On March 29–30, delegates from the Western Region met for UE’s Western Regional Council meeting, where members shared hard-fought victories, prepared for upcoming battles, and reinforced their commitment to building a democratic union rooted in militant, rank-and-file struggle.
Reports From the Frontlines
Jay Jay Rawson, from Local 1466 in Albuquerque, NM, which represents graduate workers at the University of New Mexico, reported that members previously won a 4.5 percent across-the-board wage increase under their current contract. With full contract negotiations on the horizon, the local has followed a structured plan for its upcoming campaign, beginning with a bargaining survey that reached nearly half of their 1,500-member unit. Most recently, members launched a bargaining priorities petition, which has drawn support from a significant number of members. The local has also filed a prohibited practice charge over the university’s refusal to share information, citing the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), and is incorporating strong contract language from UE graduate worker unions at Minnesota, Stanford, and MIT into their preparation for negotiations.
Christina Brookman and Caroline Gambrel of Local 728 in Williamsburg, KY credited their local’s survival to the solidarity and example set by workers at other federal contract worker sites in California, Vermont, and Nebraska. The closure of the California Service Center and mass layoffs elsewhere within the federal contractor system reinforced the urgency of strong union organization at their own shop. Despite a series of major challenges, including the unjust firing of their chief steward, the departure of several executive board members, and ongoing retaliation from management, the local has rebuilt a full leadership board and now stands as a majority women-led union. They’ve filed an unfair labor practice charge and multiple grievances over unjust discipline, violations of job posting procedures, and telework policies. With their collective agreement expiring this year, they’re preparing for a tough round of negotiations, potentially with a new contractor. Despite operating in a right-to-work state, the local maintains an 80 percent membership rate and continues to grow through member outreach, orientations, and community events.
Jennifer Good and Evan Yamaguchi from Local 1103 in Chicago, IL, representing graduate workers at the University of Chicago, reported an exceptionally active year of organizing and contract enforcement since winning their first agreement. In January, the local elected over 150 stewards and launched a “Universalize Benefits” campaign to address widespread contract violations, successfully recovering wages and securing job protections for more than 100 workers — many of them first-year student workers in vulnerable positions. They led workshops on feminist union building and conflict resolution, supported national protests for Palestine and science funding, and stood in solidarity on the picket line with workers at the Field Museum. The local also confronted aggressive employer tactics, including the misuse of FERPA to withhold the bargaining unit list. In response, they launched a rapid petition campaign that collected 1,500 signatures in three weeks and delivered them during a march on management. Despite a negative response from management at the third step, the union continues to press forward, with ongoing campaigns for international worker protections and Know Your Rights trainings for members here on visas.
Monica Sreesai and Rivaan Kakkaramadam from Local 1122 in Evanston, IL, representing graduate workers at Northwestern University, reported transformative wins grounded in their union’s feminist, anti-racist organizing framework. Their first contract delivered a 22 percent wage increase, mental health insurance, and full inclusion of first-year graduate workers — many of whom had previously been excluded from union protections. Beyond the contract, the local has continued to push forward: launching Know Your Rights workshops to defend international and undocumented members, challenging administrative misinterpretations of the contract, and organizing against federal funding cuts. Their member-led structure emphasizes horizontal organizing, with intentional outreach to new members and those in historically underrepresented departments.
Reports from National Officers
Director of Organization Mark Meinster grounded the region’s work in the broader national landscape, discussing the challenges and successes of union organizing. He noted that most unions win only 50 percent of elections, and just half of those result in first contracts. He emphasized the historical context of the National Labor Relations Act, passed in 1935, and the bold actions workers took to win collective bargaining rights — actions we must continue today in the face of new threats.
Meinster highlighted new organizing victories in higher education. Local 1122 at Northwestern University secured a first contract addressing disciplinary protections and economic improvements. At Stanford, Local 1043, the Stanford Graduate Student Union achieved key wins like guaranteed housing rates, wage adjustments, and strong anti-harassment language. Local 1105 at the University of Minnesota ratified a contract with major raises and fee relief and continues to fight back against excessive time-off limits and overwork. Meinster concluded with a reminder: “In unions, we stick together. That’s what it’s all about. We stick together like glue.”
General Secretary-Treasurer Andrew Dinkelaker updated members on the union’s internal restructuring since the 2018 consolidation. He shared plans to return budgetary control to the Western Region by 2026 and outlined upcoming reforms to make per capita dues more equitable, particularly for part-time-heavy graduate worker locals. He emphasized that changes would be implemented with delegate input and designed to preserve democratic control.
General President Carl Rosen delivered a sharp critique of both major political parties, warning that “the bosses have two parties. Working people need to have one of our own.” He reminded delegates that capitalists have only been willing to tolerate democracy until it starts to interfere with profits. “Democracy is curtailed in order to further enrich a select set of corporations at the expense of the working class,” he said, pointing to the need for bold, independent working-class politics. From rising censorship to new laws targeting protest and organizing, Rosen underscored that silence is not an option: “We better damn well make sure we aren’t silent, and we better damn well make sure we’re moving a lot of other people with us in not being silent.”
Taking It to the Streets
During the lunch break on the first day, UE delegates took to the street to protest the detainment of an international graduate student at the University of Minnesota. UE Local 1105 President Abaki Beck addressed the emergency rally, drawing attention to the intersection of labor rights and immigrant justice.
The Western Region voted to endorse two candidates for the California Assembly, Ada Briceño in Assembly District 67 and Fatima Iqbal-Zubair in Assembly District 65, and Susan Crawford’s candidacy for the Wisconsin Supreme Court. (Crawford won that election the following week.) They also endorsed the Illinois Human Rights Advocacy Protection Act, which would protect the right of companies in Illinois to protest the Israeli government’s human rights abuses in Palestine.
Delegates unanimously re-elected Bryan Martindale as President, Larry Hopkins, Local 1177, as Vice President, and Mike Tomaloff, Local 1186, as Secretary-Treasurer.
The following members were elected to serve on the Western Region Executive Board: Caroline Gambrel, Local 728; Andrew Moore, Local 770; Jackson Thomas, Local 808; Jacob Payne, Local 896; Nandell Baines, Local 977; Jackie Palacios, Local 1018; Diana Martinez, Local 1077; Evan Yamaguchi, Local 1103; Kellye Allen, Local 1107; Vicky Yang, Local 1121; Mounica Sreesai, Local 1122; Mike Plachy, Local 1139; Cedric Whelchel, Local 1177; Beth White, Local 1186; Thai Nguyen, Local 1187; Sabir Sabir, Local 1421; Ramona Malczynski, Local 1466; and Caedmon Ragland, Local 1498.
In addition to their Executive Board roles, Gambrel, Payne, Martinez, Phillips, and Malczynski were elected to represent the region on UE’s General Executive Board. Melissa Hamblin, Local 728, and Lexi Kenis, Local 1466, were elected as Trustees, with Matthew Thompson, Local 1186, elected as Alternate Trustee.