Resolution: Authorizing the UAWD Steering Committee to Hire a Staff Person
This resolution was passed at the 2026 Spring Membership Meeting via Zoom on May 3rd, 2026
Whereas, UAWD has two key strategic priorities, developing Local Chapters and publishing Daily Struggle, in service of our mission of transforming the UAW into a class struggle union.
Whereas, democratic membership control of UAWD is paramount to that mission — to avoid the bureaucratic compromises that will suck us back into a narrow vision of reform, UAWD cannot be run centrally and top-down by staff; we must be more deeply organized and member-led, with leaders with the capacity, ability, and organizational structure to engage new members, build shop floor campaigns, and develop a radical movement nationally.
Whereas, maintaining membership control means that outreach and organizing of new and existing members must be done by existing UAWD members and leaders, as opposed to staff.
Whereas, in response to challenges that UAWD has faced with staffpersons impeding membership control, we have adopted Staff Guidelines for Engagement in a Democratic, Member-led UAWD, which has governed our Staff and UAWD Volunteer Positions.
Whereas, UAWD has significant administrative needs to meet our vision beyond our current capacities, and these needs are poised to grow as the organization attains our goals of building more Local Chapters and expanding the reach and sophistication of Daily Struggle.
Be it resolved:
- Consulting with the Daily Struggle Editorial Board and the Co-Chairs of the Membership Development and Organizing Committees, the UAWD Steering Committee (SC) shall:
a. Determine the abilities needed, to create a “Criteria for Staff Candidates;” and
b. Determine the exact roles the staff would fulfil, to create a “Staff Job Description,” which shall include a clear approach for how the staff will be managed and a clear delineation of duties that leaves all direct membership organizing and political stewardship to UAWD members and elected leaders.
2. The SC is authorized to hire for one UAWD Staff Position, for a fixed-term duration lasting a maximum of six months, after which point the UAWD membership must authorize any continuation of the position or further hires.
3. The SC shall only make a hire if the following conditions are met:
a. A candidate is found who meets the Criteria for Staff Candidates and agrees to the Staff Job Description;
b. The candidate is a current or recent UAWD member or supporter;
c. The candidate affirms a commitment to the UAWD Member Platform; and
d. The candidate affirms a commitment to abiding by our Staff Guidelines, stepping down as a member of UAWD, if relevant, while they are staff.
4. The UAWD Steering Committee is authorized to fundraise for the Staff Position, following our established policy, Membership Oversight of UAWD Donations.
5. The SC shall develop a “Staff Hiring Plan,” to be shared with the UAWD membership on Slack, which shall incorporate all of the above documents and provisions and include:
a. A clear mechanism for current or recent UAWD members or supporters to apply;
b. A process for the SC, or an SC subcommittee, to interview candidates; and
c. A time period between interviews and a vote to hire any candidate, during which time videos of the interviews will be made available in the members-only Drive folder and the SC will solicit input from UAWD members about the candidates.