UAW Women’s Department Features Secretary-Treasurer Margaret Mock in History with History is Black History

Yellow flyer with red writing, with African American women wearing a red shirt,

Black Women’s stories are rooted in authentic lived experiences, real stories of leadership, organizing, and collective power.

This month, we are amplifying the stories and voices of bold, black leaders within the UAW labor movement, both past and present. Starting with International UAW Secretary-Treasurer Margaret Mock.

Born for a life of service, as demonstrated by her entire UAW career, her need to make a difference and represent the constituency has always been at the forefront of her drive to serve. Her journey began at the (then-Chrysler) Detroit Axle Plant (Local 961) in 1994, where she served on multiple committees before being elected Treasurer, and then Financial Secretary. She served as a member of the Bargaining Committee, and as a three-time elected Committeeperson, with the third term serving as Shop Chair. She was an elected delegate to the Constitutional Convention for the Marysville Axle Plant. As a Health & Safety Representative, she fought hard for the membership, filing OSHA charges that placed the company into the Severe Violators Enforcement Program.

As an experienced financial officer and a fierce protector of the interests of UAW members, she ran for the office of International UAW Secretary-Treasurer. In 2022, she made history when the membership elected her to the office of UAW Secretary-Treasurer in the first direct election for the International Executive Board. Her assignments include directing the: Accounting, Auditing, Auto/Labor Leader Insurance and Internal Audit, Benefits/Pensions, Facilities, IT, Investments, Membership, Purchasing, Strike Assistance, Travel and Events, Union Building Corp, Women’s, and the Technical, Office, and Professional (TOP) Departments.

#BlackHistoryMonth #UAWWomen

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Staff of The Metropolitan Museum of Art Petition NLRB for a Union Vote

New York, NY— This morning, Local 2110 of the UAW petitioned the National Labor Relations Board for a union election for nearly a thousand full-time and part-time professional and non-professional staff of The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Workers cite long term pay inequities, lack of job protection and ever-increasing workloads as reasons for the unionization efforts.

Initial conversations about unionizing started in 2020, with staff sharing concerns generated by the pandemic. In 2022, the group reached out to UAW Local 2110, known nationally for organizing staff at major cultural institutions, including the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MoMA, New Museum of Contemporary Art, Guggenheim Museum, MASS MoCA, the Whitney Museum of American Art and others.

“The union effort was started during the pandemic by a group of long-time staff who know the Met extremely well and have been through multiple crises where we have lost staff and benefits.,” says Rebecca Capua, a Conservator who has been employed at the Met for 16 years. “We want our jobs at the Met to be viable long term careers — for ourselves and for those who come after us.”

“The Met is an amazing place. I’ve worked here almost 20 years, and love it,” says Alison Clark, Collections Manager. “However, the Museum often makes decisions without considering or consulting staff, such as changes to our Work from Home policy and erosion of our health and other benefits. Right now, we’re contending with several large scale capital projects that displace people and create a lot of additional work for the staff. Unionizing is the only way for us to have a strong collective voice to address concerns with the Museum.”

“Being involved in the organizing for our union has really broken down barriers between us as coworkers who work in many different departments at The Met,” says Tiffany Camusci, a Data Analyst who has worked at the Met since 2023. “As a newer employee, I got involved because a union will empower us to address our pay and our opportunities for career advancement at the Met. It’s rewarding to know that so many of my colleagues share similar concerns and want to address our workplace needs collectively. ”

The last few years have seen thousands of museum workers unionize. Employees at the MFA, Boston, the Guggenheim, the Whitney, the New Museum, the Brooklyn Museum, MASS MoCA, the Jewish Museum, The Dia Foundation, the Hispanic Society Museum and Library, the Portland Museum of Art are just some of the institutions where workers have organized with UAW Local 2110 . Many have echoed similar issues of low pay, lack of job security, and little or no transparency about institutional plans. The economic fallout caused by the global Covid-19 pandemic, which further exposed the insecurities of non-unionized workplaces, further galvanized workers to organize.

TAKE ACTION: No Cuts No Shutdown Rally in Lansing

Michigan’s state government is spiraling towards a shutdown thanks to the House Republicans’ slash and burn budget passed in August. 

This is a direct attack on thousands of UAW state workers and the critical services they provide. It jeopardizes the financial stability of tens of thousands of community members across Michigan and puts all Michiganders at risk.  That’s why we’re rallying in Lansing to stand up for Michigan state workers.

When: Sep 24, 2025, 11:00 AM
Who: Michigan UAW Members & Activists
What: No Shutdown Rally
Where: Lansing City Hall, 124 W Michigan Ave, Lansing, MI 48933 (Across the street from the State Capitol)

RSVP

 

We cannot allow a political stunt to hurt our members, our families and the communities we serve. RSVP for the rally and Stand With Michigan!

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UAW Executive Board Elects Laura Dickerson as Vice President to Succeed Chuck Browning

DETROIT, MI — The UAW International Executive Board has elected Region 1A Director Laura Dickerson to serve as Vice President and Director of the Ford Department, succeeding Vice President Chuck Browning, who will retire at the end of this month.

In accordance with Article 10, Section 17 of the UAW Constitution, the vacancy was filled by a majority vote of the International Executive Board. Dickerson was elected to serve in this critical role and will be sworn in when Browning officially vacates the position at the end of the month.

Dickerson currently serves as Director of UAW Region 1A and brings nearly three decades of union experience to her new role. She becomes the first African-American woman to serve as UAW Vice President, continuing a trailblazing legacy of leadership.

“Chuck Browning has set the bar for what it means to fight for working-class people,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “He’s been one of the toughest and most effective negotiators this union has ever seen. When the bosses dug in, Chuck pushed harder. During the Stand Up Strike, he led the charge to kill tiers at Ford, win back COLA, and make the company pay up. He knew our power—and he used it. We’re going to miss his fire at the table, but we know Laura Dickerson brings that same fighting spirit. She’s tough, she’s battle-tested, and she’s grounded in the membership. The Ford Department is in good hands.”

Reflecting on his retirement, Browning said: “It’s been the honor of my life to serve the UAW membership. I cannot express strongly enough the respect and appreciation I have for our members and for those I’ve served with. I have all the confidence in the world that Laura will lead the UAW National Ford Department with strength and integrity. She will do it with the same fire and same heart that has earned her the admiration and support from those that she has served.”

Dickerson pledged to build on the department’s legacy: “I’m proud to take the baton from Chuck and lead the Ford Department at a time when UAW members are demanding more—and winning. We’re not doing business as usual anymore. We’re doing things differently, and it’s working. Our members stood up, took on the Big Three, and showed the world what union power looks like. I’m ready to build on that member-led momentum, fight for even stronger contracts, and make sure every worker has the dignity, respect, and voice they deserve. This union raised me, and I’ll keep fighting every day to raise standards for the entire working class.”

Dickerson was re-elected Director of UAW Region 1A by its membership in December 2022, after first being elected in 2021 to complete the term of Chuck Browning. She was the first African-American woman in UAW history to be elected to the International Executive Board. She was elected as a Regional Director.

A UAW member since 1997 with Local 600, Dickerson has served in elected roles at nearly every level of the union—chairperson, bargaining team member, national negotiator with Ford, staff council vice president, and more.

Chuck Browning has served as UAW Vice President and Director of the Ford Department since July 2021, following his election by the International Executive Board. His decades of leadership have spanned the National Ford Department, Region 1A, and the UAW President’s office, where he served as both Administrative and Top Administrative Assistant. He began his career at the Mazda plant in Flat Rock in 1987 as a member of Local 3000, eventually becoming Plant Chairperson. He will continue bargaining at Volkswagen.

At the 2022 UAW Constitutional Convention, members amended the union’s constitution and bylaws, voting overwhelmingly to adopt a “one member, one vote” system for choosing union leadership and updating the rules for leadership selection. Under the UAW Constitution, vacancies for the five officer positions (president, secretary-treasurer, and three vice presidents) are filled by a vote of the International Executive Board. Vacancies for regional directors are filled at special regional conventions by previously elected delegates to the Constitutional Convention. Per the Consent decree, the Monitor will vet Laura Dickerson prior to being sworn in.

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UAW-Represented Staff at Association of Professional Flight Attendants Strike Over Unfair Contract Negotiations

Dallas, TX — The UAW-represented staff at the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA), which represents American Airlines Flight Attendants, have gone on strike following stalled contract negotiations and an unwillingness by APFA management to bargain in good faith. The unit, composed of 11 clerical, administrative, and support staff, unanimously rejected the latest contract offer after facing attempts to erode the bargaining unit, concessions, unfair wages, loss of staff positions, and other issues impacting their livelihoods. This marks the first strike and contract rejection in the unit’s history since joining the UAW in 1989.

The UAW-represented employees have long supported APFA’s efforts in securing better working conditions for flight attendants, but they now find themselves on the picket line to defend their own rights and economic security.

Their contract expired on October 1, with bargaining having begun only a few weeks prior. After six bargaining sessions, management dug in their heels and little progress was made on key issues that would protect staff positions, maintain fair representation, and ensure fair wages.

Kim Ramos, UAW Chairperson and a 38-year employee and UAW member, expressed disappointment in the breakdown of negotiations:

“We are saddened that APFA has refused to bargain in good faith, and now we walk the line in solidarity to better the livelihoods of the UAW-represented staff employees. We may be small, but we are mighty and 100% in solidarity.”

Cheryl Stubblefield, President of UAW Local 129, echoed these sentiments, calling out the hypocrisy of APFA’s stated values:

“I am beyond words to witness the utter disrespect our UAW T.O.P. workers have encountered. Their employer claims to want to ‘humanize’ workers and evolve the labor movement, but after days of talk, that promise has not been realized. We must stand for justice for all workers. We must stand for economic freedom. We must stand today to protect and advance all the rights that have been bargained for. Will you stand today in support of our labor movement?”

The UAW-represented staff are resolute in their fight for a fair contract and call on APFA to return to the table ready to negotiate a deal that respects the workers who have diligently served the union for decades.

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Attend the 2024 International UAW Women’s and TOP Conference, August 25 – 30

The 2024 International UAW Women’s and TOP Conference will be held at the Marriott Marquis Chicago, August 25 – August 30, 2024. Attendance is limited to delegates. Please see the call letter for the agenda, more Regional Guidelines, Local Union Guidelines, and Conference Themed Day’s, which include registration, transportation information, and cancellation information.

DOWNLOAD CALL LETTER
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A Message from Laura Dickerson, TOP Department/Region 1A Director

As the first African American woman in the history of the UAW to be elected to the International Executive Board, I come before you with immense gratitude and a deep sense of responsibility.

My journey to this historic achievement has been guided by the wisdom and support of incredible mentors like Liz Jackson, Dottie Jones, and Eunice Stokes. Their unwavering belief in me and their commitment to lifting as they climbed have shaped my path and instilled in me the importance of paying it forward.

Today, as I reflect on my journey, I am humbled. Deeply humbled to be surrounded by incredible women who are making a difference in Michigan and across America. Together, we possess the power to lead and affect change in every sector we engage in. But let us never forget that our successes are built upon the foundation laid by those who came before us. It is our duty to honor their legacies by extending a hand to lift others as we continue to climb higher.

In recent years, we have seen a notable increase in women assuming leadership positions. In Michigan we elected women to the positions of Governor, Attorney General, and Secretary of State. These women serve as shining examples of what can be achieved when barriers are broken, and progress is fostered.

However, our work is far from finished. We must persist in sharing information, encouraging one another, and empowering our fellow sisters. Women from all walks of life recognize that an uneven playing field will never yield equality or justice. It falls upon us to raise our voices and double down on our efforts to promote fairness in our institution as well as others that we belong to.

I urge each of you to engage with your local standing committees, participate in women’s organizations supported by this International Union, and become politically active. Remember, a woman’s place is in her union, advocating for the rights and well-being of all workers. I encourage to find your seat at the table.

Together, let us continue to drive progress, champion equality, and stand in solidarity with one another on the journey towards a more just and equitable future.

In solidarity,
Laura Dickerson
TOP Department Director,
Region 1A Director

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MASS MoCA Workers Announce March 6 Strike Deadline

NORTH ADAMS, MA — Unionized employees of MASS MoCA will go on strike starting Wednesday, March 6 if no agreement on wages is reached with the Museum before then. Employees will begin picketing the Museum starting 8 am on Wednesday, March 6 and will picket daily until an agreement is reached.

The employees’ union, part of Local 2110 UAW, was originally formed in April of 2021. After a one day strike in August of 2022, employees reached an agreement on a first contract which allowed them to re-open the agreement in October 2023 to negotiate further wage increases. Negotiations on the wage reopener have been ongoing for four months but no agreement has been reached.

Fifty-eight percent (58%) of the 120 employees are earning just $16.25 per hour. Average pay for full-time employees is $43,600. According to The Economic Policy Institute’s family budget calculator, for a modest living in Berkshire County, a single individual with no children needs to earn approximately $47,000 per year while a family of four needs about $118,000. The Union is seeking to raise the hourly minimum rate to $18.25 by October of 2023 and is also seeking a minimum 4.5% increase this year.

MASS MoCA sent out a March 1 email to union members characterizing its rejection of the Union’s offer: “The Museum cannot agree to terms that will diminish our mission or operational sustainability, upend vital partnerships, reduce our programs, or fundamentally change our creative workplace culture. Simply put, MASS MoCA has been and will continue to be moved to adopt proposals that are balanced, fair, sustainable, and honest.”

The Union says the difference between its and the Museum’s base wage proposal is only an additional $150,000 for this year, and that workers need the money just to make ends meet. Moreover, the Union asserts that the Museum has increased the number of higher-paid management positions at the expense of the unionized staff.

“MASS MoCA seems out of touch with our needs and concerns as employees,” said Meg Labbee, a 25 year employee of the Museum who works in Artists Services. “They say the arts and artists come first but they need to show some regard for the people who work here. We love the work, but we deserve respect and fair conditions.”

Labbee, who is from the nearby town of Adams, adds, “Many of us live locally and our pay has not kept pace with the cost of living. By raising pay to something more livable, MASS MoCA would not only be supporting its employees, but helping lift the community, MASS MoCA’s rejection of our reasonable proposal has left us with no choice but to strike the institution we love.”

The March 6 strike deadline is not the first time bargaining with the Museum has been contentious. In 2022, during initial contract bargaining, the Union filed unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board over the Museum’s bad faith bargaining, and employees engaged in a one-day strike. Then, this past November, the Union filed a complaint against the Museum with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) when the Museum ordered workers to remove flooring contaminated with loose asbestos without proper equipment or training. OSHA has since issued test results confirming the presence of asbestos, cited necessary corrections to the Museum and is conducting an ongoing investigation.

In April 2021, the MASS MoCA staff voted overwhelmingly to unionize with UAW Local 2110. The bargaining unit includes approximately 120 employees who work as educators, curators, custodians, museum attendants, box office staff, art fabricators, technicians, and other administrative and professional staff. UAW Local 2110 is a technical, office and professional union that represents many museums and cultural institutions in the northeast including the Museum of Modern Art, the MFA, Boston, the Portland Museum of Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Guggenheim, the Jewish Museum, the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, and other non-profit and educational institutions.

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Blue Cross Blue Shield Workers Vote Overwhelmingly to Ratify New Contract

After an 11-week strike, 1,360 UAW members have voted by nearly 90% to ratify a new 3.7 year contract at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network. The agreement will run to May 1, 2027.

The deal secures historic gains for workers including a major reduction of seniority needed to reach the top pay rate reduced from 22 years to five years, significant wage increases, ratification bonuses, inflation protection bonuses, and improved job security language. All workers will receive a minimum 10% wage increase in the first six months of the agreement.

“I’m extremely proud of our members for standing strong for 88 days,” said UAW Secretary-Treasurer Margaret Mock, who also serves as the Director of the Union’s Technical, Office and Professional Departments. “Because of their courage and determination, we were able to win a record contract. This is a huge step in the right direction for our members, and one that we will build on moving forward.”

Workers walked out on strike on September 13 after company negotiators refused to take their demands seriously. The primary issues members wanted addressed during negotiations were ending the multi-tiered wage scale that required workers to acquire twenty-two years of seniority to reach the top pay rate and the company outsourcing jobs to outside contractors.

The UAW was able to make significant improvements on both fronts. The wage scale was shortened to just five years under the new agreement. Union negotiators were also able to secure contractual language that will strengthen the union’s hand in safeguarding worker jobs.

The contract covers UAW members from four local unions: Locals 2500 and 1781 out of Detroit, Region 1, Director LaShawn English, and Locals 2145 (Grand Rapids) and 2256 (Lansing) Region 1D, Director Steve Dawes.

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After 11 Weeks on Strike, UAW Members at Blue Cross Blue Shield Reach Tentative Agreement

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