By: Alex Ortiz

I am writing this article in Atlanta, Georgia as I am attending the UAW Financial Conference. This is my first time attending as the President of Local 659. The majority of the International Officers are here at this conference and I am impressed with their messaging and willingness to speak with the attendees.

It is apparent that the new leadership of the International UAW are going out of their way to show that they are approachable and want to show that they are here for the membership and their elected Local leaders.

The training classes I have attended are directly applicable to my position and clarify the policies that have been put in place since the IUAW was placed under a Federal Government Monitor. There are some accounting hoops that Local Unions must adhere to, to ensure that financial decisions are all above board.

There are a few things that are new to me and I will be making adjustments moving forward to keep the membership informed. I have treated dues dollars as if they were coming out of my pocket since my first day in office. I am constantly looking for ways to save money here at our Union Hall and will continue to do the little things. But, it is not just me. I give credit to Vice President Anthony Davis, Recording Secretary Kim Jones and Financial Secretary Duane Ballard for being on the same page about spending your dues wisely.

The 2025 Pre-Retirement classes have concluded, but I want to speak directly to our GM SAP Participants who are retiring before full retirement age (pre-age 67). If you have a chronic health condition that you are dealing with because you just think its part of getting older, please consult with one of our in house lawyers. We publish a schedule of lawyers (see Member Services) that are UAW labor friendly. It costs you absolutely nothing to talk to them and it may increase your government benefits in retirement. And don’t forget to sign up for your retiree dues if you wish to continue receiving this paper.

Speaking of this paper, the dues office has been going through our enormous list of retired members who are receiving the paper but not paying dues. There have been some software changes that reinstated many of them. If you are not paying dues as a retiree and would still like to receive this paper. please call Fidelity at 800-343-3548 to have them start taking out your dues.

Remember to keep checking your in-plant Union Boards, our UAW Local 659 Facebook page and website for updated information –and- attending your monthly Unit meetings!