway, MI
UAW Member Mobilization Institute
September 27 - October 2 (new date) | Register by August 17 | Onaway, MI
UAW Standing Committees & Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Institute
October 4-9 | Register by August 24 | Onaway, MI
UAW Health & Safety Conference
October 11-16 (new date) | Register by August 31 | Onaway, MI
Region 9A Veterans Council Dinner Dance
Saturday, November 7 | New London, CT