JPL has undergone significant changes since we began forming our union, JPL Workers United – UAW (JWU-UAW). The re-org and layoffs have fundamentally shifted our workplace and many of us are grappling with uncertainty about our futures. While our legislative work contributed to a relatively pro-NASA budget, the implications for JPL remain unknown. In order to have a say over our working conditions in this shifting landscape, we need a seat at the bargaining table
To that end, JPLers are hosting a meeting to talk about Our Path Forward to forming JWU-UAW on Friday, January 30th, from 6 to 8 PM at Caltech (building/room TBD). RSVP here. We will be discussing our current campaign status and what we need to do to accomplish our goal of forming a union by, of, and for JPL workers in 2026.
RSVP for Our Path Forward meeting
With a union we can collectively accomplish goals bigger than any of us can achieve on our own, as highlighted in a recent op-ed about California SB895 in Pasadena Now co-written by State Senator Sasha Renée Pérez and our very own Raymond Francis. SB895 would create a $23 billion bond measure to fund California science institutions like JPL. The bill, now sponsored by 39 state representatives, has its origin in UAW-member researchers working together with State Senators to step up and fill the void left by drastic cuts in federal science funding. This legislation would have a tangible effect on our livelihoods and is a clear example of how our union can collaborate with the broader movement ofother UAW scientists and engineers to bring about positive change in our workplace.
Time is of the essence. While we have made great strides in motivating our colleagues to sign cards, we have also seen that many of our coworkers have questions about what a union might mean for JPL. We can only succeed in our goal of creating a union at JPL if we all do our part. We need your help to be able to have conversations with all of our colleagues at JPL. Come join us next Friday and be a part of our collective effort to win our union!
In solidarity,
Kyle Kaplan
Operations Systems Engineer
326E