UE National Black Caucus

We the undersigned members of the National UE Black Caucus are excited to announce our endorsement of Tara McCauley for UE General President and George Waksmunski for UE Director of Organizing.

We have had the pleasure of meeting with both George & Tara and feel confident that they are they best choice for UE General President & Director of Organizing based on their years of experience, dedication and commitment to UE Principles and the belief that the members run the Union.

We believe that Tara & George would be an excellent addition to UE Leadership and would make a valuable contribution to the growth, progress, and revitalization of UE.

Tara and George have our full support and endorsement, we have no doubt they will be a great asset to UE.

If you have any questions or require additional information, please email UE.NationalBlackCaucus@gmail.com

In Solidarity,
UE National Black Caucus

Jim Borowski, Local 106 Member and General Executive Board Member

Tara McCauley and George Waksmunski are two of the hardest working, most dedicated individuals that I have ever met in my 43 years as a Union member and nearly 20 years of being involved with UE. I have served as shop steward, local president, Eastern region E-board member, and also I am currently on the GEB. I have met and observed many officers and staff. The passion, honesty, and guidance that Tara and George have provided over the years have been invaluable. Tara has proven herself to be a keen negotiator, when the opportunity is given to her. Some of the contractual provisions she wrestled from Johns Hopkins have become the standard that other locals attempt to achieve. Recently, at Local 106 negotiations, she and the negotiating team were able to get the company to move on issues they steadfastly remained firm on in three previous negotiations. Tara and George did not seek National office positions. They were asked to become candidates by members of UE.  Members who wanted to make certain that the future of UE would be consistent with what the founding members envisioned:  A members run union that leads from the bottom up. Please join me in supporting the candidacy of these two sincere and dedicated individuals. Like me, their goal is to make UE the biggest and brightest star in the Labor movement by adhering to our creed: 

“The members run this union!”

Althea Bock-Hughes, Local 1103 Former General Secretary

When I joined GSU during the early months of our card campaign—launched in large part thanks to Chris—he was formally serving as our financial secretary and running our voluntary dues program. However, it quickly became clear that Chris was central to every aspect of the union. If I had a question about organizing strategy, legal issues, member lists, or finances, Chris was always the first person I turned to. He had a hand in everything, with an unmatched combination of energy, insight, and commitment. Over the years, he has been an indispensable resource and guiding mentor to so many leaders in our union.

When I became General Secretary of Local 1103, Chris was the one who encouraged me to pick up the work he had started and gave me the confidence to build on it. His early work, fundraising for the local and setting up our member database, laid the groundwork for what became a massively successful, largely self-funded strike campaign. Meanwhile, on the bargaining committee, Chris played a key role in bargaining a historic grad worker contract.

Chris approaches every challenge with humility and a deep commitment to the overall success of our union. He blends sharp political instinct with deep organizing experience and genuinely understands what it means to build a democratic, rank-and-file union.

Beyond that, Chris is a technical powerhouse. He reads dense legalese for fun, managed our finances excellently, was constantly helping to improve our member databases long after his role required it, and would dive into almost any technical question brought to him at every stage of our union’s evolution – all while completing a PhD in Math!

I can say without hesitation that Chris Wilson is the strongest possible candidate for Secretary-Treasurer of UE. His dedication, strategic mind, and technical capabilities make him uniquely qualified for the job. I know Tara and George will love working with him, just as we have at Local 1103. I can’t wait to see how this slate will guide UE into the next season of labor organizing in this country and wouldn’t want anyone else at the helm!

Antwon Gibson, Local 610 Member, Eastern Region Vice President, and General Executive Board Member

I stand in Solidarity and support George Waksmunski for Director of Organization and Tara McCauley for General President of our great Members Run Union of the United Electrical Radio And Machine Workers Of America also known as UE, the Union for everyone.
George and Tara both understand that nothing can be done by ourselves but everything can be done when the members are United together on One Accord. They know when members are United, we Win!
George and Tara will focus on the needs of our members while providing support for our staff. As National Officers, they will also focus on uniting our members across sectors through effective interactions amongst the entire rank n file. 
I believe George and Tara are the only candidates that will unify our organization once again. With their experience and leadership skills, they will bring our Union closer together through effective communication and will take the time to listen to the needs of the rank n file. 
They will focus on educating and training our members while also promoting qualified and experienced members from the rank n file who have dedicated themselves to the betterment of UE!
We don't need leaders who act like the bosses we face everyday, we need leaders who will help us fight them. George and Tara are the ones who will help us do that.

In Solidarity, 
Antwon Gibson
Swanny G
Proud member of UE Local 610
V.P. UE Eastern Region
GEB Member

Andy Archer, Local 1103 Former Bargaining Committee and Executive Board Member

I can’t say that I’ve known another organizer more committed to building a truly democratic union than Chris Wilson. Few people in this work have both the conviction to fight tirelessly for their beliefs and the willingness to really listen to their comrades and have their minds changed. Chris is as receptive to feedback as he is steadfast in his commitment to UE. At the bargaining table, Chris was our numbers wiz. There were many times we relied on him to do the math for us. It would be easy for him to use his gifts for complex reasoning to advance his own agenda — but he never did. Instead, Chris works to make things easier for others to understand because he believes this fight belongs to all of us. There’s no one I’d trust more with our books. It’s a comfort to know that UE’s future is secure in his capable hands. 

Jess Sims, Local 123 Chief Steward

I've known Tara for as long as I've been a part of UE Local 123, which is 8 years. I've been in meetings with her, negotiations with her, arbitrations, rallies in front of my job, the list goes on. One thing I can say is that she's loyal, and she's a fighter. She has a strong mindset with ambition to fight for what's right and fair. We have been blessed here at Local 123 to have her support throughout the years.  She's faithful in coming down every month to our monthly meetings, which means a lot and shows true dedication! If anyone deserves this, she does!!
George is a man of hard work and dedication. There have been many times when he has just been passing through our area and stopped in to check on our local, simply because he cares and wants his locals to know they are not alone. George used to service the plant I work at years ago,  so he is well known there, and many people speak very highly of him. From what I know, seen and heard,  George keeps the fight alive, and he shows up. He keeps us informed and gives his best. He's passionate about what he does for this union, and that's what we need!

Margaret Dabrowski, Local 222 Member and General Executive Board Member

Hi, my name is Margaret Dabrowski. I'm from UE 222, an amalgamated public sector local from Connecticut. I am currently on the Eastern region executive board and the national general executive board for several years. In that time, I have watched as the founding principles of UE slowly started to erode on the national level. It is like there is a hidden agenda of sorts, and we are only given a certain amount of that info. It has been disheartening because, at least to me, one of the most fundamental and important principles of UE has always been the members running the union. That no matter where we work, what industries we come from, together we work to make us stronger. Sadly, that is becoming not the case. There are divisions being fomented now, much like in our country and government. I have known most of the parties involved in running for national office for some time now, with the exception of Valentina since she is very new to UE and hasn't had the benefit of experience with our union.  George and Tara have always shown that they have the best interests of our members at heart and have always been honest and aboveboard, never failing to take responsibility when needed. George has been fighting for our members throughout his whole career. Tara, though she hasn't been a part of UE as long as George, has shown that her sole focus is on helping our members succeed. The rumors that are flying around in an effort to discredit both of these amazing people is shameful and patently untrue. As a long standing militant union, a union of workers across the nation, we need to do and be better. To do less and engage in such smear tactics is to taint the legacy that the founding fathers created all those years ago, a union for all.

Al Hart, Former Local 506 Member and UE News Editor

’ve known George Waksmunski since the 1990s, when I was working on an organizing campaign at a large GE plant in West Virginia. George, a native of Pittsburgh, came onto the staff after organizing his own shop, Armstrong Floor Coverings, and leading the new local through successful negotiations for their first contract. He also came to the staff on the strong recommendation of his mentor, the late Mel Womack, a Pittsburgh-area African American International Rep who was highly respected by all UEers of my generation.

George was a quick learner and tireless organizer who made a great contribution to the West Virginia GE campaign, although we lost the NLRB election. In the decades that followed, George as a Field Organizer continued organizing as well as servicing — training leaders, negotiating contracts, helping locals win grievances and arbitrations — for locals primarily in Virginia and Pennsylvania.

Because of George’s work ethic, people skills, and commitment to UE rank-and-file unionism, the national officers called on him to work on the nationwide campaign to organize rail crew van drivers earlier in this century. George was on the road constantly, bringing workers in dozens of locations all over the country into UE.

In 2021, George’s fellow workers elected him president of the UE Eastern Region, which is basically half of the union, representing thousands of workers in 14 states. As someone who has been a UE member since the 1970s, and has worked in several of the old UE districts and both of the current regions, I can say without fear of contradiction that George has been the hardest-working regional or district president I’ve even seen. He’s on the road much of the year, visiting every local in his region, conducting sub-region as well as region meetings, assisting in organizing and negotiations, and training new generations of local union leaders as well as staff. George has also provided political leadership, building UE’s alliances with other unions and with progressive politicians such as Pittsburgh’s Congresswoman Summer Lee. Whenever George is home in Pittsburgh, he rarely misses a rally for Palestinian rights, Black Lives Matter, reproductive rights, or any other righteous cause.

I endorse George for Director of Organization without hesitation. As a rank-and-file factory worker who’s committed his life to the fight for workers’ rights and rank-and-file union democracy, he embodies the principles UE has always stood for.

A final comment: The campaign of slander against George and his running mates Tara and Chris by their opponents in this election — based on name-calling, lies, zero evidence, and not even any specific allegations — is one of the most disgusting things I’ve witnessed in my 52 years in UE. I hope UE members vote decisively to rid our union of such divisive, destructive cancel culture politics.

Al Hart

Former UE News editor Al Hart joined UE Local 506 on his first day on the job at Erie GE (now Wabtec) in October 1973. As a 506 member he served as a steward, executive board member, convention delegate, and editor of the local’s monthly newsletter. From 1986 to 2006 he worked as a UE Field Organizer in several states, and from 2006 until his 2017 retirement he edited the UE News. He lives in Pittsburgh.

Marie Pearce, Local 197 Treasurer

Tara and George embody the core values of UE, and I trust them to maintain the rank-and-file structure of our union. George is always checking in on locals to make sure they are receiving the support needed. Tara has been an incredible asset for our local and has encouraged us to fight for more than we think might be possible. At times, when we want to default to Tara for guidance or answers, she reminds us that everything is up to our members, truly upholding the rank-and-file structure of UE. I want to know that the people leading UE care about each member and will push for what we all deserve, and Tara and George are certainly those people.

Rachel Scrandis, Local 1103 Former Area Chief Steward

Chris is a fierce organizer, steward, and leader. The bedrock of our union was built on his commitment to his fellow workers and the belief that when united, our membership is unshakeable. He is committed, extremely sharp, and has an unfailing work ethic. 

Jeff Kohler, Local 625, Former Local 610 VP, former Eastern Region Exec. Board Member

In today’s turbulent times, we are going to need strong, proven UE leadership.
Leaders that understand the UE way and will make certain we will remain a MEMBERS RUN UNION.
Strong individuals that understand the working class and their everyday struggles.
Warriors that have been in the trenches with our membership and will always fight like hell against corporate greed and fight even harder for our brothers and sisters to have good family-sustaining jobs, benefits, and wages.
Tara and George have all of these traits. They are two of the hardest working individuals that have ever worn the UE patch. Every time I have reached out to either of them for assistance, they have always answered the call.  Tara and George are obsessed with strengthening our union, and like most of us, they bleed UE.  
I proudly endorse Tara for General President and George for Director of Organization. Strong and Proven!

Jeff Kohler
Current Local 625 member
Former Local 610 VP
Former Eastern Region Executive Board member

UE Local 150, North Carolina Public Service Workers

Tara McCauley and George Waksmunski:

UE 150 is proud to endorse your candidacies for UE National President and UE National Director of Organizing. We are grateful for the meeting we had last month and look forward to continued communication as you move forward. Local 150 trusts your commitment to rank-and-file unionism, and we know you are aware and aligned with the needs of Southern workers.

Please let us know of ways we can support you. Do not hesitate to contact me or our President Willie Brown at [email].

Our union needs your experience, wisdom, and openness now more than ever, and UE 150 is proud to stand with you.

Sincerely,

Alexandra Fox, on behalf of UE 150 Executive Board

Renée Fonseca, Local 1103 Former President and Former Bargaining Committee Member

Chris and I come from the same local, and over the past four years, we’ve organized members, run successful campaigns, and fought tooth and nail for the rights of our workers. We sat together on our first bargaining committee, and Chris proved indispensable: his skill with contract budgeting, his deep understanding of legal language, and his knack for writing clear, motivating updates helped us secure a precedent-setting, $60 million, three-year contract with the University of Chicago—covering over 3,000 graduate workers.

Beyond drafting precise contract language and dismantling our employer’s legal arguments, Chris even helped bring law school workers into our union mid-bargaining—strengthening our solidarity when it mattered most. He combines exceptional organizational skills, intelligence, and drive with a generosity of spirit that lifts up everyone around him.

On a personal level, I trust Chris completely. I’ve seen him defend our members’ rights at the table and step in for me when I feared my voice would be overlooked—whether during negotiations or when guiding fellow workers through Title IX processes. I know I’m not the only woman who’s leaned on him for that unwavering support.

Chris Wilson is, without a doubt, the strongest candidate for UE’s Secretary-Treasurer. His dedication, strategic vision, and technical expertise are exactly what our union needs as we grow and face new challenges. He listens, he fights with integrity, and he builds power collectively. I personally am very excited at the possibility of a grad worker helping to lead UE, and am extremely proud to be from the same local as Chris & able to support his run.

Nichel Dunlap-Thompson, Former Local 150 Recording Secretary

The rank and file of UE has led some of the most powerful worker campaigns in the‬‭ history of labor, and there are numerous fights awaiting up ahead. The new administration has‬‭ shown its intentions through the implementation of‬‭ Project 2025,‬‭ slashing resources, firing‬‭ thousands of workers, and creating enemies out of some of our strongest allies.‬

‭Our leadership will need to be equipped with a skill set that cannot be obtained within a‬‭ few years. The level of skill needed to survive this political, economic and racial storm must‬‭ come from a foundation built from years of negotiating, organizing, strategizing, and a strong‬‭ foundation built from fighting with Corporate America.‬

‭George Wasmunski has been a strong tower in UE’s history. His boots on the ground‬‭ lived and shared experiences reaches from the East to West Coast, as well globally. Throughout‬‭ the 10 years I have been affiliated with UE, George has been a constant of which I cherish‬‭ knowing he is only a call away. His devotion to the rank and file, to the struggles of his brothers‬‭ and sisters in all sectors, industries regardless of their geographical location, it goes untouched‬‭ nor matched. If we want to see the forward progression of this union work for all, we must elect‬‭ George as Director of Organizing.‬

‭Tara brings an unique background from her numerous years of being on staff at UE. I‬‭ see this slate as being dynamic and game changing for the rank and file of UE. Chris adds a‬‭ new spice to this ticket, and I am excited to support a young leader who is willing to take up the‬‭ torch at such a time as this.‬

‭There will be legislative fights particular in the South, and our leadership must have a‬‭ connection with the type of southern fighting workers are forced to organize around. We will‬‭ need resources without delay, and I am highly confident in George and Tara ability to lead that‬‭ work

Indiana University Graduate Coalition

We, the Coordinating Committee of the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition (IGWC), endorse the Uniting All Workers slate—Tara McCauley, George Waksmunski and Chris Wilson—to be the elected national officers of UE. We believe that their leadership and clear vision for organizing inside and outside the higher education sector will strengthen UE. In the hostile political environment created by the Trump administration, the IGWC's proven model of organizing is increasingly relevant to union locals across the country, and a model that Tara, George, and Chris take seriously. We believe that Tara, George, and Chris are the only candidates for national office in UE who share that vision and those values.

The IGWC has a proud history of organizing militant campaigns in hostile conditions since 2019. Despite being in a state that does not have labor laws or protections for public sector workers, we have organized mass actions that have resulted in huge wins, including strikes for union recognition in 2022 and 2024. Because of our experience building worker-led campaigns, UE hired a number of our core organizers to lead the successful election campaigns at the University of Chicago, Northwestern, and Johns Hopkins. Today, we have a fully functioning local union with a robust department organizer system, substantial dues collection, and play a prominent role on the Indiana University campus.‬

‭We voted to affiliate with UE in 2021 given our shared vision for rank-and-file organizing and democratic leadership. UE’s support in our initial recognition strike was crucial for our ability to win significant wage increases and continue building towards our fight for union recognition. However, for the last several years, we have been cut off from UE and the Graduate Workers Organizing Committee (GWOC)—a network of other UE higher education locals that our members played a fundamental role in developing. We are not asking for financial support from UE, and we are proud to have established a self-sufficient organization with its own resources, even in the absence of guidance from a national union. Still, we know our local would benefit greatly from the ability to freely exchange with other locals in UE with whom we have a common history and shared principles.

‭We can only surmise that Valentina Luketa, a former leader in the IGWC and current candidate for General President of UE, used her position as UE Coordinator of Higher Education to cut us off from the national union after many of our members and former organizers spoke out against her longstanding history of destructive and manipulative behavior both within our local andduring other UE campaigns. We are disturbed to see our legacy and our gains exploited by the very same person who has denied us access to UE’s community of graduate locals. Even our minimal involvement in the GWOC network has been rejected: In 2023, Luketa prevented our
campaign updates from being featured in the GWOC newsletter without explanation. Since then, our local has made repeated attempts to continue to participate in UE and the GWOC network, all of which have been refused or ignored. Tara, George, and Chris have assured us
that, under their leadership, we would be able to reestablish our connection to UE and thus further strengthen our fight for graduate workers on our campus.

‭IGWC has shown that militant organizing and democratic rank-and-file unionism can succeed in a hostile legal and political environment, and we strongly believe that these are values that Tara, George, and Chris embody. We have never had the option of formal election procedures through a labor board. Everything we’ve won has been hard-fought through on-the-ground organizing. This is the fight that awaits all workers, as the status of graduate labor stands in the balance and the NLRA risks being overturned. We know that now, more than ever, UE members have an important choice to make at the upcoming convention about who will lead the union. We are hopeful that the IGWC can continue to help UE develop a model to keep growing our union through these difficult times. We know that Tara, George, and Chris are willing to empower rank-and-file workers, build collective power, and ensure a democratic union where locals like ours have a say.

In solidarity,

IGWC Coordinating Committee