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Fall 2025 Newsletter | UCW Kentucky

Fall 2025 Newsletter

August 19, 2025

Summer Organizing Retreat

More than 60 union members from across campuses came together in Louisville for a two-day summer organizing retreat. Members sharpened their organizing skills, shared strategies, and prepared for the fall semester.

Statewide leaders also strategized how our union can more effectively push back against attacks on higher education and fight for the rights and dignity of campus workers in Kentucky.

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Missed the retreat? Contact us to get involved!

Worker Stories

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Worker Actions

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Student and graduate workers canvassed new student orientation to connect with incoming coworkers.

UCW‑KY’s New Staff Organizer

Ezra Lanoue (he/him)

I'm thrilled to serve as your staff organizer—supporting membership growth, leadership development, and securing better working conditions in higher education in Kentucky!

I joined UCW‑KY in Fall 2022 as a founding undergraduate member of the Berea College chapter. My experience there opened my eyes to shared challenges across campuses: workers afraid to speak up, labeled as troublemakers, or pushed out.

Joining UCW was transformative—I realized the broader struggle isn’t just mine, and that we can stand up together for dignity and a voice at work. Let’s keep organizing and never give up!

Chapter Updates

University of Louisville

  • Set Fall 2025 goals and outreach plans to strengthen DEI and living wage campaigns.
  • DEI coalition met with President Bradley to advocate for academic freedom and HB4 transparency.
  • Graduate workers are planning outreach to first-year and underrepresented graduate students.

Morehead State University

  • Met to explore strategic organizing and integrate political education.

Berea College

  • Undergraduates are planning a back-to-work event per fall semester.
  • Working on outreach materials and a campaign to win sick leave for student workers.

Murray State University

  • Held leadership planning for fall to engage newer and less active members.

Eastern Kentucky University

  • Rebuilding their organizing committee ahead of a possible fall pay campaign.

University of Kentucky

  • Hosted a summer lunch break for UK workers.
  • UCW staffed a booth at Lexington Pride Festival to show solidarity with LGBTQ+ workers.
  • Held a strategy session post–power mapping to plan next steps in the pay campaign.

Upcoming Statewide Events

  • UCW 101: Organizing Basics – Tuesday, September 23, 2025, 6 PM ET (Zoom). 75-minute training on organizing fundamentals. Register here.
  • United Campus Workers Southeast General Membership Meeting – Thursday, September 25, 7–8 PM (Zoom). RSVP here.

Campus Events for All Members

  • UofL Start of Semester Social – Friday, August 22, 2025, 5 PM ET at Mile Wide Beer Co., Louisville. Food, conversation, and strategizing—and all are welcome to attend. RSVP here.
  • UK Start of Semester Social – Friday, August 22, 2025, 5 PM at Woodland Park. Meet fellow members and learn about involvement opportunities. RSVP here.
  • Berea College Back‑to‑Work Social – Tuesday, August 19, 2025, 5:30 PM in the Activities Room (Alumni building). Food, crafts, T‑shirt printing. RSVP here.
  • Morehead State University Social – Wednesday, August 27, 2025, at Sawstone Brewing. Venue link.
  • Murray State University Social – Thursday, August 28, 2025, 4 PM at Tap 216.

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