UAW Hosts First Organizing Conference to Empower Union Leaders

UAW's Inaugural Organizing Conference Unites Members Nationwide

ONAWAY, MI – The Walter and May Reuther UAW Family Education Center hosted a pivotal event this fall, gathering UAW members from across the United States for the first-ever Organizing Conference. The initiative was designed to equip delegates with the skills necessary to propel the labor movement forward.

With union membership in the U.S. currently below 10%, a significant portion of workers lack the benefits of a union contract and the ability to influence workplace and community conditions. This low union density reduces the bargaining power of current union members, allowing employers to manipulate wages and conditions in non-unionized settings. The decline in union influence is attributed to systematic efforts by employers and the wealthy elite to obstruct union formation.

Working people face a serious uphill battle, but it’s one that can be overcome with strong, worker-led organizing campaigns. And over the last several years, a surge of successful organizing campaigns has shown what’s possible when workers invest in building strong organizing networks to take on these fights.

Throughout the conference, attendees explored these challenges and the pivotal role each union member plays in equipping fellow workers with the tools to conduct and succeed in organizing campaigns. The week-long conference provided delegates with essential skills to achieve these objectives.

The conference's agenda initiated with sessions on developing successful, worker-led campaigns and preparing for anti-union tactics from employers. Delegates were encouraged to foster leadership within their workplaces by identifying and empowering new leaders with the necessary skills and knowledge to spearhead organizing efforts.

The second day was dedicated to mastering the fundamental technique of effective organizing: the 1-1 conversation. Participants engaged in sessions that outlined the objectives of each phase of a 1-1 dialogue, practicing these concepts through comprehensive role-playing exercises.

Focus on the third day shifted to building a robust worker leadership network, the cornerstone of any campaign. Discussions emphasized the need for a diverse and inclusive leadership team to maintain campaign momentum, enable efficient communication among workers, and counteract employer resistance. Delegates practiced analyzing workplaces, recognizing influential leaders, and strategizing Organizing Committee meetings.

On the final day, delegates engaged in full role-plays of 1-1 conversations and explored mapping political and community influence. The event concluded with delegates collaborating in local groups to devise actionable plans for their respective Locals, which included identifying strategic organizing targets and laying the groundwork for Local Organizing Committee Meetings.