Members of UE Local 150 joined a coalition of unions and organizations throughout North Carolina at the end of last year to take concrete action against the ongoing Israeli genocide in Gaza. The workers demanded the state divest state workers’ and teachers’ pensions from Israeli bonds. After holding rallies and speaking out at meetings at the state treasurer’s office, the coalition succeeded in pressuring the state to sell $6.7 of the $7.7 million in Israeli government bonds held in the state pension fund.
Over 40 unions, community organizations, and faith groups across the state supported the efforts of the coalition. On October 29, workers held a rally at North Carolina Treasurer Brad Briner's office. They then delivered a petition signed by over 5,000 people alongside 37 organizations and unions demanding he divest state workers' pensions from Israeli bonds because, as the petition stated, “The people of North Carolina do not want a retirement fund invested in genocide, occupation, and apartheid.”
Sekia Royall, a member of Local 150 and state worker for the Department of Health and Human Services in Goldsboro, NC, attended both the late October rally and a committee oversight meeting on November 19, where she spoke to the state investment board about the need for divestment. She explained during her public comment that the workers of North Carolina did not want their pensions to be financially tied to the violence Israel is committing on Palestinians.
The petition also cites the declining economy of Israel as an additional reason to divest. At the October rally, Local 150 member and NC State graduate worker Katie Boatner explained the returns on the pension investments in Israel were extremely low, lower than a high-yield savings account. Reflecting on the event, Broatner said, “Some of the key points of my speech were that state pension holders themselves expressed a desire for their pension funds to serve the dignity of people. They were not doing that.”
During the committee oversight meeting, State Treasurer Brad Briner recognized Local 150 members from other actions organized throughout 2025 where they pressured legislators to protect their state health plan. Two days after Royall spoke at the meeting, the state treasurer announced $6.7 million had been divested from Israeli bonds.
Reflecting on the successful campaign, Royall said, “We wanted to make it clear that we did not support Israel or what they are doing to the Palestinian people. Our bonds weren’t even making us money due to the bad economy.”
Boatner said, “North Carolina has a history of activism in the South and it is important that we keep pressure on our leaders. Without community, large community coalition involvement, I do not think the success would have been as resounding.”
When asked about her thoughts on the divestment, Royall said, “This is a coalition that is standing up against oppression anywhere and everywhere, in Israel and throughout the world.”