UAW Region 9A Weekly Newsletter: September 4

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LABOR DAY 2026

Join Fellow 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 UAW members will be marching together. The Parade will start at Boston Common and end at Copley Square with a BBQ lunch and inspiring speaking and entertainment program.

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.

LOCAL UPDATES

Local 2110: Workers at Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art Won Union Election

Last week, workers at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art officially won their union election after petitioning the National Labor Relations Board to join UAW Local 2110.

Staff members cite low wages, health and safety conditions, lack of promotional opportunities, and greater job security as reasons for unionizing. The unit will include all full and part time staff of the Museum including staff in Collections, Development, Marketing, the Bookshop, Education, and Guest Services. Congratulations to Local 2110’s newest members!

Local 7902: NYFA Faculty Union Signs Ratified First Contract

After reaching a tentative agreement earlier this summer, the faculty and staff union at the New York Film Academy voted to ratify their first collective bargaining agreement. The union held a formal contract signing ceremony at their workplace, joined by Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal and followed with celebratory popcorn.

Follow @ats.nyfa on Instagram for the latest updates.

Local 2325: Charges Dropped Against Members Who Exercised Right to Strike

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

Thankfully, after pressure from workers, the community, and International UAW, the judges backed down in a victory for our members and workers’ rights everywhere. “You don’t get to turn the courthouse into a hammer against UAW members,” said UAW President Shawn Fain.

More Region 9A Locals in the News

Congratulations to Local 7902 President Micaela Suminski and Local 2325 President Lisa Ohta, who were named to City & State New York’s 2026 Labor Power 100 list alongside Region 9A Director Brandon Mancilla!

The profiles highlighted major accomplishments by UAW members in New York City this year:

• “It has been a busy year for Micaela Suminski and ACT-UAW Local 7902. The union led nontenure track faculty members at NYU in a strike this spring. Suminski has also been focused on winning back pay for misclassified workers, getting workers reinstated and defending fired workers at The New School.”
• “Who defends the public defenders? Lisa Ohta and the Association of Legal Advocates and Attorneys, that’s who. The union has orchestrated several strikes this summer, putting pressure on employers to make concessions.”
• “Brandon Mancilla’s United Auto Workers Region 9A was an early and enthusiastic backer of Zohran Mamdani. Mancilla then supported two Mamdani allies and UAW members, Claire Valdez and Darializa Avila Chevalier, who won contested Democratic congressional primaries this year.”

Read more in City & State New York.

COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM (CAP)

Endorsed in New Hampshire: Former Member Carleigh Beriont for U.S. Congress

UAW Region 9A in New Hampshire is proud to announce our endorsement of UAW member Carleigh Beriont to represent New Hampshire’s 1st District in the U.S. Congress.

As a former member of UAW Local 5118, Carleigh is the labor candidate in the NH-1 race. Carleigh has stood with graduate workers at the University of New Hampshire throughout their fight for a fair first contract.

“UNH graduate workers have been fighting two years towards a fair first contract and a living wage. Carleigh’s strong background and experiences as a graduate labor organizer means she understands the power workers build when standing together,” said Tim Hoheneder, a leader of Graduate Employees United-UAW at the University of New Hampshire. “Carleigh reflects the commitment to collective power that graduate workers need from those seeking to represent New Hampshire.”

“My experiences as a union organizer taught me to never walk away from the table and demonstrated the value and power of solidarity,” she said. “I will bring those skills and the voices of working people with me to Washington.”

Read more about Carleigh and the UAW’s endorsement. New Hampshire voters, make sure to vote in the primary election this coming Tuesday, September 8!

Elected in Massachusetts: UAW-Endorsed Candidates for State House & Senate

On Tuesday, many of our UAW-endorsed candidates for Massachusetts State House and Senate were victorious in the Democratic primary elections. Special congratulations to current and former UAW members John Drinkwater, Ben Ewen-Campen, and Tom Hendrickson, who won their races! Here are all of the UAW-endorsed primary candidates who will go on to the general election in November, with Daniel Lander’s race for State Senate still to be counted:

• Ed Markey, U.S. Senate
• Persis Yu, State Senate, Norfolk & Suffolk
• Ravi Simon, State House, 13th Middlesex
• Lorena Betts, State House, 16th Middlesex
• John Drinkwater, State House, 17th Middlesex
• Mike Connolly, State House, 26th Middlesex
• Ben Ewen-Campen, State House, 27th Middlesex
• Will Mbah, State House, 34th Middlesex
• Tom Hendrickson, State House, 3rd Hampden
• Tamisha Civil, Governor’s Council, District 2

Two of our own members—Tram Nguyen for U.S. Congress and Evan MacKay for State House - sadly came up short despite late momentum. Electing our own members to office is a top political priority for the UAW, and we are incredibly proud of our members for running strong, principled, people-powered campaigns in uphill battles where they were massively outspent.

FROM REGION 9A

Federal Judge Calls Out Trump Admin in Lawsuit Brought by UAW & Other Unions

In a hearing on Thursday for a lawsuit brought by the UAW and others, a federal judge in Boston called out the Trump administration for imposing new restrictions on the duration of visas impacting international student workers. The changes impact F, J, and I visas and change how long students and other workers can stay, adding massive barriers if they need to extend their time in the United States.

“I think that the uncertainty point in terms of the impact of the potential irreparable harm is enormous,” U.S. District Court Judge Dennis Saylor said.

Last month UAW joined unions and higher education groups in suing over the final rule implemented by the Department of Homeland Security. Most of the arguments in Thursday’s hearing centered around the impacts on changing the duration of F and J visas impacting international students, which would restrict those visas and make it more difficult to extend studies or engage in paid training and internships.

“Our local and the UAW got involved to protect the freedom to research and the freedom to learn and teach,” said Patrick Burke, President of UAW Local 2322, which represents grad workers and postdocs at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and University of Vermont.

In the news:

• The News Guild: Federal judge calls potential harms “enormous” from Trump administration’s changes to journalist and student visas (Sept. 3)
• Boston Globe: Boston federal judge blasts Trump administration’s changes to international student visas (Sept. 3)
• Harvard Crimson: Federal Judge Casts Doubt on Government’s National Security Case for Four-Year Student Visa Limit (Sept. 4)

Now Hiring: Bookkeeper in Hartford & Secretary I in Puerto Rico

UAW Region 9A is now hiring for two clerical staff positions: a Bookkeeper based in Hartford, Connecticut, and a Secretary I in Carolina, Puerto Rico.

Our bookkeeper provides financial and administrative support for regional operations, including maintaining vendor documentation, financial spreadsheets, expenditure records, and internal databases. Responsibilities include preparing, coding, and processing payment requests; tracking and reconciling regional expenditures and staff expenses; processing V-CAP contributions; compiling and analyzing financial reports; and coordinating CAP-related payments. The role also involves frequent communication with local unions and members, maintaining accurate records across multiple funds and programs, and providing administrative backup to secretarial staff.

Our Secretary I provides high-level administrative support for Region 9A’s Subregional office in Carolina, Puerto Rico, serving as a liaison between leadership, staff, members, community partners, and affiliated organizations. Responsibilities include coordinating office operations, meetings, travel, conferences, communications and expenses; preparing, proofreading, and formatting documents and publications; responding to member and staff inquiries; and providing Spanish-English translation and interpretation as needed.

Interested candidates can learn more and submit applications via Indeed. Both positions are represented by OPEIU.

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!

Save the Date: UAW Region 9A Veterans Council Dinner Dance
Saturday, November 7 | Holiday Inn, New London, CT

Please save the date for the Region 9A Veterans Council's 27th Annual Dinner Dance! This year’s event will be held in a new location: the Holiday Inn in New London, Connecticut.

FROM THE INTERNATIONAL UAW

Higher Ed Department: UAW Members’ Action Temporarily Blocks Harmful Budget Rule

When the Office of Management and Budget proposed a rule change that threatened to undermine federal grant funding that UAW members across the country depend on, the UAW’s Higher Education Department took action. UAW members stepped up, made our voices heard, and organized against it.

Because of our collective pressure, the newly passed Continuing Resolution to keep the government funded, which the President is expected to sign, includes a provision that temporarily blocks the implementation of this harmful OMB rule change. This pause is a victory thanks to our members’ hard work and advocacy. We fought to protect research independence and workers’ job security, and we won this round!

Follow @uawhighered on Instagram for the latest actions and updates.

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 have now been mailed and must be received by October 5, 2026 in order to be counted. If you have not yet received your ballot, please call the UAW Monitor at 855-433-8683 to request that a new one be mailed. 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

On Strike! Support UNITE HERE Local 26 & Teamsters Local 25 at Encore Casino
All hands on deck for UNITE HERE Local 26 and Teamsters Local 25 members, who are now on strike at Encore Boston Harbor in Everett, Massachusetts! 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 4—before eating, meeting, greeting or gambling at the property. Get the latest solidarity updates from Local 26.

Boycott Starbucks! Solidarity with Starbucks Workers United
For nearly five years, Starbucks baristas have been fighting for what every worker deserves: better pay, enough hours to make ends meet, safe staffing, and a fair union contract. More than 12,000 baristas have organized with Starbucks Workers United, winning more than 700 union elections nationwide. But instead of finalizing a fair first contract, Starbucks stonewalls at bargaining while workers fight for the basics they need to survive. Union baristas are fed up with Starbucks’ unchecked corporate greed, so they’re calling on all supporters to Boycott Starbucks until workers win a fair union contract. Sign the pledge!

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!

Freedom for Fishers Campaign Launch Event
Thursday, September 17 | 9 AM ET | Zoom
Over the past three years, Forum Silaturahmi Pelaut Indonesia – Pingtung Migrant Fishers Union (FOSPI-PMFU) and Global Labor Justice (GLJ) have documented extensive cases of forced labor and severe labor rights violations involving fishers working in a major U.S. seafood brand’s supply chain. FOSPI-PMFU and GLJ invite you the public launch of the Freedom for Fishers Campaign, a campaign demanding that this seafood brand take responsibility for forced labor in its supply chain and negotiate with FOSPI-PMFU to enter into a binding agreement to guarantee fishers’ fundamental labor rights. At the event, we will reveal the U.S. seafood brand tied to forced labor cases documented in the report and hear testimony from fishers and union leaders.

Western Mass Area Labor Federation Introductory Stewards Training
Saturday, September 19 | 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM | West Springfield, MA
Union stewards are the first line of defense for union members! Learn the basics of being a union steward from fellow union members in the Area Labor Federation’s introductory training. Explore key topics like Weingarten rights, Just Cause principles, fighting grievances, and more! Over the course of the day-long training we will cover: an organizing approach to addressing workplace issues and building union power; Weingarten rights and other legal protections for union stewards and workers; filing information requests and investigating potential grievances; just cause principles and writing a strong grievance; and more.

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 | Onaway, MI

UAW Standing Committees & Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Institute
October 4-9 | Onaway, MI

UAW Health & Safety Conference
October 11-16 | 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