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President Gettelfinger
State of the Union Address Representative Marcy Kaptur Speech - Vice-President General Holiefield Bio -
Vice-President James Settles Bio
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Day
3 Report
By UAW Region 8 Webmaster John Davis Day 3 began with opening remarks from Secretary
Treasurer Elizabeth Bunn as she welcomed the delegates back and reconvened
the convention. President Ron Gettelfinger then approached the podium
and introduced Sharon Woodcock, wife of former UAW President Leonard Woodcock
who addressed the conference. “I thank you all for being here today
and for continuing the work that Leonard and others before him began.
The men and women of the UAW are great people and I am honored to be with
you here today.” Next Region 5 Director Jim Wells introduced Nevada Congressional Representative Shelly Berkley who addressed the delegates via satellite link from Washington D.C. “I wish I were with there in my home town of Las Vegas but congressional matters preventing me from being there in person,” Representative Berkley stated. “I am proud to tell you that I come from a union household, for my Father was a member of the Culinary Workers Union here in Las Vegas. I know the benefits of growing up in a union household. My father put two children through college and then law school because he had a good union job. Today we face huge challenges in Washington. Last year President Bush toured the country and tried to sell the idea of privatizing Social Security to our citizens. They answered with a resounding no. However, the 2007 Budget that he presented to Congress once again has provisions for turning Social Security over the Wall Street. If you own stocks I don’t have to tell you the danger in playing the stock market. If you are a working class American then you understand about the flawed Medicare Prescription Drug plan that was passed under this President that included a provision that prevented the Federal Government from negotiating cheaper prices from the pharmaceutical companies. The provision alone will mean over a 100 billion dollar windfall to drug companies. The Republican Agenda is very detrimental
to working families. If they retain control of both the House and President Ron Gettelfinger returned to the podium then to pay tribute to the retiring International Executive Board members. Vice-President Gerald Bantom, Vice-President Nate Gooden and Vice-President Richard Shoemaker are all retiring and we recognized for their service to the membership through the years. Following the recognitions, a motion was made to open the floor for nominations for the International Executive Board members for the next four years. President Ron Gettelfinger was nominated for President and Elizabeth Bunn was nominated for Secretary/Treasurer of the UAW. Each accepted the nomination and the floor was opened for additional nomination. No were submitted, so they were elected by acclamation. Then nominations were opened for the five Vice-President positions. Cal Rapson, Bob King, General Holifield, Jimmy Settles and Terry Thurmon were nominated for the office of Vice-President. Each accepted their nomination and the floor was opened for additional nominations. None were made, so the International Executive Board was elected then by acclamation. Each Region then broke to their respective
groups to hold elections for Regional Director. Region 8 Director Director Casteel was once again nominated for Director and was reelected unanimously by the delegates of Region 8. Director Casteel has been a UAW member since 1988, being a member of Local 737 in Nashville, Tennessee. He was appointed to the International Staff by President Steven Yokich in 1997 and served as a Servicing Representative before being elected Region 8 Director in 2002. He and wife Penny have three children and make their home in Ashland City, Tennessee. “Anytime you reflect you also have
to look forward,” Director Casteel stated. “Over the past
four years we have seen a lot of success in Region 8, with organizing
victories in the face of hostile opposition in many Following the Regional Elections, the convention
was adjourned until June 15, 2006 at 9:00AM. |
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