Elected delegates concluded business on the final day of the UAW’s 39th Constitutional Convention, as the union now moves forward with a more unified vision for the next four years.
In a jam-packed third day of the UAW’s 39th Constitutional Convention, delegates nominated candidates for this year’s International Officer elections, voted to expand the definition of what constitutes a retiree under the UAW Constitution, and elected an International Trustee.
Day two of the 39th UAW Constitutional Convention was marked by spirited discussion on several important issues as elected delegates began shaping the union’s path forward for the next four years.
Nearly 900 delegates convened in Detroit on Monday for the start of the UAW’s 39th Constitutional Convention as our union charts the path forward for the next four years.
On Sunday, UAW Local 2093 members at American Axle/Dauch Corporation voted 80% in favor of ratifying a new contract with the company. The deal secures the workers’ demand of $30 per hour by 2030 – a more than 36% increase to the top wage rate over four years – among other major contract gains at the Tier 1 parts supplier to GM. Workers returned to work at 6:00 A.M. Monday morning.
“UAW Local 2093 showed one thing to be truer than ever: strikes work,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “And American Axle proved something else to be as true as we’ve always known: the industry can afford our demands. From the time we walked off ten days ago to this tentative agreement, the company more than doubled the money on the table. Labor is our power and we can’t sell ourselves short in this economic crisis we’re facing.”
In 2008, workers at American Axle made major sacrifices to save the facility from closure during the Great Recession. Many long-time workers who were making as much as $29 an hour in 2008 saw their wages slashed to $14.50.
“When we began this journey, we didn’t know where it would lead, but we knew we had to square shit up,” said UAW Local 2093 bargaining chair Josh Jager. “We had our marching orders from the membership, and our rallying cry: $30 by ‘30. This contract delivers on that rallying cry.”
Beyond wage increases, workers also achieved gains in other core demands with more paid days off and without any concessions on their current health care costs, something the company insisted at the table couldn’t be done.
“Not only did they take care of the legacy people that were here and made the tough decisions back in 2008 to keep the place open, they took care of the people working there today,” said UAW Region 1D Director Steve Dawes. “They also took care of all the future generations that will come to work here in Three Rivers, Michigan, at American Axle.”
Over the ten-day strike, UAW Local 2093 members attracted the interest and support of local community and political allies from across the state, including Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, State Senator Sean McCann, Three Rivers Mayor Angel Johnston, U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, candidate for Michigan Attorney General Eli Savit, among others.
After walking out on strike at midnight on June 1, UAW Local 2093 members at American Axle/Dauch Corporation have reached a tentative agreement with the company that secures the workers’ topline demand of $30 per hour by 2030 – a more than 36% increase to the top wage rate over four years – among other historic gains in a record contract at the Tier 1 parts supplier to G.M.
“Tonight, after 10 days on strike, I am proud to announce that UAW Local 2093 has reached a tentative agreement at American Axle,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “And tonight, after 18 years of sacrifice, these workers are finally winning back a big chunk of what was taken from them.”
In 2008, workers at American Axle took major sacrifices to save the facility from closure during the Great Recession. Many long-time workers who were making as much as $29 an hour in 2008 saw their wages slashed to $14.50. Legacy UAW members hired before May 31, 2012 – including those who went from $29 per hour in 2008 to $14 – will see an immediate $8 per hour increase on ratification. Workers also achieved gains in other core demands with more paid days off and without any concessions on their current health care costs, something the company insisted at the table couldn’t be done.
“Not only did they take care of the legacy people that were here and made the tough decisions back in 2008 to keep the place open, they took care of the people working there today,” said UAW Region 1D Director Steve Dawes. “They also took care of all the future generations that will come to work here in Three Rivers, Michigan, at American Axle.”
In the coming days, nearly 1,000 UAW Local 2093 members will fully review the tentative agreement before taking a vote on whether to ratify the deal.
“This contract will change lives in Three Rivers and across southwest Michigan,” said Josh Jager, UAW Local 2093 bargaining chair. “I am damn proud of this agreement, and I am damn proud to be a member of UAW Local 2093.”
Over the ten-day strike, UAW Local 2093 members attracted the interest and support of local community and political allies from across the state, including Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, State Senator Sean McCann, Three Rivers Mayor Angel Johnston, U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, candidate for Michigan Attorney General Eli Savit, among others.
The new Summer 2026 issue of Solidarity Magazine is now available.
You can download it here, and share it with fellow UAW members.
In this issue:
Led by a member-elected board of the UAW’s Community Action Program (CAP) in Michigan, the UAW is proud to announce two endorsements for critical races for Governor and U.S. Senate.
For Governor of Michigan, the UAW is proud to endorse Secretary Jocelyn Benson.
Michigan’s 2026 Gubernatorial election is a critical race that sets us up for our May Day 2028 plans. More than ever, we need to elect a leader in Lansing that stands alongside the UAW against corporate interests – and we know what side Jocelyn Benson is on. As Secretary of State, Jocelyn Benson has proved she’s not afraid to stand up against the most powerful billionaires in the name of working-class Michiganders across the state. UAW members need that kind of energy in Michigan’s Capitol.
For U.S. Senate, the UAW is proud to endorse Dr. Abdul El-Sayed.
UAW members in Michigan want a fighter in Washington, D.C. who isn’t afraid to push forward a strong working-class agenda with moral clarity. Having never taken a dime from corporate PACs, Dr. Abdul El-Sayed is someone we can trust to have our backs, including when we need it most – like come May Day 2028. From Medicare for All to banning stock buybacks, Dr. Abdul El-Sayed is ready, eager, and well-equipped to move our core issues in the U.S. Senate.
Workers at Schnellecke Logistics voted 2-1 in a National Labor Relations Board election to form a union with UAW. The final vote count was 183-91. Schnellecke Logistics workers provide all materials handling for the Volkswagen Assembly Plant in Chattanooga.
“Today history was made, and we are very grateful for this,” said Quincy Quarles, a Forklift Driver for Schnellecke Logistics.
Schnellecke workers began organizing their union after they saw the historic and life-changing contract won by VW workers earlier this year. They overcame a strong anti-union campaign from the company and outside anti-union consultants in the final weeks before the election.
Workers were motivated to organize their union due to a persistent lack of raises, disrespect and favoritism from management, and being forced to switch to lower-paying jobs.
“I’m so happy that we got our union voted in so we can have a better quality of life for workers in this company,” said David Minshew, East Dock Put Away Driver.
“Tonight, Schnellecke Logistics workers voted to join their brothers and sisters in UAW Local 42. They watched VW workers organize their union and win their first contract, and they decided they wanted that for themselves,” said UAW Region 8 Director Tim Smith. “Workers at Schnellecke overcame an anti-union campaign to ensure they have a voice at work and get their fair share. I’m proud of them and proud to welcome them to the UAW. Who are we? U-A-W!”
With American Axle failing to offer a fair contract before the expiration deadline, UAW Local 2093 members are set to launch an unfair labor practice strike at the Three Rivers plant beginning at midnight. Workers will walk out at 12:01 A.M. and additional picket lines will launch at 6:00 A.M. on Monday, June 1. Media are invited to join UAW Local 2093 members outside the plant at 12:01 A.M. and 6:00 A.M.
WHO: UAW Local 2093 members from American Axle/Dauch
WHAT: Launch of strike
WHERE: 1 Manufacturing Way, Three Rivers, MI 49093
WHEN: Walkout Monday, June 1 at 12:01 A.M.; additional pickets at 6:00 A.M.
In 2008, workers at American Axle took major sacrifices to save the facility from closure during the Great Recession. Many long-time workers who were making as much as $29 an hour in 2008 saw their wages slashed to $14.50. Today, eighteen years later, workers are still yet to make up all that lost ground, with wages at American Axle currently topping out at $22 an hour after a five-year progression, with inflation-adjusted wages cut in half from their pre-2008 levels.
In the last decade, as a Tier 1 parts supplier to General Motors, American Axle has generated $8.4 billion in profits. Over that time, the company’s CEO has been paid $111 million, with the top five executives receiving nearly $231 million in compensation – while UAW members working at the Three Rivers plant struggle to afford basic needs, with some even forced to sleep in their cars.
