Resolution in Support of One Member, One Vote in Upcoming UAW Referendum – Direct Election of Top UAW International Officers

WHEREAS, in December 2020, a federal judge ordered the UAW to hold a referendum among all members, scheduled to take place during the fall of 2021 by consent decree after the Department of Justice indicted UAW leadership on charges of corruption;

WHEREAS, through this referendum, UAW members across the nation have a historic, once-in- a-generation opportunity to change the method by which UAW leadership is elected;

WHEREAS, in this referendum, every UAW member will have the opportunity to vote on whether the election of UAW leadership should happen directly by the members under a One Member, One Vote system, or continue as it currently does, whereby

WHEREAS, this referendum is a key step towards reform and renewing our democratic norms. Membership is the ultimate authority in our decision-making and should also, therefore, be the ultimate authority on election of top UAW officers. If passed, members would have a direct say on institutional changes that affect their organizing and work lives.

WHEREAS, an empowered membership would be able to more effectively distribute our resources towards more organizers and representatives, increasing the support given to units for grievances, contract negotiations and structural improvements a unit may see fit to implement. Moreover, an empowered membership and a reformed, more democratic UAW will be able to rise to the organizing needs of this era.

WHEREAS, endorsing One Member, One Vote commits ALAA to a principled stand against corruption in our union and building a more democratic structure where possible. By creating a more accountable leadership, One Member, One Vote allows ALAA to better carry out its ideal as a democratic union as encapsulated in its bylaws.

BE IT RESOLVED, ALAA endorses One Member, One Vote and will continue to build on the broad reforms the International Executive Board has already implemented, and hold them accountable to the reforms it has promised to make. To support the One Member, One Vote campaign, ALAA will form an organizing committee in advance of the UAW-wide referendum, provide that organizing committee with financial and organizing resources as needed, including a full list of ALAA units, contact information for unit officers, and a full list of membership,including contact information for members, including retired members. The committee will be tasked with educating ALAA’s membership about One Member, One Vote and the referendum, organizing ALAA members to commit to voting for One Member, One Vote, and turning out members to vote. ALAA will also communicate this position to UAW Region 9A, other UAW locals within our Region, the UAW International, and any other UAW local that has passed a similar resolution.