This morning, delegates at the 38th UAW Constitutional Convention voted to amend our Constitution to start strike pay on day 1—one of UAWD’s priorities for this year’s Convention.
UAWD member, John Deere worker, and Local 281 delegate Nolan Tabb made a point of order to bring to the floor our proposed amendment to Article 50 to start strike pay on the first day of a strike, instead of the eighth day.
UAWD member Nolan Tabb made a motion to pull the strike pay resolution out of committee to be debated and voted on. His motion received large support from delegates. pic.twitter.com/X4NSTnJww2
— Unite All Workers for Democracy (UAWD) (@UAWD_Reform) July 27, 2022
Earlier this year, UAWD activists organized in over 25 locals—representing almost 200,000 members across multiple sectors—to pass a constitutional amendment calling for 1) an increase in strike pay from $275 to at least $400 per week, and 2) earning strike benefits beginning on Day 1, to be paid out on Day 8.
In response (not a coincidence!), the current IEB voted to increase strike pay to $400 per week, effective immediately. However, this had not yet been ratified into the Constitution. Our amendment updated the Constitution to reflect the new increase to $400 per week and ensure Day 1 calculation of strike pay.
A majority of delegates voted to bring the amendment out of committee. Before much debate was even held, another delegate called the question, and the amendment passed handily. The Big Three have been put on notice that UAW members are ready, willing, and able to strike.