UAW Member Action Bylaws

Article I: Name

This organization will be known as UAW Member Action Inc. (UMA).

Article II: Mission

UMA supports transparent collective bargaining and aggressive campaigns to mobilize the membership, which are key to reversing concessions and winning ambitious demands in our contracts.

UMA believes collective organizing throughout our contract terms, alongside grievance and arbitration procedures, is key to enforcing our rights and asserting our power when management violates them.

UMA aims to promote the quality of working conditions, benefits, job security and workplace safety for UAW members generally. We believe in the UAW’s founding ethics and principles.

UMA strives to protect the democratic vote recently won for every UAW member in direct elections of our top officers.

UMA commits to building a member-to-member network that rank-and-file UAW members, representatives, and local leaders can utilize as we build power in our workplaces.

UMA commits to the creation of educational materials and other resources to benefit the development of UAW members into leaders and organizers.

UMA's strategy is to strengthen the UAW from within the membership. We do not advocate secession from the United Autoworkers union, or "dual unionism" in any form whatsoever.

UMA strives to reflect the diversity of the UAW membership in our own membership and leadership.

Article III: Organizational Structure

UMA shall be composed of individual members and a National Steering Committee. The highest decision-making body of UMA shall be the members in attendance at the Annual National Meeting. The National Steering Committee shall be elected at the Annual National Meeting and shall govern and see to the implementation of UMA policies and programs between Annual National Meetings.

Article IV: Members

UAW members in good standing may become members of UMA. Members shall be entitled to a vote and voice at the Annual National Meeting.

As an activist organization, UMA expects our members to take an active part in our organization and in our union, including recruitment of members and participation in our activities and in our union.

As a national organization, UMA does not endorse candidates for local union office. We do, however, recognize the importance of participation in local unions and in elections. Members who run for office are encouraged to do so in a principled manner and to continue supporting and building UMA if elected.

UMA shall not discriminate based on race, religion, age, gender identity, disability, national origin, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status. The organization reserves the right to exclude from membership those who are opposed to our organization or our principles.

Article V: Annual National Meeting

The Annual National Meeting shall be convened in-person at a convenient location in the Midwest. Decisions at the Annual National Meeting will be made by UMA members in attendance by a simple majority (50% plus one) unless specified otherwise in these bylaws. It is required of the Annual National Meeting that a policy and program for the coming year be decided upon for the guidance of the National Steering Committee and members.

Article VI: National Steering Committee

Section I: Structure

The size of the National Steering Committee (SC) shall be 17 members.

Section II: Officers

The SC shall include a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, one (1) Recording Secretary, one (1) Treasurer, two (2) Trustees, and additional Members at Large.

Section III: Elections

The Annual National Meeting shall nominate and elect the SC.

Section IV: Terms of Office

Elected officers of the SC shall serve a term of one (1) year.

Section V: Powers

The SC shall provide leadership for the organization between Annual National Meetings. The SC shall have the duty to:

  • coordinate campaigns and other programs to defend the rights of UAW members and promote member organizing aligned with our mission;

  • manage the organization's finances;

  • hire administrative staff should finances permit;

  • maintain communications with the UMA membership, the broader UAW membership, and UMA supporters;

  • plan the Annual National Meeting;

  • review and approve prospective members;

  • support the work of and coordinate efforts with UAW Member Education and Defense Fund;

  • promote fundraising in addition to member dues.

The Chairperson shall oversee the day-to-day functions of UMA, administer operations, and coordinate the organizing activities of UMA in accordance with the policies and programs approved by Annual National Meeting or SC. All actions taken by the Chairperson shall be subject to the approval of the SC.

The Treasurer and Trustees shall have full access to all financial records, books, receipts, and other material needed to verify UMA financial activities.

All vacancies in SC offices, except the offices of Chairperson and Treasurer, shall be promptly filled by SC appointment. In case of a vacancy in the office of Chairperson, the Vice Chairperson shall fill the vacancy. In case of a vacancy in the office of Treasurer, the SC shall appoint a Treasurer from among the Trustees.

Section VI: Governing Rules

The SC shall meet quarterly, or whenever vital to the needs of the organization. SC meetings may be called by the SC or by a majority of the SC. A majority of the SC must be present at any SC meeting to constitute a quorum.

Article VII: Finances

The SC shall be accountable to UMA members for all uses of UMA finances. A financial report shall be prepared by the SC for the Annual National Meeting.

The annual UMA member dues minimum amount shall be $25. Members shall be encouraged to support UMA further through voluntary donations if they are able.

Article VIII: Political Independence

UMA shall remain independent of any particular political organization. Individuals are by no means restricted from following their own particular political ideology, but they shall respect UMA’s non-partisan nature.

Article IX: Dissolution

Upon dissolution of the corporation, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)3, 501(c)4 or 501(c)5 of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose. Any such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of by a Court of competent jurisdiction of the county in which the principal office of the corporation is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said Court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.

Article X: Amendments

The UMA bylaws may be amended only by UMA Annual National Meeting action. A two-thirds (⅔) vote shall be required to amend these bylaws. Suggested amendments shall be submitted by UMA members in good standing to the SC via email at least sixty days (60) prior to the convening of the next Annual National Meeting. A subcommittee of the SC will organize them according to the Article and Sections they wish to amend. Suggested amendments will be presented to the UMA membership for vote.