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Hundreds of UAW Members Speak Out for New Trade Deal as UAW Outlines Priorities for Worker-Centered Trade

As the United States, Mexico, Canada Agreement (USMCA) trade deal comes up for review in 2026, hundreds of UAW members are speaking out about the devastation of so-called “free trade” and the urgent need for a worker-centered transformation of our trade deals.

On Monday, November 3rd, the USMCA open comment period closed, and hundreds of UAW members spoke out about the personal impact of the free trade disaster. In addition, the UAW International submitted an extensive comment calling for transformative changes to North American trade policy that put the international working class first, ahead of corporate interests.

In the UAW’s comment, which can be viewed here, the union calls for a North American minimum manufacturing wage to lift up workers across the continent; harsh penalties for offshoring that kills jobs; and a requirement to “build here to sell here,” mandating companies that sell products in a country must commit to good jobs in that country.

“We’re here to stop the global race to the bottom that is set up by design in our disastrous trade deals,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “With 5 million manufacturing jobs lost since NAFTA, with 90,000 plant closures causing devastation for the working class, with wages and standards falling across borders, and with the USMCA failing to stop the bleeding started by NAFTA, we have to tear up this deal and start over. That’s what this fight is all about, and in 2026 we expect our government representatives in the Trump administration and in Congress to get serious about fixing our broken trade system.”

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UAW Endorses Sherrod Brown for US Senate

The UAW has officially endorsed Sherrod Brown for US Senate, and is committed to sending a working class fighter back to DC to represent the nearly 100,000 active and retired UAW members who live and vote in Ohio. Sherrod Brown has a proven track record battling corporate interests and taking on the broken status quo in Washington.

The UAW Ohio CAP (Community Action Program) Council formally voted to endorse Brown, and will mobilize hundreds of thousands of working-class Ohioans to elect Brown to the US Senate.

“Sherrod is more than an ally of the UAW; he is an honorary union brother,” said UAW Region 2B Director Dave Green. “Ohioans don’t need another representative who leaves us wondering whose side they’ll be on when it matters. We know exactly where Sherrod Brown stands, because he has been in the fight with the UAW and the working-class time and time again. I am proud of our members for committing to elect working-class fighters like Sherrod.”

“Today, the top 1% have more wealth than the bottom 95% of humanity combined – that is a crisis. Sherrod Brown is one of the only politicians who understands this crisis and won’t cower to billionaires when faced with a tough fight,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “The UAW is proud to endorse candidates like Sherrod who will stand with the working class against our common enemy: corporate greed.”

“Throughout my career, I’m proud to have stood with UAW members fighting for the dignity of work and ensuring that workers always have a seat at the table,” said Sherrod Brown. “Connie and I drive Jeeps assembled in Toledo by UAW workers, and earlier this year, I was proud to stand in solidarity with UAW members in Evendale as they fought for a fair contract. I’m honored to once again have the UAW’s support as we continue the fight for Ohio workers and push back against corporate greed and special interests.”

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Statement on Ohio Redistricting Power Play

The following statement was issued by UAW Region 2B Director Dave Green.

Ohio’s Republican leadership is once again trying to rig the rules, pick their voters, and cling to power instead of doing the work Ohioans need. While families struggle with rising costs and communities fight for good jobs, affordable healthcare, and safe neighborhoods, politicians in Columbus are focused on one thing: protecting themselves and the wealthy special interests they serve.

They want to draw Ohio’s voting maps behind closed doors so they can choose their voters instead of the other way around. We’ve seen this before—five times the Ohio Supreme Court ruled these gerrymandered maps unconstitutional, and twice they struck down congressional maps. But instead of respecting the will of the people, politicians chose secrecy, power grabs, and broken promises.

Fair maps are not a partisan issue; they are a democracy issue. When political insiders manipulate district lines to keep themselves in office, working people lose. Enough is enough. Stop rigging the system for politicians and corporate donors and start delivering for Ohio’s workers, our communities, and our future.

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Fall 2025 Issue of Solidarity Magazine is Now Online!

The new Fall 2025 issue of Solidarity Magazine is now available. 

You can download it here, and share it with fellow UAW members.

In this issue:

  • Feature: UAW Members are Back in the Fight
  • The End of Wage Tiers
  • COLA Explained
  • 2028 Message
  • Financial Report from Secretary-Treasurer Mock
  • Regional Report
  • Beck Notice
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Supermajority of Volkswagen Workers in Chattanooga Vote to Authorize Strike for Job Security and a Fair Contract

Chattanooga, TN – Volkswagen workers in Chattanooga have voted to authorize a strike against the German automaker after over a year of contract negotiations have failed to produce a fair contract offer. It is a historic first, as the first strike authorization vote at a non-Big Three automaker in the modern era.

The move comes after months of unfair labor practices committed by the company, including bad faith negotiations, unlawful intimidation, and the unilateral cutting of jobs at Volkswagen’s only U.S. assembly plant.

Volkswagen made $20.6 billion in profits in 2024, and generates a full 20 percent of its profits in North America. The company can afford to provide a union contract that honors the hardworking autoworkers of Chattanooga.

Volkswagen’s most recent proposal does not include the job security language needed to protect workers from plant closures, outsourcing, or the sale of the Chattanooga facility. These protections cost the company nothing—but mean everything to workers and their families.

A strike authorization gives the elected UAW bargaining committee the authority to call a strike if need be. No strike date has been set, and the UAW bargaining committee has continued to request further negotiations with Volkswagen management, who has refused to meet.

“I don’t want to strike, but if it comes to it, I will,” said Volkswagen worker Mitchell Harris. “Because I feel that all my brothers and sisters of UAW Local 42 deserve respect, to provide a better life for their families, and have job security for us and generations to come.”

“I’m voting yes to get Volkswagen to come back to the table. The majority of the people I know don’t want VW’s ‘final offer.’ They want to keep negotiating, and we are willing to do what it takes to make that happen,” said Taylor Fugate. “We need affordable healthcare and a strong job security statement that leaves no gray area. We also deserve equal standards – Southern autoworkers shouldn’t be treated differently!”

“I’m voting yes because this is the time to show Volkswagen we are serious about receiving industry-standard treatment. Job security’s essential. They could pay us $100 an hour, but it means nothing if they close the plant two weeks into the agreement,” said James Robinson. “I’m hoping this process shows the company we are serious about getting a fair contract. We will show them their offer wasn’t enough, show them we’re willing to stand up to get what we deserve.”

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Volkswagen Workers in Chattanooga to Vote on Strike Authorization

Chattanooga, TN – After more than 13 months of negotiations, Volkswagen workers in Chattanooga, Tennessee have announced a strike authorization vote to take place on Tuesday, October 28 and Wednesday, October 29.

The move comes after months of unfair labor practices committed by the company, including bad faith negotiations, unlawful intimidation, and the unilateral cutting of jobs at Volkswagen’s only US assembly plant.

Volkswagen made $20.6 billion in profits in 2024, and generates a full 20 percent of its profits in North America. The company can afford to provide a union contract that honors the hardworking autoworkers of Chattanooga.

“I don’t want to strike, but if it comes to it, I will,” said Volkswagen worker Mitchell Harris. “Because I feel that all my brothers and sisters of UAW Local 42 deserve respect, to provide a better life for their families, and have job security for us and generations to come.”

“I’m voting yes to get Volkswagen to come back to the table. The majority of the people I know don’t want VW’s ‘final offer.’ They want to keep negotiating, and we are willing to do what it takes to make that happen,” said Taylor Fugate. “We need affordable healthcare and a strong job security statement that leaves no gray area. We also deserve equal standards – Southern autoworkers shouldn’t be treated differently!”

“I’m voting yes because this is the time to show Volkswagen we are serious about receiving industry-standard treatment. Job security’s essential. They could pay us $100 an hour, but it means nothing if they close the plant two weeks into the agreement,” said James Robinson. “I’m hoping this process shows the company we are serious about getting a fair contract. We will show them their offer wasn’t enough, show them we’re willing to stand up to get what we deserve.”

The UAW has been clear that the company’s offer still falls short in four key areas:

1) Job Security: Volkswagen’s proposal does not include the language needed to protect workers from plant closures, outsourcing, or the sale of the Chattanooga facility. These protections cost the company nothing—but mean everything to workers and their families.

2) Affordable Healthcare: Volkswagen’s proposal falls far short of the affordable, high-quality healthcare that’s standard for 150,000 UAW autoworkers across the country. Workers deserve equal treatment, not higher costs.

3) Wages That Keep Up With the Cost of Living: Volkswagen can solve this today by simply signing off on the proposal they already offered — so workers’ paychecks don’t lose value as costs rise.

4) Respect and Dignity on the Job: Volkswagen workers are fighting for a union contract that ensures members can use their earned PTO, are protected from punitive drug testing, and have adequate breaks to recover from the physical demands of the job.

The UAW sent a counterproposal to the company on October 15 addressing 14 remaining critical items centered on these four pillars: job security, fair wages, affordable healthcare, and respect and dignity on the job.

If Volkswagen accepts the counteroffer, the union will recommend ratification. If not, members will prepare for a strike authorization vote and further action as needed.

A strike authorization gives the elected UAW bargaining committee the authority to call a strike if need be. No strike date has been set, and the UAW bargaining committee has continued to request further negotiations with Volkswagen management, who has refused to meet.

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After Members Took Action, UAW Celebrates Tariffs on Heavy Trucks

In a major win for UAW members who build heavy trucks at Mack, Daimler, Navistar, Volvo, and more, the Trump administration has announced a 25 percent tariff on imported heavy trucks, after a massive grassroots lobbying campaign by UAW members and leaders.

“For decades, heavy truck makers have rushed to kill good blue-collar jobs from Allentown, Pennsylvania, to Gastonia, North Carolina, in order to pay poverty wages abroad while Wall Street makes a killing. That ends November 1st,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “Our members lobbied and mobilized to save these communities, and made their voices heard in Washington, DC. We have pushed for action like this for decades, and we congratulate President Trump for delivering for heavy truck workers everywhere. Let’s keep going and rewrite our broken trade rules.”

A new video, Made In The Valley, tells the story of UAW Local 677 in the Lehigh Valley—how the USMCA gutted the communities that built the American heavy truck industry, and how workers fought back to save their jobs and community.

“Mack, Daimler, Navistar, Volvo — we built these companies,” said Dave Durgin, President of the UAW Bus, Engine, and Truck Council. “These executives have tried to run away from us and our families just to pay somebody $3-4 an hour to build six-figure trucks, and pocket the profits. We aren’t asking for the world. We’re saying if you want to sell your trucks in the U.S., you need to make your trucks in the U.S., at a good union wage like we’ve won at the UAW. We’re glad to see action being taken to support domestic manufacturing and good union jobs.”

The victory in the heavy truck industry is the latest blow to the so-called “free trade” system that has devastated blue collar America, from NAFTA to the USMCA. In 2026, the entire USMCA is up for review, and the UAW is pushing for a trade deal that puts the working class first.

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UAW Endorses Graham Platner for U.S. Senate in Maine

The United Auto Workers have endorsed Graham Platner for the United States Senate in Maine.

As a U.S. military veteran, oyster farmer, and proud lifelong Mainer, Graham Platner is a true fighter for the working class. His campaign is grounded in rebuilding the American dream for working people who can no longer afford a good life. His service and his background give him the leadership needed to fight for policies that put the needs of workers first and demand bold solutions to our economic and political crises.

The UAW represents nearly 2,000 workers in Maine, including marine draftsmen at Bath Iron Works, nonprofit employees, workers at the Portland Museum of Art, and graduate employees across the University of Maine System. Together, these members are part of a growing movement of working-class people demanding an economy that works for everyone — not just the wealthy few — and standing behind candidates who fight for dignity, fairness, and justice for all workers.

“Inequality is out of control in our country. Today, the top 1% have more wealth than the bottom 95% of humanity combined. Graham understands this, and at a time when too many politicians take their cues from billionaires and corporate lobbyists, he has chosen to stand with the working class,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “He’s focused on the real problems facing workers across this country — not the distractions the billionaire class uses to divide us. His campaign is rooted in the same core issues our union fights for every day: a living wage, affordable health care, retirement security, and time outside of work to actually live our lives. The UAW is proud to endorse candidates like Platner taking on the broken status quo.”

UAW Region 9A Director Brandon Mancilla added, “Graham Platner has emerged as a voice for the people of Maine fed up with the corrupting influence of the oligarchy and money in our politics. More importantly, he is building a mass movement that will not only power his campaign but will be ready to take on the challenges facing working families in Maine and across the country once in office. Our members are ready to hit the ground running with Graham’s campaign and take back the power for Maine’s working class.”

“I think he’s the real deal,” said Trent Vellela, president of the UAW’s Maine CAP Council from Bath Marine Draftsmen’s Association (BMDA-UAW Local 3999 ). “Graham directly addresses the hard issues in a straightforward and relatable way. He is clear about his principles and his plan to achieve positive outcomes for the working people of Maine. We’re excited to endorse Graham Platner for Senate and look forward to seeing him in DC.”

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After UAW Pressure and Auto Tariffs, Stellantis Commits Billions to Domestic Plants

Detroit, MI – After months of planning and deliberation, Stellantis has announced a historic investment in U.S. manufacturing. In a major victory for UAW members and working-class people across the Midwest, Stellantis shared that it will create 5,000 new UAW jobs over the next four years, with three new products. The company projects that they will increase production in the United States by 50% during this time period.

This move brings good-paying union jobs back to the U.S. and will strengthen the economy in communities that were devastated by so-called “free trade” policies like NAFTA and USMCA.

“A year ago, Stellantis was on a fast-track to moving their U.S. operations out of the country. Their decision today proves that targeted auto tariffs can, in fact, bring back thousands of good union jobs to the U.S.,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “Wall Street and supposed industry experts said this was impossible. But race to the bottom created by free trade is finally coming to an end.”

The update from the company today announced 5 new product launches, including 3 additional products beyond what we negotiated in our 2023 contract.

  • Belvidere Assembly will produce two products, an all-new Jeep Cherokee and the Jeep Compass.
  • Warren Truck will produce an all-new SUV, in addition to the Wagoneer family. The company projects an additional shift and 900 additional jobs by 2029.
  • Toledo Assembly will produce the all-new midsize truck, which we won in our 2023 agreement, in addition to the Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator.

The company also reaffirmed past investment commitments, including the next-generation Dodge Durango at the Detroit Assembly Complex and the GMET4 EVO Engine at the Kokomo Engine Plant.

“We’ve been making progress getting our members back to work, with indefinite layoffs coming down from a high of 3,228 in February to just over 1,700 this month” said the Director of the UAW Stellantis Department, Kevin Gotinsky. “This new investment will be a game-changer for UAW members. Instead of worrying about looming layoffs, we can support our families and build the quality products that we take pride in.”

The announcement follows approximately $5 billion in new U.S. investment announced by General Motors earlier this year.

Moving forward, the UAW is focused on the upcoming renegotiation of the USMCA, to permanently end the unfair trade practices that allowed automakers to offshore U.S. jobs, slash wages, and shutter dozens of once-thriving plants.

As part of that fight, the UAW is demanding a new worker-first trade deal that:

  • Prioritizes job security: companies need to make it here if they want to sell it here.
  • Strengthens enforceable labor rights for all workers. We can’t let corporations pit us against each other.
  • Guarantees equal pay for equal work across borders. Corporations should not be able to use trade to cause a race to the bottom.

The Big Three have closed or spun off 65 facilities in the past 20 years. More than 2 million vehicles a year have disappeared from American production lines over the last decade, while factories in countries like Mexico have opened, offering jobs with low wages and terrible working conditions, hallmarks of our exploitative trade system.

Ending offshoring and rebuilding the auto industry also means policies that help the entire working class: a strong National Labor Relations Board, secure retirements through Social Security, guaranteed health care through Medicare and Medicaid, and dignity on and off the job. This is how we ensure today’s gains become tomorrow’s standard—not just for autoworkers, but for all working-class people.

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Fighting for Better Patient Care, Mercyhealth East UAW Members Mark 100 Days on Strike

JANESVILLE, WI – UAW Local 95 Unit 14 members at Mercyhealth’s East Clinic have reached a major milestone — 100 days on strike. Since July 2, these dedicated health care workers have been standing up not just for themselves, but for their patients. They’re fighting to restore quality care and fair jobs at Mercyhealth, where high-level decisions have turned what should be good, stable caregiving jobs into overworked, underpaid positions that put patient care at risk. On Friday, workers took a moment to celebrate their strength and unity as they continue to push back against an employer that is putting profits before patients.

“There’s no question that our members at Mercyhealth East are stronger today than they were on July 2 when they first walked out,” said UAW Local 95 President Judy McRoberts. “They’ve held the line for 100 days because they know what’s at stake — the quality of care their patients receive and the dignity of their own work. Mercy East UAW members take pride in caring for their community, and they understand that you can’t deliver quality patient care when management keeps turning good jobs into low-wage, high-stress positions. Mercyhealth needs to start valuing both its workers and its patients.”

UAW members at Mercyhealth East provide care in many roles from nurses to x-ray techs, receptionists to building maintenance. If Mercy runs, it’s because of these dedicated workers. Among the key issues keeping the picket line going is the employer’s proposal to increase health care costs, which are already a strain on the workforce. Low wages and a lack of safety are other issues that mobilized the walk-out in July.

“Mercyhealth is denying us any sense of security — even those of us working late into the evenings,” said Anna Farrington, one of the UAW members on strike at Mercyhealth. “We never know who might come in at any hour, and there are so few of us on staff. We want to give our patients the bestcare and comfort we can, but how are we supposed to do that when we don’t even feel safe ourselves? Mercyhealth didn’t seem to have any trouble finding security guards once we started our picket line — I guess it was possible after all.”

Between 2020 and 2023, Mercyhealth System brought in over $2 billion in total revenue — more than enough to ensure safe staffing and quality patient care. Yet instead of investing in patients or frontline caregivers, President and CEO Javon Bea pocketed $36.2 million during that period, including $11.5 million in 2023 alone. At a rally on Friday, community and political allies joined the Mercy East strikers to call out the hypocrisy and greed of one of the region’s largest employers.

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