UAW Local 2324

09/27/2024

Union workers across Boston University are coming together TODAY to call on our new president to do right by our workforce.

Thanks to a university-wide announcement suspending non-essential university operations early and releasing non-essential employees, even those workers whose contracts prohibit them from taking part in strikes can join in, using their freedoms of expression and assembly outside of their schedule work hours.

WORKERS: Let's show up strong and make it clear that BU works because we do.

STUDENTS: Stand with labor and show your support for institutional values of unity, equity, and dignity.

11/08/2022

08/19/2022

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: SHANDELL CAMPBELL.

L.2324 members and friends, it is our pleasure to introduce you to Shandell. He has been a member of the team at BU’s Residential Security office for the past seven years, and as of June of this summer, is serving as elected Vice-President of L.2324. To give more members a chance to know him better, we sat down to ask him a few questions for this newsletter issue.

1. What is your job role, and what are some things you enjoy about it?
As a member of the Residential Security team, I help to monitor safety and access at student housing facilities. We sign-in students and their guests, and respond and report when situations call for it. Day to day, I enjoy talking to the students – I’m always learning something new!

2. Tell us about your life outside BU.
I was born and raised in Boston, in Dorchester. Currently I live in Mattapan with my girlfriend and my four-year-old son, Messiah. It was my son that really motivated me to run for Local office. I wanted to be a role model in terms of service, and in terms of achievement, and being elected to a leadership role is a great example. When I have the time, I enjoy video gaming and following professional wrestling. Recently, I’ve been getting into graphic design, and have been enjoying learning design skills by creating original logos. I’m really looking forward to the start of the fall semester because I’m using my tuition remission benefits to work towards a degree in business management. I can’t wait to get back into classes.

3. Tell us about your involvement in the Local.
Well, another reason I wanted to run for office is that I heard directly from my coworkers about workplace changes that impacted them directly – complaints that go unaddressed, or management’s removal of the meal allowance in the new contract. One of my favorite ways of serving members is by just talking to them, to give them information on what's going on with 2324 and letting them know how they can help. For my own part, working for the Local has definitely helped me improve my time management and organization skills!

4. What piece of advice do you want to share with any BU hires?
My tip is to take advantage of every opportunity that the school offers. Classes, events, training; make the most of it! One other tip, too – one of the best places for lunch is Cane's.

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Shandell acts as a shop steward for Residential Security and other employees working on West Campus. If you’d like to set up a conversation or a meeting, contact him at [email protected].

08/19/2022

A REPORT FROM THE 2022 UAW CONVENTION.

Last month, we sent member Samantha M. to Detroit as our elected delegate to represent our membership and vote on our behalf at the UAW Constitutional Convention. She had this brief day-by-day report to share:

"Day 1 was exciting! Especially as someone who has never attended a conference like this before. We were able to hear the Detroit mayor speak [shown in photo], as well as Michigan Senator Gary Peters. It was cool to see the sheer number of people in the convention center. It was also awesome to look over out the windows over the river into Canada. The convention kicked-off with not only the US national anthem, but with anthems for Canada and Puerto Rico, too.

"Day 2 had more debate to it. It was encouraging to see people well-researched in workers’ rights and with the courage to speak up and fight for them. The day culminated in an all-delegate reception, where it was fun to meet people from around the country who had the shared value of improving conditions for workers in so many different settings. It was also on this day that we saw provisions being raised and voted on. A motion carried to allocate wage replacement support payments out of the UAW Strike Fund to workers on the first day of their strikes; another motion carried to add the phrase “higher education” to the name of the International Union, alongside other categories of work – acknowledging the work and research that higher ed workers do to contribute to all industries.

"Day 3 saw a proposal raised to increase strike pay, which I think showed great solidarity in standing behind our members across the country who are currently on strike. There was a lot of exciting passion and energy this day and in this debate. The day’s proceedings ended in Regional dinners. I was excited to be at a table with our Puerto Rican members. They had a very unique perspective and included cafeteria workers and others who were especially hit hard by hurricanes. It was cool to see how the Union helped them.

"Day 4 wrapped up the conference. Unfortunately, the motion for increased strike pay was pushed back; even so, the passion and energy were still there to be in solidarity with workers on strike. We had further speeches and nominations and it was clear the support that members had for those nominated. It was sad to leave Detroit because I really liked the city and wanted to see more! But I was also happy to leave with the new friendships I’ve found among workers throughout the country."

Photo source: https://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/2022/07/25/detroit-mayor-mike-duggan-uaw-convention/10149455002/

08/19/2022

President's Note from the August 2022 issue of the Local 2324 newsletter, "Coffee Break":

"It’s just a few days more than six months since I stepped into the role of President of our Local. It’s been an educational and busy time, for me and for our unit. We’ve sent members to New Orleans for training, to New York City for organizing strategy, and to Detroit for participation in the constitutional convention. We’ve taken part in committee meetings at the Local, city, state and Regional level, and helped to craft policies and language for increased equity and economic justice in Local bylaws and the International Constitution. I’ve had many dozens of conversations with members about workplace safety, contract compliance, wage fairness, and ways of improving the day to day situation for our siblings in 2324.

"My big take-away from the past six months is this: we are stronger together. No one individual, or even a small group of individuals, is capable of protecting our hard-won contractual benefits and advocating for our members. Our Local works only when we have a strong team of elected board members, and a motivated team of committee members and stewards, to look out for our shared interests. And the Local works best when the entirety of our membership is informed and engaged, so that those with leadership and service responsibilities can meet needs when they arise, and so that members can maximally benefit from their Local’s resources and experience.

"If I have a principal goal for the remainder of the year, it’s to keep up our momentum. We’re going to have more and better training, so that more members can step into the role of shop steward, grievance rep, or committee chair; and we’re going to have more newsletters, meetings, and other communications so that the entire membership knows how their dues are being used for fair representation and zealous advocacy. In this brief note, I want to specifically thank the members of our Workplace Council who have risen to the occasion to keep us on track in this year of rebuilding, and to thank all those members who took pains to connect with me via phone, email, Zoom, or office hours. It’s been a privilege to serve thus far, and I look forward to being able to continue to report on positive results through the remaining months of 2022."

"In solidarity -- Zachary Bos, President"
[email protected]

Pictured: this photo from June 2022 shows the swearing-in of new and returning officers following the results of the L.2324 triennial election. From left to right: Harry Falconer (steward), Jesus Maclean (guide), Mike Toda (trustee), Zachary Bos (president), Cathy Kupa (financial secretary), Richard Larkin (trustee), Shandell Campbell (vice-president), Elizabeth Taft (recording secretary), Alison Parker (trustee), and Andrew Engel (sgt-at-arms). In the foreground, leading the oath of office, is Region 9A Director, Beverly Brakeman.

08/19/2022

MA Senator Elizabeth Warren and Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley were front and center at an event last Wednesday 8/10 at the Boston Teachers' Union Hall in Dorchester. Panelists spoke about the current status of federal student loan debt cancellation, and the prospects for seeing President Biden sign an executive order providing that relief before the midterm elections. As invited guests of the MA CAP Council, L.2324 Trustee Richard Larkin and President Zachary Bos were in attendance, showing unionist spirit (in our new bright red 2324 tee-shirts, as it happens).

Prepared comments were followed by a town-hall discussion, where attendees told about the ways student debt has burdened them, shared strategies for pressuring the White House to take action on this issue, and questioned labor and elected officials about their plans for continued advocacy. A clear consensus was heard: student debt cancellation (not forgiveness, because what mistake have students made that needs to be forgiven?) is not just about economic relief. It is also one of the most impactful actions that Biden can take, with a single signature, to help narrow the gap of racial, generational, and gender inequality that our country's failure to invest in higher education has expanded in recent decades.

Here's one comment from Sen. Warren that seemed to speak directly to the union members and leaders in the room: I believe in public education, as a way to create opportunity for everyone... I am here today because I *believe* in unions. Unions built the American middle class, and it is unions who will *rebuild* the middle class." Hear, hear!

Detailed reporting about the event can be found in local news outlets and on the social media of the elected officials.

UPDATED on 8/23 to add: "President Joe Biden is expected to announce his administration's much-anticipated decision on student loan cancellation on Wednesday, NBC News, the Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg report; watch https://twitter.com/i/events/1562124610639785985 for the latest developments."

07/14/2022

The UAW International Women’s Advisory Council sponsors a monthly group discussion called Talk about it Wednesday’s – on zoom and on a Facebook Live.

During these panel discussions, we talk about issues that affect women in the world and workplace.

This month on Wednesday July 20th at 6pm. Here is the link to Register https://bit.ly/3MQrbK6.

We will be discussing the Roe V. Wade decision. Our Panel members will be from the Women’s Law Center, UAW Legislative Department, and AFl-CIO Government Affairs Representative Emily List.

Our discussion will encompass issues such as:
The Laws in specific states identifying who is in danger of having their reproductive rights stripped, who has already lost them and where are you protected
The history leading up to Roe being overturned
How this decision intersects with Labor
Where do we go from here? What is our next action?

05/11/2022

The Election Committee has issued a memo informing members of the results of the Local’s Triennial Election, following the close of the Nomination Period on May 10th. Uncontested candidates for all but one position were elected by acclamation. The office of Vice President was not filled; as a result the position’s nomination period has been extended until 5 PM on May 17th. Please visit http://local2324uaw.org/news/general/ to view the PDF memo with the election results and information about eligibility for serving as Vice President and instructions for putting oneself forward as a candidate for the role. Questions about the election outcome or the VP nomination process can be sent to [email protected].