FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Scott Houldieson, Chair, UAWD
Phone: 219.801.2002
Email: [email protected]
UNITED AUTO WORKERS UNION MEMBERS FORM
NEW REFORM CAUCUS IN THE UAW
Group vows to fight for equality, democracy, and accountability in the beleaguered union
[Chicago, Illinois, September 28, 2020] – Unite All Workers for Democracy (UAWD) — a reform movement within the UAW — held their first-ever Annual National Meeting on Saturday, September 19, 2020.
Members of UAWD elected the Steering Committee, which is the official governing body of the group. Members also debated, discussed, amended, and voted for UAWD’s By-Laws and Platform Planks.
Speaking on the issue of the business unionism model long implemented by the Administration Caucus — the UAW’s controlling party — Second Vice President of UAW Local 259 in New York City and newly-elected UAWD Trustee Mike DiGiuseppe stated, “We have a moral responsibility to protect the rights we’ve gained from the sacrifices of our predecessors. That includes fighting internal corruption and a shareholder economy that feeds off creating economic insecurity.”
UAWD Chair and member of UAW Local 551, Scott Houldieson, made an appeal to UAW members interested in moving the union in a new direction. “We need as many UAW members involved in the process and ready to stand up for our union’s founding principles of equality, democracy, and accountability. And if you’re a UAW member who would like to see real and honest change in our union, we ask you to join us.”
Featured Speaker, Ken Paff — National Organizer for Teamsters for a Democratic Union (TDU) — spoke about his experience helping to lead TDU and offered advice for UAWD moving forward.
“You’ve got to have issues that affect the members in their workplaces. You’ve got to stick to the grassroots issues. That’s what we do in TDU. You’ve got to be an organizing group – externally oriented.”
“Keep doing what you’re doing,” Paff said as he finished speaking. “You’ve got the right people. You’ve got a lot of the right ideas.”
John Reuther — the son of UAW icon Victor Reuther, and nephew of long-time UAW President Walter Reuther sent a statement of support, which UAWD Co-Chair Justin Mayhugh read to the membership during the meeting.
“So, as much as I support you in this struggle to bring accountability and greater democracy to the UAW and to eliminate the corruption we now hear about constantly, this is a fight for you and your Brothers and Sisters who are experiencing these problems on a daily basis, not for someone who only comes from a family with the right name. I thank you for your kindness, and I wish you all success.”
“I think this was a great day for democracy within the UAW,” Mayhugh said at the conclusion of the Annual Meeting. “but it’s just the beginning of a long road and a lot of work.”
The National Meeting — which was originally scheduled to be held at the Labor Notes Conference in Chicago, Illinois in April of this year — was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic and had to be held via Zoom.
UAWD’s adopted By-Laws and Platform Planks can be found at www.UAWD.org.
United All Workers for Democracy (UAWD) is a newly formed political caucus in the UAW calling for structural changes in the UAW International Union.
If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Scott Houldieson at phone # 219.801.2002, or email [email protected] .