Posts tagged Constitutional Convention
How the United Auto Workers union is changing following its latest convention
August 12, 2022 // “I would say the idea of reform was really the central theme of this event, whether you were there as a reformer, or whether you were someone who was pushing back against the idea that the union has a big corruption problem.” — Sascha Raiyn, WDET “I would say the idea of reform was really the central theme of this event, whether you were there as a reformer, or whether you were someone who was pushing back against the idea that the union has a big corruption problem,” says Raiyn. “But the people that I talked to, including veterans of many conventions, said that this convention was the most democratic that they had ever seen.” reverse delegate pay,
UAW Accused of “Threatening and Intimidating” Members at Constitutional Convention
August 5, 2022 // But reports show that attendees who questioned the union’s status quo were heckled, intimidated or drowned out. The main issue that arose between leadership and attendees was that the UAW did not want to increase pay for striking workers. The vote to raise strike pay passed initially, but UAW leaders then put it up for a reversal vote after many members had already left the convention, allowing the policy to be reversed before it ever took effect. Union leaders also pulled the same trick to give themselves raises after the vote was first denied. “Our leaders … do not represent the rank-and-file members of our union. They represent the interests of staff and leadership. They represent the interests of their friends,” said Daniel Vicente of Local 644. “They absolutely robbed us again. We’ve been robbed by the people in prison; we’re getting robbed by these leaders here.” Daniel Vicente of Local 644, Scott Houldieson,
Auto Workers Turn a Corner for Strike Pay and Democracy
August 4, 2022 // Reformers in the Auto Workers won day one strike pay at the union’s constitutional convention in Detroit last week. They also forced open debate on the top concession that has weakened the union in the last 15 years—tiered contracts that condemn newer workers to lower pay and benefits beside “legacy” workers doing the same job. This was the first UAW convention since a leadership corruption scandal erupted, reformers won a member referendum last fall to adopt one-member-one-vote for top officers, and the auto industry began a serious transition to electric vehicles. Held every four years, the meeting has usually been a stale coronation of leaders. A newly organized reform movement turned the convention into a rowdy debate that, for moments, even overruled the top union leaders. Jessie Kelly, Yasin Mahdi, Willie Holmes, Mass Caucus,
UAW delegates, in departure from past, make nominations for top offices
July 28, 2022 // For the first time, delegates from union locals around the country walked to microphones and nominated candidates for the union’s top offices, including president, secretary-treasurer and vice president. They didn’t actually pick the leaders. That will happen later this year when members get to cast ballots, a result of the changes brought about by the consent decree with the government resulting from the corruption scandal. Margaret Mock, LaShawn English, Brian Keller, Jim Coakley, John Guinan, Frank Stuglin,
Opinion: The UAW’s Culture of Corruption
July 25, 2022 // The settlement came after a yearslong investigation found top union officials guilty of embezzling hundreds of thousands of members’ dues money and other funds to bankroll leaders’ opulent lifestyles. Court documents describe parties with top-shelf liquor and stays at five-star resorts. mishandling of a sum of cash,
UAW members challenge Ray Curry for union presidency
July 5, 2022 // Instituting direct elections of United Auto Workers' international officials is leading some members to step up and challenge President Ray Curry to the union's top role, even from within Solidarity House. Passage last year of the "one member, one vote" system by a referendum vote of the membership was brought on by a years-long corruption scandal, implicating 17 people, including two former UAW presidents. It's setting up a historic leadership selection process ahead of next year's critical contract negotiations with the Detroit Three automakers as their transition to electrification increasingly affects shop floors and as the union covers an increasingly diverse swath of members. court-appointed UAW monitor, Reuther or Administrative Caucus, pension and retirement health-care benefits, socialist,
Biden is coming to Philly next week for a big labor convention
June 10, 2022 // The convention is a quadrennial meeting where labor leaders chart their group’s path. Biden has returned to the state frequently since becoming president, including going to Delaware County to promote his stimulus bill, Pittsburgh to launch his push for infrastructure and social spending packages, and Philadelphia to work at a food bank, give a speech on voting rights, and mark Amtrak’s 50th anniversary.