UAW Region 9A Weekly Newsletter: August 28

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LOCAL UPDATES

Local 4100: Columbia Postdocs Vote Overwhelmingly to Authorize Strike

Last week, Columbia Postdoctoral Workers voted overwhelmingly to authorize the union’s bargaining committee to call a strike.

“We want to avoid having to strike. We want to do the research that brought us to Columbia and that contributes to the University’s mission,” Anna Yoney, CPW-UAW unit chair and an associate research scientist, said in a Monday press release. “But our work deserves to be respected, and our working conditions need to be sustainable. This vote sends a clear message: we are united and we are prepared to strike if necessary to win a fair contract.”

The union began bargaining with Columbia in March for a contract that provides job security for postdocs and protections for international workers amid uncertainty from the federal government.

“Our members have spent months making our priorities clear,” Sarah Vincent, a postdoctoral research scientist at the Mailman School of Public Health, said in the press release. “We have organized, rallied, spoken publicly about our experiences, and come to the bargaining table ready to reach an agreement. This vote demonstrates that we are united in demanding the job security, compensation, and workplace protections we need to continue doing our work.”

Three UAW-endorsed congressional candidates—Brad Lander, Claire Valdez (Local 2110 member), and Darializa Avila Chevalier (Local 2325 member)—supported the union at a rally in June. “Anytime a union is taking on Columbia, know that I will be there with you in that fight,” Valdez, former unit chair of Local 2110’s Columbia chapter, said.

“We are still ready to reach an agreement,” Andrew Little, president of UAW Local 4100, said in the press release. “Columbia can choose a different path. We hope the University will take this vote as a clear mandate from its researchers to come back to the table, bargain seriously, and reach a contract that recognizes the essential work we perform every day.”

In the news:

• Columbia Spectator: Columbia postdoctoral workers vote to authorize strike (August 24)
• The Chief: Colombia postdocs authorize strike: Around 1,000 workers could walk out at any time (August 24)

Local 2324: BU Staff Union Votes to Ratify Contract

UAW Local 2324 ratified a successor contract with Boston University after more than two years of negotiations. Local 2324, which weathered the financial storm affecting higher education and suffered layoffs in the summer of 2025, walked away from the table with the highest annual raises in 20 years.

As recently as January of this year, Boston University’s offer was no guaranteed increases in any contract year, a proposal which was a non-starter for the union. But persistent organizing, including union members marching on the President’s office to deliver a petition, won the day.

“We’ve fought hard to get the contract our members deserve,” said President Alex MacVeagh. “The university tried to beat us down and drag this out. But in organizing as in striking, we say one day longer, one day stronger.”

Local 2324 looks now to enforce the provisions of their successor contract, which will see members receive their first raise in two years. But the labor struggle at BU isn’t over yet. Local 2324 stands in solidarity with, and urges community support for, the union workers of SEIU 509 and SEIU 32BJ who will be negotiating with the University in the fall.

NYU Postdoc Union Reaches Election Agreement

This week, NYU postdoctoral researchers reached an election agreement with the university administration so postdoc workers can vote on forming our union.

The election will happen at a date to be determined in the next three months. Follow @nyupostdocunion on Instagram for the latest updates!

Local 2325: Solidarity with Members Under Attack for Exercising Right to Strike

In the wake of Local 2325’s strike at Neighborhood Defender Services this summer, members at NDS’s Detroit location are being threatened with criminal contempt charges by a Wayne County judge for exercising their right to withhold their labor.

In response, UAW President Shawn Fain, pictured above with members on the picket line, issued the following statement:

You don’t get to turn the courthouse into a hammer against UAW members at Neighborhood Defender Service because they went on strike for fair treatment in the workplace.

If Judge Darnella Williams-Claybourne is proceeding with criminal charges against two public defenders, members of UAW Local 2325, over missed court dates while on strike, the people of Wayne County have every right to ask: What is going on here? A labor dispute is not a license to punish workers for standing together. It is further outrageous considering that striking workers were locked out of their office building, their case files, their emails, and their calendars.

This is a heavy-handed move that sends a nasty message to every employee who dares to organize, especially those who work in the public interest. It’s unacceptable intimidation.

Going on strike does not mean a public defender suddenly stops caring about clients. It does not mean they turned their backs on the defenseless. And it certainly does not mean they surrendered their rights as workers. Public defenders went on strike last month precisely because they knew they couldn’t continue to do their critical jobs for their clients and our community without creating a more sustainable workplace.

Our members fought for fair wages, healthcare, and better workplace standards. We are proud of the collective bargaining agreement that was reached, and they have been hard at work representing the people of Wayne County since then.

Judge Darnella Williams-Claybourne is the sole judge in Wayne County seeking to punish UAW workers, out of the over forty judges in the county who presided over hearings for which NDS attorneys did not appear during the strike. The UAW demands that the proceedings for criminal contempt be dropped immediately. Workers should not have to choose between their livelihood and their basic right to stand together.

More Region 9A Locals in the News

“Unionized members of BDS voted to ratify the temporary agreement their bargaining committee reached with management into a collective bargaining agreement. The vote put to bed a long contentious bargaining season that saw over 500 attorneys and support staff picket outside their Queens and Brooklyn offices for months before eventually entering a five day strike. Included in the final contract are pay increases for all staff, an increase in sick leave and higher retirement contributions, according to the union.”

• Queens Daily Eagle: Brooklyn Defender Services union overwhelmingly approves new labor contract (August 25)

"The easiest way for the city to avoid a strike of public defenders is to put appropriate money into public defense," said Jane Fox, the chair of the ALAA chapter at the Legal Aid Society. “If you want to put everybody on a level playing field, you have to put significantly more money in…Why do public defenders have to beg for crumbs every year?”

• Queens Daily Eagle: City public defender strikes are over, for now (August 28)

COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM (CAP)

Massachusetts: Get Out the Vote for Local 2320 Member Tram Nguyen for Congress
Sunday, August 30 | 12 PM | Salem, MA

UAW members have been phone banking and canvassing for our UAW Local 2320 sister 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 now she’s been endorsed by Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, Congresswoman Lori Trahan, Attorney General Andrea Campbell, and the Boston Globe!

Join Sunday’s canvass kickoff in Salem with all of these special guests! Email Vail Kohnert-Yount at vkohnertyount@uaw.net if interested in carpooling.

Massachusetts: Get Out the Vote for Local 5118 Member Evan MacKay for Cambridge

UAW member Evan MacKay is running to represent the 25th Middlesex District in Cambridge. As a former president of the Harvard Graduate Students Union-UAW Local 5118, Evan has been deeply involved with union organizing and contract campaigns at Harvard since the local was certified in 2018.

From showing up for fellow union members on picket lines across the city to pushing for the UAW's political priorities in state and local government, they have been an advocate for social and economic justice both within and beyond the UAW.

Throughout the campaign, UAW members have been knocking doors and making calls —and now it’s time to get Evan across the finish line. Sign up to GOTV!

More in Massachusetts: Canvass with Labor for UAW-Endorsed Candidates

GOTV Rally for Sen. Ed Markey with Sen. Sanders, Sen. Warren, & Rep. Pressley
Saturday, August 29 | 12:30 PM | IBEW Local 103, Dorchester, MA

UAW, WFP, & AFT Canvass for John Drinkwater & Lorena Betts
Sunday, August 30 | 10 AM - 12:30 PM | Cafe Eclipse, Lowell, MA

GOTV Rally & Lit Drop for Daniel Lander with David Hogg
Monday, August 31 | 6 PM | Brighton Common, Boston, MA

Region 9A CAP in the News

“As a legal aid attorney and proud member of UAW Local 2320, she fought against wage theft for immigrant workers and always stood up for working families. Then she carried that fight to the State House, beating an entrenched MAGA Republican by ten points.”

• The Reading Post: Congresswomen Lori Trahan and Ayanna Pressley Endorse Tram Nguyen for Congress (August 24)

“Johnnie [McKnight]’s candidacy has earned support from organizations that know what it takes to fight for working families and communities of color: the Working Families Party, MassAlliance, the Massachusetts Teachers Association, the Massachusetts AFL-CIO, the Western Massachusetts Area Labor Federation, the United Auto Workers, Mass Progressive Democrats, and Reproductive Equity Now.”

• MassLive: Springfield deserves a state rep like Johnnie McKnight (August 20)

FROM REGION 9A

Join UAW Members for Labor Day 2026

Labor Day is our day! Join UAW members across Region 9A and tens of thousands of other workers as we come together on Labor Day. Here are some of the events UAW members are participating in across our region.

Western Mass Area Labor Federation Labor Day Cookout
Sunday, September 6 | 1 - 4:30 PM | Nonotuck Park, Easthampton, MA
Celebrate together with your union siblings this Labor Day weekend at the WMALF Labor Day Cookout! Expect food, family games, and opportunities to learn about the work unions and our allies are doing around Western Mass.

Central Maine Labor Council Labor Day BBQ
Sunday, September 6 | 11 AM - 1 PM | USW Local 9, Skowhegan, ME
Join fellow Maine union members and the Central Maine Labor Council for a free Labor Day BBQ on Sunday at the USW Local 9 hall.

Greater Boston Labor Council’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.

New Hampshire AFL-CIO Labor Day Breakfast
Monday, September 7 | 9 AM | DoubleTree Hotel, Manchester, NH
As the New Hampshire AFL-CIO’s largest annual gathering, the Labor Day Breakfast brings together union members, labor leaders, elected officials, community partners, and allies from across the state to celebrate everything working people have accomplished and prepare for the fights ahead.

Eastern Maine Labor Council's 23rd Annual Labor Day Celebration
Monday, September 7 | 4:30 - 7 PM | Solidarity Center, Brewer, ME
Join the Labor Council for local burgers, red hot dogs, corn on the cob, and watermelon. Guests are encouraged to bring a potluck dish! Suggested donation of $5/person upon entry, kids under 12 are free, families $12 to help cover the cost of food. The Labor Council is very excited to welcome AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler to Brewer!

NYC Central Labor Council Labor Day Rally & March
Tuesday, September 8 | 4:30 PM | Liberty Street, between Church & Broadway
This September marks the return of NYC’s Labor Day mobilization. In 2025, 100,000 marchers gathered on Fifth Avenue to show the might of the NYC labor movement. While this year looks different, we will still join together in solidarity and in support of our fellow workers.

Three Roads Music & Book Tour
Wednesday, September 16 | 6:30 PM | SEIU 32BJ, 26 West Street, Boston, MA 02111
Join Boston area unions to celebrate the release of Three Roads: Labor, Music, Ecology, the powerful autobiography of longtime labor leader and Labor Network for Sustainability Founder Joe Uehlein. This special event for the national book and music tour will bring together movement leaders, organizers, and music lovers for an evening of stories and songs from a lifetime spent fighting for workers, the environment, and a better world. Blending live music with reflections from the frontlines of labor and climate activism, Uehlein will share how the “three roads” of labor, music, and ecology have shaped his journey and the movements he helped build. Come celebrate the launch and join us for a powerful evening of music and solidarity! 

FROM THE INTERNATIONAL UAW

Last Chance to Register! UAW Health & Safety Conference
October 11-16 | Register by August 31 | Onaway, MI

“Defining Health and Safety for Future Generations” begins with workplace safety as a fundamental right and a core part of strong collective bargaining agreements. Effective contracts create safer job sites, and this conference will equip members with the knowledge and skills to negotiate and enforce strong health and safety protections along with methods to identify and mitigate hazards. The conference aims to strengthen the bonds of solidarity among UAW members by providing training, motivation, and a call to action to demand safe worksites.

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.

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. The latest issue of Solidarity Magazine features information about all candidates. More information about the upcoming elections is available at uawmonitor.com/elections, and you can watch recordings of all the candidate forums on YouTube.

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.

SOLIDARITY REQUESTS

Support UNITE HERE Local 26 & Teamsters Local 25 at Encore Casino
Strike deadline on September 1

All hands on deck for UNITE HERE Local 26 and Teamsters Local 25. Members at Encore Boston Harbor have voted to authorize a strike, and their contracts expire September 1.

Workers are fighting for the new and fair contracts they deserve. Labor allies are being asked to know before you go to Encore after September 1—before eating, meeting, greeting or gambling at the property. Get the latest solidarity updates from Local 26.

Higher Ed Labor United Raise Hell for Pell National Town Hall
Tuesday, September 1 | 7 PM ET | Online
The Raise Hell For Pell campaign is about protecting the program now and winning a new affordable and accessible higher education system for the future. Join us to help open the doors of higher education for the next generation.

SEIU 32BJ Fall Semester Kickoff Rally at Tufts University
Thursday, September 3 | 3:30 PM | 175 Packard Ave, Medford, MA
From spring semester until now, 100 members of 32BJ SEIU in Tufts' facilities department have been bargaining for a fair union contract. The university has not answered calls from campus allies, community groups, and elected officials to agree to the fair contract that these workers and their families deserve. Come show these administrators the deep community, labor, and student support for Tufts' facilities department workers!

Labor Notes Secrets of a Successful Organizer Hudson Valley Training
Sunday, September 13 | 10 AM - 6 PM | Poughkeepsie, NY
The bosses and billionaires are still attacking worker rights, the public good, and the well-being of our communities. Are you ready to fight back where you work, and in your community? Strengthen your organizing skills with Labor Notes' step-by-step guide to building power on the job. Join us for an in-person "Secrets of a Successful Organizer" training this September in Hudson Valley, New York!

Fighting for the Future of Higher Education: Labor Organizing, Bargaining, & Policy Advocacy in the Age of EdTech and AI
October 23 - 24 | Chicago, IL
Higher Ed Labor United and our partners in UIC United Faculty AFT Local 6456 are hosting a day-long deep dive into Higher Education, EdTech, and AI. This workshop is aimed at: understanding and producing contract language that protects workers; strategizing together to create a national organizing model against the technoligarchy; creating legislative frameworks locals can take to their state legislatures and Congress; and deepening workers’ understanding of the issue.

Union Hiring Hall

• Connecticut AFL-CIO | Legislative Director | Rocky Hill, CT

UPCOMING EVENTS

UAW Bargaining & Contract Enforcement Bootcamp
September 20-25 | Onaway, MI

UAW Member Mobilization Institute
September 27 - October 2 | 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 | Register by August 31 | Onaway, MI

UAW Education Committees Institute
October 18-26 | Register by September 14 | Onaway, MI

Region 9A Veterans Council Dinner Dance
Saturday, November 7 | New London, CT