May 6, 2025
2025 UAW Region 8 Retiree Conference
text and photos by Region 8 Webmaster John Davis

The 2025 UAW Region 8 Retiree Conference kicked off at 8:00 AM on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at the Bilmar Conference Center at Treasure, Island Florida. The conference was called to order by UAW Region 8 Assistant Director George Palmer, Jr followed with opening prayer by Tom Savage of the Region 8 Advisory Council.

Director Smith welcomed all the delegates and thanked them for building this union with their efforts. “Yesterday we were at Local 788 on walking the picket line with our members there,” Director Smith stated. “George and myself have walked every picket line across these 17 states in the past year. We were elected to represent you, our members- we work for you. Last year I was on 48 flights, and I commit to you to always be there when you need us. In Region 8 we have the best staff, the best clerical because we have the best members. We are all proud to represent you and we never forget that.”

The Retiree Conference is held each year to share updates on benefits that impact our retirees and to cover issues that concern all retired Americans. Region has three Retiree Reps including Kevin Huddleston, Anthony Towner and Mark Dowell. They work with our retiree chapters and councils across the region.

The conference Tuesday morning featured remarks from Retired Worker Department Director Lisa Rink. “Voting is vital,” states Director Rink. “In my family if you didn’t vote you didn’t eat. Every election, every office. Our retirees have to vote, even in own UAW elections. Every retiree need to exercise your right to vote. The ballot comes to your house - all you have to do is return. Vote, national, state, county, city and institutionally. People not voting has put us in this position in this country. We have someone wanting to attack benefits you worked hard for. I am asking each of you to write your representatives to tell them to protect working people.

The poor built this nation, my ancestors were Scot-Irish. We have to stop allowing the rich and powerful from separating us.”

International Representative Rebecca Bridgwater also addressed the conference. “Retiree dues are voluntary, and about half of our retirees pay dues,” Rebecca Bridgewater stated. “In 2014, retiree dues were raised from $2 a month to $3 a month. However, most of the retiree paying dues are still paying at $2 a month. If retirees would simply increase it to $3 a month it would help improve our resources for retirees.”

Region Retiree Representative Kevin Huddleston introduced the Retired Worker’s Council. This council represents Region 8 retirees at International UAW Retiree Events. The afternoon of day one was spent in nominations for the Region 8 Retired Worker’s Council and a meeting of the International Advisory Council.

After lunch the International Advisory Council met and the Regional Retiree Council met nominations for offices.

The following were elected to the Region 8 Retiree Council:

Chair- Steve Stone Local 862
Vice-Chair- Ernest Lowery Local 919
Recording Secretary – Alena Bandy Local 1183
Treasurer – Philip Chatmon Local 15837
Sergent of Arms – Jerry Hodge Local 3520
Delegate to International Union Retired Workers Advisory Council- Tom Savage Local 1407
Delegate to International Union Retired Workers Advisory Council – Jim Stewart Local 171