By: Anthony Davis

I hope everyone has had a great, fun-filled, and most importantly a safe summer, despite the extra heat we’ve experienced. As summer begins to wind down and students head back to school, please remember that the big yellow school buses are back on the roads. Give yourself a few extra minutes during your commute, slow down, and help keep our children safe.

Greetings Brothers and Sisters,

On July 25, 2026, UAW Local 659 and UAW Region 1D proudly hosted the 4th Annual Veterans Committee Golf Scramble. I want to personally thank our Veterans Committee, every volunteer, our sponsors, and everyone who came out to golf. Events like this are only successful because of the people willing to give their time and support.

This year’s proceeds benefited Sacred Heart Veteran Village, Michigan’s first tiny home community for unhoused veterans, located right here in Flint. When completed, the village will include up to 26 individual tiny homes, providing veterans with a safe place to rebuild their lives. Residents can stay for up to three years without paying traditional rent, allowing them the opportunity to regain stability, save money, and transition into permanent housing. It is an incredible program, and I’m proud that our membership could help support those who have sacrificed so much for our country.

As we enter September, we also celebrate Labor Day, a holiday dedicate to the hardworking men and women who built and continue to build this country. Labor Day recognizes the social and economic achievements of American workers and has its roots in the labor movement of the late 1800s. In 1882, thousands of union members marched through the streets of New York City, sacrificing a day’s wages to stand together and demonstrate the power of solidarity. Their courage helped pave the way for many of the workplace rights and protections we enjoy today.

As union members, we should all take pride in that history. Every contract negotiated, every safe workplace, every fair wage, and every benefit earned is the result of generations of workers standing together. I hope everyone enjoys the Labor Day holiday, spends time with family and friends, and most importantly stays safe.

Region 1-D will once again be hosting a Labor Day event. Final details are being completed, and flyers will be posted throughout the plants and on social media as soon as they become available.

RED SHIRT WEDNESDAY!
What is it? Why do we wear red? One word: SOLIDARITY!

Wearing red on Wednesdays is a visible reminder that UAW members stand together. The tradition dates back to 1989, when Communication Workers of America (CWA) Local 1400 was on strike against NYNEX in Valhalla, New York.

On August 15, Steward E. Gerald “Gerry” Horgan of CWA Local 1103 was walking the picket line in support of striking workers when he was struck and killed by a vehicle driven by a strikebreaker. Gerry left behind a wife and two young children. We wear red to honor his sacrifice and to remember those who have fought for workers’ rights.

The tradition gained national attention again during the attacks on collective bargaining rights in Wisconsin in 2011, when union members across the country wore red every Wednesday in support of workers fighting to protect their rights.

Today, Red Shirt Wednesday continues as a symbol of unity and solidarity. It isn’t about being anti-management. It’s about proudly standing together as union members.

I know many members have been asking about Local 659 red shirts. We are currently working on an online ordering link, so please be patient. We will likely wait until after the Breast Cancer Awareness shirt sale before launching the red shirt orders.

The Detroit Tigers Game scheduled for August 30, 2026, still has some tickets available here at the Union Hall. If you’re interested, stop by and grab yours. Let’s Go Tigers!

Our Recreation Committee’s Trunk or Treat returns on Sunday, October 25, 2026, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at Local 659. This event continues to grow every year, and it’s quickly becoming one of our favorites. Mark your calendars now. More information will be coming soon.

We will also be accepting candy donations at the Union Hall. If you’d like to contribute, you can drop off candy here at the hall or contact a Recreation Committee member from your unit.

The Union Sportsmen’s Alliance 2027 Calendars are now available at the Union Hall for $30. Each calendar includes the popular Two Guns a Week Sweepstakes. They make great gifts, but supplies are limited, and they always sell out quickly, so don’t wait if you’d like one.

Our Joint Council and Unit meetings will resume on Sunday, September 13.

Unit Meetings

• ACC/Lear – Local 659, 12:00 pm
• GMCCA – Region 1D, 12:30 pm
• Avancez, FEO, FMC, NAETC, LIC, Sanitation – Local 659, 1:00 pm

Joint Council Meetings

• Local 659, 2:00 pm

International E-Board Election

The UAW is holding a mail-in secret ballot election for the UAW International Executive Board (IEB), including the offices of International President, International Secretary-Treasurer, Three International Vice Presidents, and Regional Directors.

A couple of key dates:

• Late August 2026 – All eligible members will be sent a ballot at their last known address on file.
• Early October 2026 – Ballot return deadline, ballot tabulation, and vote count.

Remember, no matter who you are, or where you come from, We are all in this together!