UAW becomes first major union to divest from Israel

UAW becomes first major union to divest from Israel

June 26, 2026 · 1h 5m · Season 9 · Episode 25

About this episode

This episode discusses the UAW's historic vote to divest from Israel bonds and its implications for union members.

At the 39th Constitutional Convention of the United Auto Workers (UAW) in Detroit, Michigan, union delegates debated and affirmed the aggressive direction the UAW has taken under current President Shawn Fain, supporting pushes to increase shop-floor militancy, support new organizing efforts, and take stronger stances on the political crises working people face today. Among the major developments to come out of the UAW Constitutional Convention was a historic vote to divest the union from Israel bonds, which provide financial support to Israel's government as it continues to wage a US-backed campaign of genocidal violence and ethnic cleansing against Palestinians. In this episode, we break down this historic vote and what it means for union members with a panel of rank-and-file workers and members of Unite All Workers for Democracy (UAWD), a left-wing caucus within the UAW. Panelists include: Andrew Bergman, a worker at General Motors in Detroit, Michigan, a member of UAW Local 22, and co-chair of UAWD; Navruz Baum, a paralegal in New York, a member of UAW Local 2325, and a member of the UAWD Steering Committee; Margie Thornton, an attorney in Colorado, a member of UAW Local 2320…

People in this episode

Guests: Andrew Bergman, Navruz Baum, Margie Thornton, Mike Davis

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: United Auto Workers, Unite All Workers for Democracy

Places: Israel, Detroit, Michigan, New York, Colorado, Ohio

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