UAW-LUCA in the Loop | It’s time to put workers ahead of Wall Street
UAW Leads 6 Unions in Call for Ban on Stock Buybacks and Dividends at US Defense Contractors
When union members sit down at the bargaining table, companies often say there isn’t enough money for better wages, benefits, or job security. Yet some of those same companies spend billions buying back their own stock and paying dividends to shareholders. The UAW and six other unions are calling for an end to those payouts at major U.S. defense contractors, arguing that taxpayer dollars should go toward investing in workers, equipment, and the facilities that keep our country running.
It’s time to put workers ahead of Wall Street.
May Day 2028: Connecting Fair Contracts to Fair Pay
With the Detroit Three automakers—General Motors, Ford and Stellantis—and other contract expiration dates set for May 1, 2028, union communicators have an important opportunity to educate members about what’s happening inside these companies and how corporate decisions affect workers and their families. That includes examining CEO compensation, worker wages, corporate profits and stock buybacks to help members understand how wealth and resources are distributed. The Economic Policy Institute reports that CEOs at the 350 largest U.S. firms earned an average of nearly $23 million in 2024, or 281 times the compensation of a typical worker.
Educating members about what’s happening at the companies now can help build the knowledge and solidarity needed for strong contract campaigns down the road. The conversation about a fair contract starts long before negotiations begin.
This report provides data, charts and historical comparisons that local unions can use to develop their own articles, graphics and social media posts.
Your Phone As Your Camera. Make Every Shot Count!
Breaking news doesn’t wait for a photographer! Whether it’s a union meeting, a rally, a member speaking out or a victory worth celebrating, sometimes the only camera you have is the one in your pocket or purse. The good news? You don’t need fancy equipment or professional training to capture a great photo. Start with the basics: clean your lens, hold your phone steady, tap your subject to focus, look for good lighting and move closer instead of relying on digital zoom. Take a few extra shots, faces and the big picture and the emotion on people’s faces, and keep your phone charged and ready. In union communications, a good photo does more than show what happened. It helps members feel like they are there.
Check out these smart phone photography tips to sharpen your skills and make the most of the camera you carry 24/7.
The best camera is the one you have with you. Make it count!
Getting Into the Zone- Union Zone!
On September 25, an AutoZone store in White Plains, New York, became the first of the company’s nearly seven thousand American retail locations to unionize. A recent article did a deep dive into how Local 259’s organizing campaign worked—and the retaliation the workers faced from union-busting management. Looks like these AutoZone workers are ready to get into a new zone: the UAW zone!
New Leadership, Big Opportunities Ahead
On October 16, UAW President Shawn Fain and the union’s newly elected International Executive Board (IEB) were sworn into office for a new four-year term in a ceremony honoring the will of the membership and reaffirming the union’s commitment to fighting for its members and all working-class people.
The UAW International Executive Board will build on UAW’s historic bargaining and organizing wins, fighting on all fronts for our core four issues: better wages, affordable healthcare, retirement security, and time off the job.
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