Region 9A News

UAW Region 9A Weekly Newsletter: October 9

UAW Region 9A
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LOCAL UPDATES

Local 5118: Harvard Graduate Workers Vote to Authorize a Strike

HGSU SAV

After 570+ days and 36 bargaining sessions Harvard graduate workers voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike. At their 37th bargaining session, HGSU presented a comprehensive proposal aimed at reaching an agreement without another strike. Only after workers authorized a strike, Harvard increased its wage offer and proposed timelines for disability accommodation requests. However, significant gaps remain and student workers are continuing to push for a fair agreement that meets their needs.

In the News:

  • Harvard Crimson: Harvard Grad Union Votes to Authorize Another Strike After 40-Day Walkout 
  • WBZ News Radio: Harvard University Graduate Workers Vote To Authorize Strike 

Local 5118: HGSU Prevails in Court in Support of PhD Workers

The First Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled against Harvard for the third time in a four-year dispute over whether Psychology PhD researchers are university workers covered by the collective bargaining contract. The ruling confirms that more than 70 Psychology workers are protected by the contract, following Harvard’s unsuccessful efforts to classify them as purely academic. This decision also strengthens the case for nearly 900 other researchers whom Harvard excluded from the union last summer.

Local 4100: Rally at Mt Sinai 

Local 4100 Rally

On Tuesday, Postdocs and senior researchers rallied together to show Mount Sinai that we are standing together to demand the fair contracts we deserve. Five local elected officials joined the rally and both units highlighted their demands.

Local 2110: Whitney Museum Union Averts Strike, Seaport Museum Still Bargaining

Whitney Museum TA

Unionized staff at the Whitney Museum of American Art have ratified a contract with the Museum after three days of intense negotiations before a strike deadline Monday.

The contract will provide increases to everyone of at least 14.75% over four years. Workers in lower paid positions will get even larger raises. The agreement also includes a first time win of longevity bonuses for staff with ten years of service, paid child care leave of up to twelve weeks, strengthened health and safety provisions, and increased bereavement leave. Minimum rates for newly hired staff will also increase.

“Solidarity across all ranks of our union made a huge difference at the end,” says Erika Wentworth, who works in Graphic Design at the Museum. “The Museum knew we were serious about striking and in these last few days, we made a lot of progress.”

The Whitney Museum agreement is only the latest in a series of New York City museum union wins for Local 2110 this fall. In the last month, workers at the Guggenheim Museum, the Jewish Museum, the American Folk Art Museum and the Brooklyn Museum have all settled contracts. In each instance, workers voted to authorize a strike if necessary. Members at the South Street Seaport Museum are still at the table, having also authorized a strike if necessary- follow them on Instagram!

Local 2322: University of Vermont Grad Workers Sit-In
Friday, October 16 | 9 AM to 12 PM | UVM Davis Center

UVM Sit In

Graduate Workers at the University of Vermont have been bargaining for over 2 years, and have waited over 4 months for wage proposals from UVM. The workers will hold a sit-in and rally during the next Board of Trustees meeting on October 16, aimed at forcing the trustees to hear the union’s demands for better wages and job protections.

Follow UVM-GSU for updates.

 

Local 2322: WPI Graduate Workers Plan Union Solidarity Week Rally
Wednesday, October 28 | 4:15 PM | UVM Campus Fountain

WPI 102826

With bargaining set to start at the end of this month, the Graduate Workers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute will hold a Solidarity Rally on October 28, aimed at showing the University their strength and solidarity.

Follow WPI-GWU for updates.

 

 

 

More Region 9A Locals in the News

“This round of negotiations are so critical…to the future of student workers at The New School. I think at a time of such uncertainty over the future of this university and how it’s run…we need more of a say in the university that wouldn’t run without us,” Danielle Twiss said, co-chair of Student Employees at The New School (SENS-UAW) and third-year PhD student in economics at The New School for Social Research.

  • New School Free Press: Academic student workers union re-enters negotiations for a new contract with the university (Oct. 1)

COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM (CAP)

Join UAW, MA AFL, and WFP’s Labor Walk for Tom Hendrickson
Saturday, October 10 | 10:30 AM | Agawam, MA

The Western Mass Area Labor Federation, UAW Region 9A, Mass AFL-CIO, and Working Families Party will be holding a Labor Walk for Tom Hendrickson on Saturday, October 10th at 10:30 am. We will launch from School St Park, 511 School St, Agawam, MA and have a post-canvassing social at Murphy's Pub at 1 pm. RSVP HERE. We have a unique opportunity this cycle to defeat an anti-labor Republican in a red district given the general anger at the current administration. Knocking these doors could make a real difference in a close race. 

UAW & Labor Canvasses for Troy Jackson for U.S. Senate
Saturday, Oct. 10, & Oct. 24 | Bangor & Old Town, ME

UAW & Labor Canvasses for Troy Jackson for U.S. Senate

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.

Early Voting Is Already Underway in Maine!

Maine Early Voting

Early voting in Maine officially started on Monday. Take a moment to find an early voting location near you or order your absentee ballot today.

How you vote is your personal decision, but we urge you to vote for candidates who will fight for working class Mainers on issues like wages, workers' rights, working conditions and affordable health care, child care and housing.

The UAW has endorsed the following candidates after a rigorous endorsement process including candidate questionnaires and interviews.

  • Hannah Pingree, Governor
  • Troy Jackson, former Local 2320 member, U.S. Senate
  • Matt Dunlap, U.S. House, District 2
  • Mike Tipping, State Senate, District 8
  • Trent Vellella, Local 3999 member, State House, District 49

The Maine AFL-CIO has endorsed additional candidates across the state—see here for a full list of endorsements for the Maine House and Senate.

FROM REGION 9A

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

Vets 250

UAW Region 9A Veterans Council invites you to join us in celebration of our 28th Annual Dinner Dance to honor Veterans and UAW Service Members throughout the Region and to celebrate our nation's 250th anniversary.

This year’s event will be held in a new location: the Holiday Inn in New London, Connecticut (see map).

FROM THE INTERNATIONAL UAW

Court Rejects Government Effort to Dismiss Unions’ Social Media Surveillance Lawsuit

A lawsuit filed by three labor unions including UAW against the Departments of State and Homeland Security for their viewpoint-based surveillance and suppression of protected expression online can move forward, a federal judge ruled this week.

On October 1, the judge rejected the government’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit, which was filed in October 2025 on behalf of UAW, CWA, and AFT. This decision is a positive first step: the court held that claims that the government’s social media surveillance program is harming union members, as well as hampering the ability of the unions to associate with their members and potential members, can move forward.

"No one should have to fear government surveillance or retaliation against their immigration status for expressing their views or participating in their union. We're pleased the Court has allowed this challenge to move forward and will continue fighting to protect the rights of everyone to speak, organize, and advocate without fear," said UAW President Shawn Fain. Read more about the case.

UAW Leads Six National Unions in Call for Ban on Stock Buybacks and Dividends at U.S. Defense Contractors

The UAW and six other national unions representing members at the largest U.S. defense contractors are calling on members of Congress to support a provision of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which would ban defense contractors from stock buybacks and dividends. Since 2020, the big five prime defense contractors have spent twice as much on stock buybacks and dividends than capital expenditures, while defense workers fall further behind.

“The working class makes the defense industry run, but instead of investing in our national and economic security, companies like Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Woodward, and dozens more spend taxpayer dollars on Wall Street payoffs to enrich the billionaires,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “It’s time we put an end to defense contractors paying off Wall Street while defense workers and taxpayers pay the price.”

In a letter to members of Congress, the unions call on legislators to “stand with America’s defense workers and seize this opportunity to enshrine” the provision called Section 815 into law, following an executive order by the Trump administration enacted in January. Section 815 would implement legislation introduced by Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO), and Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) by imposing a blanket ban on Wall Street payouts to incentivize investment in the facilities and workers that make the industry run, instead of short-term stock market paydays.

“With the industry’s center of gravity progressively shifting to investor returns, workers too have paid an enormous price,” the letter continues. “In contract negotiations and organizing campaigns with these employers, we hear time and again that there are not enough resources to provide workers with job security and fair compensation. In just the past two years, this has led to labor disputes and work stoppages at major defense contractors such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics, Textron, GE Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and more.”

Results from the 2026 UAW International Officer Elections

The vote count for the 2026 UAW International Officer Election began on Tuesday, October 6, and will continue until complete. More information regarding the 2026 Election is available at uawmonitor.com/elections, including tally sheets from the ongoing count.

SOLIDARITY REQUESTS

Support Laid Off Union Baristas at Starbucks
Over four years ago, baristas at the Corbin's Corner Starbucks in West Hartford, CT made history by winning their union election and becoming the first unionized Starbucks in Connecticut. Since then, these workers have fought tirelessly for a union contract. But just last week, Starbucks announced it was closing 250 stores, including Corbin's Corner. Workers were given just three days' notice, leaving many with little time to prepare or even begin looking for another job. Now, the workers who took a brave stand to organize their workplace need our support. Many of these baristas are parents, caregivers for sick relatives, or the main breadwinners for their families. For many, this job was their sole source of income. Please consider supporting these union activists and showing them that their community has their backs. After everything they've done to stand up for workers, they deserve our solidarity now. Donate to the laid off baristas. 

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!

Beyond Polarization: Social Media, Political Formation, and Collective Meaning-Making
October 15-16, Yale University, New Haven, CT
As digital spaces have increasingly replaced traditional media and civic institutions as sites of political meaning-making, the need to understand how these platforms build political community, identity, and strategy is more urgent than ever. Social media is often understood as a vehicle for misinformation, polarization, and mistrust. While those concerns are real, that framework does not fully capture the complex ways billions of people now use online platforms as sources of information, community, belonging, and political meaning.

This conference brings together content creators and influencers, scholars, communications strategists, organizers, and advocates to examine how political identities and shared understandings are being forged online.

Many progressive and equity-focused organizations struggle to keep pace with these changes and how to participate in and shape these conversations. As a study this summer from M&R reports, social media has now surpassed both TV news and online news (such as news websites and apps) as the most common medium used to get news.

Yet as the report issues a critical warning: "advocacy groups are currently just a blip on social media, with their perspectives on public policy getting crowded out by social media content creators who produce videos, graphics, and written content for social platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, X, Bluesky, and Substack. "

This conference offers a unique opportunity to hear directly from creators who have built audiences numbering in the millions in order to understand how this transformation is happening in real time. Presenters include Andrew Bard Epstein, the communications strategist who led the communications effort for Zohran Mamdani's groundbreaking mayoral campaign in New York City; conservative influencers cultivating broad and often politically diverse audiences; Judith Nwundu of the Shade Room, one of the country’s largest Black digital media platforms, leading media scholars and journalists from the US, Europe and Mexico; and strategists from organizations including Planned Parenthood and More Perfect Union.

The conference is free and open to the public, but advance registration is required. You can find the full program and registration information on the conference website.  Please feel free to contact Micah English (micaht.english@gmail.com) with any questions.

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.

Hiring Hall

UPCOMING EVENTS

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