Establishing Definitions for UAWD Members and Supporters

Bylaws Amendment, proposed on 4/27/25 for consideration at the 3rd 2025 UAWD Membership Meeting

Whereas, since UAWD was created, we have had ‘UAWD Members and Supporters’ meetings for interested and allied UAW members, but we have never established a clear definition or orientation towards supporters or created onboarding infrastructure for educating supporters and new members about UAWD and our political platform;

Whereas, UAWD has not sufficiently handled the question of organizational democracy that balances accessibility to the organization and commitment, to ensure active membership commitment, rather than occasional voting, as the foundation of decision-making;

Whereas, a membership organization that is composed of members who are invested in the organization's political project fosters a democratic and deliberative culture, a more committed membership sustains and deepens participation beyond mere procedural democracy, and such a membership understands the connection between their shop floor organizing and the overall political strategy of the organization;

Whereas, by allowing the UAWD membership to define the political platform and participation expectations for membership, we can enable a democratic experimentation that creates the best balance between building a broad and an active organization;

Whereas, a class struggle unionist vision has always been an important aspect of the UAWD Platform, but it has remained underdeveloped given the initial focus of the organization being centered more narrowly on union democracy, accountability, and transparency;

Be it resolved, that Article III of the UAWD Bylaws be rewritten in the following way (language in bold is added and language that is struck through is removed):

Article III: Members

Section 1: Becoming a UAWD Supporter or UAWD MemberMembership Rights

All UAW members in good standing are eligible to become supporters and members of UAWD. However, the organization reserves the right to exclude those who are opposed to the principles within these bylaws.

A UAW member becomes a UAWD supporter immediately upon paying the supporter fee, as described in Article VIII. There is no time limit on being a supporter, supporters may retain supporter status indefinitely if they so choose.

Three months after becoming a supporter, the supporter is eligible to become a UAWD member. To become a member, a supporter must complete the following items: 1) attend at least one UAWD membership meeting, 2) agree to our ‘UAWD Member Platform,’ and 3) agree to our ‘UAWD Member Participation Commitments.’ The Steering Committee or membership shall establish any process required to educate and onboard supporters who are interested in completing these items and becoming members. Upon the adoption of this Bylaw, all UAWD members in good standing shall be given one month to determine if they would like to become members, at which point they will become supporters and remain eligible to become members at any later time. To maintain membership status, members shall complete these items once per year.

The ‘UAWD Member Platform’ shall be established or amended by the UAWD membership at membership meetings and shall be based on class struggle and rank-and-file unionist politics. The ‘UAWD Member Participation Commitments’ shall also be established or amended by the UAWD membership at membership meetings. Both documents shall be posted publicly on the UAWD website.

Section 2: Membership Rights

All UAWD supporters and members have a right to attend all UAWD membership meetings, as defined in Article IV the UAWD Annual National Meeting. All UAWD members who are in attendance and in good standing have the right to vote and the right to speak on all matters brought to membership meetings before the Annual National Meeting.

… [each subsequent Section in Article III is renumbered, 3 → 4, 4 → 5, and so on]

Section 45: Membership Fee and Participation

All supporters and members of UAWD are required to pay a membership fee. UAWD is an activist organization and as such, relies on our members to take an active part in UAWD and in our Union. This includes distribution of literature, recruitment of potential members, and activities inside our Union.

Be it resolved, that Article VII of the UAWD Bylaws be rewritten in the following way (language in bold is added and language that is struck through is removed):

        Article VII: Regional and Local Chapters

Section 1: Chapter Creation

Locals may follow the same process detailed here to create a Chapter, requiring at least 5 members to petition to start a Chapter, and should follow the same rules below. This should be done in coordination with their Regional Chapter, if one exists.

Be it resolved, that Article VIII of the UAWD Bylaws be rewritten in the following way (language in bold is added and language that is struck through is removed):

Article VIII: Finances

Section 1: Membership Fees

All UAWD supporters and Mmembers must pay annual fees in the amount of $25.00 per year. Annual membership fees will be set at UAWD membership meetings the Annual National Meeting (subject to UAWD membership approval), and supporter and member fees may be set separately. …