May 5, 2026
2026 UAW Region 8 Retiree Conference Begins

The 2026 UAW Region 8 Retiree Conference kicked off at 8:00 AM Tuesday May 5, 2026 at the Bilmar Resort in Treasure Island, Florida. The Region 8 Retiree Conference is held every year to inform our Retiree Leaderships about legislation, benefit changes and general information from the UAW.

Assistant Director George Palmer kicked the conference off with prayer, a moment of silence and the pledge of allegiance. “I enjoy all the conferences, but the Retiree Conference is always my favorite,” AD Palmer stated. “I want to be where you are one day. I see so many faces of people in this room that have been a mentor and help to me. Our retirees build this union and we thank you for leading the way for us.” After which AD Palmer introduced UAW Region 8 Director Tim Smith for his opening remarks.

UAW Region 8 Director Tim Smith welcomed delegates to the conference. “Welcome to the 2026 Retired Workers Conference. In Region 8, we understand we are standing on the shoulders of giants. Our retirees have forged the path that has protected our communities, built a nation, established the middle class, and made America the world leader in manufacturing.

2026 is proving to a greater challenge than 2025, which was hard on working class Americans. The budget bill pushed by President Trump and passed by the Republican Congress by one vote, stripped health care from millions of Americans but slashing the subsidies for the Affordable Care Act. In addition to allowing working class families to afford health care, the ACA also helped those who have employer provided health care. When a health care facility has a bill they cant get paid for, those costs get rolled in so those with insurance get hit with extra cost. We should never forget the Affordable Care Act impacts everyone.

Our retirees have built this union, created the industries that employ our members and protected our communities. You build a government that was for the people and by the people. Those of us who follow must work to continue your legacy. May we never forget the sacrifices, blood, sweat and tears that were shed to create the middle class. You fought the wars, defending Civil Rights, established a world class education and health care system. Now it is up to us to protect these institutions from the forces trying to destroy them.

 Again, thank your wisdom, your advocacy, your dedication, and your leadership. The UAW has the best retirees, and we in Region 8 understand the important role you play every day in this union and country.”

Top AA in the UAW Retired Workers Department Kevin Gotinsky addressed the conference. “In the President’s Department we prioritize retires,” Gotinsky stated. “We work to protect the VEBA Trust. Last year we added the HRA (Health Reimbursement Account), also know as the WEX Card, that helps pay copays and Medicare Premiums. Only about half of those eligible are taking advantage of the program and we need to encourage everyone to take advantage. These are benefits you worked for and make certain you are using them. Another issue is defining who is a retiree. When the UAW Constitution was established, we had fewer sectors, or traditional and non-traditional employees. The IEB cant change the definition of a retiree, only the constitution can do that. It will be up to the delegates at the upcoming Constitutional Convention to do that.”

Lisa Rink, Director of the Retired Workers Department addressed the conference. “Every day in America the President of the United States is attacking workers,” Director Rink stated. “Not only has he brought prejudice back, he has made it popular. In the UAW, we support ALL workers regardless of race, gender or walk of life. I don’t understand UAW members who support what is going on. Everyday we are being divided in the plants. The Supreme Court just took us back to Jim Crow Days. We have to stand firm for everyone. We have to stand together as union members, the working class and Americans.”

UAW Region 8 CAP Representatives Kevin Huddleston, Mark Dowell and Anthony Towner made a presentation on legislation impacting both active and retired workers and the UAW’s priorities on the 2026 and 2028 election cycles.

“At this year’s UAW CAP Conference, the UAW outlined their priorities and they include:

• Everyone deserves a living wage.
• Everyone deserves quality health care.
• Everyone deserves to retire with dignity.
• Everyone deserves time with their family.”

“We just saw the Supreme Court gut the Voting Rights Act,” Kevin Huddleston added. “Today in Tennessee, they are trying to redraw the one district that was a minority district in the state. We HAVE to make sure everyone votes, We have to show up this fall and vote for candidates that will support democracy and defending working class people.”

After lunch the Region 8 Retiree Council held their meeting with Chair Steve Stone conducting the meeting. The minutes and financial report were given. Then Chair Stone conducted the election for the election committee for the next election cycle for the Region 8 Retiree Council Elections.