The UAW, representing a million current and retired workers, calls for a ceasefire.

The United Auto Workers, a union historically at the core of the Democratic Party coalition, has broken ranks with the Biden administration on Israel’s response to October 6th attack by Hamas.

The union represents a million active and retired members.

“I’m proud today to announce that the UAW international has joined the call for a ceasefire in Israel and Palestine,” Brandon Mancilla, UAW director, said at a press conference on Friday outside the White House where protesters have been on hunger strike.

“From opposing fascism in WWII to mobilizing against apartheid South Africa and the Contra war, the UAW has consistently stood for justice across the globe. A labor movement that fights for social and economic justice for all workers must always stand against war and for peace.”

“Our international executive board will also be forming a divestment and just transition working group to study the history of Israel and Palestine, our union’s economic ties to the conflict, and explore how we can have a just transition for US workers from war to peace.”

The UAW joins other progressive local and national labor unions by passing the resolution supporting a ceasefire. The American Postal Workers Union, the UE union, the California Nurses Association, the Chicago Teachers Union and several other local unions and worker groups which have issued public calls for an immediate and permanent ceasefire.

A number of teachers unions, including the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU), the Massachusetts Teachers Association, the American Federation of Teachers–Oregon, and the San Antonio Alliance of Teachers and Support Personnel have issued calls for a ceasefire.

While some unions have supported the ceasefire call, most of the top officials in U.S. labor are keeping quiet.

American Federation of Teachers president Randi Weingarten and her wife, Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum flew to Israel following the October 6th Hamas attack.

Diane Ravtich posts an interview with Weingarten.

Meanwhile the National Education Association, the nation’s largest teacher union, has condemned both antisemitism and Islamophobia but has avoided a call for a ceasefire.