UAW Region 9A Weekly Newsletter: April 18

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LOCAL & ORGANIZING UPDATES

Local 571 Members at Electric Boat Rally & Vote to Authorize Strike

At Monday night’s high-energy rally, UAW President Shawn Fain and Local 571 President Bill Louis stood shoulder-to-shoulder with more than a thousand UAW members to announce a successful strike authorization vote at General Dynamics Electric Boat.

UAW members at Electric Boat are fighting to win cost-of-living adjustments so their pay keeps up with inflation, affordable healthcare, and the restoration of pensions that were taken from workers hired after 2010. Despite raking in over $13 billion in profits over the past three years, General Dynamics is pushing for 52% to 161% increases in members’ weekly medical insurance costs.

JoAnna McClenathan, a UAW member and Councillor at MDA Local 571, ended her remarks by calling on her fellow coworkers to act in the coming weeks. “If we don’t fight now—if we don’t pressure the company for something better—this company will continue to cut until there is nothing left for us or the next generation of workers,” said McClenathan. “We need to stand together today so we don’t fall further behind tomorrow.”

Read more about Monday’s rally, and sign up for bargaining updates from Local 571.

NYC Alamo United Ends Strike After Winning Full Reinstatement of Fired Members

After nearly two months on strike, Local 2179 members at NYC locations of Alamo Drafthouse, a nationwide dine-in movie theater chain, forced parent company Sony to reverse course on its mass firings.

On Sunday, NYC Alamo United members overwhelmingly ratified a tentative agreement that restores all 70 workers who had been illegally laid off to their jobs, reinstates their stolen paid time off and sick leave, and honors each worker’s original hire date and seniority.

After 58 days on the picket line—including demonstrations across New York City and even outside an executive's house in Darien, Connecticut—the union prevailed. The strike officially ends today.

Read more about NYC Alamo United’s victory, including nationwide press coverage.

NYC Locals Rally to Win First Contract at Mercedes, Fight Layoffs at Guggenheim

Local 259 members rallied on Wednesday outside Mercedes-Benz Manhattan to put the pressure on the company to win a fair first contract. After service technicians voted to unionize last May, Mercedes-Benz has engaged in a relentless union-busting campaign and refused to bargain with workers in good faith.

UAW’s own New York State Assembly Member Claire Valdez joined them at the rally in solidarity!

Members of Local 2110 at the Guggenheim Museum in NYC rallied outside the museum on Wednesday to demand job security and show the museum what solidarity looks like. The museum recently laid off 14 workers without notice, violating the contract and refusing to bargain in good faith. While critical positions across departments were cut, senior leadership maintained their high-salary positions.

Follow the Guggenheim Union on Instagram for the latest.

ALAA Screening of Union Documentary
Thursday, April 24 | 5:30 - 8:30 PM | Zoom or New York, NY

The Association of Legal Advocates and Attorneys’ Black and POC Caucuses are hosting a free in-person film screening of Union, the 2024 documentary on the formation of the Amazon Labor Union (ALU), followed by a Q&A session with three ALU organizers.

After the screening, we will be joined by three Black and POC organizers from ALU for a Q&A session. Angie Maldonado (former ALU Vice President), Sultana Hossain (ALU Recording Secretary), and Jordan Flowers (ALU Co-founder) who will share their unique perspectives on the struggle to unionize, ALU’s recent national holiday strike, navigating racism, sexism and ableism as workers of color, and the current moment for ALU.

This event is open to all, and you must book a ticket to attend. You may also sign up to join on Zoom starting at 7:45 PM for the Q&A portion only. If you have any questions or concerns please reach out to us at hcraig@alaa.org and jhoneidyjavier@gmail.com.

More Region 9A Locals in the News

“Harvard’s graduate student union and the University presented initial articles for the union’s third contract at a Thursday bargaining session, following a protracted debate over ground rules.”

• Harvard Crimson: Grad Student Union Introduces First Contract Articles Following Bargaining Observation Debate (Apr. 11)

“SWC-UAW wrote that Shipman’s decision to personally intervene and ‘terminate the appeal process’ shatters ‘any illusion of due process.’”

• Columbia Spectator: Shipman declines appeal requests from students expelled for protests last spring (Apr. 14)

“NewSWU told the Free Press it is continuing to seek voluntary recognition from the university.”

• New School Free Press: NewSWU withdraws unionization petition from National Labor Relations Board (Apr. 14)

FROM REGION 9A

Higher Ed Contract Campaign Training
Saturday, April 26 | 1-5 PM | New York, NY

Academic workers are under unprecedented attack from the Trump administration. We face threats to job funding, freedom of expression, and our international coworkers’ ability to contribute to teaching and research in this country.

Despite these grave threats, thousands of UAW Region 9A higher ed members are getting ready to take bold stands at the bargaining table to improve our working conditions and defend our university communities. Our density, thus sectoral power, in New York City and across the country is increasing. We have the opportunity to meet the moment by winning record contracts.

How? Winning will require organizing strong majorities of our colleagues to engage in collective action. Join our contract campaign training to learn directly from UAW higher ed members from across NYC who've recently organized for and won precedent-setting contracts.

Join UAW Members for May Day 2025, Getting Ready for May Day 2028
Thursday, May 1 | ME, VT, MA, CT, NY, & PR

May Day is our day! Join UAW members across Region 9A and tens of thousands of other workers as we come together on International Workers' Day on May 1. With actions planned in Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, and Puerto Rico (and more to come!), find the closest rally to you.

Read about the history of May Day, and read more from UAW President Shawn Fain about our union's plans for May Day 2028.

Apply Now for the 2025 Richard Dik Days Scholarship Program

Applications are now open for the Richard ‘Dik’ Days Scholarship! The Scholarship Fund, founded by the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists Connecticut Chapter, UAW Region 9A, and the Days family, awards three $2,000 scholarships annually to Connecticut high school and college students.

The Richard ‘Dik’ Days Scholarship Fund was created in memory of Richard Adam Days, who was a labor educator for the UAW. Prior to his retirement he was the Education & Civil Rights Director for UAW Region 9A. Learn more and apply by May 9, 2025.

UAW Yankees Night
Thursday, July 10 | Bronx, NY

Join your fellow UAW members in New York City to cheer on our union siblings in the MLB Players Association at Yankee Stadium! Each ticket includes a New York Yankees UAW hat.

COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM (CAP)

Connecticut & Massachusetts: Take Action for Unemployment for Striking Workers

Labor law favors employers and corporate CEOs over workers when it comes to bargaining a contract. But a proposal to allow workers to access unemployment insurance after they have been on strike for a certain period of time will help restore balance to collective bargaining.

• In Connecticut, legislation allowing striking workers to access unemployment insurance is working its way through the General Assembly, but Governor Lamont is already threatening to veto it. Email Governor Lamont now and ask him to stop siding with powerful employers and stand with working people!
• Similar legislation has been proposed in Massachusetts, allowing employees forced to strike to be eligible for unemployment benefits after 30 days of being on the picket line, standardizing the benefits eligibility of workers engaged in labor disputes. Ask your legislators to support S.1319 & H.2168 today!
• On Saturday, April 19, union members across Connecticut are rallying at noon outside the State Capitol in Hartford to tell Governor Lamont that striking workers deserve unemployment benefits. The Connecticut AFL-CIO is also organizing lobby days on May 7 and May 20 for union members to talk to their elected representatives about this bill.

UAW Action Guide: Auto Tariffs and the Fight to End Free Trade

Our broken trade system screws American workers, consumers, and taxpayers—and it screws Mexican auto workers too. The truth is that free trade isn’t free. It’s been a disaster for working people everywhere.

This is about people’s lives, not chaotic, abstract economic policy, with auto tariffs as just one piece of the puzzle. The real fight is still ahead: any job that comes back into the United States needs to be a GOOD, high quality, union job. We need union rights, a secure retirement with Social Security expanded and strengthened, healthcare including Medicare and Medicaid, and our rights protected on and off the job. Read more about the UAW’s position on tariffs and trade in the latest Action Guide.

Massachusetts: Share Your Story for Paid Family & Medical Leave

Our union is joining with other graduate worker unions across Massachusetts to win paid family and medical leave and unemployment benefits for all of us. When we face job loss, encounter major medical issues, or become parents and caretakers, we do not have equitable access to the benefits guaranteed to other workers in our state because of an explicit exclusion we are seeking to eliminate. If this bill passes, student workers would be eligible for up to 26 weeks of paid family and medical leave annually. Read more about the MA PFML law.

To help us pass this law, legislators will need to hear from you in meetings and in hearings! Fill out this form to tell us your story. We also need people to join our campaign by attending our strategy meetings and helping us execute this statewide campaign. If you want to get more involved, email Dorothy Manevich at dorothy.manevich@gmail.com.

Call Your Rep: Restore Federal Workers’ Bargaining Rights Now

Reps. Jared Golden (D-Maine) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) just introduced a bipartisan bill in Congress that would nullify Trump’s executive order stripping the right to collectively bargain from hundreds of thousands of federal employees.

Every member of Congress—Democrat or Republican—should be willing to take a stand in support of our fundamental rights by backing this critical legislation. Will you make a call asking your representatives to support the Protect America’s Workforce Act?

FROM THE INTERNATIONAL UAW

Workers Memorial Day
Monday, April 28

Together on this Workers’ Memorial Day, let us ensure that our members who lost their lives due to unsafe workplaces have not died in vain. Continue to fight as the UAW has done for decades. Demand stronger contractual language and work with local, state, and federally elected officials to enact stronger workplace health and safety regulations for workplace health and safety for all workers.

UAW Hotline for Immigration Legal Counsel & Emergencies

UAW members in higher education are facing escalating anti-immigrant actions from the Trump administration, including visa revocations and ICE activity in and around campuses. Our union has set up a hotline to quickly refer members facing an immigration emergency to legal resources. In the event that a member is experiencing an unexpected change in immigration status or any other immigration-related emergency, they may call this number to be connected with legal counsel: 888-416-2110. Please share this information with your fellow members.

2025 UAW Local Union Officers Institute
June 8 - 13 | Onaway, MI

The UAW Education Department Local Union Officers institute will offer broad training for local union officers to learn their roles and responsibilities as leaders of a fighting union. New and seasoned officers alike will find this conference beneficial, and all will walk away with greater clarity about the expectations of their role. This institute will provide local union officers with a clear understanding of their administrative responsibilities. Role-specific training will be provided for local union presidents, vice presidents, recording secretaries, and financial secretaries.

2025 UAW-LUCA Communications Conference
June 22 - 27 | Onaway, MI

We are thrilled to announce the theme for this year’s conference: Family Re-UNION: Refocus – Reignite – Reengage! This dynamic gathering is designed specifically for labor communicators, emphasizing the critical role labor communications play in building strong, effective unions. This year’s conference will provide participants with the tools and skills required to enhance local communication efforts while offering valuable opportunities to network and strengthen connections. Together, we’ll explore strategies to educate members, inspire action, and advance the cause of labor with renewed energy and focus. Join us for an exciting educational experience that will empower you to refocus on your mission, reignite your passion, and reengage your union family. Let’s come together to build a brighter future for labor!

2025 UAW Family Scholarship
July 20 - 25 | Onaway, MI

Registration is open to apply for the 2025 UAW Family Scholarship! For more than 45 years, the Family Education Center has been where UAW members and their families come together for an experience combining education and recreation. It’s a place to learn about our union, unlock ideas, and build new friendships with other UAW families. This one-week summer experience will give you and your family a spirit guaranteed to strengthen your understanding and appreciation of our union. If interested, please complete your registration no later than June 6.

SOLIDARITY REQUESTS

Bring Our Local 100 Brother Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia Home

Two weeks ago, the Trump Administration stated in a court filing that it had mistakenly deported Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, a union sheet metal worker and father in Maryland, to a prison in El Salvador. Both a federal judge and the Supreme Court have ordered the White House to facilitate Abrego Garcia’s return home so that he can receive due process, but the Administration is arguing that they can’t return him to the United States because he is in Salvadoran custody.

Kilmar is our union brother, and our allies in the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART) and North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU) are leading the call for his return. We are asking all union members to take action now to bring Abrego Garcia home—write to your member of Congress and demand that he be returned to the United States to receive due process.

All Out for the CFPB Rally in NYC
Friday, April 18 | 5:30 PM | Foley Square, New York, NY

Yesterday, Russell Vought laid off almost every worker at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), which protects regular people from wall street scammers. This is a deliberate attack on one of the only agencies tasked with protecting regular people from Wall Street fraud and corporate abuse.

Today at 5:30 PM, CFPB workers and supporters are rallying at Foley Square (near City Hall) to protest Russell Vought’s dismantling of the CFPB. We need your voice. Bring signs, bring friends, and come ready to stand for working people everywhere.

Cornell Strategic Corporate Research Summer School
June 22-27, 2025 | Ithaca, NY | Apply by May 1

The AFL-CIO and Cornell University are sponsoring a Strategic Corporate Research Summer School on June 22-27, 2025. The application deadline is May 1. The course is designed for students and others who want to make corporations accountable by working as researchers in unions and social change organizations. The course offers a regular track and an advanced track with an additional research and writing requirement. It is open to individuals applying on their own and to individuals sponsored by unions and other organizations. For more info, visit the course website.

UCLA Strategic Labor Research Conference
August 8-10, 2025 | Apply by May 16 | UCLA, Los Angeles, CA

Hosted by the UCLA Labor Studies Program, the UCLA Strategic Labor Research Conference is an annual event that includes over 20 workshops on applied skills and discussions about strategic campaigns designed for new and experienced labor and allied researchers. Dynamic keynote speakers and a variety of exciting training sessions will help strengthen and add new skills to your research repertoires. Come join California’s labor movement researchers in discussions about the future of research and organizing!

We are now accepting applications for the 2025 Strategic Labor Research Conference. The application portal will be open until May 16 and accepted applicants will be notified by June 3. The cost to attend the conference is $125 for California residents and $200 for out of state attendees

UPCOMING EVENTS

2025 UAW Health & Safety Conference
April 27 - May 2 | Black Lake, MI

UAW Bargaining Boot Camp Conference
May 4-9 | Black Lake, MI

UAW Education Committees Conference
May 18-23 | Black Lake, MI

Coalition of Black Trade Unionists Convention
May 20-26 | Orlando, FL

38th Annual UAW Chaplaincy Conference
June 1-6 | Onaway, MI

2025 UAW EAP Conference
June 1-6 | Onaway, MI

2025 UAW Local Union Officers Institute
June 8 - 13 | Onaway, MI

Higher Education Council Meeting
June 21-22 | Pico Rivera, CA

2025 UAW-LUCA Communications Conference
June 22 - 27 | Onaway, MI

UAW Night at the Yankees
July 10 | New York, NY

UAW Family Scholarship
July 20 - 25 | Onaway, MI

UAW Veterans Conference
August 10 - 15, 2025 | Onaway, MI

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