September 25, 2025
Final Day of 2025 Fall CAP
text and photos by Region 8 Webmaster John Davis
The final day of the 2025 Fall CAP meeting in San Antoinio, Texas wrapped up on Thursday September 25, 2025. The meeting began with the Director’s Breakfast, including a report from UAW Region 8 Director Tim Smith.
“Elections matter,” Director Smith stated. “National, state and local elections all matter. We have to show up and elect candidates that stand with us. President Reuther said the ballot box and the bread box are connected and that is a fact. We have to make sure our members understand the issues and how we are impacted by it. Yesterday we were at the San Antonio Food Bank. These people do an amazing work. They have seen their budgets cut due to this “big beautiful bill.” When we cut spending that protects our most vulnerable to benefit those who have the most, we have a problem. When we watch public sector unions being attacked, we  have to realize we are next. In May of 2028 the UAW is planning on negotiating our major contracts at once. If we are forced to call a broad strike, they will come after us. We have to elect people who will support us. I challenge you to educate your members. You have influence and you have to use that influence. Let us leave this conference mobilized. The UAW is not just a union but a force of justice. We will stand in solidarity and win for our workers.” Watch Director Smith's Address Here
Next came CAP Reports from the regional cap representatives Kevin Huddleston, Anthony Towner and Mark Dow. “We are asking each local to set up a voter registration drive in December,” Kevin Huddleston stated. “During the last set of negotiations at the big three, we had a friend in the White House. We no longer have a friend in the White House. We need our folks to understand the issues we are facing and where the candidates stand on that. V-CAP is important to fund our community action program. All political action must come from voluntary contributions. No dues money can be used on political action. We ask you to  encourage your membership to contribute. Last year we raised $1,200,000 last year in Region 8. Next year we need more to support more candidates.”
Region 8 Representative Amanda Goins gave the Women’s Department report. “Our Women’s Committee’s in Region 8 really kick butt” stated Amanda Goins. “They hold rallies, they support causes, they educate others and they make a difference in their communities. Our Women’s Committees in Region 8 have won many awards for their activism, their support and their willingness to make a difference. We hosted the National Women’s Conference in Region 8. Director Smith and Assistant Director have always supported every women’s initiative I have brought to them.”
Region 8 Representative Mike Maddox gave a report on the Civil and Human Rights Department. “We have had a full year with Civil and Human Rights this year,” states Mike  Maddox. “We have to utilize all our tools to protect civil and human rights for our members. We have our contracts, but we also use the EEOC and the NLRB to ensure our members rights are being protected.
Region 8 Representative Jeff Hall gave the report for Veteran’s Department. “I joined the military to make a difference,” Jeff Hall said. “I never dreamed we would have a commander in chief who would work to be a dictator. From a UAW standpoint we have to be concerned about our bargaining rights. As Veterans we have to stand for the principles our country was founded on.”
After lunch the state CAP Councils broke out for individual meetings.
Day One Coverage Fall CAP
Day Two Coverage Fall CAP
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