A Woman's Influence

How are women having an impact on the UAW today?

by Jennifer John

We posed this question in a virtual roundtable of UAW women. The answers showed that some think women naturally make solidarity a priority.

Illustration by Estelle Carol

From left to right: Mildred Jeffrey, Reiko Ishihara, Liz Jones and Roberta Zadravec

Mildred Jeffrey

91, Retired, UAW International Representative, Detroit, Mich.

Perhaps a little history may be of some interest.

In 1944, thousands of UAW men joined the armed forces or were drafted, leaving severe shortages in the plants producing war material. The answer? Recruit women.

During WWII, the UAW, together with employers and the government, launched a huge appeal to women to work in the former auto, aircraft and parts plants. Thousands responded, and many stayed with accumulated seniority after the war ended.

In response to this, the UAW created the War Policy Division (which I directed), a department under the UAW Women’s Bureau that played an important role in recruiting women workers while making sure they received the same rights in the plant that their union brothers enjoyed. We also instituted programs to educate and train women to become active in their locals and run for office.

The UAW can be proud of its early record recognizing women’s rights, in collective bargaining, in the shops and the locals, and in the union structure. It was the first major international union with a decisive male majority to elect a woman to its top leadership — former Vice President Olga Madar.

I love the UAW and believe it is one of the finest unions in its gains and protections for its members. The UAW is one of the nation’s most progressive institutions in our society, especially in politics and community life.

It demonstrates and proves how essential union organization is for the protection and advancement of all workers, especially for women and minorities in regard to race, lifestyles and cultures.

In a time of conservatism, labor bashing and right-wing attacks on basic liberties, the need was never more urgent for the union to establish a firm commitment to a better life of peace and justice for all people.

Reiko Ishihara

24, Unit Chair, UAW Local 2865, Coalition of Allied Student Employees, The University of California-Riverside

Women impact the UAW by playing an active role in all areas of the union, including organizing, bargaining, contract enforcement and politics. Unions are a necessary force for all workers, especially in this case for women workers, to solve glaring social and workplace problems, such as gender-based compensation inequalities, and gender discrimination and harassment.

My local represents nearly 11,000 academic student employees at the University of California. Nearly half of our members are women. Our efforts to maintain a leadership that reflects the gender and ethnic diversity of the membership make us more aware of our solidarity and unity among all of our members.

In addition to my local’s gender diversity, we have members who are international student employees from across the globe. Recently, amid the post-9/11 backlash against immigrants and international student employees, the union has made increased efforts to represent the interests of international students.

On my campus, there has been more international student participation, be it signing a membership card, becoming an activist or running for office. This is another example of how solidarity among all union members is what makes a strong union.

Liz Jones

47, UAW Local 148 Boeing Co., Long Beach, Calif.

I’m proud to say that I’m a “UAW brat” who was raised UAW.

My mother was president of Local 805, and my father was very active in Local 509 for many years. My aunt also held various elected positions within the UAW.

Women have always had an impact on the UAW and always been an important part of the UAW. Even in the early years of Walter Reuther, women had a voice in this union. At our local, women were in the forefront of organizing in 1943.

The UAW Women’s Department has always been a vital and vibrant part of our union and not just concerned with being “politically correct.” Issues such as child care, pay equity and health care are at the forefront.

From Elizabeth Bunn, our new secretary-treasurer, to Region 9 Director Geri Ochocinska on down to every local’s women’s committee, we are everywhere.

I believe the UAW has — and always will — respect women in the workplace and continue to work for us.

Roberta Zadravec

59, President, UAW Local 2015, Shiloh Industries, Cleveland, Ohio

I work in a plant where it’s 85 percent men. It doesn’t matter if you’re male or female, only if you’re capable of doing the job.

I believe that women are now being treated better as equals to men in the workplace, and we’re finding that a woman’s influence has brought about changes and improvements that are being enjoyed by both males and females. One example is family leave, which has helped a lot of brothers and sisters to be with their loved ones at births or during serious illnesses.

I believe women who stick together find strength in themselves, and when they stick together with men, their strength is even greater.

My message to all of you young people out there is to get involved and run for office at your local union. Do it because it’s the right thing to do — and because it’s your future.

Carol Johnson
UAW Local 136 St. Louis Assembly, St. Louis, Mo.

The UAW is like one big family. There are no boundaries, no color. We truly believe in taking care of each other. The UAW has changed my life. I went from working three jobs to one. I’ll never be able to repay what my union has done for me.

Theresa S. Mason
President UAW Local 1414
McLaughlin Body Co. Rock Island, Ill.

When I was about 8 or 9, my father was on strike at John Deere, and my mother used to bring food over to him and his co-workers. He said they were striking for a better tomorrow for their children. That really stuck with me. … In general, we need more people and more jobs. There is strength in numbers.