Dear John,
Thanksgiving is almost here, and I want to take a minute to say thank you for all that you do to support the UE Research and Education Fund.
John, it’s been a year of unprecedented challenges for working people across the United States. From Pennsylvania to North Carolina to California, UEREF has supported workers fighting for justice in their workplaces and communities. In 2025, we worked harder than ever to ensure both public and private sector workers have access to safe, dignified, family-sustaining union jobs.
From day one, your generosity has made our work possible. Because you stood with us, workers won big for their communities. With your help, UEREF has:
-
Educated hundreds of freight rail and rail manufacturing workers on the importance of winning environmental justice as part of our fight for workplace justice through our Green Locomotive Project.
-
Raised the minimum wage to $24 per hour in Charlotte, NC and $20 per hour in Greensboro, NC through our Southern Worker Justice Campaign.
-
Built a grassroots coalition in the Durham City Council election around our Workers’ Program of living wages, affordable housing, and holding corporations accountable to pay what they owe in taxes.
John, thank you again for standing with us. Your support sustains UEREF, and your solidarity reminds us that we’re building an America where all workers can thrive.
Over the next few weeks, you’ll hear from our staff and members about what we’ve accomplished in 2025 and what we have planned for 2026. With your help, we will keep moving forward against strong headwinds towards a brighter future for working people.
In Solidarity,
Tommy Carden, Director
UE Research and Education Fund
