UAW ORGANIZING AGAINST TRUMP 2.0
UAW members are leading the fight to protect research, education, and workers’ rights—on the ground, in the courts, and in Congress. Here’s how we’re taking action:
Fighting cuts to research and education funding
Organized phonebanks of hundreds of members to pressure Congress to stop cuts to research funding (including NIH, NSF, DOE, NASA, USDA, NEH and more)
Organized “Kill the Cuts” national days of action against research and education cuts on February 19 and April 8 that included thousands of people rallying in dozens of cities
Leading legal efforts to stop grant cancellations
Plaintiff on cases seeking to reverse cancellations of NIH and NSF and to reverse federal funding freeze at Harvard University
Supporting additional litigation by filing amicus briefs and declarations, including cases opposing cuts in indirect costs, and funding cancellations to Columbia University
Building support in Congress against research funding cuts including: organizing bipartisan sign-on letters in Congress in support of maintaining NIH funding that included including over half of the Senate and a total of 22 Republicans; and organizing Congressional town halls on research funding
Leading efforts on stop budget cuts to state-level education funding, including stopping an proposed 8% cut to state funding for the University of California and California State University
Attacks on International Workers
Created resources for international scholar members including a free hotline staffed by immigration attorneys, FAQs and know-your-rights webinars
Organized and won new protections including a legal support fund at the University of California
Supporting litigation against Trump administration’s policy of arresting and deporting workers for protected spect (AAUP vs. Rubio)
Filed an amicus brief in support of litigation (Svitlana Doe v. Noem) challenging the Trump administration’s end of the TCHNV parole program that allows certain immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela to be lawfully in the United States with a right to work.
Lobbied Congress to support bills in Congress expanding visa and green card access and to oppose efforts targeting Chinese students and scholars
Fighting cuts to diversity, equity and inclusion programs (DEI)
Plaintiff in lawsuits against NIH and NSF cancellations due to “DEI”; in the NIH case the judge has ordered over 400 grants to be restored
Defending Federal Programs
Lobbied Congress to oppose Trump Administration proposal to tax student fellowships and scholarships, this provision was dropped from the 2025 reconciliation bill; also opposed more draconian cuts to student aid, a number of these were rolled back
UAW members across the country mobilized to oppose cuts to Medicaid and SNAP and to oppose tax cuts for the rich in the 2025 Reconciliation bill
Defending workers’ rights
Co-plaintiff with a coalition of labor unions (National Nurses United, et al v. Kennedy et al) challenging the dismantling of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the federal agencies responsible for investigating occupational health and safety.
Co-plaintiff on a case opposing termination of probationary federal employees (NTEU vs Trump)