UAW International Executive Board Passes Resolution and Constitutional Interpretation Securing Retirees’ Right to Vote in IEB Elections

On Wednesday, November 19th, under the guidance of the UAW Legal Department, the UAW International Executive Board agreed on a constitutional interpretation regarding the definition of retired members and their eligibility to vote in International Officer elections. The Federal Monitor requested that the UAW International Executive Board clarify the definition of a retiree before the union’s upcoming 2026 election.  

 According to the constitutional interpretation, to be eligible to vote in the 2026 election, members will have to either be eligible for a contractually defined benefit retirement plan, or have attained five years seniority and be social security eligible, at a minimum age of 62 years and one month, at the time of retirement. Of all the possible interpretations that were consistent with our Constitution and discussions at past Constitutional Conventions, this option enfranchised the widest possible group.

Additional information and specific guidance will soon be issued to local unions about how to implement this new interpretation.

In addition to the interpretation, the Board further voted to pass a resolution that ensures the 2026 Constitutional Convention will take up the question of the constitutional definition of a UAW retiree when the Convention meets next year.  

 “Our retirees built the UAW, and I know the entire International Executive Board wants to make sure every last one of them has a voice and a vote in the direction of this union,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “That’s why we’ll be encouraging delegates to go beyond this constitutional interpretation and expand our retiree definition at the 2026 Constitutional Convention for future elections.”