UAW Region 9A Weekly Newsletter: October 30
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LOCAL UPDATES
Local 405: It’s Our Time to Triumph Over Corporate Greed!
Despite Triumph Group amassing $687 million in profit over the last five years, the company continues to insult its workers by refusing to negotiate a contract that addresses their core demands. The clock is ticking as the October 31 contract expiration approaches, and our UAW Local 405 family is ready to do whatever it takes to get the contract they deserve.
This afternoon, the bargaining committee sent an update to members that the company made its "final" offer, which doesn’t contain any language on successorship, job security, protection against inflation, or real relief on health care.
On Wednesday, members took a walk at lunchtime for a rally outside the plant, joined by Attorney General William Tong, Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz, Senator Richard Blumenthal, future Congressman Luke Bronin, and State Representative Kate Farrar—as well as our union siblings from the Connecticut AFL-CIO, Machinists, Teamsters Local 671, AFSCME Council 4, and Connecticut Education Association.
Local 405 members are done going backwards and are ready to stand up for the contract they deserve! Sign up to be the first to get bargaining updates and strike alerts in your inbox.
HGSU On Strike! HAW Strike Deadline Fast Approaching
Over 4,000 undergraduate and graduate student workers represented by the Harvard Graduate Students Union are officially on strike as of Monday.
“We love our teaching and research. We would rather be mentoring our students than walking a picket line,” wrote HGSU. “But our dedication is not permission to exploit us.” HGSU members are fighting for three priorities in their next contract:
- Safe workplace: Real recourse against harassment and discrimination, with enforceable protections and access to our union’s grievance process.
- Fair pay and benefits: Compensation and access to benefits that let us afford to live where we work, in one of the most expensive cities in the country.
- The right to stay: Enforceable protections and meaningful support for our non-citizen coworkers facing attack after attack from a hostile federal administration.
HGSU has been without a contract since June 2025. In the spring, HGSU staged a 40-day strike that disrupted the final weeks of the semester and several Commencement events. After the university continued to stall negotiations over the summer, 88% of HGSU members voted to authorize another strike starting October 27.
Meanwhile, after two years of negotiating for a first contract, 51 bargaining sessions, and multiple unfair labor practice charges against the university, the Harvard Academic Workers (HAW-UAW) notified the Harvard administration of their intent to strike in November as well.
Follow @hgsuuaw and @haworkers on Instagram for the latest updates on how you can support their fights for fair contracts!
CORE-UAW: Rally for the Contract We Deserve
Friday, November 13 | 12 - 1 PM | UMass Chan, Worcester, MA
After a year of negotiations, the UMass Chan administration refuses to agree to standard workplace protections and wages in line with unionized researchers across the country. The only way we can win these demands is by coming together to show UMass that we are willing to fight for the contract we deserve.
Join us on November 13 for a rally to win:
- Fair wages and benefits
- Protections against discrimination & harassment
- Support for international researchers
- Inclusion of all grad workers in our union
Local 1596 & 2322 Members Rally Across Massachusetts This Week
On Wednesday, Local 2322 members who work at the Fort Hill Center for Early Childhood Education rallied with several hundred parents and children against Smith College’s proposed closure of the center.
“I am deeply disappointed that this institution, which I graduated from and at which I have worked for 13 years, is letting down the teachers I work alongside every day, the families and children I care for, and the community in which I reside,” said Fort Hill teacher Malka Coburn. “Through our unionization process we all envisioned a bright future for Fort Hill, and Smith just wiped that away."
Follow @forthillteachersassociation on Instagram for the latest updates on how you can support the teachers, and sign the petition to #SaveFortHill!
On Thursday, Local 1596 grad workers at UMass Lowell rallied outside the student union to demand that the university meet their demands for living wages at the bargaining table. The workers were joined by State Representative Tara Hong and soon-to-be Representatives John Drinkwater and Lorena Betts, as well as fellow union and community leaders from the greater Lowell area. Follow @geo.uml on Instagram and sign up to join their solidarity network.
On Thursday, Local 2322 members in the WPI Graduate Workers' Union rallied to kick off their successor agreement bargaining campaign! Follow @wpi_gwu on Instagram for bargaining and action updates as negotiations get underway.
More Region 9A Locals in the News
“More than 100 University of Maine students, faculty and staff members packed a town hall meeting Monday, voicing their disapproval of looming layoffs with union chants, requests to administrators and calls to vote for pro-union candidates across the state.”
- Bangor Daily News: UMaine faculty and students condemn proposed cuts at charged town hall (Oct. 26)
COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM (CAP)
Election Day is on Tuesday, November 3! Find Your UAW-Endorsed Candidates
Working people deserve a good life: fair pay, affordable healthcare, dignified retirement, and time off to spend with loved ones. UAW members endorse candidates who will stand with us in the fight to reclaim the American Dream.
Find all UAW-endorsed candidates on your ballot at uawpower.org, and make a plan to vote on Tuesday or earlier!
All Out for Troy! Maine AFL-CIO Canvasses for Troy Jackson for U.S. Senate
Every day through Tuesday, November 3 | Statewide, 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.
For those who can’t join a canvass in Maine, phone banking is available. Reach out to Aaron Eisenberg at aeisenberg@uaw.net with any question or to get more involved. Let’s get Troy across the finish line!
FROM REGION 9A
Region 9A Members Mourn Dolores Huerta, Cofounder of the United Farm Workers
UAW Region 9A members mourn the passing of Dolores Huerta, cofounder of the United Farm Workers and an organizer and movement leader for women, immigrants, the LGBTQ+ community, and the entire working class. Her commitment to growing collective power to confront and overcome injustice strengthened countless communities and movements.
Dolores Huerta always stood with UAW members across the country. In 2019, she stood with the Harvard Graduate Students Union, calling on the university to reach an agreement with the newly organized workers. Her solidarity gave hope during the years-long struggle to win Local 5118's first contract—a fight that continues today as HGSU is once again on strike for fair wages, a harassment-free workplace, and protections for international workers.
As the United Farm Workers wrote, "The greatest tribute to her life is that her work in organizing will continue." ¡Si se puede!
Get Your Tickets Today! UAW Region 9A Veterans Council Annual Dinner Dance
Saturday, November 7 | Holiday Inn, New London, CT
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
Now Hiring: Communications Data Specialist
Are you a full-stack developer who wants to build websites and crunch data to help workers organize and build power? Do you have experience organizing and/or know Solidarity Tech? Join the mighty UAW as a data specialist. Learn more and apply at Indeed.
Take Action: Stop Trump’s Attacks on International Higher Ed Workers & OPT
Submit your comment by Monday, November 9
UAW academic workers and researchers across the country are mobilizing against the Trump administration’s latest attempt to undermine the rights of international workers.
Trump’s Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) is trying to increase fees to $100,000 for international students and scholars using Optional Practical Training (OPT). OPT allows F-1 international scholars to continue working in a similar field for up to three years. This discriminatory and xenophobic fee would reduce work opportunities for UAW members who are international scholars in the United States and would negatively affect U.S. higher education and research.
DHS is currently accepting comments until November 9 on the proposed rule—this is our opportunity to express opposition. Take a few minutes to submit a public comment on how this discriminatory and xenophobic rule change would harm your studies and/or research and hurt scientific advances in the U.S.
Registration Now Open for Higher Education Council Meeting
Tuesday, December 8 | 3 PM ET | Online
With all of the attacks on higher education and our members who work there, we are calling a special meeting of the Higher Education Council to discuss these challenges and how we are organizing to stop them.
Council delegates and interested members may register to attend the Council meeting. UAW members or workers on active UAW organizing campaigns in the higher education sector may attend the Council meetings but only elected council delegates will be able to vote.
SOLIDARITY REQUESTS
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!
Connecticut AFL-CIO Election Protection Training
Sunday, November 1 | 12:30 - 2:30 PM | UNITE HERE, New Haven, CT
The labor movement is mobilizing tens of thousands of volunteers this election year to protect the vote because we refuse to let some politicians who don’t want free elections to intimidate us. That means we need members like you to stand up and help ensure every vote is cast and counted. Join us for a training session that explains core voter access and anti-intimidation guidance. We will also review some past election challenges in the counting and certification process, emergency mobilization tools, best practices, and peacekeeping and de-escalation skills. Lunch provided.
Scontras Labor Center Shop Stewardship and Representation Course
Thursdays, Nov. 5 - Dec. 17 | 6 - 8:30 PM | U of Southern Maine, Portland, ME
Strong unions depend on strong stewards/union reps, yet the role of steward/rep is often a thankless and overwhelming job. Stewards/reps thrive when they understand their roles and have the tools to manage their responsibilities. This course will teach stewards/reps and future stewards/reps skills such as the rights and responsibilities of shop stewards, basic workplace rights, how to investigate and present grievances, the basics of arbitration, and internal organizing and record-keeping. Students will learn through a blend of lectures, case studies, exercises, and role-plays. Our Labor Leadership Certificate courses are geared towards busy working people. Classes will have minimal work outside of class, but will require robust engagement in class. The classes this fall will be in person only, but online options will be offered in the Spring of 2027.
Hiring Hall
- Communications Director | Connecticut AFL-CIO | Rocky Hill, CT
- Organizer | Mass-Care | Weymouth, MA
- West Regional Servicing Representative | National Organization of Legal Services Workers (UAW Local 2320) | Greater Los Angeles, CA
- Midwest Regional Servicing Representative | National Organization of Legal Services Workers (UAW Local 2320) | Chicagoland, IL
- Regional Organizer | New Yorkers United for Child Care | Hudson Valley, NY
- Regional Organizer | New Yorkers United for Child Care | Long Island, NY
- Community Canvassers | New Yorkers United for Child Care | New York, NY
- Connecticut Governance Director | Connecticut Working Families Party | Hartford, CT
- Paid Internships (Spring 2027) | Ranking Member Bernie Sanders’ office of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee | Washington, DC
UPCOMING EVENTS
Region 9A Veterans Council Dinner Dance
Saturday, November 7 | New London, CT