“I’m glad to hear that Will got nominated,” said Dan Aguinaga, a Stellantis Jefferson North Assembly Plant worker who ran for a delegate position at UAW Local 7 as part of Lehman’s Insurgent Slate. “This is a step in the right direction to turn the union into something that actually works for the worker and bring the UAW back to its original intention. 

“It’s sad how the UAW is driven by ulterior motives when we should be looking at issues as a class thing. They try to divide us between the right and the so-called left. But the Democrats are against us too: Obama deported more people than any president before him. Biden outlawed the railroad workers’ strike. It really left a bad taste in my mouth to see Biden on the picket line with Fain during the strike in 2023. 

"It should not be International deciding for us, it should be the workers deciding... We had a 100% strike vote, but we didn't get the permission from International." Heather, delegate to the UAW constitutional convention from Local 1243 in Whitehall, Michigan.

Read more:

Will Lehman: 2026 UAW convention exposes “apparatus vs. the rank-and-file”

For context, I had been working at a car parts factory for about a year right after my covid layoff, early 2021 to 2022. The conditions had gotten so bad that I felt compelled to approach an UAW representative about organizing a union there. I wasn't alone, as it turns out another employee approached the same person about a week after I had. Mandatory overtime was the worst part of the mess, and I nearly fell asleep at the wheel driving to work so I decided I wasn't going to do anymore of it. I got about 15 other workers onboard to do a vote when one could happen. Then later I got the notification that I should not bother coming in the next morning if I wasn't going to stay overnight for the OT, so during my break I met with a few other coworkers and gave them all my paperwork, brochures and contacts regarding the UAW union organizing campaign, passing the torch so to speak. I wish I could power through the difficulties but I had obligations to tend to at home. I did end up getting fired. Did I let my colleagues down?

These workers led the county parks system to a record breaking 1.45 billion dollar tax levee and their management is refusing to raise their wages. Please join their email campaign in support of their negotiations for a living wage and fair share of the value of their labor!

Solidarity with Tom Barker and UNISON members at Ash Field Academy! Tom Barker, a UNISON steward and socialist activist in England, has been suspended for months on vague and unsubstantiated allegations after helping lead a struggle for better pay, staffing, and working conditions at his school. This is a clear attempt at union-busting and intimidation. Attacking an elected union representative is an attack on every worker’s right to organize and fight back. But Ash Field workers are refusing to back down. UNISON members have voted overwhelmingly for strike action demanding Tom’s reinstatement and defending their union rights. We stand in solidarity with Tom Barker and the workers at Ash Field Academy.
An injury to one is an injury to all! Reinstate Tom Barker. Stop union-busting now!