New Region 4 Director
Special Convention Elects Dennis Williams

New Region 4 Director Dennis Williams addresses the convention.

Nearly four hundred delegates and guests from throughout Region 4 gathered at the Ramada Hotel in Rosemont, Ill., on June 7 to elect a new Region 4 director.

International UAW President Stephen P. Yokich chaired the special convention to replace retiring Region 4 Director Paul Korman.

After thanking Korman for his leadership and service, President Yokich recognized delegate Barb Fisher, trustee of UAW Local 2488 in Bloomington, Ill., who placed the name of Dennis Williams into nomination.
Three delegates then seconded that nomination: Pat Killeen, president of Local 125 in Minneapolis, Minn., John Jarstad, president of Local 95 in Janesville, Wis., and Pat Teed, president of Local 997 in Newton, Iowa.

There were no other nominations, and Williams accepted his nomination amid a chorus of cheers and applause from the delegates.

After taking the oath of office from President Yokich, Director Williams thanked the delegates, guests and membership for their support and the honor they had given him.

He told the convention delegates, “We have great challenges ahead of us. While the methods may be different, the goals will be the same. We have a responsibility to our membership to strengthen our union by organizing the unorganized.

“We have a responsibility to educate and involve our members in the political process. And, if we truly want them involved, we must show them that the struggle is not just mine or yours, but everyone’s.

“It’s about workers having dignity in the workplace. It’s about having a safe work environment, and it’s about raising the standard of living for all workers. It’s only then, when we accomplish these things, that we will see changes in our society such as better and equal education, health care for all, and real social and economic justice,” Williams concluded.

During the reception that followed, many delegates expressed enthusiasm and support for their new director.

“It’s a changing of the guard for our leadership, and I know Dennis is prepared to do a great job,” said one sister when asked her reaction to the election.

Another delegate commented, “I see a generational shift at both the regional and local levels of our union, and I’m excited about it.”

Next: Local News

Local unions and members may submit articles and photos at anytime to the regional office or to the area office closest to you. Articles may be subject to editing. Dennis Williams, Director Al Weygand, Assistant Director Region 4 Office 2700 South River Road, Suite 200 Des Plaines, IL 60018-4105 847-699-2020 • fax: 847-699-1725 Sub-Regional Offices 1530 46th Avenue, Suite F Moline, IL 61265-7019 309-764-3584 • fax: 309-764-3846 112 N. Second Street Rockford, IL 61107-4051 815-962-0601 • fax: 815-962-3353 3 West Old State Capitol Plaza Suite 1 Springfield, IL 62701-1220 217-535-4030 • fax: 217-535-4018 2525 East Euclid, Suite 201 Des Moines, IA 50317-6090 515-265-9877 • fax: 515-265-8474 3116 Kimball Avenue Waterloo, IA 50702-5253 319-233-5236 • fax: 319-291-6497 Riverview Office Tower 8009 34th Ave. South, Suite 1275 Bloomington, MN 55425-1624 612-854-5323 • fax: 612-854- 0419 7435 S. Howell Avenue Oak Creek, WI 53154-2109 414-762-3200 • fax: 414-762-2571 5425 Superior Avenue Sheboygan, WI 53083-3448 920-458-1351 • fax: 920-458-6246 Editor: Doug Womack