UAW Region 9A Weekly Newsletter: September 18
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LOCAL UPDATES
Local 4100: Columbia Postdoctoral Workers Set Strike Deadline of October 21
After months of the university stalling and refusing to provide necessary information for the bargaining process, the Columbia Postdoctoral Workers’ elected bargaining committee has called for an unfair labor practices strike starting on October 21 to protest this unlawful behavior.
Last month, with record participation from union members, an overwhelming 90% voted YES to authorize the bargaining committee to call a strike if necessary to win a fair third contract. After the strike authorization vote, Columbia came back to the bargaining table with a completely inadequate proposal that failed to address the cost of living struggles members are experiencing.
Follow @cpw_uaw on Instagram for the latest updates before the strike deadline!
Local 2110: Whitney, Brooklyn, and American Folk Art Museum Staff Authorize Strikes
Unionized staff at three major New York City museums have voted to authorize strike action if they do not receive fair offers on their union contract. Workers at the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Brooklyn Museum, and the American Folk Art Museum have each voted overwhelmingly to authorize their elected bargaining committees to set a strike deadline if necessary.
No strike deadlines have been set yet, but each of the museums has a major exhibition opening scheduled for early October. Workers at all three institutions say they are ready to strike if no fair agreement is reached.
”It’s not that we want to strike,” says Derrick Charles, a Membership Associate at the Whitney and Union Chairperson. “We’d rather be working and doing our jobs but our wages are untenable for making ends meet in New York City.”
Elizabeth St. George, an Assistant Curator at the Brooklyn Museum, is concerned about health care and job security. “I’ve never expected to get rich as a curator,” she says, “but I want to be able to rely on having a job with affordable health care and a reasonable salary so I can concentrate on doing the work I love.”
Richard Ho, Director of Information Technologies for AFAM who has worked at the Museum for 25 years, says he loves AFAM but stands with his colleagues: “AFAM staff voted unanimously to unionize to address pressing concerns about workplace rights and wages that lag below inflation. Staff should be able to afford to live in the city they work in.”
Follow the Whitney Union, the Brooklyn Museum Union, and the AFAM Union on Instagram for the latest updates.
In the news:
- Art Forum: Unionized Staff at Three Major NYC Museums Vote to Strike (Sept. 16)
- Hyperallergic: Staff at Whitney Museum, Brooklyn Museum, and American Folk Art Museum Authorize Strike (Sept. 15)
HAW-UAW & HGSU-UAW: Practice Picket for a Fair Contract
Wednesday, September 23 | 12 - 1 PM | Cambridge & Boston, MA
No contracts, no peace! Join the Harvard Graduate Students Union and the Harvard Academic Workers for a picket. It’s time to show Harvard that without fair contracts, we’re ready for greater collective action.
Join members of both unions at the Science Center Plaza in Cambridge and the Longwood Quad in Boston. Follow @hgsuuaw and @haworkers on Instagram for more.
NYU Postdoc Union: Election Date Set for September 30 & October 1
The NYU Postdoc Union has election dates! On Wednesday, September 30, and Thursday, October 1, NYU will have the historic opportunity to join over 3,000 UAW postdocs in NYC—and over 100,000 UAW academic workers nationwide—in voting union yes.
Postdocs drive the world-class research conducted at NYU. However, without collective bargaining, NYU postdocs have faced unreliable salary increases that lag behind the rising cost of living in NYC and the minimums established by unionized peers; lack of fair recourse in cases of discrimination or mistreatment; and insufficient support for international researchers at a critical time.
Follow @nyupostdocunion on Instagram for more updates on the upcoming election.
COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM (CAP)
UAW & Labor Canvasses for Troy Jackson for U.S. Senate
Saturday, Sept. 19, Oct. 10, & Oct. 24 | Bangor & Old Town, ME
Join UAW Local 7650 and the Maine AFL-CIO to canvass for our UAW brother Troy Jackson for the U.S. Senate! It’s our time to send a working class champion to represent us in Washington.
Troy is the labor candidate. He is a fifth-generation logger, card-carrying member of multiple unions, and former member of UAW Local 2320 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.
Labor Canvass for the Workers’ Rights Amendment
Saturday, September 19 | 11 AM - 2 PM | Brattleboro, VT
Join the Vermont AFL-CIO and the North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters on Saturday in Brattleboro to help get out the labor vote for Proposal 3, the Workers' Rights Amendment! Participants will receive a free t-shirt, other Prop 3 swag, snacks, water, and some light breakfast fare. The Workers’ Rights Amendment will affirm and guarantee the right to organize and collectively bargain, enshrining workers' rights in the Vermont constitution.
Labor Walk for State Senator Julie Kushner & More
Saturday, September 19 | 10 AM - 1 PM | Danbury, CT
Join the Connecticut AFL-CIO and your fellow union members for energizing canvassing events! We’ll knock on union household doors, discuss key issues, and educate members about labor-endorsed candidates. You’ll receive training, a prepared script, and a list of households. Pair up with another volunteer and enjoy complimentary coffee, donuts, and bagels to fuel your efforts.
This Saturday, members will be canvassing for UAW’s own State Senator Julie Kushner in Danbury—sign up for more Labor Walks every Saturday until Election Day.
FROM REGION 9A
Federal Judge Blocks Change to Duration of Status Rule, Siding with UAW Members
This week, a federal judge sided with UAW members by blocking the Department of Homeland Security from limiting F-1 and J-1 visas to only four years. While the fight isn’t over, this major win is thanks to the power of hundreds of thousands of union members coming together.
Last month, after the Department of Homeland Security proposed limiting F-1 and J-1 visas to a maximum of four years, UAW—including Region 9A’s own Local 2322—joined a lawsuit with other unions and immigration groups challenging the change. On Monday, a federal judge sided with UAW members and blocked the change from going into effect. As a result, the existing Duration of Status policy that allows F-1 and J-1 visa holders to remain in the U.S. for the length of their program remains in place for now.
Region 9A Now Hiring: Bookkeeper in Hartford, Connecticut
UAW Region 9A is now hiring for a Bookkeeper based in Hartford, Connecticut! Interested candidates can learn more and submit applications via Indeed.
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.
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
Now Hiring: UAW Women’s Department International Representative
The mission of the UAW Women’s Department is to work to alleviate the inequities created by race and class while continuing to address gender injustice as it relates to discrimination in hiring, pay, promotion, training, seniority protection, and retention in the workplace.
The mission is realized through the four core objectives identified within the Women’s Issues Resolution that was adopted at the 38th Constitutional Convention. The four key objectives are to (1) increase gender equity, (2) advocate for gender-based justice, (3) increase equity in politics, and (4) combat gender-based violence.
This role involves working closely with the UAW Women's Department Administrative Assistant to set department priorities, support the needs of the UAW membership and leadership, and support department objectives. UAW members are invited to apply on Indeed.
Happening Now: 2026 UAW International Officer Elections
This fall, UAW members are voting 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 ASAP 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
Solidarity Rally for Striking Encore Workers
Wednesday, September 23 | 5:30 PM | Encore Boston Harbor, 1 Broadway, Everett, MA
All hands on deck for UNITE HERE Local 26 and Teamsters Local 25 members who have been on strike since September 4 at Encore Boston Harbor in Everett, Massachusetts! Workers are fighting for the new and fair contracts they deserve. Please use public transit if possible, as there is no parking. Sign up to 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!
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.
Connecticut Working Families Party Kickball & BBQ Fundraiser
Sunday, September 20 | 2 - 6 PM ET | Manchester, CT
Join the Connectcut Working Families Party’s annual Kicking Ass for the Working-Class Kickball & Barbecue fundraiser at Wickham Park in Manchester! You'll join WFP activists, members, leaders, elected officials, and champions, for some delicious food, drinks, and some real kickball action. The vibes are family and kid friendly, with casual attire and comfy shoes. Burgers, hotdogs, drinks, and desserts will be provided, with gluten-free and plant-based options available. An optional tournament takes place in the middle of the event—folks can either join a team or cheer folks on. Restrooms and parking available on site. Suggested donation is $50 per adult. All are welcome! Funds go to canvassing, communications, and organizing work to help elect Working Families champions into office this November.
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.
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 | Onaway, MI
Region 9A Veterans Council Dinner Dance
Saturday, November 7 | New London, CT