2025 UAW Region 8 Standing Committee Conference Begins
The 2025 UAW Region 8 Standing Committee Conference kicked off today at the Tradewinds Resort on beautiful St. Pete Beach in Florida. The Standing Committee conference offers training for the various committees that local unions have including Chaplaincy, Civil and Human Rights, Community Service, Conservation and Recreation, Education, Communication, Skilled Trades, Veterans and Women’s. The conference gives attendees important education to allow them to go back to their locals and participate in their committee at the highest level.
“Standing Committees are often the entry to local union involvement for members,” states Region 8 Director Tim Smith. “Joining a standing committee present an opportunity for both active and retired members to participate in the functions of the local union. This participation can be both locally and, in the community, giving our members a first hand look at the functions and process of unionism.”
Day one of the conference is filled with reports from representatives from the various committees sanctioned by the UAW. Region 8 Assistant Director George Palmer kicked the conference with an welcome and an introduction of Region 8 Director Tim Smith. AD Palmer then recognized all the veterans in the audience and had them join the group on stage to recite the national anthem. He welcomed Cynthia Harris to the stage from the Chaplaincy Department to give the invocation.
AD George Palmer then presented his official introduction of Region 8 Director Tim Smith. “It is such an honor for me to serve along side a man like Tim Smith,” AD Palmer stated. “We have a saying that goes “Whose got your back? I’ve got your back.” Director Smith has the back of every member in this region.” Watch AD Palmer's Introduction Here
“While bargaining receives much of our attention, social activism is also a vital part of organized labor,” Director Smith stated. “Educating our members, being active in our communities and growing our movement all are functions of our standing committees. As our communities see us actively working to improve the lives of others, our ability to organize increases.
UAW Region 8 appreciates all your hard work and recognizes that it is the members who have built our movement. Every day our standing committees make a difference to our local unions. You really are the backbone of our movement.”
