Panelist speaking
Panelist speaking
Members speaking to politicians
Members speak to politicians and eat
“As we fight for fairness and security in the workplace, we also engage in independent political action to advance the interests of working people everywhere,” said Local 256 Recording Secretary Anirudh Adavi.
2026 federal and state candidate forum. Lauren leads a panel with 5 politicians seated
Members of UE Local 256, the MIT Graduate Student Union, organized a candidate forum on Monday, April 6. Candidates for both federal and state offices came to answer questions from members on key issues affecting their working and living conditions, from immigration to science funding.
ON MAY DAY WE FLEX OUR POWER CALLING ALL WORKERS! TUESDAY, APRIL 21 | 8 PM EST TOGETHER WE GET READY FOR THE LARGEST MAY DAY IN HISTORY. TOGETHER WE ORGANIZE TO WIN FOR WORKERS! Link:workers.fyi/labor-call maydaystrong.org
The May Day Strong network, a coalition of more than 500 organizations are coming together to demand we tax the rich and put workers over billionaires!
Join a national call specifically for the labor movement Tuesday April 21st to learn more: workers.fyi/labor-call
All of them need a union, and over the last 30 years, many have chosen to join UE.
Read the UE NEWS article written by Anne Moore, Local 896-COGS, Jack Rubien, Local 256 (MIT-GSU), and UE Digital Organizer Samantha Cooney here: www.ueunion.org/ue-news-feat...
Local 1466 members rallying for a contract, September 2021.
Local 1498 members demand tuition coverage, March 2022.
Local 256 members launching their union drive, fall 2021.
UChicago Local 1103 workers march at a recent rally
The graduate workers at universities across the country have similar issues to all workers: their wages are not enough to live on and they need a meaningful grievance procedure, adequate health and safety protections, and protections against discrimination and harassment.
This was a major victory for labor organizing in Iowa, which has been a right to work state since 1947, and marked the beginning of graduate worker organizing at UE.
On April 16, 1996, graduate research and teaching assistants at the University of Iowa (UI) voted to certify UE as their collective bargaining agent.
Members of UE Local 896-COGS and other UE locals at the Iowa State Capitol, late 1990s.
Thirty years ago, UE organized its first graduate worker local at the University of Iowa. Since then, UE has negotiated contracts at 11 universities and has graduate worker members at 12 chartered locals.
Read it here: www.ueunion.org/ue-news-feat...
That's our president!!!!!
We're so excited to see the leadership an organizer forged at our sister local 1466 here in NM can bring to the Western Region.
UE Local 256 President Lauren Chua will be speaking alongside other organizers on Monday for No War, No ICE, Free Palestine: May Day Mass Call to learn how to incorporate anti-war demands into your May Day plans.
Register now: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
UE Local 256 President Lauren Chua will be speaking alongside other organizers on Monday for No War, No ICE, Free Palestine: May Day Mass Call to learn how to incorporate anti-war demands into your May Day plans.
Register now: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
The Western Region elected a new president and swore in new officers, trustees, and executive board members this past weekend.
Read about the council meeting here: www.ueunion.org/ue-news/2026...
“He served in many local leadership roles and was President for 10 years. Jimmy embraced the true spirit of the Union. Words can never capture the contributions the Nelson family provided during critical moments in labor's most epic struggles."
He also served as Secretary-Treasurer of former UE District Six after running on a platform of "aggressive struggle."
“Much like his father John Nelson, Jimmy was a force of nature for UE and its historic Local 506,” said UE General President Scott Slawson.
Jimmy speaking at a podium
Nelson also served on the local's political action committee and was active in the Erie community. As chairperson of Erie County Labor Congress, he fought against big business union busting in the late 1980's.
Nelson took great pride in advocating for his fellow workers—pushing for fair wages, working conditions, and benefits during each contract battle he participated in.
Jimmy pictured center in photo
Nelson started out as a laborer at the GE plant in Erie, PA, working in Building 63. He served many years as a chief steward before becoming president of his local.
Jimmy speaking at podium
James F. "Jimmy" Nelson, Sr., who served as UE Local 506 president, passed away on March 31. He was the son of Local 506's first president, John Nelson.
Geist added that the campaign aims to show solidarity with Palestinians and push consumers to think about how their spending may connect to the conflicts in Gaza and now Iran."
"'We all know food is political,' said Geist. 'We decided to endorse the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement by starting a campaign to remove Israeli-sourced products from our shelves until or unless Israel ends all wars and occupation.'
Geist speaking at the action
Public News Service has published a story about UE Local 667's strong anti-war organizing.
app.publicnewsservice.org?forceRedirec...?
Crowd at an antiwar protest holding handmade signs, including “NO WAR” in the center and “U.S. Out of Iraq & Syria! Hands Off Iran!” in the background. Over the image, In These Times text reads: “We Can't Let Trump Get Away With Another Endless War,” by Negin Owliaei.
"We need to reckon with the fact that so much of our state wealth, capacity, & technology goes toward burying children in rubble."
@neginowl.bsky.social writes, "As the United States bombs Iran, we cannot afford to slip into despair..."
inthesetimes.com/article/iran...
UE Local 256 MITGSU President Lauren Chua joined other labor leaders at a “No Kings to May Day” virtual press conference on April 2 to speak about the importance of May Day & the next steps unions are taking to turn out working people for the action.
Read more about the press conference here:
“They’re super excited; everybody in 613 is super excited for them to join us,” said Local 613 President Alison Oniboni. “We’re off to the races now.”
Members gather together in top photo with fists held high. Bottom photo includes everyone smiling. UE logo in the center with braille writing
UE Local 613, which has represented teachers, nurses, speech pathologists & other professionals at the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children since 1998, has won voluntary recognition from their employer for physical & occupational therapists at their school.
www.ueunion.org/ue-news/2026...
Tomorrow!!
Honorees include:
🏆 Carl Rosen, the co-founder of Chicago JwJ & retiring President of @ueunion.org
🏆 @warehouselife.bsky.social AMZ workers
🏆 @steelworkers.bsky.social Local 697
🏆 Alphonso Mayfield, former President of SEIU-FPSU, will be posthumously honored with the Rev. Orange Award.
We’re thrilled to announce that the 2026 Eleanor Roosevelt Human Rights Awards Celebration will be happening on the evening of May 16 at the Atlanta Convention Center at AmericasMart in Atlanta, Georgia.
🎟️ Grab your ticket: www.jwj.org/2026-confere...
Across all of these sectors, however, similar stories were told in the shop reports: of UE locals mobilizing their members on the shop floor and in the community to fight back against attacks from bosses and politicians.
The twenty-some-odd locals in attendance represented workers across numerous industries, from manufacturing, the public sector, and higher education to federal contract workers, grocery co-op workers, and reproductive health workers.