Unite All Workers for Democracy (UAWD), the national reform caucus of the United Auto Workers (UAW), has injected new momentum to the leadership race for the UAW’s national legal services local: the UAWD steering committee voted to endorse the NOLSW United slate running in the current Local 2320 executive board election. The NOLSW United slate is composed of rank-and-file leaders from seven Local 2320 shops in six different states across the country who have built a platform based on democratic unionism, bottom-up collective action, and community solidarity.
“Our slate will bring the movement for union democracy home to Local 2320 as we advocate for a stronger, more engaged, and more accountable NOLSW that will fight for our members, our clients, and our communities,” said Jordan Barbeau, the unit chair of St. Andrew Legal Clinic in Portland, Oregon, who is running for NOLSW President. She continued, “NOLSW United is honored to receive this endorsement, and as rank-and-file members we are excited to continue building the democratic and responsive local we need.”
NOLSW United’s platform follows momentum built during UAWD’s successful One Member, One Vote (1M1V) campaign for the direct election of UAW international officers—which an overwhelming 84% of Local 2320 voters supported. The NOLSW United platform is focused on reforming the Local into a stronger, more militant, more democratic rank-and-file amalgamated union. This new vision for 2320 centers on winning stronger contracts, communicating with members using 21st century tools, fighting for racial and social justice, continuing to grow the Local, and making it more democratic. This focus on rank-and-file organizing struck a chord with UAWD activists, many of whom are long-time UAW members from the auto sector.
The seven members of the NOLSW United slate are:
- For President: Jordan Barbeau, a domestic relations attorney and the unit chair and head steward at the St. Andrew Legal Clinic Employees Union in Portland, Oregon.
- For National Vice President: Matthew Vogel, an immigration attorney, steward, and bargaining committee member at the National Lawyers Guild based in New Orleans, Louisiana.
- For West Vice President: Carolyn Gomez, a union organizer and a former co-president, steward, and bargaining committee member of SAG-AFTRA Organizers United for Progress in Los Angeles, California.
- For Southwest Vice President: Vail Kohnert-Yount, a labor and employment attorney and steward at Texas RioGrande Legal Aid in Brownsville, Texas.
- For Northeast Vice President: Natalie James, a tenant attorney and executive committee member at Legal Services of New York City in Brooklyn, New York.
- For Trustee: Jacob Bolton, a staff attorney and the unit chair at Lakeshore Legal Aid in Detroit, Michigan.
- For Trustee: Brett Cattani, a staff attorney and former bargaining committee member at Legal Aid Services of Oregon in Portland, Oregon.
The Slate has also endorsed Rachel Thomas for Financial Secretary, Colleen Connolly for Midwest Vice President, and Tara McGuire for Human Services Vice President, all of whom are unopposed.
“UAWD proudly endorses the entire NOLSW United Slate. They’re the right choice for building worker power and democratizing Local 2320,” said Andrew Bergman, UAWD Steering Committee member and organizer at the Harvard Graduate Student Union-UAW Local 5118. He continued, “Unlike their opponents, NOLSW United members are active members and leaders in their shops. From working closely with many of them at the UAW-wide level, I know they’re also excellent organizers with a proven ability to win strong contracts and mobilize the strength of our union to materially improve the lives of their clients, and in turn improve conditions for members.”
This endorsement comes at a critical time during the campaign, as ballots are scheduled to be mailed to members across Local 2320 beginning October 25. The ballot receipt deadline is November 15, so members should return their ballots well before. This election will determine the future of 2320 as a union, and this endorsement from UAWD underscores how UAW workers across the nation have their eyes focused on the Local 2320 executive board election, a growing wave in a renewed labor movement with bolder demands for workers everywhere.
NOLSW United is a rank-and-file reform slate for leadership of UAW Local 2320 competing in the Fall 2022 election. Ballots must be received by November 15, 2022. For more information about the NOLSW United slate, visit our website at nolswunited.com or email [email protected].