A Discussion of Anti-Blackness in UAW 2865

"In this discussion, we will go over the UAW 2865 Executive Board's statement after the murder of George Floyd calling for UC to demilitarize its police department, increase admission & retention of Black students, and prioritize the health, safety, and economic wellbeing of its workers and students of color.
This statement is contextualized with the history of Black member-led organizing within UAW 2865. This includes the formation of a Black Interests Coordinating Committee and an Anti-Oppression Committee. These groups spearheaded calls to demilitarize UC's police department and for the AFL-CIO to disaffiliate from police unions.
Finally, we will discuss how to move forward in addressing the historical anti-Blackness in UAW 2865, centering anti-racism in our organizing, and rebuilding trust with members.

Further reading & references:
UAW 2865 Statements:
1. 06-04-20 E-Board Statement, “Say Their Names”
2. About Our Union
3. 2015 Statement on AFL-CIO and Police Contracts (no longer exists on UAW 2865 website)

UAW 2865 Call-Ins:
1. Blu Buchanan (B.B.), Former UC Davis Head Steward, “Hollowing Out Social Justice Unionism” (2018)
2. India Pierce, UC San Diego, “An Open Letter to UAW 2865” and “Ruminations on My Open Letter”

UAW International Histories:
- Robert Asher and Charles Stephenson eds.UAW Politics in the Cold War Era.
- https://uaw2865history.wordpress.com/2010/07/31/uaw-international-the-administration-caucus/

Antiracist Organizing Philosophies and Histories:
1. Tripp, Luke S., ""Black Working Class Radicalism in Detroit, 1960-1970"" (1994). Ethnic and Women's Studies Working Papers. Paper 7.

http://repository.stcloudstate.edu/ews_wps/7

1. Faculty on Strike Against Racism: Lessons from the San Francisco State Strike, 1968-1969

2. Audre Lorde, “The Master’s Tools Will Never Dismantle the Master’s House.”
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Strike University

A Discussion of Anti-Blackness in UAW 2865