Day Three Of the
39th International UAW Constitutional Convention
text and photos by UAW Region 8 Webmaster John Davis
Day three kicked off with the invocation followed by President Shawn Fain coming forward to introduce NAACP President Derrick Johnson. “President Johnson has been a leader in supporting civil rights and the working class,” President Fain stated. “We are proud to partner with the NAACP in the fight for social justice.”
“It is great to be with you in the city in which I was born,” President Johnson stated. “My grandparents migrated here from Tennessee seeking a better living through union jobs in the auto industry. We are living in a climate where working people are under attack. We are attacking immigrants; hell we are  ALL immigrants. We can’t get caught up in all these distractions. We have to change the direction of this country by going to the polls this November. If my wife was here she would ask me “why are you yelling?” I yell because so many refuse to hear. We have to send a clear message that we will not take this anymore. This year we must stand together male, female, Irish, German or whatever. We have to stand strong.
I had a college professor who was a little different. I worked hard and made a B in the class. The next semester I took him again and I felt since I had been there before I was in good shape. I sat in my seat of entitlement and felt I had this. My first paper came back and I had a D. I ask the professor what  happened. He told me “Some of you are resting on your laurels of entitlement. But the war is far from over.” Sometimes we set in our seat of entitlement. Truth be told eyes are on us today. Yes, we fought for the Civil Rights movement. However, today the war isn’t over. November is a battle to strike back. We must stand in solidarity in this moment. I am fired up and I am ready to go, and I ask you are you fired up and ready to go?" Click Here To Watch The Entire Address
Vice President Laura Dickerson came forward to introduce Congressional Representative Debbie Dingell. “The UAW is truly my family,” Representative Dingle stated. “John and myself were always at home at activities all around Detroit and at Region 1A. Three years ago, I was here for your Special Bargaining Convention and you talked about going forward for better wages and benefits and you did that. The UAW has always been a beacon for our working families.
At this time, families are struggling in this country. Housing is up, groceries are up, energy bills are up. Working families are not an abstract debate it is simple help them or not. When President Trump was recently ask about inflation and he responded “I don’t care about inflation.” The rest of us do because we are living it.
The UAW has always been strongest when it was bold and worked not just for it’s members but all working people. We have to fight for retirement security so workers can retire with dignity. We have  to fight for trade deals that protect workers. I believe health care is a right not privilege. It is time we pass Medicare for all no American has to decide between food and health care.
When the UAW organizes, workers benefit. All across the country, workers are looking to you to lead. The UAW’s legacy reminds us that progress is never given it is earned. When we stand together, we win. It was true when workers stood up to Henry Ford. It was true when Walter Reuther marched with Dr. King. The UAW has lead for generations and as a union you still do. As the UAW goes, so does the future of this country.” Click Here To Watch Her Entire Address
A resolution was debated to add LUCA (Local Union Communication Association) to the list of official standing committees. Chris Cunningham of Local 276 submitted the resolution. Delegate Raymond Herrick of Local 163 called a point of order to present the resolution to the floor. There were enough votes to bring it to the floor. During debate, the question was asked if someone from LUCA could explain what it was. Local 2195 and Region 8 member was given permission to address the convention and explain what LUCA was. The resolution passed.
The third UAW Social Justice Award was presented posthumously to the Reverend Jessie Jackson. “The Reverend Jessie Jackson was a long-time supporter of labor,” President Fain stated. “At the end of his life he came to join us on the picket line in a wheel chair. It is my honor to present the UAW Social Justice to the Reverend Jessie Jackson. Accepting for the Jackson family, is Jessie Jackson Jr.” Click Here To Watch The Entire Presentation
There were a number of resolutions debated in the morning. Many had to do with standard housekeeping. The major resolution that was debated was the definition of a retiree. For the 2026 election, an interpretation for the definition of a retiree was made last winter. The definition for purpose of the 2026 IEB elections are:
- Be eligible for a contractually defined-benefit retirement plan at the time of retirement.
- Have attained five years of seniority and be Social Security eligible, at a minimum age of 62 years and one month, when leaving active employment.
The IEB issued a statement requesting the delegates address the issue at the 2026 39th Constitutional Convention.
A resolution was submitted to change Article 6 Section 19 of the UAW Constitution. The change is:
Beginning after the conclusion of the 2026 International Executive Board election, to qualify for retired status, a member must be in good standing and meet at least one of the three following requirements:
- Meeting the requirements for a defined pension plan. As provided under the applicable collective bargaining agreement.
- Attain at least 10 years of employment in a UAW represented bargaining unit and have reached the age of 55.
- Have attained at least 30 years of employment in a UAW-represented bargaining unit.
After much discussion, the resolution passed.
The last order of the day was nominations for the offices of the International Executive Board. The nominees are:
President
- Shawn Fain
- Rich Boyer
- Tricia Geiger
- Will Lehman
- Greg Mooney
- Brian Keller
Secretary Treasurer
- Margaret Mock
- Brandon Campbell
- Roc Ciers
Vice President
- Mike Booth
- Laura Dickerson
- Kevin Gotinsky
- Eric Fleming
- Kisha Richardson
- Tinsley Conway
- Ryan Hiestand
- Matt Slade
- Robert Wright
- Rachel Dickenson
- Tony Totty
- Mike Turner
Trustee
- Frank Goeddeke
- Patrick Radtke
- Stacey Loveless
Trustee is an election conducted by a roll call of the delegates. Stacey Loveless was elected to serve as trustee.
Once the candidates were set for the IEB positions, the conference broke out by region for  nominations for region director. Region 8 assembled in their assigned meeting room as chants of four more years filled the air. UAW President Shawn Fain conducted the nomination process. Local 3047 member Renard Duvall came forward to nominate Tim Smith for reelection as Region 8 Director. “There isn’t much I can say about Tim that all of you don’t know,” Renard stated. “You know what kind of man he is and how hard he works for us all.” There were no other nominations, essentially electing Tim Smith by acclimation. “Thank you all”, stated Tim Smith. I look forward to serving you all over the next four years. Region 8 has been and will continue to lead the way. It is a group effort and I appreciate you all.”
The final day of the 39th Constitutional Convention will reconvene at 9:00 AM on Thursday, June 18, 2026.
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