UAW Local 14 has a proud tradition that stretches back to 1935. Everything we enjoy today—the wages, benefits, working conditions, and rights on the job—exists because of the generations of members who came before us. We owe them our gratitude, our respect, and our commitment to protecting what they built.
One of the highlights of every month for me is attending our Retiree Meeting. While Henry (our retiree President) always reminds me that I'm only supposed to speak for two minutes (and I rarely stay within that limit), I truly value the opportunity to spend time with our retirees, hear their concerns, and learn from their experiences. Their stories and wisdom help guide our union forward.
Our retirees are part of a remarkable legacy. Local 14 founder Bob Travis helped lead one of the most important events in labor history when he directed the Flint Sit-Down Strike. That spirit of courage and determination has defined our local ever since.
Local 14 also made history when Brother Ray Fisher became the first recipient of a 30-and-out retirement in the UAW. On April 1, 1971, Ray retired with 31 years of seniority, establishing a milestone that countless members have since achieved. His retirement represented the promise that years of hard work and sacrifice would be rewarded with dignity and security.
Throughout our history, leaders like Oscar Bunch helped shape the values and principles that continue to guide Local 14 today. His dedication to members and retirees set a standard that we must continue to uphold. As we develop the next generation of union leaders, it is essential that they understand Oscar's legacy and the importance of protecting those who built this union.
Our commitment to retirees is not just words—it is action. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we worked to secure vaccine access for our retirees because their health and safety mattered. When a third-party vendor compromised retiree information through the VEBA, I took action by writing every member of the VEBA Board and advocating for leadership accountability. Shortly after, the head of the VEBA was removed and a new leader was brought in to restore confidence and trust.
At Local 14, we will never forget those who came before us. We will honor their sacrifices, preserve their legacy, and continue fighting to protect the retirement security they earned. Our retirees built this union, and we will always respect, protect, and fight for them.
Protecting Our Retirees
Our retirees spent their careers building and sustaining this union. They stood on the line, paid their dues, fought for contracts, and helped create the benefits that generations of UAW members rely on today.
When their active service is done, it becomes our responsibility — those of us still working — to protect them, defend their benefits, and take care of the union they helped build.
We have always told our retirees to only trust information that comes directly from the UAW or the VEBA Trust. If they receive anything questionable, they should bring it to us so we can investigate it and make sure they are protected.
Unfortunately, the VEBA betrayed that trust when there was a data breach. The Trust failed to ensure that corrections and follow-up communication went through a trusted source. That failure created confusion, fear, and mistrust among retirees who deserved clear answers and protection.
I advocated for a change in leadership at the Trust, and a short time later, that change happened.
UAW Vice Presidents sit on the board of the VEBA Trust. In that position, I would be a strong advocate for our retirees. They earned their benefits through a lifetime of work, and they deserve leadership that will protect them, communicate honestly, and never take their trust for granted.
