August 14, 2025
Day Three Of the 2025 UAW Region 8
Standing Committee Conference

The 2025 UAW Region 8 Standing Wrapped up on Thursday August 14. The day kicked off with the Director’s Breakfast followed by an update from Director Smith. The new Veterans Council officers were installed after the POW-MIA ceremony to remember those who were lost in the line of duty.

Women’s Council Awards were presented as well as the Region 8 GOTV individual award. Director Smith then brought the delegates up to date on events throughout the region. He recounted the story of his recent trip to Korea to visit the Korean Metal Workers' Union (KMWU). The UAW signed an agreement to work together with the KMWU to protect worker’s rights both here and in Korea. Director Smith retold the plight of a Local Union President at a GM Facility in Korea who was fired for standing up for his membership.

Director Smith discussed the new platform that is being rolled out at Ford’s Louisville assembly operations, represented by Local 862. Ford is investing over two billion dollars in the facility to produce a new midsized EV truck that will start at $30,000. The new platform will secure over 2200 jobs in Louisville. Plans call for the new truck to start rolling out in 2027.

Following Director Smith’s remarks, the morning session adjourned for participants to return to their class rooms for the final day of instruction.

In the afternoon The Red Cross joined the Community Service classroom and participants build 500 relief bags for hurricane victims. The Conservation and Recreation Class had a workshop on planning an activity. They planned a volleyball and corn hole tournament for conference participants after the end of class.

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