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UAW Biannual Political Conference to Bring Hundreds of UAW Members to Capitol Hill, Feature Michigan Senate Candidate Forum

The UAW will hold its biannual Community Action Program (CAP) Conference in Washington, D.C., from February 8–11, bringing together nearly 1,000 union members from across the country to strategize and build power for the working class.

The conference agenda will focus on the UAW’s political vision and four core priorities: wages, health care, retirement, and time off. Participants will also address the growing threats to the American Dream posed by corporate greed and divide-and-conquer politics.

On Monday, February 9, UAW President Shawn Fain will deliver a keynote address outlining the union’s political vision for taking on the billionaire class.

On Wednesday, Feb. 11, the union will hold its first candidate forum of 2026, featuring leading candidates who are running for Michigan’s U.S. Senate. The forum will be livestreamed on UAW social channels.

WHO:  The UAW’s National Community Action Program (CAP)

WHAT:  “Building Working Class Power: Our Time to Lead” – the Union’s Biannual CAP Conference

WHERE:  Washington Hilton, 1919 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20009

WHEN:  February 8-11; MI Senate Forum during February 11’s morning plenary

The Michigan U.S. Senate candidate forum will take place during the final morning plenary starting at 9:45 am on Wednesday, Feb. 11. The candidate forum will also be Livestreamed on UAW digital channels, including YouTube and Facebook. For more information on the UAW’s CAP Conference, including the agenda, visit UAW.org/CAP2026.

Members of the press are invited to attend the Monday and Wednesday sessions. RSVP is required.

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UAW Reaches Tentative Agreement with Volkswagen in Chattanooga, Marking Historic Breakthrough for Southern Autoworkers

Autoworkers at Volkswagen’s Chattanooga plant have won a historic tentative agreement with the company. After making history as the first Southern autoworkers outside the Big Three to join the UAW, the 3,200 workers at Volkswagen Chattanooga have won a tentative contract deal that provides 20 percent across-the-board wage increases, affordable health care, real job security, and more.

After workers voted 3-to-1 to join the UAW in 2024, they elected a 20-member negotiating committee of their peers. After months of negotiations, the tentative deal marks a breakthrough for non-union autoworkers and manufacturing workers across the South. The tentative deal ensures that Volkswagen workers have a legally binding and enforceable agreement that guarantees fair pay, more affordable health care, safer working conditions, and clear protections against favoritism.

“For years, Chattanooga workers were told to settle for less while Volkswagen made record profits. So, the workers stood together and won their union—and now they’ve secured a life-changing first agreement,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “This deal proves what happens when autoworkers stand up and demand their fair share. People said Southern autoworkers could never form a union or win a union contract. Volkswagen workers in Chattanooga said, ‘Watch this.’”

For workers like bargaining committee co-chair Steve Cochran, a skilled trades worker and co-chair of the Bargaining Committee, the agreement represents a turning point. “A strong contract makes sure promises are delivered. Respect and security shouldn’t be up for negotiation—and now they won’t be.”

The tentative agreement is especially significant given Volkswagen’s recent record-breaking profits. In 2024 alone, the world’s second-largest automaker reported $20.6 billion in profits—even as Chattanooga workers struggled under substandard health coverage and rising out-of-pocket costs.

Key Wins in the Tentative Agreement

  • Major Wage Increases – 20% GWI
    Substantial raises that begin to close the gap with industry standards and reflect Volkswagen’s record profits.
  • Improved High-Quality Health Care with No Increases
    Lower out-of-pocket costs, improved coverage, and protections that ensure no worker must choose between medical care and basic needs.
  • Big Bonuses Initial bonuses equaling $6,550 per worker upon ratification and additional annual bonuses of $2,550 for the life of the agreement. Thousands of dollars of additional compensation for each worker.
  • Job Security Protections
    Strong language against unilateral job cuts, shift reductions, and outsourcing—making sure VW keeps good union jobs in Chattanooga.
  • Stronger Health & Safety Standards
    Enforceable safety rules, dedicated union safety representatives, and a greater worker voice in identifying and fixing hazards on the job.
  • Paid Time Off & Scheduling Protections
    Guaranteed paid leave, fair scheduling requirements, and safeguards against forced overtime and favoritism.
  • Fair Discipline & Grievance Rights
    Clear, enforceable protections against unfair discipline and a transparent, worker-centered grievance process.
  • A Real Voice on the Job
    Rights that ensure workers have a say in day-to-day decisions that shape their work, their safety, and their future.

This historic agreement reflects significant improvements over the company’s last proposal in October, including:

  • New product commitments
  • Enhanced right-to-strike protections
  • Key newly won Job Security agreements, including protections against outsourcing
  • Thousands of additional dollars of annual compensation per worker
  • Key Skilled Trades issues addressed
  • Stronger safeguards against plant closures or the sale of operations

Workers will receive details of the tentative agreement in the coming days, followed by a ratification vote.

“This contract is proof that if you stand up and stick together, you can win a better life,” said Kelcey Smith, a worker in the paint department. “No matter where you live, or where you work, autoworkers deserve a union contract, whether at the Big Three or Volkswagen, from Detroit to Chattanooga. Volkswagen workers are showing the whole country what’s possible.”

The Chattanooga victory signals a profound shift in the Southern auto industry, as workers across the region stand up to global corporations, demand their fair share, and build a future where autoworkers—no matter where they live or what company they work for—have a collective voice and a seat at the table.

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Conn-Selmer Workers to Rally Community to Save Eastlake Plant from Closure

After Conn-Selmer formally announced its decision to offshore 150 good, union jobs to China at a long-time legacy Ohio company, workers are rallying community support to save the Eastlake plant from closure tentatively scheduled for June 30.

WHO: UAW Local 2359 members at Conn-Selmer, UAW Region 2B Director Dave Green, Eastlake Mayor Kevin Kostelnik, OH State Rep. Dan Troy, with a special video message from UAW President Shawn Fain

WHAT: “Save Our Plant” rally to stop offshoring of jobs from Conn-Selmer’s Eastlake plant to China

WHERE: Four Points Sheraton Ballroom, 35000 Curtis Blvd, Eastlake, OH 44095

WHEN: Thursday, February 5 at 5:00 P.M.

In January – on what was supposed to be day one of the latest contract negotiations between Conn-Selmer and UAW Local 2359 members – the last, USA-made brass instrument brand, informed workers that it is shutting down its Ohio facility and offshoring almost all its Eastlake operations overseas to China.

Decades of an Ohio mainstay and hundreds of good, union jobs suddenly became on the chopping block because billionaire hedge fund owner John Paulson decided to lead with corporate greed over preserving an American institution – and American manufacturing.

Conn-Selmer informed UAW Local 2359 members that its “doomsday” would tentatively be June 30, 2026 – but workers are fighting back to save the Eastlake plant. Alongside the broader community and local allies, workers are rallying together on Thursday to send a message to Conn-Selmer’s leadership like Paulson: that they can still do the right thing and keep these jobs in Ohio.

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Workers at Lorain County Jobs and Family Services Set February 18 Strike Deadline After County Fails to Offer Fair Deal

After authorizing a strike earlier this year by 86%, on Tuesday, UAW Local 2192 members at Lorain County Job and Family Services announced a February 18 strike deadline for the County to agree to a fair deal for the 144 workers. Workers who administer Ohio Works First, SNAP, Medicaid, childcare assistance, child support referrals, and other essential public services are demanding fairer wages that bring their pay up to the County average that would address staffing shortages, recruitment and excessively high turnover challenges.

“Lorain County has misplaced priorities,” said Candace MacIntosh, a JFS Investigator. “They’re bringing in six-figure salaried positions while claiming to have no funds for fair wages at our agency — an agency our community depends on. I just came back from maternity leave and have to keep my newborn son off the County healthcare because it’s far too expensive. Instead, he is on Medicaid, the same program we administer. We’re authorizing benefits for other people while struggling ourselves.”

During the current union contract, workers like Candace MacIntosh saw a 50% increase in health care premiums. JFS workers are also paid less than other county agencies – as the County claims there’s not enough funding for the employees to earn a livable wage. Meanwhile, they have enough money in the budget to increase the number of six-figure salary management positions by 142% over five years – from 65 upper management positions to 157 roles making over $100,000. In the same period, the workforce has experienced 65% turnover due to being underpaid and overworked.

“Lorain County Commissioners are letting JFS workers fall behind,” said UAW Region 2B Director Dave Green. “Workers are skipping their bills and dropping their health care — it ain’t right. Meanwhile, the County is hiring dozens of upper management positions and giving them six figure salaries. So where are Lorain County’s priorities? They’re in the toilet. All we’ve heard are crickets from their side. They aren’t bringing anything back to the table and are forcing our hand. So, we’re gonna play that hand — and we are gonna win, because we’re stronger together.”

Lorain County JFS employees have been working with an expired union contract since September 2025. UAW Local 2192 members have met with the County over several bargaining sessions until reaching an impasse in December, when a fact-finding hearing was conducted by a neutral, state-mandated dispute resolution process.

In January, the County voted down the fact-finder report’s findings. By rejecting the fact-finding process – which is uncommon – and failing to offer a new proposal in return, the County is leaving county workers with no option but to strike by February 18 as a last resort.

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Statement from UAW President Shawn Fain on the Killing of Alex Pretti

“The UAW stands in solidarity with the family and loved ones of our fallen union brother Alex Pretti and all those standing up for justice in Minneapolis and beyond. Alex Pretti was an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs hospital, and a member of AFGE Local 3669. He was a fellow union member doing what UAW members do all the time – heeding a call for solidarity and exercising his Constitutional rights. For that, he was killed in the street. Our union mourns his loss and our thoughts are with his family, his union, and his community.

As proud trade unionists, we value our Constitutional freedoms. The right to free speech and the right to protest are core to who we are as Americans and as union members. The killing of peaceful protesters like Alex Pretti threatens our rights and our Constitution.

In moments like these, the labor movement must not be silent. Unions in Minnesota took action last Friday, January 23, by participating in a general strike and protested across the state. If the right to protest or speak freely is under attack, then our rights as workers are not safe. Our freedom to strike, or to walk a picket line to win a better life, may be threatened next.”

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UAW Announces Major Michigan Candidate Endorsements for 2026

In a decision led by a member-elected board of the UAW’s Community Action Program (CAP) in Michigan, the UAW is announcing two major endorsements for statewide races ahead of a critical year for defending workers’ rights.

For the office of Michigan Attorney General, the union is endorsing Karen McDonald to lead bold action in the fight against federal attacks on the rights of all working-class Michiganders. And for Secretary of State, the UAW stands with Garlin Gilchrist to preserve our democracy and right to vote as Michigan continues to be ground zero in attacks on the ballot box.

“The UAW’s support is never automatic. In times like these, we look past party lines and focus on one thing: electing leaders who will stand up to the billionaires and fight for union families,” said UAW Region 1 Director LaShawn English. “UAW members who lead the Michigan CAP Board came together to ask hard questions and evaluate candidates with the goal of determining who is ready and willing to fight for working people. Our union’s endorsement is earned, not given. This moment is about electing leaders who will stand shoulder to shoulder with working people. Karen McDonald for Attorney General and Garlin Gilchrist for Secretary of State are the leaders that we trust to win and to have our backs.”

“Workers’ rights are in more danger than ever, and we need an Attorney General like Karen McDonald as our first line of defense for working-class Michiganders,” said Dennis Geno, UAW Local 362 member and Chair of the Great Lakes Bay Area Regional CAP Council.  “I drove over three hours in a snowstorm to hear from candidates who would support our union. Karen grew up in a working-class family, was a union member herself. She has a track record as a fighter and will fight for workers as Attorney General. We know a real one when we see her, and Karen McDonald is a real one we can trust on our side.”

“Michigan is ground zero for attacks on our right to vote and Garlin Gilchrist is the person we need to protect our democracy,” said Dwayne Walker, UAW Local 900 President and Michigan CAP Council Executive Committee member. “Garlin is a strong ally to the UAW and has shown up time and again to not just stand tall but to stand in solidarity with Michigan’s working class when we’ve needed him the most. The choice is clear for the UAW’s Michigan CAP General Board as to who should lead our state in this critical moment, when our vote needs leadership most.”

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UAW Statement in Solidarity with the Fight for Justice in Minnesota

The UAW stands in solidarity with the people of Minnesota, including hundreds of UAW members, who are standing up and fighting back against the federal government’s abuses and attacks on the working class.

The UAW stands for freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, and human dignity no matter where you were born, what language you speak, or the color of your skin. We will not tolerate a government that attacks working class people’s constitutional and human rights.

It is the working class that makes society run, and it is the working class that can shut it down if need be. On January 23rd, working class people will demonstrate that power in Minnesota, and the UAW has their back.

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Staff of the Metropolitan Museum of Art Vote to Unionize

Staff of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, NY, have voted by a 76% margin in a National Labor Relations Board election to unionize with UAW Local 2110. The ballot tally was 542 yes votes for the union with 172 votes against. The ballots of an additional 100 people remain sealed because they were challenged by the Museum which objected to inclusion of these staff in the union. The eligibility of staff in these positions will be determined through a mutually agreed upon arbitration process after the union is officially certified by the National Labor Relations Board.

Workers at the Museum had been organizing for over four years before the election, over concerns about job security, pay equity and greater transparency about employment policies.

“I’ve worked at The Met for 31 years and I truly love it but our expertise and our labor have real value deserving of recognition,” said Stephanie Post, a Digital Archivist, “By unionizing, we aren’t just protecting our own jobs—we are building a collective voice to ensure every staff member, now and in the future, gets the respect and protection they deserve.”

”We won because we were able to convince our colleagues that they don’t have to accept whatever is offered to them, that their experience and hard work has earned them a seat at the table,” said Rebecca Capua, a conservator who has worked at the Museum for sixteen years.

The unit is composed of staff across fifty different departments of the Museum and includes curators, conservators, librarians, sales specialists, visitor experience coordinators, development officers, archivists, digital and IT staff, and more.

Jonathan Farbowitz, a conservator said: “I’m so inspired by the way Met staff across departments have come together to make this historic victory happen.”

Tiffany Camusci, Data Analyst added: “There is no stronger feeling of solidarity than working together with my colleagues to establish our union.”

Thousands of museum workers have organized since the pandemic. Local 2110 UAW already represents workers at multiple art museums and other cultural institutions including the Museum of Modern Art, the MFA, Boston, the Guggenheim, the Whitney Museum, the Jewish Museum, the Portland Museum of Art, MASS MoCA, the Hispanic Society Museum and Library, the New York Historical Society, the Shed, the Emily Dickinson Museum, the Tenement Museum, the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Film at Lincoln Center, Film Forum and Anthology Film Archives.

“Organizing with my Met colleagues was an incredible, galvanizing experience that I will never forget,” said Alison Clark, a Collections Manager in Asian Art who has worked at the Museum for over 20 years. “Unionizing with UAW Local 2110 is only our first step and we look forward to negotiating a fair and equitable contract that reflects staff needs and priorities.”

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UAW Announces Results of Special Election in Region 9

The UAW has announced the results of an election held today in UAW Region 9 to fill the vacancy created when former Regional Director Dan Vicente resigned his post.

Delegates at a special regional convention elected Jimmy Lakeman to serve as the next Regional Director of UAW Region 9, which covers thousands of active and retired UAW members across New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

UAW President Shawn Fain said, “We welcome Jimmy Lakeman to the International Executive Board and look forward to his strong leadership and resolve in Region 9 as we continue our mission fighting for economic and social justice, taking on an out-of-control billionaire class.”

Lakeman said, “I am honored to serve the members of UAW Region 9 and to continue fighting for our union. Together, we will focus on representation, enforcing our contracts, and strengthening our community action program.”

While the union has moved to a system of regular direct elections for its International Executive Board, mid-term vacancies at the regional level are filled by a vote of delegates, as outlined in the UAW Constitution.

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Statement on Ford Plant Visit from VP Laura Dickerson, Ford Department Director

The autoworker at the Dearborn Truck Plant is a proud member of a strong and fighting union —the UAW. He believes in freedom of speech, a principle we wholeheartedly embrace, and we stand with our membership in protecting their voice on the job.
 
The UAW will ensure that our member receives the full protection of all negotiated contract language safeguarding his job and his rights as a union member.
 
Workers should never be subjected to vulgar language or behavior by anyone—including the President of the United States.
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