UAW Region 9A Weekly Newsletter: July 31

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LOCAL UPDATES

Local 2325: Bronx Defenders Union Joins Neighborhood Defenders on Strike

Around 300 workers with the Bronx Defenders Union went on strike on Monday, fighting for a contract that values the labor of BxD’s lowest paid staff. This year’s walkout follows in the footsteps of strikes at two other NYC public defender offices represented by Local 2325: Neighborhood Defender Service, which remains on strike, and Brooklyn Defender Services, whose strike ended on July 21.

BxD management has proposed separating attorney and non-attorney salary scales, which union members are rejecting as divisive and devaluing. “We’re telling them we’re ready to do this for a week, for a month, if it means that each one of our colleagues can live with dignity,” said Conrad Blackburn, a staff attorney at Bronx Defenders.

Meanwhile, the 120-member NDS Union filed unfair labor practice charges against management on Tuesday. NDS and BxD strikers have been joined by elected officials on the picket line in NYC, and UAW President Shawn Fain and UAW-endorsed U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed joined the NDS picket line at the organization’s location in Detroit.

This year, the NYC Council agreed to boost spending for public defense organizations by approximately $32 million, an increase of about 12.5%. Although this funding should cover members’ demands for raises and benefits at Neighborhood Defender Services and Bronx Defenders, management’s intransigence continues to stall negotiations.

Follow @bxdunion and @ndsunion for the latest updates, and join them on the picket line in the Bronx and Harlem!

In the news:

AMNY: Bronx Defenders union walks off the job, joining ongoing strike of attorneys who represent court clients that can’t afford to pay (July 27)
Law360: 300+ Public Defenders Strike In The Bronx (July 27)
Queens Eagle: Bronx Defenders staff join the picket line (July 29)
City Reporter: Why Bronx and Harlem Public Defenders Walked Off the Job (July 29)

COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM (CAP)

Maine: UAW-Endorsed Troy Jackson Secures Nomination for U.S. Senate

After earning UAW’s endorsement and winning 478 of 500 delegate elections, former UAW Local 2320 member Troy Jackson secured the nomination for U.S. Senate at Saturday’s Maine Democratic Party Convention. UAW members from Local 7650 and Local 2110 were elected as delegates for Troy.

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 excited to elect Troy to be the next U.S. Senator from Maine this fall! Stay tuned for upcoming volunteer opportunities.

Massachusetts: Phone Bank for UAW Member Tram Nguyen
Every Wednesday in August | 5:30 - 7 PM | Online

Join fellow UAW members to phone bank for UAW Local 2320 member Tram Nguyen for U.S. Congress! Before being elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 2018, Rep. Nguyen joined UAW Local 2320 when she was a legal aid attorney at Greater Boston Legal Services.

She was endorsed by the Massachusetts CAP Council in November, and UAW members are excited to work to elect her to Congress based on her record fighting for issues affecting working people. Join us!

UAW National Phonebank to Elect Abdul El-Sayed to Senate
Sunday, August 2 | 6 PM ET | Online

We are less than one week out from the Michigan primary election, in which the UAW has endorsed Jocelyn Benson for Governor and Abdul El-Sayed for Senate. Abdul is in a hotly contested primary race. His opponent now has over $60 million dollars supporting her through outside corporate PACs in one of the most expensive primaries in U.S. history. It is truly a contest between corporations vs. people.

To help finish strong in the final week, and bring together UAW family from across the country to support Abdul, we are hosting a phone banks (featuring some special guests) that non-Michigan members are highly encouraged to join. Register here!

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

LUCA Presents: Labor Day and May Day 2028 - Building Power for the Working Class
Tuesday, August 11 | 6:30 - 7:30 PM | Online

Labor Day is more than a long weekend; it's an opportunity to reflect on the history of workers' struggles in the United States and how those struggles have been remembered and commemorated over time. Join us as we explore the origins of Labor Day, its complex relationship to the labor movement, why its history still matters today, and how LUCA communicators can use Labor Day to educate members and share stories that connect past organizing to today's fights.

Understanding Labor Day also helps illuminate the significance of May Day. While Labor Day became the official U.S. workers' holiday, May Day emerged as the international day of worker solidarity rooted in the struggle for the eight-hour day and the Haymarket movement. As we prepare for May Day 2028, we can use Labor Day as a bridge to that broader history—highlighting that workers' power has always depended on solidarity across industries, communities, and borders. May Day 2028 is an opportunity to build on that legacy and strengthen a global movement for the working class.

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.

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.

Hiring: UAW International Communications Department Seeking Graphic Designer

The UAW International’s Communications Department is seeking a Temporary Graphic Designer (six months). The ideal candidate has experience with publication layouts, social media graphics and flyers, and digital newsletters/HTML. For more information and to apply, see the job posting.

SOLIDARITY REQUESTS

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.

Save the Date: Boston’s Second Annual Labor Day Parade
Monday, September 7 | 10 AM kickoff | Downtown Boston, MA

Join Boston’s 2nd Annual Labor Day Parade! This Labor Day, the Greater Boston Labor Council is marching for fairness, justice, and workers rights with Boston’s 2026 Labor Day Parade – and YOU are invited to march with us. The Parade will start at Boston Common and end at Copley Square with a BBQ lunch and inspiring speaking and entertainment program.

Union Hiring Hall

Connecticut AFL-CIO | Legislative Director | Rocky Hill, CT
International UAW | Temporary Graphic Designer | Remote

UPCOMING EVENTS

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 | 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