December 16, 2024
Holiday Message 2024- A Season of Hope and Belief

It is hard to believe we are here again—twinkling lights, shopping, colder temperatures, colorful ribbons, and holiday songs on the radio. For many, the holidays can be a stressful time as we try to fit in all the extra events, extra planning, and extra costs. We make big plans and hope and believe everything turns out perfect.

Christmas is a season of hope. We pause to put away the cares of our lives and look to the joys we share. The definition of hope is to desire something good to happen, even if it isn’t certain. We hope for joy, peace, and a better life for our families and ourselves.

For UAW Region 8, 2024 has been a year of hope. We have seen the culmination of organizing drives that have taken years. The workers at Volkswagen in Chattanooga, Tennessee, are at long last part of the UAW, bargaining their first contract and improving their lives. Workers at Ultium in Spring Hill, Tennessee, became one of the first battery plants to join the UAW. A supermajority of workers at BlueOval SK (BOSK) in Kentucky have signed union cards and started their public campaign to join the UAW.

In the Carolinas, our members at Heavy Truck won a historic contract that will help provide for their families over the next few years.

Across Region 8, our members were active in their communities, making a difference. Hurricanes Milton and Helene ravaged parts of our region. Communities in Georgia and the Carolinas were decimated as the storms brought destruction and death. As we approach the holidays, these communities are still struggling to rebuild and families still need assistance. These people have been living on hope and the kindness of others as they rebuild their lives.

As we look into 2025, there are many unknowns. Our country will be changing directions with new leadership that places no importance on working families. Our solidarity will be tested as we face changes at the NLRB, making it harder for workers to organize. Billionaires are making plans to undo the security net that protects the most vulnerable of our society. Our senior’s Social Security and Medicare are being threatened to provide even more tax breaks for the wealthy. The threat of tariffs could send inflation to records never seen before. These things cast a cloud over this holiday season as we look to 2025.

It would be easy to throw up our hands and quit, but that isn’t who we are. Our membership was born in hope, raised in hope, and triumphed in hope.  Remember, hope is that desire for something good to happen, even if it isn’t guaranteed. In addition to hope there is belief. To believe in something we accept it as truth. I truly believe that collectively we can face the challenges of 2025. I believe in this membership to stand united. I think that we as a people are stronger than the obstacles we face. We need hope that we can weather the storm and to believe we can protect these things those who came before us fought and died to establish. In the Book of Isaiah, Chapter 40 Verse 31 says, “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”  Maintaining our hope will see us through any obstacles we face.

On behalf of the entire Region 8 staff and leadership, we wish you all a happy, healthy holiday season. May the childlike wonder of this season give you all the hope and belief the holiday brings. Enjoy your time with your loved ones this holiday season and may we all work to become closer as the family of man.
Season’s Greetings
Who Are We? UAW!
Tim Smith, Director
UAW Region 8