New York City – More than 500 Postdoctoral Researchers at Mount Sinai’s Icahn School of Medicine who are members of the Sinai Postdoc Organizing Committee-UAW (SPOC-UAW) walked off the job and onto the picket line for an Unfair Labor Practice strike on Wednesday, December 6. After more than one full year at the bargaining table with Sinai administrators, no agreement has been reached. Hundreds gathered for a rally to kick off the strike at 10am ET at East 99th and Madison Ave.

“We love our research, but Sinai is leaving us no choice,” said Andrea Joseph, a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences. “Our priority has always been ensuring that science at Mount Sinai is sustainable and inclusive, and that means fair pay and housing and parental benefits that allow all of us to take care of our families and stay in the careers we love in New York City.”

“Today, Postdocs, members of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai community, and our broader community are standing together to hold Sinai’s administration accountable. Through our collective action, we hope to compel them to bargain in good faith, so we can finally address the urgent issues we face as researchers committed to our careers in science and research,” said Hunter Korsmo, who works in the Department of Medicine – Division of Nephrology.

The impacts of the strike will be felt across Mount Sinai and beyond. Hundreds of other Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai employees and community members have pledged to respect the picket lines.

In June of 2022, nearly 90% of workers voted to choose Sinai Postdoctoral Organizing Committee-United Auto Workers (SPOC-UAW) as their union and bargaining representative.

Postdocs perform a wide range of critical research, from developing new therapies to fight disease to advancing new technologies that will shape the future of research, and much more.

Make a Donation to the SPOC-UAW Solidarity Fund

On Friday, December 1, the UAW International Executive Board announced the union was joining a growing number of labor organizations in calling for a ceasefire in Israel and Palestine.

The Executive Board voted to sign on to a petition drafted by The United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America union (UE) and UFCW Local 3000. The petition can be viewed here.

“From opposing fascism in WWII to mobilizing against apartheid South Africa and the CONTRA war, the UAW has consistently stood for justice across the globe,” Region 9A Director Brandon Mancilla said. “That is why I am proud that the UAW International is today officially calling for a ceasefire in Israel and Palestine.”

In addition, the Executive Board voted to form a Divestment and Just Transition working group to study the history of Israel and Palestine, the union’s economic ties to the conflict, and to explore how to achieve a just transition for US workers from war to peace.

Detroit, MI – Union members affiliated with the Detroit Casino Council at Hollywood Casino at Greektown and MotorCity Casino have voted to ratify a new contract with historic wage increases and other gains. The successful ratification triggers the end of the 34-day strike at both properties, effective tonight (11/19/23) at 9:00pm. Union members at MGM Grand […]

Manhattan, NY — Attorneys at the Center for Reproductive Rights announced their intent to join the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys (ALAA) – UAW Local 2325 on Friday, November 17, 2023.  The Center for Reproductive Rights Lawyers Union supports the Center’s sibling union of non-attorney U.S. staff in UAW Local 2110 and aligns with its goals of transparency and equity in decision-making and hiring, sustainable workloads, less staff turnover, and clearer and more protective standards for staff well-being.

Founded in 1992, the Center for Reproductive Rights is a global human rights organization of lawyers and advocates who ensure reproductive rights are protected in law as fundamental human rights for the dignity, equality, health, and well-being of every person. Through strategic litigation, legal policy, and advocacy, and by holding governments accountable, the Center’s U.S. Program—with offices in New York and Washington, DC—works to strengthen legal guarantees to ensure that reproductive rights and reproductive health services are available across the country.

Labor rights are reproductive rights and human rights. This shared vision of fundamental human rights is why the Center’s attorneys have decided to unionize. The union will hold Center leadership accountable to its staff and its mission. It will strengthen decision-making by valuing staff input—including by accounting for each staff member’s needs, especially the Center’s Black staff, non-attorney staff, and other underrepresented staff. Strengthening protections for the Center’s workforce enables the Center to meet this pivotal moment.

Center attorneys call on management to immediately voluntarily recognize the union after an overwhelming majority of eligible attorneys signed union authorization cards.

“It is crucial that we collaborate so that the Center’s treatment of its employees consistently reflects the same values that go into its human rights work. Unionizing will allow the Center’s attorneys – from legal fellows to more senior lawyers – to advocate for equity, transparency, and accountability within the organization,” said Sol Vàzquez Ortiz, Legal Fellow.

Nick Kabat, Staff Attorney, stated, “I support the Union because as a lawyer, I know the importance of having a strong advocate on your side. That’s what I believe a union will be.”

“The reproductive rights, health, and justice movements cannot afford to go on with business as usual in the post-Roe world. The Center for Reproductive Rights Lawyers Union will empower and support workers who answer directly to providers, patients, and advocates on the ground to bend the arc of the movement towards justice,” said Israel Cook, Staff Attorney.

“The Center for Reproductive Rights Union Local 2110 UAW stands in solidarity with our attorney colleagues that have decided to form their own union. Since formation of our own union in February 2020, our attorney colleagues have been staunch advocates and supporters of our efforts to improve working conditions for everyone at CRR. We are honored to work beside our attorney colleagues each day to protect and expand reproductive rights in law, and we are thrilled to stand together now to build a more equitable organization, said Genevieve Oliver, Unit Chair, Center for Reproductive Rights Union.

If their union is recognized, the attorneys at the Center for Reproductive Rights will join more than 2,700 members of the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys (ALAA) – UAW Local 2325. ALAA – UAW Local 2325 is a union for legal and social service workers, including attorneys, paralegals, social workers, investigators, receptionists, interpreters, advocates, administrative staff, and counselors with chapters at 25+ non-profits in the NYC metropolitan area. The Union represents members at public defender and public interest legal organizations such as the Legal Aid Society, Bronx Defenders, Neighborhood Defender Service, Queens Defenders, Brooklyn Defender Services, as well as advocates for the indigent at non-profit social services organizations such as VOCAL-NY and New Immigrant Community Empowerment (NICE). The Association of Legal Aid Attorneys is the oldest union of attorneys, legal services, and advocates for the indigent in the United States.

State of Michigan UAW employees have approved the 2024 wage reopener for the fiscal year 2024 by a significant ninety-five percent yes vote. Local 6000 and the TOP Department negotiated a five percent wage increase, a $2,250 bonus, which is the first bonus ever received, and language to adjust wages due to market conditions, retention, and recruitment.

UAW local 6000 represents workers in every Department of State of Michigan government: from nurses, teachers, doctors, probation officers, social workers and secretaries.

On November 17, 1985, the UAW was certified as the exclusive representative for the Human Services and Administrative Support Units employed by the State of Michigan. Local 6000 represents approximately 15,000 members in 1200 worksites throughout the State of Michigan.  It is committed to providing quality services to the citizens of the state. Member worksites are located in regions 1A and 1D of the UAW.