Updates

Political Action Conference

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You are warmly invited to the 2024 Region 6 CAP and Political Conference, August 17th and 18th at the Region 6 Office in Pico Rivera, CA. It is open to all members. 

We’ve seen incredible gains through a surge of worker organizing and strong campaigns, including industry standard setting contracts, massive strikes, and more. From San Diego, CA to Fairbanks, AK, and across sectors, more and more workers are refusing to accept the current broken system– one where ultra-wealthy CEOs and administrators amass millions of dollars and spend our tax dollars on war abroad, while working people struggle to get by. In this moment, we have a critical opportunity to build a renewed, fighting labor movement that can win a system that prioritizes the needs of working people. 

Members of Region 6 are already playing a vital role in this work. In 2024 alone, we’ve: 

  • Supported the successful organizing of thousands of workers to form new unions (e.g., at USC, Caltech, WWU, and University of Alaska) 
  • Mobilized powerful strike actions to win strong contracts and protect free speech 
  • Built organizing and political plans to advance climate justice and a just transition to EVs 
  • Developed members’ skills and ownership over the union through multiple trainings through Our Labor, Our Movement 
  • Won key political fights around affordable housing and expanded sick leave, and more 

As this work continues and grows, a key area for building leverage to win a just, sustainable future is through political action. We’ve seen clear examples in Region 6 of ways strategic political action can create more leverage to win organizing drives and strong contracts, and how critical political power can be for addressing the social and economic justice issues of our time. On the flip side, we’ve also seen how political forces can create serious obstacles for workers when politicians do not feel accountable to us: 

  • Earlier this year, the WA State Legislature killed our bill to expand collective bargaining rights for Student Employees 
  • Nationally and at the state level, billions of dollars of public money are being funneled to massive corporations to fund EV and battery manufacture – with little to no requirements for workforce standards to ensure workers have fair and safe working conditions 
  • “Right-to-work” (for less) laws are still in effect in multiple states in our region, including Arizona and Nevada 
  • The Biden Administration has yet to meaningfully call for a ceasefire in Gaza and continues to fund war abroad 
  • And more. 

As November 2024 approaches, we have an opportunity to build political power to advance our organizing goals. But building power extends beyond November, and members will discuss and strategize for the political road ahead: building political power to win strong contracts, organize new workers, fight for systems that work for all of us, not just the ultra wealthy. Delegates to the conference will participate in a blend of concrete skill building, political education, and collaborative strategic planning. Together, we will leave better equipped to move a fighting, worker-driven political agenda – and win! 

Registration, Travel, & Logistics 

Conference registration is due by July 17th - contact your local for more information. 

The conference will meet at the UAW Region 6 Office, 6500 Rosemead Blvd, Pico Rivera, CA 90660. The conference will begin on Saturday at 10am and end by 2pm on Sunday. Delegates who are traveling from out of town should make arrangements as follows: 

  • Attendees coming from out of town should plan to arrive on Friday evening or Saturday morning flights arriving no later than 8am. 
  • Flights departing Sunday August 18th after 5pm. 
  • If flying via LAX, budget at least 1.5 hours to get between LAX and the Region 6 Office. 
  • We will send follow up communication about lodging. The link to book your rooms will follow soon. 

There is no conference registration fee. Expenses including lost time, travel, and per diem are the responsibility of the Local Union. 

If you have any questions, please contact Sam Sumpter at ssumpter@uaw.net.