UAW Region 9A Weekly Newsletter: August 1
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A MESSAGE FROM REGION 9A DIRECTOR BRANDON MANCILLA
Dear fellow workers,
Last weekend, I was inspired to be with nearly 200 members at our amazing UAW Region 9A Summer School. Workers across locals, organizing campaigns, and sectors taught and learned from each other. We talked about how to take on the boss through an escalating contract campaign. We strategized on how to build political power for the working class against both corporate greed and the Trump administration’s attacks on our liberties. And, just as importantly, we talked about how all of our fights are connected. We need each other if we are going to truly win social and economic justice.
It was incredibly exciting to listen to MDA-UAW 571 members share about winning record raises at Electric Boat, Higher Ed members discuss their organizing successes and our movement to Kill the Cuts to medical research funding, NYC members celebrate electing working class champions across the city such as Zohran Mamdani, and ALAA-UAW 2325 members report back on their sectoral strike. Some ALAA members even got to celebrate announcements of tentative agreements and settled strikes with their UAW family present.
We know that we need to focus on the issues that unite all working people:
- Everyone deserves a living wage
- Everyone deserves quality healthcare
- Everyone deserves to retire with dignity
- Everyone deserves time with their families
In order to win, we need to build a national movement that fights back against corporate greed and refuses to fall for divide and conquer politics. That focus requires us to build independent working class political power, and not cater to any one political party.
At the same time, the forces we are up against are escalating their attacks on workers. At the regional level, we face a number of challenges beyond those four. From the higher cost of living in this part of the country, to the defunding of critical life-saving research, the persecution of immigrant workers in all of our different kinds of workplaces, and the attack on free speech on our campuses.
Our members are on the front lines fighting back.
While the Trump administration announced a new race-to-the-bottom trade deal that undercuts UAW members’ hard-fought gains in the auto sector, our university employers are capitulating to the federal government with so-called deals that come at a direct cost to our members’ wages, work, and freedom.
This week, Columbia University announced a $200 million capitulation to the Trump administration, and Harvard is said to be considering a similar arrangement to the tune of $500 million. Meanwhile, Columbia is offering its workers only a 2% raise at the bargaining table with Local 2110 represented staff. At the same time, in the middle of talks with Student Workers of Columbia UAW Local 2710 on a new contract, the University is eroding graduate teaching jobs and recruiting scab labor in preparation of any possible strike (a right our members have if necessary). In an alarming escalation of its previous attacks on workers’ free speech, the university has also suspended and expelled additional student workers for protesting Columbia’s complicity in the state of Israel’s genocide and starvation of the people of Gaza.
Both the International UAW and UAW Region 9A have made our position clear: we stand with all of our members—from manufacturing to higher education—whose livelihoods are under attack by corporate America and this administration. UAW members will continue to mobilize to protect our fellow immigrants member. And we will boldly stand up against cuts to health care, veterans’ benefits, and research funding.
For these reasons and more, we’re launching a renewed VCAP campaign today, so we can continue building the power we need to fight for our priorities like universal health care, paid family leave and affordable child care, real retirement security, unemployment benefits for striking workers, and beyond. And for those of you in New York City, thank you for your continued support of our ALAA members on strike, and please join your fellow UAW members at the Families Stand Up for Gaza Rally this Sunday.
The struggle for worker justice continues. I am honored to be in the fight with you all!
In solidarity,
Brandon
LOCAL & ORGANIZING UPDATES
ON STRIKE! ALAA Members Picketing for Fair Contracts Across NYC
Approximately 1,850 workers represented by the Association of Legal Advocates and Attorneys (UAW Local 2325) reached tentative agreements in July following powerful strike actions and sustained public pressure. Remaining on strike are ALAA members at CAMBA Legal Services, Goddard Riverside Law Project, and Urban Justice Center, who are still fighting the good fight.
Today, CAMBA and Goddard members will be picketing together—follow @grlpunion and @cambaworkersunited for information on when and where to join them. UJC members are asking community supporters to sign a petition to their management as well as join them on the picket line.
For continuing strike updates and information about where you can join ALAA members on the picket line, follow @alaa2325 on Instagram.
Legal Services Workers at BronxWorks Officially Vote to Unionize with ALAA
The BronxWorks Legal Services Department has officially unionized with ALAA-UAW Local 2325 following a landslide victory, with over 90% of members voting in favor of unionization. This historic win followed an extended anti-union campaign carried out by BronxWorks leadership and aided by representatives from the notorious anti-union firm Jackson Lewis.
Bronxworks management refused to voluntarily recognize the union after workers went public on June 16, contrary to standard practice in the legal services sector. Over the course of their campaign, BronxWorks leadership repeatedly urged workers to vote "no" in the election through anti-union emails and one-on-one meetings. Nonetheless, Legal Services Department workers stood strong and refused to be intimidated or divided by these tactics. The 20-2 margin of victory last Wednesday reflected staff members' sentiments that labor organizing and collective bargaining is essential for the critical legal work they provide for the BronxWorks community.
Zaidie Long, a paralegal with the crime victims team, said about the election, "It is clear that attempts to discourage unionization by downplaying past issues only galvanized us to turn out to vote yes in greater numbers. I can't wait to see what we can accomplish as a unionized workplace." Thanks to BronxWorks members for speaking at our New Organizing workshop at last week’s Summer School!
Sign the Petition to Defend Student Workers of Columbia Against Unfair Discipline
On May 7, Columbia students held a brief teach-in at Butler Library in support of Palestinian human rights. In response, university public safety officers barricaded the exits, refused to let protesters leave, and choked and body slammed students, resulting in five concussions and four hospitalizations. Columbia then invited the NYPD onto campus, who arrested over 80 people for participating in a teach-in at their own library.
On July 21, nearly 80 students and workers learned they had been suspended or expelled from Columbia University for participating in this protest against a genocide. Multiple members of Student Workers of Columbia (UAW Local 2710) have been suspended or expelled along with other protesters, meaning that our members have lost their jobs and healthcare without notice.
SWC is asking fellow UAW members to support these members by signing a petition to Columbia to drop the charges against all students and workers for the teach-in, donating to the mutual aid fund supporting protesters who lost their jobs, and using this social media toolkit to show solidarity with the impacted workers.
Local 4100 Practice Picket to Protect Science at Weill Cornell Medicine
Wednesday, August 6 | 12 PM | 1300 York Ave, New York, NY
Postdoctoral researchers have been bargaining with Weill Cornell Medicine for well over a year, after the bargaining unit voted with 98.8% to unionize in November 2023. WCM is holding up reaching a fair agreement by insisting on being able to reduce postdocs’ hard-won salary and benefits at a moment's notice and being able to lay workers off with minimal notice. They also refuse to match all of the benefits that Mount Sinai postdocs enjoy.
In April, postdocs voted by 92% to authorize a strike if necessary if WCM doesn't take workers’ concerns seriously. To show WCM what could happen if they do not reach an agreement with us, WCM Postdocs United are holding a practice picket on Wednesday. Bring yourself as well as friends and labmates to make some noise and fight for a fair contract.
More Region 9A Locals in the News
“Denish Jaswal, a member of the Harvard Graduate Students Union-United Auto Workers, said in a statement the actions amount to an attack on Harvard and its noncitizen workers. ‘Harvard and the United States benefit from attracting the best and brightest people around the world to work on solutions to problems that will better people’s lives, from research on life-saving drugs to designing cutting-edge robotics,’ Jaswal said. ‘If the federal government continues to terrorize non-citizen workers, it will be to the detriment of everyone — no one gains from these attacks.’”
- Boston Globe: Harvard provides Trump administration with thousands of employee records as part of federal review (July 29)
FROM REGION 9A
2025 Summer School Brings 150 Members Together Across Region 9A
Region 9A’s 2025 Summer School is in the books! Thanks to the historic (and newly unionized!) LGBT Center in New York City for hosting our two-day event.
The first day included workshops on Building Political Power, Effective Union Meetings, Mobilizing in Manufacturing & Design, Fighting for Immigrant Justice, Communications for a Powerful Contract Campaign, The Fight Against Free Trade, and Striking to Win.
Day two featured sessions on Social Movement Unionism, New Organizing, the Working Class Agenda in DC, One-on-One Organizing, Fighting Trump in Higher Education, The Filipino Workers’ Movement, Building a Powerful Contract Campaign, Contract Enforcement for Grievance Handlers, and more.
UAW President Shawn Fain attended both days of Summer School and addressed our members on Friday, saying, “Members are leading the way here in Region 9A.” Thank you to the 150 UAW members in attendance from nearly every local across our region for spending your Friday and Saturday teaching and learning from each other to build solidarity and power in our union!
Region 9A gives special thanks to our amazing Summer Brigade participants—Afi, Brenden, Najifa, Naomi, and Skyler—who spent the past five weeks training full-time to be Local Union Discussion Leaders to share the types of trainings provided at Summer School at the local level across our region. As always, learn more about Region 9A’s educational programs at region9a.uaw.org/education.
Region 9A on the Airwaves: America’s Work Force Union Podcast
Region 9A Director Brandon Mancilla joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to highlight the UAW’s successful organizing campaigns in higher education, emphasize the importance of electing leaders who prioritize workers’ rights, and discuss New York City’s ongoing legal services strike.
Save the Date: Labor Day Parades in Boston & NYC
Monday, September 1 | Boston, MA & New York, NY
The New York City Central Labor Council is hosting NYC’s annual Labor Day parade on Monday, September 1. Save the date to join the UAW contingent marching in NYC starting at 9:30 AM!
Also on Monday, September 1, the Greater Boston Labor Council is hosting Boston’s first ever Labor Day parade on the Boston Common. If interested in joining a UAW contingent marching in Boston, please reach out to Vail Kohnert-Yount at vkohnertyount@uaw.net.
COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM (CAP)
Families Stand Up for Gaza Rally
Sunday, August 3 | 4 PM | Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn, NY
UAW Region 9A is cosponsoring the Families Stand Up for Gaza Rally this Sunday. The worst-case scenario of famine is unfolding in Gaza with our own eyes. From infants who weigh less than the day they were born to the elderly, people are being killed every day by the Israeli government’s policy of starvation. This policy is backed by the U.S. government, funded by our tax dollars.
On Sunday, August 3, at 4 PM at Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn, join UAW members and our families, children, and parents from all over New York City to demand that not another child or adult starves, that aid be allowed into Gaza, that the U.S. ceases military assistance to Israel—and that the genocide of Palestinians ends today.
Need More UAW Swag in Your Life? Sign Up for VCAP!
The UAW Voluntary Community Action Program (VCAP) is our union’s member-supported political fund. Thousands of UAW members make monthly VCAP contributions to support pro-worker political initiatives and candidates who earn our members' endorsement.
Political leverage in Washington and our state capitols can strengthen our position at the bargaining table, and it can help us win victories beyond bargaining. In today’s political climate, with a resurgent and organized right-wing movement and an all-out attack on the working class by corporate greed, workers need to consider every source of leverage available to build power.
By supporting progressive legislative campaigns and candidates whose platforms support the working class, workers can gain the upper hand in our fight for dignified working conditions. A strong VCAP program means UAW members' voices can be heard to advance our own vision for the working class: fair compensation for our labor, health care and retirement security, and accessible education for all.
Region 9A members who donate monthly to VCAP will earn UAW swag, including tote bags, baseball hats, and bomber jackets! Learn more and sign up at region9a.uaw.org/vcap.
Dozens of NY Elected Officials Sign Letters in Support of Striking UAW Legal Services
This week, New York politicians representing neighborhoods where striking ALAA members at CAMBA Legal Services, Goddard Riverside Law Project, and Urban Justice Center serve vulnerable community members signed two letters of support, one addressed to CAMBA and the other to Goddard Riverside management.
The letter to CAMBA addresses the organization’s President and CEO Valerie Barton-Richardson and Chief Legal Officer and Executive Director Elizabeth Miller, with the executive senior staff, senior vice presidents, and board all copied. It was led by Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso and includes 26 elected officials such as NYC Comptroller Brad Lander, State Senators Zellnor Myrie and Jabari Brisport, City Counselors Carmen De La Rosa, Rita Joseph, and Crystal Hudson, and more.
The Goddard letter, addressed to Roderick L. Jones, President of Goddard Riverside, is signed by the elected representatives who refer cases to Goddard and, in some cases, have worked with Goddard for decades. The letter was led by Democratic Nominee for Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal, currently a State Senator, and includes every single Manhattan west side elected representative.
Region 9A CAP in the News
“State and local lawmakers are calling on management at two nonprofit organizations—CAMBA and Goddard Riverside Law Project—to reach a deal with their striking lawyers as the work stoppage enters its third week.”
- The City: Legal Services Strike Enters Third Week (July 30)
FROM THE INTERNATIONAL UAW
UAW International Issues Statement on U.S. Trade Agreement with Japan
The UAW is deeply angered by the Trump administration’s announced trade deal with Japan. What we’ve seen so far makes one thing clear: American workers are once again being left behind. We need trade deals that raise standards—not reward the race to the bottom. This deal does the opposite. Read more at UAW.org.
Join the Higher Ed Labor United Coalition’s Upcoming Meetings
The UAW is part of Higher Education Labor United, a national organization founded in 2021 to unite workers throughout U.S. higher education. HELU brings together unions that represent staff, student workers, adjunct, contingent, and tenured faculty, postdocs, university health system workers, and others to create and pursue a unified vision for higher education and to add our strength to a reinvigorated U.S. labor movement. Higher ed members are invited to join HELU’s upcoming meetings:
- International Campus Worker & Student Organizing Meeting
Monday, August 4 | 2 PM ET | Zoom - HELU Open House
Thursday, August 14 | 6 PM ET | Zoom - Library Workers Organizing Meeting & Strategy Session
Wednesday, August 20 | 7 PM ET | Zoom
Attend Contract Enforcement, Member Mobilization, & Local Union Officers Institutes
Region 9A locals are encouraged to send members to the Contract Enforcement Boot Camp, Member Mobilization Institute, and Local Union Officers Institute happening this September and October in Black Lake, Michigan.
All three conferences are powerful and affordable ways to get members trained and involved in our union. We especially encourage locals to send members who have never been to Black Lake previously. For each of these conferences, the registration cost covering both housing and food is only $75 per member, and flight costs will be reimbursed to the local minus $75 and a processing fee. We also have lost time subsidies available for locals who need additional support.
Members are encouraged to contact your local leadership to sign up. Please don’t hesitate to Region 9A Education Representative Alexi Shalom with questions at ashalom@uaw.net.
SOLIDARITY REQUESTS
Take Action to Support Empowering the App-Based Workers Act in Connecticut
Connecticut Drivers United is proud to announce that Senator Chris Murphy is championing federal legislation called the Empowering App-Based Workers Act that would guarantee drivers at least 75% of each passenger’s fare. That’s money that pays rent, pays groceries, and stays in Connecticut, for the people who actually do the work. Please send a letter to Senator Blumenthal and ask him to join his colleague and support drivers.
UNITE HERE on Strike at Fenway Park
Over 1,000 concession workers, members of UNITE HERE Local 26, just voted to go on strike at Fenway Park. After over six months of negotiations, these essential workers—who serve fans at one of the most profitable sports venues in the country—still lack a fair contract.
Workers are on strike for the entire Dodgers homestand. They will maintain a 24/7 picket line, and we are urging all supporters to turn out during peak solidarity shifts (listed above). Workers are not asking fans to skip the game, just to skip buying food and beverage while in the Park.
The key issues at stake are low wages that fail to match the cost of living in Boston and job-threatening automation, including the growing use of self-checkout stands. Let's show the Red Sox and their concessions vendors that Boston is a union town!
F.U.N. Forum: Federal Workers Unite!
Thursday, August 7 | 5:30PM – 7:30PM | Thomas O’Neill Federal Building, Boston, MA
Federal workers are invited to this cross-agency forum to connect, reflect, and strategize in response to ongoing threats to public service and democracy. Hosted by and for federal employees, this event is a space to share experiences and strengthen solidarity. For more information, please reach out to Kyle Engels at kylengels@live.com.
Leadership for Social Impact: Free Ten-Week Course
Thursdays, August 7 - October 16 | 6 - 8 PM | Zoom
The Astoria Worker Project invites you to join a powerful new leadership course designed for people who care deeply and are ready to grow their voice, strategy, and vision. Leadership for Social Impact is a free 10-week journey that brings together strategy, systems thinking, and personal growth. You’ll learn to lead from your values, build meaningful change, and reconnect with your purpose, regardless of how complex the times may be.
The class will explore:
- How to lead without burning out
- What movements teach us about transformation
- How your inner narrative shapes your leadership
- Practical tools for organizing, messaging, and planning
WILL Empower 2025 Edna Berger Award Nomination
WILL Empower is awarding the 2025 Edna Berger Young Courageous Leader Award ($15,000) to a leader who is leading for transformation. WILL Empower celebrates cisgender and transgender women, gender expansive and gender non-conforming leaders who reside and work in North America and who are actively involved in worker justice movements. Learn more about Edna Berger and the Berger-Marks Legacy.
Do you know a young (age 30 and under) courageous leader who demonstrates a commitment to worker, racial, and gender justice? Tell us about them. They should be affiliated with unions, worker centers, community-based organizations, or other justice-seeking organizations where worker well-being is central. Their work and accomplishments must demonstrate a willingness to confront power and exclusive institutional practices for greater equity. Nominate a leader who inspires you using this form!
UPCOMING EVENTS
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 Contract Enforcement Boot Camp
September 7-12 | Onaway, MI
2025 UAW Membership Mobilization Institute
September 28 - October 3 | Onaway, MI
2025 UAW Local Union Officers Institute
October 5 - 10 | Onaway, MI