UAW Region 8

08/29/2026

Summer School photos by David Firkins.

08/27/2026

2026 UAW Region 8 Summer School Day Five

The final day of the 2026 UAW Region 8 Summer School kicked off with a welcome from UAW Region 8 Assistant Director George Palmer. He thanked all the delegates for their diligence for the week and the energy and enthusiasm. “Let’s give it up for our Region 8 staff and the amazing job they did this week,” AD Palmer stated. “Also, I want to thank our media folks this week. The Director asked our LUCA Chair and Webmaster John Davis is he wanted some help this week to assist with all the coverage and shooting the Region 8 Voices Videos. John ask for Jon Ellis of Local 862, Chris Cunningham of Local 276 and Brandon Steever of Local 1853. This team did an amazing job this week.”

Director Tim Smith then addressed the crowd and ask for suggestions for next year’s Summer School. “We appreciate everyone being here and making this a great conference,” Director Smith stated. “I appreciate all the staff, the clerical, the hotel staff and everyone who worked so hard to put this conference on. You showed up and showed out and we have had a great week. You ask for more class time and we gave you that. Take the things you have learned in your classes this week and carry them back to your locals. Share with your fellow members the things you have learned. This week is about education, but education must be shared and we are asking you to do that.”

UAW Region 8 Staff member Anthony Towner has to leave the conference on Wednesday when he got a call that his father was sick. Unfortunately, Anthony’s father passed away. UAW Local 862 President Anthony Spencer lead the conference in prayer for Anthony and his family and for a safe return home for all of the conference participants.

Next came Mike Morrison, the Director of the UAW Department for Bargaining Strategies gave a presentation on the idea of carrying new ideas into bargaining. “We approached bargaining different at the Stand Up Strike in 2023,” Morrison stated. “We engaged our members and we saw results. Now we want to take the lessons learned from that strike and use it across all sectors. I want our members wherever they work and think that is a union I want to be part of.”

Jorge Rodriguez of the UAW Department of Bargaining Strategies added to the presentation. “Our department is not here to take over your bargaining,” Jorge added. “We are here to offer resources. We have to do the best we can for our members. These companies are working together to try and keep our wages and benefits down. All of our members deserve a living wage.”

UAW Region 8 Staff members Kevin Huddleston and Mark Dowell made a presentation on the Community Action Program (CAP) in Region 8. “The midterms are going to be very important,” Mark Dowell stated. “We have been facing a very anti-worker majority in the Congress and the Senate. We have opportunity this year to flip seats in the states of Region 8. “We have to mobilize our membership,” Kevin Huddelston added. “We have chances to flip seats in Texas, North Carolina and South Carolina.”

Local 862 was recognized for the highest CAP contribution in 2025. Local 276 was awarded the highest per capita contribution for 2025.

Local 2083 presented a plaque of appreciation to UAW Region 8 Servicing Representative Mike Maddox for his help in protecting their membership.

Director Smith thanked everyone for attending and wished everyone a safe trip home.

The morning session ended with the delegates singing “Solidarity Forever.” The delegates then returned to their classrooms after lunch for the final session of the conference.

08/27/2026

UAW Region Staff member Anthony Towner lost his father. Please keep Anthony and family in your thoughts and prayers.

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08/26/2026

Day four of the 2026 UAW Region 8 Sunner School was spent in class. “In our feedback members have told us they want more time in their classes,” states UAW Region 8 Director Tim Smith. “This year tried to build more time in the classes for that purpose. Our conferences are all about education and that is what we need to provide.”

08/25/2026

08/25/2026

2026 UAW Region 8 Summer School Day Three

The third day of the 2026 UAW Region 8 Summer School kicked off with the Director’s Breakfast. Region 8 Assistant Director George Palmer kicked the morning off with a welcome and a list of the day’s events. “Thank you all for being here and I hope everyone slept well,” Assistant Director Palmer stated.

Director Smith came forward to introduce UAW President Shawn Fain. “President Fain is there every time we call him for help here in Region 8 and we welcome him here today.”

UAW International President Shawn Fain was the keynote speaker for the morning. “I wanted to thank Director Smith and Assistant Director Palmer for the invitation and the job they do here in Region 8,” President Fain stated. “It is hard to cover 17 states but they do it. This is a great membership here and we are proud of you. Bargaining requires us all, the leadership, local leadership and the members. In 2023 we stood up together and you accomplished great gains. We have to continue to fight. We created the department of bargaining strategies and we want to take what we learned from the Stand-Up Strike and use it across this union.
At Daimler Truck we saw great gains and the locals in Region 8 led the way. Power is not from me, or the board, power comes from the membership. Look at what we accomplished at American Axle, they stood together and won their contract. I can’t stand to hear “we can’t do that.” We can do amazing things together.

The Stand Up Strike was not a one time thing. We have to aim high, to win for our members. Corporations have earned passive profits and our members deserve their part.

Region 8 has led the way on organizing. We have seen 3200 new members at Volkswagen in Chattanooga. They worked and won their first contract. We are still hopefully at Mercedes in Alabama. We added 5000 new members at the National Institute of Health. Walter Reuther used to say our greatest threat as a union was to rest on the success we have built. We still have a lot of things to fix and new battles to win. We have to keep pushing. Technology is a challenge. AI is something we are all concerned with. Going forward, all of our contracts will include language to protect workers from AI. Another statement from Walter Reuther was we have to master technology not let it master us.

The companies we represent are making record profits. 94% of the profits these companies generate goes back to Wall Street. Our industries are all changing but our issues are all the same. Wages, benefits and respect are all still the same. We are on a mission to take back our power.”

Following President Fain’s address, the delegation moved to the lobby for a group photo. Following which, delegates dispersed to the classrooms when they spent the remainder of the day with instruction.

08/24/2026

Day two of the 2026 UAW Region 8 Summer School kicked off at 8:15 Monday, with the pledge of allegiance, recognition of our veterans and an invocation by Local 862 President Anthony Spencer.

Region 8 Assistant Director George Palmer welcomed delegates and covered the agenda for the day. “It is great to see you all again here today, as we have a day full of education and inspiration,” AD Palmer stated.

Following the welcome, the entire Region 8 Staff were introduced, with each discussing their class. All of the staff is instructing this week, along with additional help from International Staff from Detroit.

UAW Region 8 Director Tim Smith gave his state of the region address. “I am so humbled to see so many people at this conference, especially in light of the fact it is a Constitutional Convention year,” stated Director Smith. “Usually on convention years we see lower numbers at conferences and it is a statement to the commitment of your local union leadership to places resources to educate your membership.

Last week ballots started mailing for this year’s International Executive Board elections. I am not going to tell you who to vote for, but I encourage you to vote. We have a right and a responsibility to participate in these elections and I strongly encourage you to participate. Speaking of elections, we have our midterms coming up this fall. We NEED people to show up and vote. We have to support labor family candidates.

It is good to see new locals here. We are particularly proud to see our members from Local 42 in Volkswagen in Chattanooga, Tennessee. After many years, these members have organized their union, negotiated their contract and have established their local union. I am proud of all our members here in the region and all you are accomplishing every day.” Click here to watch Director Smith’s entire address.

Following the Director’s State of the Region address, delegates broke to move to their classrooms for afternoon training. Sessions include Bargaining, Grievance Handling, Organizing, UAW 101, Financial Officers Training and Retiree Training.

08/24/2026

UAW Region 8 Summer School Kicks Off August 23, 2026

The 2026 UAW Region 8 Summer School kicks off on Sunday August 23, 2026 at the Tradewinds Resort in St. Petersburg, Florida. Over 300 delegates from all across our 17 states are on hand for a week of education, fun and fellowship.

“Summer School is one of my favorite weeks,” stated UAW Region 8 Assistant Director George Palmer. “We have over 300 delegates from across the region.” AD Palmer ask those who were there for the first time to raise their hand. About 50% of the room confirmed they were first timers.

“This is a week of learning, fellowship and fun” AD Palmer added. “I hope you all leave on Friday with new information to help you better serve your fellow members.”

UAW Region 8 Tim Smith welcomed delegates as well. “We are so happy to have you all here,” Director Smith stated. “Summer School brings together members from across all sectors, all states, all employers and all ages. We have had a very full year and still have elections for the International Executive Board and the mid terms to deal with. I encourage all members to vote; it is your right.”

UAW Region 8 Director Tim Smith has been reelected by acclimation and will be sworn in for his second later this fall. “I am so glad to see our retirees here again this year,” Director Smith stated. “You have walked the path before us and help build this movement. We appreciate you.”

The meeting was adjourned for the evening and will begin again on Monday morning at 6:30 AM for breakfast with general session beginning at 8:15AM.